| Arm Wrestling | |
| First: | c. 8th century CE |
| Region: | International |
| Contact: | Yes |
| Team: | No |
| Mgender: | No (competition) |
| Equipment: | Arm wrestling table, straps (competition) |
| Olympic: | No |
Arm wrestling (also spelled "armwrestling") is a sport in which two participants, facing each other with their bent elbows placed on a flat surface (usually a table) and hands firmly gripped, each attempt to "pin" their opponent's hand by forcing it to the surface. In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.[1]
Recreational arm wrestling typically adheres to the most fundamental principles, where two participants face each other with bent elbows resting on a flat surface, with each participant seeking to "pin" their opponent's hand by pressing it down to the surface.[2]
Competitive arm wrestling typically observes more developed rules. Most governing bodies align on general principles within their rule sets, although there may be slight variations. Since there is no central governing body, rule sets must be agreed to prior to a tournament or match.[3] Active governing organizations include the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA),[4] the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF),[5] the World Armwrestling League (WAL),[6] and East vs West.[7]
Competitors begin the match by gripping palm-to-palm, ensuring their thumbs are visible and their hands are centered on the table. The referee ensures the competitors’ hands are properly aligned before allowing them to take their grip. If a competitor fails to establish a grip within 30 seconds, the referee applies their grip (a "ref's grip"), and any movement before the official start results in a foul. The competitors must keep their wrist and forearm straight at the starting setup, After starting the competitors can bend there wrist, while their free hand grips the hand peg at the table’s edge. Competitors must avoid back pressure and prevent excessive movement across the table’s center. The referee signals the start with “Ready...Go!” and ends the match by calling “Stop” and declaring the winner. A pin occurs when any part of the hand touches or crosses the touchpad. If a competitor is injured, they remain in the competition until they lose two matches, with the injury match counted as a loss.[8] [9]
Competitive arm wrestling matches utilize specialized tables which include elbow pads, pin pads, and hand pegs. The elbow pads indicate the area within which a competitor's elbow must remain throughout the match; the pin pads indicate the height below which an opponent's hand must in order to be pinned; and the hand pegs must be gripped with the non-wrestling arm and are used for additional leverage. These tables vary slightly in their dimensions based on the governing body of the competition, but are always symmetrical with predefined distances between the elbow pads and pin pads.[10] [11]
If the competitors lose their grip after the match starts, a referee may apply straps to their wrists and restart the match (a "strap match"). Straps may also be applied prior to a match if both competitors request them. If a slip occurs while a competitor is more than two-thirds of the way to the pinpad (a "losing position"), the referee ends the match with an automatic loss for the competitor. After a foul, the referee allows a predetermined period of time for a rest before the match resumes. Referees may issue warnings for early movements or delays, such as shifting shoulders or arms before the official signal or releasing the hand peg. They may call fouls if a competitor's body touches the table or if their arm is not straight during the referee’s grip. They also may penalize dangerous positions, such as misaligned arms or dropping the shoulder below the elbow pad, as well as crossing the centerline or touching one’s body. Referees penalize competitors who intentionally foul, use foul language, or engage in misconduct, which may lead to disqualification. They stop the match and restart it without penalties if both competitors commit fouls simultaneously. A foul in a losing position typically results in an automatic loss.[12] [13]
Competitions are usually conducted in either tournament or "supermatch" form. A tournament usually involves successive rounds of a single match (or "pull") between any two opponents and a large number of total participants.[14] Most tournaments are double-elimination, meaning two losses will eliminate a competitor from the tournament. A supermatch usually involves a best three out of 5 matches, or best of four out of 6 matches between two specific athletes, with short rest periods between consecutive matches.[15] The supermatch format is usually reserved for more experienced and high-level pullers, and is analogous to a traditional bout in other combat sports. Supermatch format varies depending on the rule set utilized by the organizing body.[16] [17] As with other combat sports in which body weight is recognized to play a significant role in victory, arm wrestling tournaments are usually divided along weight classes as well as left and right-handed divisions.
The three main techniques in arm wrestling are known as the "hook", the "toproll", and the "press". There are many movements within these techniques, but all arm wrestling engagement involves one or a combination of these three techniques.[18]
The hook (or "hooking") is an "inside" arm wrestling technique[19] where a competitor attempts cup their hand at the wrist toward their forearm, pulling their opponent toward them in while supinating the hand and forearm. The competitor will combine hand and arm positioning to reduce the opponent's leverage and shift toward the pin pad to gain control. The hook relies primarily on wrist pressure and arm strength, particularly in the biceps, rather than hand control or technique, in contrast to the toproll.[20]
The toproll (or "toprolling") is an "outside" arm wrestling style[21] characterized by pronating the hand and forearm to apply wrist pressure on the opponent, while pulling back and sideways to control the opponent's hand. The competitor's arm should remain at a tight angle, with body movement toward the winning side and the non-competing leg bending to generate momentum. The goal is to open the opponent's wrist, forcing them into a vulnerable position before securing the pin. A successful toproll relies heavily on strength in the rising, pronation, and back pressure movements.[22] [23]
The press (or "flop wrist press"; "triceps press") is an outside style which involves a competitor getting their body behind their arm to use their shoulder, chest, and triceps to press their opponent's hand and arm to the pin pad. Effective pressing requires proper alignment with the hips and non-competing leg positioned to avoid blocking the pin. This technique is often reserved for neutral or advantageous positions in order to finish an opponent. Beginners should be careful using the press as it can put stress the elbow tendons and cause injury if applied incorrectly. The press can be accessed from either a hook or toproll.[24] [25]
"Cupping" refers to flexion of the hand and wrist toward the inner arm.[26] Cupping uses the forearm muscles to bend back an opponent's wrist and decrease their accessible leverage. Strength in this movement is a key factor to success when implementing a hook.[27]
"Pronation" involves downward rotation of the palm, wrist and forearm.[28] This movement applies hand pressure on an opponent, opening up their fingers, bending back their wrist, and setting them up for a pin. Strength in this movement is important for toprolling.[29]
"Supination" of the hand involves upward rotation of the palm, wrist and forearm.[30] A competitor will often apply this movement in combination with downward movement of the arm. Strong supination can contribute to success in the hook movement.[31]
"Rising" involves radial deviation of the hand on the plane of the palm.[32] This movement involves a competitor lifting their wrist to put pressure on the opponent and forcing them into a disadvantageous position. Toprolling in particular utilizes strength in the rising movement.[33] [34]
"Side pressure" involves isometric contraction of the pectoral muscles, internal shoulder rotators, and whole-body movement to generate force against the opponent’s hand, typically sideways across the table toward the pin pad.[35]
"Back pressure" involvescontraction of the back muscles (primarily the lats) and biceps which generates force to pull the opponent across the table toward the competitor. This move increases the opponent’s elbow angle and limites the opponent's leverage, while decreasing the angle of the competitor's elbow in relation to their body.[36]
"Posting" involves upward pressure of the forearm, lifting an opponent's arm upward, in an attempt to bring the competitor's forearm as vertical as possible on the elbow pad. Posting is often utilized in a toproll as an effective counter against a hook.[37] [38]
There is significant debate surrounding the most effective training methods for arm wrestling due to limited empirical research specific to the sport. While there is not a consensus as to whether arm wrestling practice (commonly known as "table time") or strength training is most effective for developing arm wrestling strength, it is generally accepted that both are important.[39] [40] Strength training typically takes the form of gym exercises specific to arm wrestling movements, and technique is typically gained through table time. Most arm wrestlers rely on trial and error, gathering insights from peers to determine what works best for them.[41]
Common lifts for arm wrestling include bicep curls, hammer curls, wrist curls, rows, pull-ups, and other exercises which develop overall pulling strength and greater pressures against the opponent. Pushing exercises are generally secondary, except in certain cases where they strengthen techniques and movements such as the press (bench press) and side pressure (JM press).[42]
In addition to standard dumbbells and barbells, arm wrestlers often make use of resistance bands, straps, martial arts belts, and cable systems with specialized handles in order to more closely replicate the angles and tensions of real arm wrestling.[43] Arm wrestlers will often construct their own specialized equipment.[44]
A majority of technique training takes the form of table time. Table time often involves engaging in recreational matches or exercises between two individuals on an arm wrestling table, starting from various starting positions and scenarios, with the intended purpose of developing one's strategy and techniques against a large variety of opponents and styles. Arm wrestling practice strategies and scenarios can include endurance, static reps, strap training, "ready go" training, and speed training.
Arm wrestling is associated with various injuries, including humerus fractures, shoulder dislocations, soft-tissue damage, nerve injuries, and tendonitis. Injuries associated with arm wrestling occur most commonly between novices or athletes of significant strength difference, when competitors are forced into unsafe positions out of inexperience or inability to maintain advantage. Matches or practices involving experienced competitors with the proper conditioning and knowledge produce injuries at a lower rate than novices. Most individuals experiencing injuries regain full function with proper treatment.[45] [46]
Spiral humerus fractures are the most common fracture experienced and often occur in the dominant arm, especially among amateurs. Fractures may require longer recovery times and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. Fractures are significantly more likely when one of the competitors rotates their shoulder inward (as in a press) without first getting behind their hand, a position known as the 'break arm' position.
Beginners should attempt to maintain eye contact with their own hand, keep their shoulders square, and pull (rather than push) their opponent to the pin pad, in order to prevent reaching a position that could cause injury.
Current knowledge of the history of arm wrestling is based on written and pictorial evidentiary sources, and arm wrestling may have existed in any number of ancient or medieval cultures that did not record it. The most popular claims that it was practiced in ancient Egypt or ancient Greece, while not necessarily implausible, are founded on misinterpretation of sources (confusing references to wrestling with the arms or images of wrestling with the hands or of dancing for arm wrestling).[47]
Modern-day practices and depictions of arm wrestling have been widely practiced during the Edo-period of Japan (ja|腕相撲|udezumō; formerly known as "wrist wrestling" in this context in English, the literal translation of the Japanese) depicted in art from as early as the 1700s, and recorded in writing as early as the eighth century in the Kojiki. Illustrations unambiguously demonstrate this was the same as modern arm wrestling. It is likely that the modern popularity of arm wrestling comes from the Japanese treatment of the sport.[47]
Arm wrestling was also practiced by Spaniards and Cubans in the nineteenth century, possibly via the influence of Japanese contact; these arm-wrestlers would place a piece of money under each elbow.[48]
Arm wrestling in the United States was formerly also called "Indian arm wrestling"; some sources suggest the practice originated amongst Native American peoples such as the Lenape. A similar sport, "Indian hand wrestling", attested from the early 20th century and commonly ascribed Native American origins, was conducted standing upright. Both "Indian arm wrestling" (or simply "arm wrestling") and "Indian hand wrestling" were popular among Boy Scouts and other American youth in the early to mid 20th century.[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
The transition from small arm wrestling competitions to professionally-organized events began in the 1950's. In late 1954, a "wristwrestling" challenge issued by Jack Homel at Mike Gilardi’s bar in Petaluma, California, sparked local interest and led to the formation of a committee to organize an event for the March of Dimes. The first contest took place on 27 January 1955, and was followed by the establishment of an annual event, which grew steadily in scale and popularity.[55] In 1962, the sport was formalized by the creation of the World’s Wristwrestling Championship, Inc., which held the first World’s Wristwrestling Championship on February 2, 1962, marking the transition from informal, local competitions to professional, organized tournaments.[56]
In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.[57]