2024 Results:
- Men’s Winning Team: Falmouth
- Women’s Winning Team: Falmouth
- Winning 4-H Team: Colchester County
Official Rules for Tug-of-War:
- A team consists of ten (10) men, no more, no less. A team consists of eight (8) women, no more, no less.
- Weight shown on scales approved by Exhibition is final. Coaches must have all team members at scales at appointed time. This appointed time is 1 hour prior to pulling Men’s team.
Weight limits: 1,700 lbs. ~ men; 1,450 lbs. ~ women; 1,200 lbs. ~ lightweight. - One-eighth inch (1 / 8”) hobnails or flat plates permissable, but not cleats or corks.
- Time limit: All male division, 15 minutes, except 1,200 lbs. class and all-ladies division, 8 minutes.
- Team with most rope over centre of plate at end of time limit will be the winner. In case of a tie, in 1,200 lbs & ladies pull it is a 1 minute overtime, 1,400 lbs and 1,700 lbs men pull a 5 minute overtime.
- Hip or knee lock will not be allowed.
- Side-swaying of rope to start a team from holding position prohibited.
- (a) No puller shall intentionally sit on the ground. If puller loses their footing or grasp, they must regain footing or grasp immediately, or be disqualified.
No part of any puller’s body may contact the ground, save for their feet, the anchor may time to time touch the ground in order to maintain balance.
(b) No puller may change position on the rope after the pull starts. - No changes in personnel of any team allowed after weighing in.
- A puller will pull on only one team during Open Class Tug-of-War Tournament.
- Only one coach and water person allowed with any team.
- In case of a dispute, referee’s decision will be final and must be abided by.
- The tactic known as “The Whip”, sudden dropping to the ground to violently break the back lock (back turn) of the opposing team while straight holding on the hands, is prohibited.
- Marking lines will be put down ten (10) feet apart. All members of teams must keep within the lines. If any member of a team touches one of the lines to gain advantage when pulling, the team could be disqualified.
- Team coach is the only member of a team permitted to discuss pulling conditions with the Committee. Should other members of any team argue with any member of the Committee or Judge, that team will be disqualified from further competition and any prize money will be forfeited.