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(4) Drawing and Byes
(a)The Chief Judge is responsible for the conduct of the draw, which should take place in the presence of a majority of the Coaches and at a predetermined time and place.
(b) For knock-out competitors the names of the teams shall be recorded on the Draw Sheet in the order in which they are drawn commencing from the top. When a preliminary round is necessary such round shall be made up of the requisite number of teams who are drawn last. The preliminary round shall be conducted first and the winners therefrom shall take their appropriate places at the bottom of the first round proper. From that point the Competition shall be regulated as shown on the Draw Sheet working from top to bottom.
(c)Where teams only compete the team drawing the bye shall, if defeated by the winner of the first round pull the second place.
(d)There shall only be one draw made.
(e) (i) For points competitions the teams shall be drawn into an agreed number of groups. Each group will compete as a separate unit, the winners of each group competing in the final.
(ii)With two or more groups, the teams drawn will be allocated to each group in turn ie. First Team -- Group 1
Second Team -- Group 2
(iii)At all times the matches must be conducted in the order as started below and in competitions where it is necessary to divide into groups the competition will be operate in such a manner as to ensure that teams are given the maximum rest period between pulls that circumstances will permit, for example, the competition will be conducted with Two matches alternating between the groups. The exception to this would be the case of one group containing Four teams and the other containing Five teams, in which case start with one match from the group of Four and alternate with Two matches from the Group of Five.
(5) Heats
All heats shall be won by two pulls out of three. Teams will be challenge ends, after a reasonable rest on the completion of each pull.
(6) Boots and Shoes
Competitors' boots or shoes must not be "faked" in any way i.e. the sole, heel and side of heel shall be perfectly flush. No metal toe caps or metal toe places are permitted. Metal heel tips that are flush on the side and bottom of the heel are permitted.
(7) Rope
The rope shall be not less than four inches and not more than five inches in circumference (10 cm. minimum -- 12.5 cm. maximum) without knots or other holdings for the hands and the minimum length not less than 33.5 meters for eight competitors each side.
(8) Rope Markings
Five tapes or marking shall be affixed to the rope as follows.
(a) A red tape or marking at the centre.
(b) Two White tapes or marking each 4 metres on either side of the centre marking.
(c) Two Green tapes or markings each 5 metres on either side of the centre marking.
No competitor shall grip the rope within the length bounded by the outer tapes or markings refereed to in (c): the grip of the first pulling member of each team shall be within one foot (30cm.) of such outer tape of marking.
The White and Two Green markings shall be capable of easy readjustment by the Judge in the event of the rope shrinking or stretching.
(9) Ground Markings
One centre line shall be marked on the line ground. At the start the rope shall be taut, the centre rope marking over the centre ground line. All competitors shall be outside the side lines. No indents of any kinds shall be made in the ground in any way before the start. All measurements refereed to in (7), (8) and (9) shall apply to all age groups.
(10) Knots and Loops
Knots and loops may be made in the rope, nor may be locked across any part of the body of any member of the team:
Crossing the rope itself consitues a loop.
(11) Locks
From the start the rope shall be taut. Every pulling member shall hold the rope with both hands by the ordinary grip and the rope shall pass between the body and the upper parts of the arm. Any other hold which prevents the free movement of the rope is a lock and is an infringement of the rules.
(12) Anchor Man's Grip
(a) Upon taking up position the anchor man will place the rope around the body, in the approved manner for the inspection of the Judge or his assistant.
(b) The approved manner will be: The rope will pass between the upper of the arm and the body diagonally across his back to the opposite shoulder, over that shoulder from the rear to front, downwards and backwards, from there the rope shall remain free. He shall grasp the standing part of the rope with both hands in a forwards position.
(13) The Start
When the Judge has received the signal from the two coaches that all is ready he shall give the teams the following verbal and visual commands:
"Pick Up the Rope" at the same time extending his arms forward and horizontally, (the rope shall be held as defined in paras. (11) and (12), the feet being flat on the ground).
"Take the Strain" at the same time raising both hands above his head. (Sufficient strain shall be put on the rope to ensure that it is taut, and each man may establish one foothold with the heel or side of the boot of the intended foot), and when the rope is steady with the centre mark over the centre line on the ground, The Judge must make it quite clear by exposing the palms of his hands with the added word "Steady" that he is about to signal the start, then after a slight pause, the word - "Pull" at the same time flinging both arms downwards.
(14) Winning a Pull
A "Pull" shall be won when one of the side markings of the rope is pulled over the centre line.
(15) Leaving go the Rope
In the event of both teams leaving go the rope before a side tape has been pulled over the side ground farthest from it, "No Pull" shall be declared and the pull shall not constitute one of the requisite number of the heat.
(16) Finish a Pull
The finish of a Pull shall be signalled by the Judge blowing a whistle and pointing in the direction of the team winning the pull
(a) Both teams to leave rope back at starting point after each pull.
(17) The Judge, His Powers and Responsibilities
There shall be one Judge who shall have sole control with power to appoint assistants.
He will be responsible:
(a) That the Rules of Irish Tug-of-War are adhered to:
(b) That the rope is laid out ready for competition before the teams arrive in the pulling area.
(c) That, as far as is within pulling power, the pre-determined time table is adhered to.
He has powers:
(a) To grant reasonable rest periods between pulls between pulls, and a maximum of 10 minutes rest between rounds of any competition.
(b) (i)To award "NO PULL" in the event of any irregularity without offence by the two competing teams, after which the Judge may allow a reasonable rest period.
(ii) To award "NO PULL" in the event of both teams being guilty of an infringement with no rest period or welfare to competitors being permitted.
(c) To disqualify a team or teams Caution. Teams will receive Two Cautions for infringements of the Rules in any One Pull, before being disqualified. For all infringements of the Rules, a team may be deemed guilty if only one man offends.
(d) To disqualify a team without Caution which he deems to be guilty of ungentlemanly conduct, by word or act, which is likely to bring the sport into disrepute.
(e) Should it be necessary to caution a team for any infringement of the Rules, the Judge shall, in addition to naming the team and calling "First Caution" or "Last Caution" also signal such caution by raising his arm to the horizontal position and pointing in the direction of the offenders. Only two such official caution shall be given during any one pull. Any team guilty of such offence meriting a caution after already having received two official cautions in any one pull will be disqualified.
(f) The Judge's decision shall be final at all times.
(18) Infringements during contest
Persistently sitting or deliberately sitting on a foot or wilfully touching the ground with the hand.
Failure to return to the normal pulling position immediately after slipping.
Locking or looping the rope, or acting as a prop for the remainder of his team. The feet must be extended forward of the knees and members must be in a pulling position at all times.
Ungentlemanly conduct by word or act which is likely to bring the sport into disrepute.
No member of a team, i.e. coach, trainer or pulling member, is allowed to address any remark to the judge during actual pulling.
N.B.- Advice sought from the Judge can only be obtained through the coach. The function of the trainer is to attend to the requirements of the team before, between and after pulls. He must not speak to his team during a pull.
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