What are the rules of tug of war?
B · Beginner · Teams and equipment · 1 of 4Two teams of eight pull on opposite ends of one rope. Outdoors on grass, a pull is won when a side marker on the rope crosses the centre line; indoors, when the rope's middle marker crosses a side line. Weight classes set the combined weight of the eight. Matches are two or three pulls.
How it works
- Teams: eight pullers.
- Rope: one, 36 m.
- Outdoor: side marker past centre line.
- Indoor: middle marker past side line.
- Weight classes: team total.
- Match: two pulls, or best of three.
- Body: TWIF.
- Olympic: 1900 to 1920.
The glossary has the tug of war, the TWIF, the outdoor and indoor tug of war, the team, the weight class and the winning a pull.
Tricky cases
Was tug of war an Olympic sport?
Yes, from 1900 to 1920.
Do indoor and outdoor share championships?
No. They are separate.
Is there a mixed event?
Yes, four men and four women.
Can a team pull with seven?
Only after an injury, never fewer.
Why the rule exists
Weighing the whole team, not each puller, lets coaches mix heavy and light pullers.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | Centre line | L R 19 |
| Indoor | Side line | L R 19 |
| Class | Team weight | L R 3 |
From the rule book
Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), Rules Manual (2026), rules 1 to 3, 6 and 19. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: TWIF Rules Manual 2026.