If You’re Thinking Armwrestling Is As Simple As Putting Your Arms On The Table, You Are Way Off
Armwrestling is one of the oldest sports out there. The simple competition of gripping an opponent’s arm from across the table has been around for centuries.
While how you armwrestle between you and your friend might differ from the World Armwrestling League’s rules, you should get yourself up to speed with how the competitive landscape operates…
Let’s keep those arms in line with the lay of the land for all the arm wrestling rules you need to follow!
Becoming A Gladiator At The Table: The Match
Most competitive armwrestling matches are a “best of” format, with most being a best of 5 matches.
Opponents have 60 seconds to negotiate a firm grip with their respective opponents.
On the competing arm, nothing can be worn.
On the competing arm, only chalk can be used on the hand.
If you become injured or are bleeding, the injury must be remedied to the referee’s satisfaction before beginning the next match.
You receive 60 seconds of rest between each match.
The Competitive Armwrestling Setup: The Sanctioned Grip
Here is the official setup you need to have for a legitimate match:
Each competitor must keep one foot in contact (touching) the ground at all times.
The non-pulling hand (the hand you are *not* armwrestling with) must be in contact with the peg of the armwrestling table.
You are required to listen to the referee at all times.
Your competing hand must have the corresponding elbow placed on the respective cushion. Your shoulders must be squared with your opponent’s shoulders. Your hand must be in an open grip for setup.
The webbing of each armwrestlers fingers will be evenly intertwined in a standard interlocking formation.
The referee will proceed to center the hands on the table.
The referee must be able to see the thumb knuckles of the armwrestlers at all times.
The referee, while holding the competitor’s hands, will give the command “close your thumbs.”
The referee, while holding the competitor’s hands, will give the command “close your hands.”
Competitor’s wrists must be straight when these commands are given to the armwrestlers.
The referree will say, “Go,” out loud to begin the match.
What Happens If Your Grip Slips In Armwrestling?
Intentional slipping results in an immediate foul. Three fouls total will result in losing a match. If the competitor’s hands keep unintentionally slipping, an armwrestling strap will lock them in place. This strap will be implemented by the referee.
What Are The Fouls In A Competitive Armwrestling Match?
The Following Items, Movements, And Errors Are Not Allowed In A Sanctioned Match:
Covering your opponent’s thumb knuckle.
Starting a match before the referee is able to command, “Go” or any other given command.
Touching any part of your body to the competing hands besides your competing hand.
The competing elbow leaving the table or losing contact with the cushion pad.
If both feet leave the floor, or one foot is no longer in contact with the ground.
If a player intentionally or unintentionally delays the match by not adhering to the 60-second protocol.
Applying back pressure before the match begins, resulting in your opponent being off-center.
The non-competing hand leaves the armwrestling table support peg.
If you are in a losing position or neutral position, your shoulder cannot drop below the table (see the King’s Move).
Like above, intentional slipping.
You Will Not Receive Warnings, But You Will Receive A Foul
Finally, How Do You Win?
Like regular, olympic-style wrestling, an armwrestling pin occurs when your opponent’s hand touches the pin-pad. Any part of the opponent’s arm from the wrist up that touches the pin-pad results in a match win for the armwrestler who initiated the pin.
Also, if your opponent’s hand drops to the pin-pad line (an invisible line outstretching from the pin-pad reviewed by referees) or drops below that line, it is a pin for the other armwrestler.
Now That You Know
Get out there, get training, and forge gladiatorial grip strength. Do not be afraid to bend and mend the rules to your liking when you are training with a buddy. Just remember, if you head to a sanctioned tournament, these are the rules you will need to follow!