No.111
Tug of War: A Children's Activity Format
Japanese name: 綱引き（子ども向けの運営例）
Materials
- A suitable dedicated tug-of-war rope with a center marker
- A center line and lines 2 m to each side
- A timer
How to play
- Make equal teams balanced in size and school year. Align the rope’s center marker with the center line and mark winning lines 2 m to either side. An adult checks rope condition and clear space.
- Stand at designated positions away from the center and hold with both hands. Nobody wraps the rope around wrists or body. Wear sports shoes and leave space between players.
- On “Ready,” prepare; on “Start,” pull straight. Do not sit, lie down or swing widely sideways.
- Win by pulling the center marker to your 2 m line. If undecided at 30 seconds, the team with the marker on its side wins; exactly on the center line is a draw.
- On “Stop,” ease the pull without suddenly releasing, then lower the rope on the cue. Stop immediately after a fall and replay that round with no score.
- Rest, swap ends and repeat under equal conditions. Discuss calls and positioning, then tidy up.
Ways to adapt
Younger primary school children and younger practice with adult supervision, fewer players and shorter rounds. Preschool children do not compete without adult support.