Although it may seem simple, winning a game of tug of war is down to strategy and not just strength. Behind a winning team, there’s often technique, thoughtful formation, and synchronisation.
Learn the basic rules, how to win a match, top tips, and how to choose the right rope in our comprehensive guide.
The basic rules of tug of war
Tug of war teams consist of 8 players a side, or 6 for a youth team, with the aim of the game being to pull the other team 4 metres over the centre mark. Typically, a match consists of 3 games.
Sport England recognises the Tug of War Association (TOWA) as the English governing body. And, in an official game, tug of war rope specifications refer to a 33.5-36m rope curated from long, natural fibres.
How to win a match
A solid strategy can make or break a game – body position, synchronisation, and formation all make a huge difference.
Body Position
Mastering body position is vital if you want to stay strong, tactical, and secure a win:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, with one slightly behind the other
- Body should be leaning back at a 45-degree angle
- Knees should be slightly bent
- Elbows should stay above knee level
- Palms should be up as you hold the rope underhand
Synchronisation
Another extremely important factor is ensuring that the team is synchronised.
Pulling together in unison ensures that maximum force and strength are being used – rather than using less force spread out in intermittent efforts.
In most games, someone is nominated to call “pull” on the count, helping the team seamlessly control the rope, as opposed to imbalanced bursts.
Formation
The heaviest person is often the most important. They tend to be the most powerful and are quite often nominated as the anchor. They’re usually the last person in the line, while the person at the front will set the rhythm, counting and shouting pull.
Tall and short players should be alternating for an even distribution and rope angle, popping the strongest team members at the back.
Tug of war tips
Playing tug of war and want some quick tips? For an advantage in a match, the following can be very helpful:
- Stay low – Promises more stability.
- Pick the right shoes – A flat, smooth-soled shoe is ideal and is recommended by the TOWA.
- Don’t wrap the rope around you – This is illegal and can be extremely dangerous, too.
Choosing the right rope for tug of war
For tug of war, Manila, jute, and sisal are the best choices. These natural ropes are extremely textured, and therefore provide a stronger grip – which can make a game. They’re also extremely durable and can carry the weight to ensure a successful game. For a children’s game, jute is ideal thanks to its particularly soft feel to touch.
At Garden Ropes, we provide a number of ropes that are perfect for both casual and official games of tug of war, ranging in colour, material, and diameter from 30mm to 36mm.
Ready to win your next game? Browse our tug of war ropes today.
