Tug of war is a classic game that is usually played at children's parties or family gatherings. In this game, 2 teams stand at each end of the rope and try to pull the rope until most of them cross the center line or mark between the two teams. However, this game is not as easy as it seems! There are many strategies that can be applied to win the tug of war, and most involve team positioning and technique.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Positioning the Team
Step 1. Gather 8 people of different sizes and power levels
One of the pluses of tug of war is that you can learn to win as a team, even if your team doesn't contain strong people! For organized leagues, it's a good idea to recruit 1-2 extra people as substitutes in case someone gets injured or is unable to play in a match.
If you plan to play in a league, make sure that the total weight of all team members does not exceed the established rules, which can vary by age group
Step 2. Position more experienced team members at the front to lead the tug of war
This person will act as the “leader” of the group. Choose someone who is of medium height and has played tug of war before. He must be able to maintain grip strength while in a squat position and have plenty of lower body strength so that the front row of the team is not overburdened.
It helps if your teammates are sorted from tallest to shortest, then pick the one near the center as the main jerk
Step 3. Organize the center of the team based on their skills to support teamwork
Position the less experienced member between two experienced players so they can communicate throughout the game. In this way, experienced players can set the draw speed and novice players can try to build resilience and strength.
Talking and communicating throughout the game can be useful to some team members, but remember not to divulge your strategy to your opponent
Step 4. Position someone with good endurance at the back of the team
Choose a person with a strong lower body and position him at the end of the rope as the team's "anchor". Make sure he's strong enough to keep pulling the team while keeping a tight grip on the rope.
- In general, the anchor usually wraps a rope around its back and keeps the team moving backwards.
- Typically, the anchor will set the pull speed by stepping back every 3-4 seconds. If the whole team can't keep up, the anchor is in charge of maintaining grip and slowing the pull so the whole team can reposition themselves.
Tip:
Try positioning the heaviest member at the end of the rope as an anchor. He can help pull the whole team back when leaning back.
Method 2 of 2: Perfecting the Technique
Step 1. Grip the rope firmly with your palms facing up and close together
Stand on the left side of the rope and grab the rope with your right hand. Grasp the rope with your palm facing up, and your left hand either in front of or directly behind your right hand. Close your palms on the straps so that your thumbs are facing up.
Some sources recommend that you powder your hands to maintain a firm grip. These tips work well enough for some people, but you can still win without them
Warning:
Don't wrap the rope around your hand. While this may seem like a good idea, if the strap slips, you could sprain or break your wrist.
Step 2. Squat down and lean back, with your heels on the ground when the whistle blows
When you line up for a match, spread your feet shoulder-width apart, and squat down with your knees slightly bent. When the game begins, tilt your body back 45 degrees and begin to press your heels as hard as you can into the ground and hold your body. Don't just pull the strings, and let your body weight do the work!
If you lean over or bend your knees too much, you can overstrain your muscles, which can reduce your endurance
Step 3. Take a few steps back as a team, and tread on your heels
Before the game, talk to your teammates and plan to step back every 3-4 seconds, starting with the left foot. When the game begins, raise and trace your left heel about 2.5-5 cm back. Then, repeat with the right heel slowly, and pull the opposing team. If you can, go wider when the opposing team looks tired.
- You must not pull or tug on the rope. Instead, just hold the rope tightly and keep it close to your body as your body moves backwards.
- You can talk to the player in front and listen to the player at the back throughout the game. However, avoid saying “withdraw” or “withdraw” during the game because the opposing team will hear it and can determine a counter strategy.
Step 4. Keep your legs straight and push backwards to strike back
If you lose your footing, try turning towards the rope on the right to prepare for a counterattack. Place your left foot on the ground horizontally to slow forward movement, and push to push your body back. Take 2.5 cm steps at a time as you push back.
