4 WAY TUG OF WAR ROPE

The 4-way tug of war rope allows up to 20 students to participate at one (5 on each team rope) pulling 4 vs 4, 2 vs 2, 1 vs 1 (by only using 2 opposite ends) and even 3 vs 1 if you can effectively distribute strength proportionally (i.e. students vs teacher). A popular way to begin and score using the 4-way tug of war is illustrated below.

The rope and teams are centered within a square typically using cones etc. at least 100’ apart with no obstructions within or immediately beyond the perimeter and on soft or nonabrasive surfaces. With cones on each corner, each team begins on the instructors command by pulling toward the boundary line which has been determined as their home or if desired any one of the boundary lines. The team that pulls their length of ropes over the boundary plane wins.

Switch and mix students to create more competitiveness and parity among teams. As one team (or 2) closes in on a boundary line it is up to the other teams to compensate together to keep them from winning. Thus, communication via a team captain is important to constantly shift their lines of pull preventing one team from scoring. It is up to a referee to determine when all members of a team and their rope breaks the boundary plane and thus wins.

Movement of the tug of war rope and the referee can become very lively.  Preferable spacing of each team member is 5’ thus avoiding “bunching up” and contact with each other. Do not allow any team to let go of the rope until game has been stopped by one team winning or by the signal of the referee. Never wrap the rope around any body part for better grip.

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