Competitive arm wrestling looks simple, but strict rules keep it fair and reduce injuries.
The setup
Pullers grip hands over the table with their elbows on the elbow pads and their free hands holding a peg. A referee sets the grip so neither athlete has an advantage before the start.
The start and the pin
The referee starts the match with a call such as ‘ready, go’. A pin is scored when the back of the opponent’s hand, wrist or forearm touches the pin pad or crosses the plane of it.
Common fouls
- Lifting the elbow off the pad
- A false start
- Letting go of the peg
- Dropping the shoulder below the table edge in a way that risks injury
Fouls can cost a round.
Supermatches
Professional series such as East vs West use supermatches: one matchup decided over several rounds rather than a single pull or a bracket tournament.
How supermatches are scored
| Format | Rounds | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title match | Best of seven (first to four) | Vitaly Laletin def. Alizhan Muratov 4-0, EvW 25 |
| Non-title supermatch | Best of five (first to three) | Ibragim Sagov def. Yordan Tsonev 3-0, EvW 25 |
| Close title match | Can go the full seven | Bogdan Stoica def. Irakli Zirakashvili 4-3, EvW 26 |
Fouls — such as the elbow leaving the pad or a false start — are tracked per round, and two fouls in a round cost that round. That is why referees spend so long setting the grip before each start.
FAQ
What is a foul in arm wrestling?
Common fouls include lifting the elbow off the pad, false starts and releasing the peg with the free hand.
What is an arm wrestling supermatch?
A single matchup between two pullers decided over several rounds, the main format in professional series like East vs West.