Sefton Tug of War Rules

The Tug of War will be held on grass (not boards), and ordinary footwear must be worn. This means  no studs, spikes, or similar boots. We’d recommend normal work boots, trainers, or  gumboots/wellingtons. Crampons or other additions to footwear are not allowed. The rope is  braided and smooth to avoid injury – you may wear gloves if you wish. 

Each team must consist of a maximum of 8 people. The Trophy Pull has a total weight limit of  800 kg (equivalent to 100 kg each). The Mixed Pull has no weight limit but at least four of the team members must be female. There is no weight limit for the Female Pull. You may register up to ten people in your team, but only eight will be pulling at any one time. Each team will compete against every team in their chosen category in the heats throughout the event(multiple pulls per team- not a one and done), followed by the finals. 

Except for the above conditions, we will be adhering to standard Tug of War rules, whereby the team that pulls the rope a total of four metres from the centre line, will win the pull. The referee’s decision on illegal pulling (looping the rope, lying down and other underhand tactics) will be final. 

The routine for each pull will be as follows: 

• The teams will line up next to the rope, which is marked with a centre mark in red and two finish marks in black, four metres either side of the centre mark. 

• On the call “Anchors Ready” the anchor for each team goes to their end of the rope. The end of the rope goes over their left shoulder, diagonally across their back, and the end is held in their right hand, with a metre or so hanging loose and pointing forwards. Left and right can be swapped over if preferred. Anchors may wish to wear a heavy padded jacket for this purpose. 

• On the call “Teams Ready” the remaining seven members of each team will take their positions between their anchors and the finish mark on their side of the rope and hold on to the rope with their hands. 

• Apart from the half-turn around the anchor, the rope must run in a straight line at all times and no looping is allowed. 

• On the call “Take the strain” both teams will take up the strain in the rope and lean backwards into position. 

• The referee will then ensure that the centre mark of the rope is positioned directly above the centre mark on the ground and may call for the teams to adjust their position accordingly. 

• The referee will ask “Are you ready?” and will wait for confirmation from the captain of  each team. 

• Within five seconds of the confirmation that both teams are ready, the referee will call “Pull”, loudly. 

• A team loses when their black finish mark is directly above the centre mark on the ground. 

• During the pull, all team members must be standing. However, if you fall or slip and touch the grass with something other than your feet, you may immediately attempt to get up again. The referee will only call a foul if team members deliberately stay on the ground.

Schedule: 

∙ Gates open at 9am 

∙ First pull at 10am 

∙ Pool rounds from 10am to 12pm 

∙ Knockout phase starts at 1pm 

∙ Finals at 2pm 

The Mixed and Woman's pulls will be played throughout at the same times, with the final just before the Trophy Pull final. 

Truck pull: 

Will take place straight after the Trophy pull final. 

The event will have good food, cold drinks and coffee available throughout (not just a sausage sizzle!) 

This is an alcohol, smoke and vape free community event.