1939-40

599
TUG-OF-WAR
(A)
ROYAL TOURNAMENT RULES
r
. Ten per Team, and one Coach. Best two pulls out of three.
Disqualification
2.
Competitors may only support themselves by the rope and
their own feet. Sitting on the ground or on another member of
the team is not permitted. Should a man fall, or save hirnself with
his hand from falling, he must at once recover hinself. The coach
will be held responsible for any infringement of this rule, and
caution against one man will count as a caution against the whole
team. For a second offence the team will be disqualified.
3. No knots or loops may be made in the rope. The crossing of
the rope over itself constitutes a loop. The rope may be gripped by
the end man of a team under the arm and passed over one shoulder,
from which it must hang without being coiled.
Dress
4. The boots worn must be service marching boots, but all
studs, spikes, springs, hobnails, etc., if any
;
must be removed. Toe
and heel plates, if flush with the leather, may be worn.
Method of Conducting
5.
The Referee will be assisted by two judges, one to watch
each team. An Officer will be detailed by the Director of Combats
to weigh all teams before entering the arena, and to examine the
boots of the teams before they extend along the rope. To see that
each team complies with the rules laid down. To caution the
Coach of the team concerned for the first infringement of paras.
2
and 3, and report the second to the Referee.
The pulls will be started by the Referee by word of mouth as
follows:
`6
Take the strain,"' on which both teams will put a
strain on the rope without pulling. When the rope is perfectly
steady, the Referee will place a clip or tie a tape on the rope over the
central mark on the ground and give the order: " Heave." Holes
may not be dug in the ground with the feet or otherwise until the
word `°
Take the strain
" is given.
A whistle may not be used for signalling to either team. Neither
will it be used by the Referee or Judges. The Referee will notify the
end of a pull by signal, when the winning team will be announced.
No one but officials connected with the competition will be
allowed in the arena.