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OFFICIAL AWE

RULESET

WEIGH-INS

  • Competitors can only weigh-in during posted times.

  • There is a 0.9kg allowance based on the differential readings of modern scales.

  • A competitor who doesn't make weight will not be able to compete in the scheduled match unless the opponent agrees to continue at the new weight. The competitor who is overweight will forfeit 20% of their payments due to their competitor if the match does go ahead.

  • Any individual(s) attempting to alter weight by not following proper weigh-in procedure will be disqualified from the event.

  • Certain AWE Events will not require athletes to adhere to a weight restriction (Eg AWE Grand Prix)

COMPETITION

  • Match style can be agreed upon by the competitors and the AWE. It would involve a clearly identified amount of rounds needing to be won to claim victory. E.g., First to 3 pins is the winner/six rounds will be pulled regardless of score. (Winner being the competitor having scored the most pins at the end of the 6th round. In the event of a 3-3 draw, a final 7th round will take place to determine the winner.)

  • Tournament style events will be run as double elimination with the competitor from the B side of the bracket needing to win twice in the grand final to claim victory.

  • Competitors will have 20 seconds to negotiate a grip with their opponent.  If after 20 seconds no grip is established, the match will go to referee’s grip.

  • In referee’s grip, competitors will allow the referee to set their hands & shoulders into a starting position. If a competitor resists, deliberately moves, or tries to set themselves into an advantageous position during referee’s grip, they will be given a foul.

  • Two fouls during the match (including set up) results in a loss.

  • Competitors will flip a coin to determine who selects the side for the first pull. 

  • Competitors will switch sides of the table after each pull.

  • After each pull Competitors will go to their corners where they will have 1 minute to rest and confer with their trainers before they return to the table for the next pull.

  • Cornermen/Trainers must remain in their corner throughout the match. At no point is the corner to approach the table where the match is taking place. Doing so will result in a loss for the respective corner’s competitor.

  • No jewellery shall be worn on the arm, wrist, or hand of the competitors.

  • No substance shall be applied to the arm, wrist, or hand, except AWE provided chalk. Any violation can be grounds for disqualification.

  • In the event of a bleeding injury, a competitor MUST stop the bleeding to the referee’s satisfaction.  Use of a Band-Aid or a piece of tape the size of a Band-Aid on the wound is allowed.

  • Any competitor exhibiting impairment due to alcohol, drugs or otherwise, may be disqualified from competition.

  • In the case of any equipment failure the referee has the authority to stop the match at any time. The match will be re-started with all fouls that occurred prior to the stop remaining in place for the restart.

  • During any discrepancy, video review and/or match stoppage both competitors are to report to their specific corners and wait for the referee to calls them back to the table once the discrepancy and action is decided by the head referee.  Any infraction of this rule can lead to a disqualification.

  • Any competitor who leaves the competition area (platform and surrounding corners), either during the match or in the event of a rule discrepancy prior to any referee’s decision, will be immediately disqualified from that match and forfeit any appearance fee or bonus monies for that match.

THE GRIP

  • Competitors must always keep one foot in contact with the floor.

  • Competitors must keep non-pulling hand in contact with the peg.

  • Competitors must follow all commands of the referee during the set-up.

  • Competitors must set their competing elbow on the elbow pad, square their shoulders, and present an open hand.

  • Competitors will have 20 seconds to find their own grip.

  • If the competitors both agree the grip they have attained is fair, the referee will start the match by placing his hands on the competitors wrists and giving the command “GO”.

  • Importantly, if both competitors agree to the grip regardless of position, the match can be started.

  • Both competitors must agree to the grip attained for the match to be able to start.

  • If an agreed upon grip is not attained in 20 seconds, the referee will call for a “Set Grip”.

  • In the “Set Grip” the competitors are instructed to allow the referee to move their body into a fair starting position.

  • Competitors are instructed not to resist against the referee’s movements during this phase.

  • The referee will get both competitors into a fair starting position which includes equal webbing height, straight uncarved/uncupped wrists and shoulders facing forwards.

  • Competitors’ hands will be placed palm-to-palm, flat together and with no separation, to the satisfaction of the referee.

  • The angle of the competing arm will result in the fingers pointing at their opponent.

  • Competitors who resist the referee’s placing of their body or do not obey the referee’s instructions will receive clear warning that further infractions will result in a foul.

  • The referee will have full discretion over handing out warnings & fouls, in respect to the infractions committed.

  • Once the referee has positioned both competitors, the instruction of “Close Your Thumbs” will be given.

  • Competitors must close their thumb from the position placed by the referee and without moving any other part of their hand or wrist.

  • After thumbs have been closed, the instruction “Close Your Hands” will be given by the referee.

  • When closing their hands, competitors must not cover the thumb knuckle of their opponent.

  • Once the hands are closed, the referee will immediately give a clear “GO” instruction and the match will start.

  • Cupping, carving, pressuring, covering knuckles, changing shoulder position, or lifting elbow from the table during the “Set Grip” will result in the referee either giving a warning or a foul depending on his discretion of the infraction committed.

  • In the case of competitors slipping and going to the straps, the same 20 seconds to find their own grip will be given before moving to the “Set Grip”.

  •  The “Set Grip” in straps will run the same as out of straps.

  • Competitors are instructed to note that once the “Close Your Hands” command has been given and both hands are closed, the “GO” command will come instantly as long as both hands closed fairly.

SLIPS

  • A slip is defined by the pulling hands of the competitors separate completely during the match

  • A slip deemed intentional by the referee will be considered a loss.

  • The referee has the final decision as to a slip being deemed intentional

FOULS

  • A competitor receiving any 2 fouls will result in a loss.

  • All of the below result in a foul:

  • During the referee’s grip refusing to listen to instructions or resisting the referee’s directions.

  • During the Set Grip & prior to “GO,” any movement of the hand/wrist/arm.

  • Touching any part of their body such as chin, shoulder, or head to the competing hands.

  • The elbow losing contact with the top of elbow pad at any time during the match.

  • If one foot is not in contact with the floor during the match.

  • If a competitor attempts to delay a match by not staying at the table.

  • Poor sportsmanship may result in a foul. If the conduct continues it can result in removal from the event and/or forfeit of any placements and awards.

  • Losing contact with the peg with non-competing hand.

  • Intentionally moving your opponent off centre E.g. Back Pressure.

  • Competitors cannot drop the competing shoulder below the level of the elbow pad & the angle of the humorous bone must not dip below parallel when in a neutral or losing position.

  • An intentional slip in a losing position will be deemed a foul.

  • False starting is a warning on the first infraction but will be fouled in all instances following the warning. Both competitors are given one warning.

  • The competitors must not place their body/shoulder past the centre line of the peg side of the table during a match. E.g., leaning past the peg line towards the opponent when elbow pressing.

  • Competitors must always stay at the table when a round has begun. A slip/foul/restart does not allow the competitors to retreat back their corners.

PROFESSIONAL
FOUL

  • Any instance where a competitor deliberately fouls/enters an illegal position to gain an unfair advantage/avoid a loss by trying to take advantage of the running fouls ruleset.

CONSIDERATIONS

  • The referee will enforce the above rules to ensure the fairest and most sporting match.

  • Any simultaneous fouls by both competitors will result in Stop/Restart with one foul each.

  • Micro elbow fouls that do not affect the match will not be called as fouls. This is up to the referee’s determination.

  • In the setting up of a match, if both competitors indicate they are happy with the set-up positioning, the referee will simply start the match without adjusting the competitors. The competitors must both agree they are happy to start for this to occur.

  • There are no warnings for any of the above fouls.

PIN DEFINITION

  • Competitors must touch to the pin pad any portion of the wrist to fingertips of their opponent for a win.

  • A parallel pin will occur when any portion of their opponent's wrist to fingertips breaks the pin line.

RUNNING FOUL
SYSTEM

  • IMPORTANT: Do not stop Arm Wrestling until the referee stops the match.

  • Fouls will be announced during the match, but do not stop Arm Wrestling if a foul is called. 

  • If competitor “A” commits a foul, then competitor “A” pins their opponent it will result in a stop/restart with the foul rolling over to the next pull.

  • If competitor “A” commits a foul then competitor “A” commits another foul, this results in a loss for competitor “A”.

  • If competitor “A” commits a foul, then competitor “B” commits a foul the match stops/restarts. Both competitors will have accrued one foul. This is unless competitor “A” fouling was the cause of competitor “B” fouling. Then the match will restart with only competitor “A” having a foul. Eg: Competitor “A” pushes forward off the front of the elbow pad, causing competitor “B” to be pushed off the back of the elbow pad.

  • If competitor “A” commits a foul, then competitor “B” pins their opponent it will result in a Win for “B.”

  • Once any foul is called, that competitor must correct the foul immediately or they will continue to accrue fouls.

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