WAF RULES AND REGULATIONS: SECTION 5 - COMPETITION RULES

Section 5 – Competition Rules

5.1.      Double Elimination Seeding

5.1.1    WAF Championships will always be double elimination. All contestants must lose twice. No seeding prior to championships. Contestants are placed on draw sheet by luck of the draw. Team members from the same country will not be matched against each other on the first round if possible.

5.2.      General Guidelines

5.2.1    Contestant for each weight class will be announced and they will come to the stage to be verified against the draw sheet.

5.2.2    Contestants’ names will be called and they have 60seconds to come to the table. Failure to appear in 60 seconds, they will be given a loss. They will approach the table, shake hands with their opponent, and then take a grip.

5.2.3    Anyone with long hair will have to have their hair restrained in some fashion. Headbands are permitted but not hats.

5.2.4    Referees are not there to use force or wrestle with you. A referee will lightly touch

competitors’ hands to see that they are properly aligned, wrists straight and arm centered to the table tops.

5.2.5    No breaks in contest during or between matches, unless there is equipment failure, draw sheet mistake or authorized by officials

5.2.6    No competitor will be matched twice against the same opponent unless for place standing.

5.2.7    The referee’s may give a disabled puller some allowances for his handicap.

5.2.8    You can only pin your opponent on the winning side of the table.

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5.3.     Setting up / Start of Match

5.3.1   The grip is palm to palm, grip at thumb, thumb knuckle must be visible. Gripped hands  should be level on a plain at the forefingers. Freehand will grip the hand peg provided  at the table edge. This arm may or may not touch the table top. Finger  nails should be trimmed so as not to injure your opponent. Stickum / rosin / chalk  are permitted.

5.3.2   Backpressure to the extent that it pulls your opponents arm across the marked cente rof the table will not be allowed. This infraction will be deemed the same as a false start.

5.3.3    Shoulders will be kept square to the table. They may slope to either side before the start.

5.3.4    There will be a hand width between the shoulder and forearm of each competitor as well as between the chin and hand prior to the start.

5.3.5    The signal given by the Head Referee is “Read…Go!” in an unspecified cadence. At the end of the match the referee will say “Stop” and indicate the winner by raising his arm towards him/her. All effort must be made by the referee that the competitors are aware the match is stopped.

5.3.6    A pin is when any part of the natural wrist line to finger tips, touches or goes below the touch pad.

5.3.7    Competitors legs can be wrapped around the table leg or braced against an opposite table leg prior to start of the match, providing they are not interfering with their opponent. Feet can be off the ground during the competition and legs can be moved in any fashion, as long as they don’t interfere with their opponent.

5.3.8    In the event of any injury during competition, the competitor’s name will continue to be brought forward until he/she has fulfilled the two loss commitment. The match that competitor was injured in will be regarded as a loss.

5.3.9    There is no time limit during an actual bout. However, if in the estimation of the Head Referee or a WAF authorized physician, that a competitor is deemed unfit to continue, the match will be stopped.

WAF RULES AND REGULATIONS: SECTION 3 - REFEREES

 

 

 



Section 3 – Referees

 

3.1.      Director of Referees

 

3.1.1    Is responsible for referee assignments at and during WAF competition.

 
            3.1.2   Is responsible to supervise the referees during the competition and issue a
                       performance  report card at the end of the tournament to each participating referee.
 

3.1.3   Is responsible to remove any referee that is deemed irresponsible or tech technically unfit to Referee a WAF tournament.

 

3.1.4   Is responsible to bring to the attention of the WAF executive, documented proof of a Referee who is to be disciplined for unwarranted behavior or blatant misconduct.

 

3.1.5   Is responsible to make certain referees conform to WAF referee dress code at WAF tournaments.

  

3.2.      Director of Referee Training

 

3.2.1   Is responsible to assure assigned referees are competent both physically and technical, to referee a WAF tournament.

 

3.2.2   Is responsible to implement a short but comprehensive referee clinic with assigned referees prior to the competition.

 

3.2.3   Is responsible to oversee a worldwide referee training program, implement the program and to keep current to any changes in rules.

  

3.3.      Competition Referee

 

3.3.1   Is responsible to wear proper WAF dress code for referees which is short sleeve black and white striped shirt, with stripes being 1” wide, black pants, socks and shoes. Individuals name and ranking maybe printed on their back. Ranking to appear on right shoulder sleeve, 1” up from cuff.

 

3.3.2   The referee will not be allowed to wear a country flag on his / her shirt (2001).

 

3.3.3   Is responsible to know WAF rules thoroughly and to make certain to attend WAF clinics prior to tournaments.

3.3.4.   Is responsible to conduct themselves in an unbiased and professional manner. Referees are not to congratulate individual competitors; they may congratulate both competitors on a match well done.

3.3.5.   A qualified referee will be allowed to referee on day that they are not pulling.

 

3.4.      Stand up Style Referee

 

Two table top referees will be used.

 

3.4.1   The referee starting the match will be deemed Head Referee of that particular match. Assistant Referee will watch for elbow fouls at start of match and assist in assuring a fair start. After the match has started, the two referees will watch each their side for fouls or a pin.

3.4.2   Once a referee is set at a table, he/she cannot be removed, unless for lack of competence or technical knowledge.

 

 

 

WAF RULES AND REGULATIONS: SECTION 6 - UNIVERSAL WORDS

Section 6 – Universal Words

Each competitor should know the following words:

Ready…Go

Knuckles

Elbow down

Wrist Shoulders

Stop

Warning

Winner

Over

Referee Grip

Back

Thumb down

Don’t move

Center

Coincidental

Grip

Foul

Under

Strap

Dangerous position

WAF RULES AND REGULATIONS: SECTION - PROTOCOLS

Section 4 – Protocols

4.1.     Rules of the Tournament

4.1.1    The World Championships will always be held from the middle of November to the 1^ST  week of December.

4.1.2    Right and Left arm events will be held on separate days.

4.1.3    Each weight class will be called to the stage when it comes to their turn to compete. They will be accounted for as per draw sheet. Then the matches will begin. A specified area will be secured for the pullers whose class is being run. The officials wills end these pullers to this specified area (2001).

4.1.4    Wrist wraps, straps, elbow bandages/supports or cups, protective wraps, rings or bandages are not permitted on arms. * An arm is defined as that portion of the body starting from the shoulder and continuing on and ending at the finger tips.

4.1.5    Individuals (unless authorized by the Head Referee at a table), may not approach a table to within 20 feet. Strict penalty maybe enforced.

4.1.6    Points will be deducted from a country’s team for breach of discipline or poor

sportsmanship.

4.1.7    Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and it could lead up to and including being barred from the tournament.

4.1.8    No challenge matches allowed during or immediately preceding the competition. No disruption of scheduled proceedings allowed.

4.2.    Drug Testing

4.2.1     Drug testing will be allowed in all World, International, Continental and National Championships,provided they are WAF sanctioned. Complainant will have to deposit required fees in US dollars along with an official letter to be submitted to WAF chairman or standing committee on discipline.

4.3.   Fines

4.3.1    Mobile phones that are switched on during competition or in Congress meetings will be charged a $10 fine. The Host of the event will be given an exception. Air horns or any such loud instruments will not be allowed in the audience (2001).

4.3.2    Any unauthorized competitor or official who come on stage during the event will be charged a $50 fine.

4.3.3    Fee of $50 will be charged to hear a protest, if your protest is up held the $50 is returned to the country, if the protest is denied the country looses the $50 fine.

4.3.4    Fine will be charged to competitors, coaches and spectators who use bad language towards The referee’s.

1st Offence $100             

2nd Offence $ 200

3rd Offence $300 6 month suspension to any future offences

WAF Rules of Armwrestling: Section 1 - Technical Rules

Section 1 - Technical Rules

1.1.      Teams 

Must be composed of Members of Country represented. If required, a team member or individual may have to produce any document demanded by WAF to establish proof of his/her nationality to so represent his/her Country. The term “team” for all intents and purpose, will mean all of the categories presented, both left and right arm, both female and male. A team trophy will be awarded, based only on total points accumulated for all categories in both genders. Teams can be broken down to determine points by gender, only to establish ranking of female and male teams of each country. Team can be further broken down to left and right arm categories, again by gender to further establish rankings. Trophies will be awarded in these categories if the host country wishes, but only with written permission from WAF.

1.2.      Number in a Team

Up to two competitors per Country in each right and left arm categories. This includes Senior, Masters, Grand Masters, Disabled and Youth Divisions.

1.3       Weight Classes

SENIOR RIGHT & LEFT ARM

Men:  0 –55kg,60kg,65kg, 70kg,75kg,80kg, 85kg,90kg,100kg,110kg& 110+kg

Women: 0– 50kg;55kg;60kg; 65kg;70kg;80kg & 80+kg

MASTER RIGHT & LEFT ARM–40 years

Men: 0 –70kg; 80kg;90kg; 100kg & 100+kg

Women: 0– 60kg; 70kg; 80kg & 80+kg

GRAND MASTER RIGHT &  LEFT ARM– 50 years

Men: 0 –75kg;90kg;100kg & 100+kg

DISABLED  RIGHT  & LEFT ARM

Men: 0 –60kg;75kg;90kg & 90+kg

Women: 0– 60kg;70kg;80kg & 80+kg

YOUTH  RIGHT & LEFT ARM

Boys: 50kg;55kg; 60kg;65kg;70kg; 80kg & 80+kg

Girls: 45kg;50kg;55kg; 60kg;65kg;70kg & 70+kg

1.4.      Weigh-ins

There is no clothing allowance; therefore weigh-ins will be done in the nude if an athlete wishes to qualify for a certain weight class. (Weight has to register to zero, i.e. if 70kg class it will have to zero to 70.0kg). Without prejudice or bias, if an athlete has artificial limbs or limb, they must weigh-in with them on if they wish to compete with them on.

1.4.1  There will be no dispute regarding procedure during weigh-ins. Weigh-ins will follow registration roster by numerical order, i.e. first team to register with WAF General Secretary, will be the first team weighed and so on. The WAF will have the right to disallow entry to any country not meeting WAF requirements or which creates disorder.

1.4.2   All weigh-ins to be done on WAF approved scales. Weigh-in will be done no sooner than 24 to 30hours before the first day of competition start time. All participating referee’s are allowed to weigh-in with the Juniors & Masters before the 1stday of competition.

1.4.3   During weigh-in, an athlete may be accompanied by a team official of their own country.

1.4.4     More than one official weigh-in scale may be used.

1.4.5     The Director of weigh-ins is the final authority on all weigh-in procedures.

1.4.6     A competitor may weigh-in to their normal weight or jump one weight class higher.

1.5.      Age Groups, same for both Men and Women

Please note: Age will be determined by calendar year.

Sub-Junior  -  12 years and under

Junior  - 18 years and under

Senior any age above 18 years

Masters - 40 years and above

Grand Master - 50 years and above

• If so required by WAF, proof of age will have to be given by producing a bona fide passport or medical certificate.
• If so required by WAF, proof of gender may be required under qualified medical supervision by WAF appointed physicians..

WAF Minor officials are responsible for team point tabulation and breakdown of rankings in all categories. Team points will be counted individually for Senior Classes, Master & Grand Master points, Junior points and Disabled points.