Archive 2007–2013About the sport

Equipment

Clothing

Teams wear ordinary sportswear consisting of shorts, sports shirts and knee socks.

Skin-protecting gear may be worn under the sportswear with the referee's consent. Protective belts are allowed only if worn under the sportswear. The protective gear worn by the "anchor" must not exceed a maximum thickness of 5 cm; it must always be worn under the sportswear and placed between the rope and the body. No hooks, grooves or other devices intended to keep the hands from slipping are allowed on any protective gear.

Rosin

Rosin is allowed to improve the grip on the rope and may be used only on the palms.

Footwear

Competition footwear must not be artificially reinforced in any way. No metal parts are allowed on the toes of the shoes. Metal heel plates no thicker than 6.5 mm are allowed on the heels; they must not protrude beyond the sole and the bottom of the heel. No spikes or protruding nails are allowed on the soles.

In indoor tug of war competitions, the soles must be made of rubber or another material that gives optimal grip on the floor surface without damaging it.

Rope

Rope dimensions

The circumference of the rope must be no less than 10 cm (100 mm) and no more than 12.5 cm (125 mm); the rope must have no knots or other places that help secure the hands. The end of the rope must be whipped. The rope must be at least 33.5 m long.

Rope markings

Tape or a mark is added to the rope in such a way that the referee can easily move it if the rope stretches or shortens.

Pulling area

An outdoor tug of war area must be flat, with a surface covered with even grass. A single center line must be marked on the ground.

An indoor tug of war area must be made of a material that gives sufficient friction for footwear and is approved by TWIF.
The recommended length of the area is 36 m.

A center line and two side lines 2 m on either side of the center line are marked on the surface of the area.

Ropes, shoes and other equipment can be ordered by contacting the Russian Tug of War Federation