How tall is a mallakhamb pole?
Officials' detail · Apparatus and competitions · 1 of 1The pole is teak or sheesam, fixed in the ground and oiled with castor oil: 2,600 to 2,800 mm high for boys under 19, 2,400 to 2,600 mm for younger boys. The cotton rope is 5,000 to 5,500 mm long and may not be knotted. Boys on the pole wear a langot and jangiya; girls wear leotards.
How it works
- Wood: teak or sheesam.
- Oil: castor oil.
- Pole, under 19: 2,600 to 2,800 mm high.
- Pole, under 14 and 17: 2,400 to 2,600 mm.
- Rope: 5,000 to 5,500 mm, never knotted.
- Rope thickness: 18 to 20 mm at under 19.
- Mats: 2 m by 1 m, 6 to 10 cm thick.
- Apparatus apart: at least 10 m.
The glossary has the pole mallakhamb, the rope mallakhamb, the hanging mallakhamb, the competition equipment, the uniform (mallakhamb) and the chief judge's deductions.
Tricky cases
Can a girl tie a knot in the rope to rest on?
No. The rope may not be knotted in any way.
Are knee pads allowed?
On the rope only: a cotton or elastic anklet or kneecap without foam.
What does wrong attire cost?
0.20 from the average score; a team not in uniform loses 0.50 from its total.
Who approves the apparatus?
The MFI, by sending a member to check it in advance.
Why the rule exists
Oil cuts the friction on bare skin; the boys' pole uniform leaves the legs free to grip the wood.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under 19 pole | 2,600 to 2,800 mm | L R 2.2 |
| Under 14 and 17 rope | 12 to 13 mm thick | L R 2.2 |
| Rope kit | Anklets allowed | L R 12.8.1 |
From the rule book
SGFI, Rules & Regulations: Mallakhamb, with the MFI Code of Points (2008 edition), rules 2, 4, 12.8 and 15 and evaluation point 8C. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: SGFI Rules & Regulations: Mallakhamb.