Objective of the Game

This version of the Finger Pull is played at the Arctic Winter Games.

The Finger Pull is a test of strength endurance and maximal strength about the arm and pulling hand. Especially for the player on defense, pain endurance may also be a determining factor. For the player on defense, it is difficult to prevent the finger lock from being broken, because the strength of the opponent's pulling arm acts on the finger lock while he can only rely on his finger strength.

In this description, the competitors pull on the right side. At the Arctic Winter Games, a best-of-three competition format is used. The com­petitors switch pulling sides for the second round.

Equipment

1. No equipment is required for the Finger Pull.

Playing Area

• No special playing area is needed for this game. A tarp may be spread on the floor for the players to sit on.

Teams and Players

• Traditionally, this game is played by men and older boys. At the Arctic Winter Games, there are no female competitors.

How to Play

The two opponents have different roles. Offense tries to break the opponent's fin­ger lock or to straighten the opponent's arm. The second competitor is Defense. He tries to maintain his arm and fingers in the starting position, preventing the opponent from breaking the finger lock or straightening the arm.

Both competitors take off their shoes. They sit down on the ground facing each other. The upper body is upright.

Starting Position-Defense

• Defense places the extended left leg on the ground. He bends the right leg at the knee and places the sole of the right foot against the inside thigh of the left leg.
• He bends the right arm about 90 degrees at the elbow and braces the elbow against the thigh of his bent leg.
• The wrist of the right hand is straight (defensive position), the back of the hand faces downward.
• He braces his left hand against Offense's left knee.

Starting Position-Offense

• Bending his legs at the knees to an angle of about 90 degrees, Offense braces both feet against the shin of Defense's bent leg.
• Offense may keep his knees together or slightly apart. Onry one position is allowed. Competitors agree before the start of the competition which knee position to use.
• Offense braces his left hand against Defense's left shoulder.

Finger Lock

• Making a tight fist, the opponents lock middle fingers of the right hand.

Movement

• On the judge's signal, Offense begins to pull slowly and evenly. No jerking or twisting movements are allowed.
• A competitor may be disqualified from the competition if in the judge's opinion he twists or jerks the opponent's hand in such a way as to present a danger or cause injury.
• 10 Defense does not move his arm. He attempts to maintain his arm and hand position, preventing Offense from breaking the finger lock or from straighten­ing his arm.

Duration and End of Round

• The round lasts fifteen (15) seconds.
• Defense wins the round when he prevents Offense from breaking the finger lock or straightening his arm within the allowed time period.
• Offense wins the round when he succeeds in straightening out the opponent's arm within the allowed time period or breaking the finger lock within the allowed time period.

End of Match

• When a best-of-three format is used, opponents switch pulling sides for the second round.
• When a third round is required to break a tie, the judge flips a coin to determine pulling sides.

Things to Consider

The Finger Pull can be used as an introductory game. It does not require well­-developed technical skills. It can also be organized very easily, because no equip­ment is required. The instructor has to be aware that the Finger Pull also tests competitors' pain resistance.

Motivation

The Finger Pull is a fun game, but the instructor should be careful to match com­petitors of roughly even strength, size (and age). It can be discouraging for a beginning athlete to be defeated too often by stronger opponents.

Safety Considerations

The Finger Pull can be a game of pain endurance. Athletes tend to prefer a tight grip when locking fingers. Pain is also caused in Defense at the moment when Offense succeeds in breaking the finger lock. The abrupt release of tension causes a sudden 'snapping' move­ment of Defense's middle finger. The coach has to ensure that athletes do not sustain inju­ries at this point. Care should be taken especially when working with young athletes. An ice bucket can be kept at hand for use by the competitors.