How long is a silambam fight?
B · Beginner · The stick fight · 2 of 4A school games fight is three rounds of two minutes, with a minute's rest after the first. The staff must keep moving in circles throughout: a fighter who stops it is warned and loses a point. Scoring with one hand brings a warning and then a point off. After scoring, a fighter must step back.
How it works
- Rounds: three of two minutes.
- Rest: one minute after round one.
- Staff: always moving.
- Staff stopped: warning, 1 point off.
- One hand: warning, then 1 point off.
- After scoring: step back.
- Timekeeper: starts with the referee.
- WSA: two rounds, a third if tied.
The glossary has the rounds and time, the stick movement rule, the stick drop, the Kambu Sandai, the Thanithiramai and the fouls (silambam).
Tricky cases
A WSA fight is tied after three rounds. Result?
The Tani Tiramay skill marks decide it.
How long between a WSA fighter's matches?
At least 10 minutes.
Can WSA rounds be longer?
Yes. The technical committee may set three minutes.
The staff slips out of a sweaty hand. Result?
No score; the fight goes on.
Why the rule exists
Keeping the staff moving holds the fight to silambam's spinning style, not simple jabbing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School games | Three rounds | L S 4.25 |
| WSA | Two, then a third | L W 21.2 |
| Moving staff | 1 point off | L S 4.19 |
From the rule book
SGFI Silambam Rules and WSA Silambam Sports Rules: SGFI chapter 4, points 19 to 25; WSA article 21.2. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: SGFI Silambam Rules; WSA Silambam Sports Rules (web page).