- Name of sport (game): Ringen
- Name in native language: Ringen (German Folk Freestyle Wrestling)
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Germany
- History:
The German folk wrestling style called Ringen was researched by the famous XIX century sports historian and gymnastics teacher Karl Wassmannsdorff (1821-1906), PhD. He was also a Knight of the Order of the Zähringer Lion. In his book called “Medieval German Wrestling with 119 illustrations of Albrecht Dürer” he provides a detailed analysis of German wrestling traditions. According to Wassmannsdorff, the folk wrestling of German people (Ringen) was after the freestyle fashion (Kür-Ringen).
Historically, this style was practiced in two modes, standing wrestling and up and down wrestling. In the former the objective of the match was to give opponent a fall on his back (two shoulders touching the ground simultaneously constituted the fall) with or without attacker falling himself (all falls were flying falls), and in the latter it was necessary at first to take your opponent down, then achieve the uppermost position and make your adversary quit any resistance by keeping him immovable underneath you that he’ll admit his defeat verbally (all falls were pinfalls). Over the time those two modes of German freestyle Ringen have evolved into one universal wrestling style the Ranggeln which allowed all kinds of back falls (flying, rolling, and pinning).
Pietro Monti (1457-1509) a master of arms from Milan (Italy) in his famous work called “De Dignoscendis Hominibus” (1492) describes the wrestling customs of the German people as follows: “They commonly grab the legs with their hands,” “They consider all things permissible in order to overcome the opponent,” ”They also wrestle with their feet and hands on the ground like quadrupeds.”
Notably, when in 1840 the famous pioneer of French/Graeco-Roman style Jean Dupuis (1799-1888) promoted his “Olympic Games Wrestling” in Bayreuth (Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany) he was challenged to a wrestling match according to the local customs by a farmer called Conrad Münch. His style called “Ringen Bauern Art” (wrestling after the peasants’ fashion) was described as “wrestling without any conditions”, or free for all wrestling.
Besides Kür-Ringen there also was an Old Ringen style which only allowed holds of the torso above the waist. In that particular style headlocks, use of hip/back for throwing as well as tripping/hooking were all strictly prohibited. Wrestlers started the match in either equal hold (above and under hug) which they didn’t have to maintain or at a distance facing each other. Old Ringen also existed in two different modes: standing wrestling for a throw and up and down wrestling. The great account of Old Ringen was given in “Castle Czvargas,” an 1899 book by Australian author Archibald Birt (1862-1943): “The undercatch was fought for desperately. But these men were not content with the fair throw, but must needs be to grovel and scramble on the ground, struggling furiously, until one made the shoulders of the other touch the earth together.” Notably, Birt pointed out that tripping which was the key skill in English Folk wrestling wasn’t allowed in that particular style.
The Old Ringen wrestling has evolved from a primitive trial of strength called Gürtelringen (belt wrestling). This vintage all-Germanic style was an equal fixed hold standing wrestling. The “right hand over and left hand under” holds were taken of two handles attached to the thick leathern belts buckled about the waist, and which were prevented by straps from shifting. No use of legs or feet for throwing was allowed during the matches. The objective of the match was to throw opponent flat on his back (two shoulders touching ground simultaneously) with or without attacker falling himself. The matches were played 2 out of 3 falls. The main techniques of that style were: lifting adversary off his feet and taking him down or throwing him over the head, or pulling him towards yourself and overturn him backwards, or simply swaying opponent from side to side and trying to unbalance him thus causing a fall. The weight of wrestler and his physical strength were decisive factors for winning those contests. In the second half of XIX century this style was popularized all around Eastern Europe and was known as the Swiss belt wrestling. Among the prominent practitioners of Gürtelringen was Emil Voss of Stettin, Pomerania (now Szczecin, Poland). In the 1880s this style was brought to Russia and taught as the “Russo-Swiss Wrestling” at the St. Petersburg’s Athletic and Cycling Club of Dr. Wladislaw Krajewski. The professional Gürtelringen matches were regularly performed in circuses as a part of the wrestling entertainment. All the best Russian Graeco-Roman wrestlers had Gürtelringen background.
German freestyle wrestling as a form of self-defense was covered in the 1443 wrestling manual by German Hans Talhoffer of Swabia. In his book he refers to the famous Ott Jud wrestling master to the princes of Austria. This book described and included illustrations of various wrestling holds and positions known as: the beginning with equal arm grip, warding off, hip wrestling, arm lock around the hip, the throw over the head and, and several others. Leading Dutch painter Marten van Heemskerck in 1552 produced a series of sketches on fencing and Germanic wrestling. But probably the best visualization of that style was a drawing produced by the famous Dutch engraver Daniël Veelwaard (1766-1851) for the previously mentioned famous book by GutsMuths called “Gymnastics for Youth.” His drawing shows a wrestling match in five episodes, starting with the opening hold (upper arms hold), includes two ways of throwing, and finishing with the fair back fall (pinning fall). The first throw is an artistic "flying horse" performed with the wrist and knee-hold. The second throw is more pragmatic "hype" with the tight hold around the waist (bear hug). It’s interesting that Veelwaard chose to show both sides of that universal wrestling style - artistic and pragmatic.
Other famous wrestling authors of that era included:
• Fabian von Auerswald (1462 – 1537). He served as a wrestling coach to John Frederick, the Duke of Saxony.
• Paulus Hector Meyer of Augsburg (1517 – 1579).
• Nicolaes Petter (1624 – 1672). He was a Dutch wrestling master of German descent. His wrestling/self-defense manuals were illustrated by the famous Dutch Baroque painter Romeyn de Hooghe (1645-1708).
To settle quarrels, besides actual wrestling, Medieval Germans used rough and tumble up and down fighting called Raufen (Scuffling). All kinds of wrestling holds (including illegal holds) as well as punching and kicking were allowed in Raufen. The Raufen combat was an exhibition of animalistic brutality and featured atrocities like biting, gouging and etc. The use of various small weapons in this kind of fight was permitted and negotiated prior to the contest. Notably, the proficiency in the art of wrestling was a key factor in winning any fight. In fact Raufen was a degenerated form of Ringen. Sometimes Raufen matches attracted local gamblers and were of “professional challenge” nature since the considerable sums were at stake. Thus Raufen became illegal and since then was practiced by the low order (local ruffians).
- Description:
There were two kinds of starts in Ringen matches: Zulauf (wrestlers begin the match at a distance from each other looking for an opening and suddenly attack) and Close Wrestling (wrestlers begin the match in close quarters).
Often a Zulauf wrestling start was the ancient Germanic trial of strength called Drücken/Auf die knie zwingen (bringing someone down to his knees). In this case two wrestlers would rush into each other and catch-hold of one another by the hands intertwining their fingers and using all their strength, would try to force their opponent down to his knees. Often a Close Wrestling start was the Peasants’ Grip (Bauern-Griff), an equal above and under hold around the body/waist. This “hug” also originated in old Germanic trial of strength. The objective was to take opponent down using physical strength only (lifting him up or swaying him from side to side), without using any wrestling techniques. In Ringen contestants didn’t have to maintain their initial holds and would break and switch holds and use deceiving maneuvers to try to achieve an advantageous hold which lead to a throw.
Swiss Catch was after the German fashion, it was known as Ringen der Entlebucher (wrestling style of the residents of Entlebuch District, Switzerland), or Rutzen/Ruschen (to rush into someone with violent force causing a fall). That style was example of Zulauf wrestling. In that wrestling style the opening hold wasn’t practiced. Instead the wrestlers would start in a free stance a distance away from each other ready for an immediate acceleration and attack.
The most accepted technique of Zulauf wrestling was called “Bulls” (Stieren). Two men would rush in towards each other like bulls trying to catch the optimal hold and then throw opponent backwards “heels over the head” (Suplex). The most popular throw was the famous “head between the legs” or Back Body Drop of modern pro wrestling. Those dangerous throws caused many a broken neck. Among tactics used in the close wrestling were: throwing over the hip (hip lift technique) called Hufen or Huefen (Crossbuttock), and giving the back (Buttock and Flying Mare). Also a very popular strategy was Kreuzsprunges, or jump over cross, which basically was a Flying Horse.
There were two styles of Ringen in the Middle Ages:
1. Ganzer Ringkampf (Full Wrestling), up and down freestyle. In that style wrestlers would close and quickly go down together. On the ground, the battle for the dominant uppermost position would occur. Ground wrestling was commonly known as the Liegekampf (lying down fight) or Löwenkampf (lion fight). The winner had to make his opponent give in any resistance by placing him flat on his back and keeping him in an immovable position (Unterhalten, to hold underneath). The defeat had to be verbally admitted.
2. Halber Ringkampf (Half Wrestling, or Wrestle for a Throw), standing freestyle. In that style to win the match the wrestler had to give his opponent a flying fall on his back.During the Middle Ages similar styles were practiced in Netherlands and Flanders where they were known as Ondergooi and Neergooi respectively.
The most common wrestling techniques of Medieval German freestyle were:
Arm-Ringen (use of arms and hands for throwing),
Leib-Ringen (use of body/torso strength for throwing),
Hüft-Ringen (use of hip for throwing),
Haken-Ringen (Hooking, use of legs and feet for throwing) or Häkeln (Crochet Technique).
Gabel (the fork, various crotch-holds and lifts),
Rigel (the foot, leg, various leg and foot holds and lifts).The mastery in that wrestling technique was achieved by exercising the German folk equal fixed hold standing wrestling game called the Kragen-ringen (collar-wrestling). In that game wrestlers took holds of each other by the collars and proceeded after the sign of the referee trying to take their opponent down from that hold. Usually any part of the person’s body above the knee down constituted the fall, but the most prestigious victory was achieved when the opponent was thrown down flat on his back. Just like in any wrestling at Arms’ Length style the art of hooking legs and tripping was a key skill in the Kragen-ringen.
Most of the falls in the Ringen were given by using the Arm and Leib Ringen techniques (advantageous catch-hold, lift and throw).
- Current status:
During the 1800s, the Turnvereins Era, the Medieval German Ringen was revived by the German Gymnastic Society (GGS) which popularized it all around the world. The GGS style of Ringen was first introduced by the forefathers of modern gymnastics, German enthusiasts Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths (1759-1839) and Dr. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852). The former was author of the famous “Gymnastics for Youth” (1793) and the latter was founder of gymnasia in Berlin (1811) and organizer of large gymnastic gatherings.
According to the Rules of German freestyle wrestling as they appeared in the 1793 book by J. GutsMuths called “Gymnastics for Youth” there were two kinds of Ringen, the Complete Wrestle and the Repeated Wrestle. In the style called Complete Wrestle, the competitors stood a few steps apart from each other and after a signal the wrestling match would begin with a mere play with the hands in order to obtain the most advantageous hold. This was done to prevent wrestlers from rushing on each other with too much violence. The wrestlers were allowed to seize each other fairly round the body or by the limbs (above and under the waist), the head and neck were to be spared as much as possible, and blows of any kind were strictly prohibited. According to the old German tradition one was considered defeated when he is thrown down flat on his back and kept from rising in that immovable position for the previously agreed amount of time so he cannot gain the uppermost position (pinning fall), or until he himself verbally admits his defeat and gives in any resistance (cries, enough!) Those matches were one fall affairs. In the style called Repeated Wrestle the victory was gained by giving the adversary two back falls, and it wasn’t necessary to keep him on the ground, the thrower quits his opponent the moment he is down on his back (quick flying fall). The wrestler who has thrown his opponent without falling himself or touching the ground with his hand or knee was an immediate victor. In that style generally the wrestler was considered defeated if after being thrown he landed on his back, but sometimes it was enough if any part of the trunk of his body (back, belly, sides) touches the ground. Those matches were contested usually for 2 of 3 and sometimes for 3 of 5 back falls.
In England and in the United States the GGS Ringen (Turners Catch) was known as a loose wrestling style or catch-as-catch-can. The GGS loose wrestling style influenced the evolution of British and American amateur freestyle wrestling. In 1866, the National Olympian Association (NOA) had a Great Gymnastic Gathering at Crystal Palace, London. Wrestling was represented by two styles, the Cumberland and Westmorland Back-hold and the Catch-as-catch-can as it was practiced by the athletes of GGS. In 1867, the wrestling manuals were issued by GGS. The catch portion of the manual was presented by Mr. Schweizer, GGS Catch wrestling instructor. An evolved variation of GGS Catch was later adopted by the amateurs of America (1880s), the National Sporting Club of London (1890s), the National Amateur Wrestling Association of Great Britain (1904), and then was finally exposed worldwide at the Olympics in St. Louis (1904) and London (1908).
- Sources of information :
This article is based on “The Story of Catch” (2019), by Ruslan C Pashayev.
- Name of sport (game): Ringo
- Name in native language: Ringo
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Poland; the other countries have similar games, like Ring tennis (or Tennikoit) in Germany
- History:
Ringo is a sport with similar equivalents in the other countries, such as German Ring tennis or English deck tennis, played on boards of the ships, which were enjoyed during the long-lasting cruises at the beginning of the 20th century.
In Poland, Polish Ringo dates back to the 1950s. Initially, it was a part of a training of Polish fencer – Włodzimierz Strzyżewski.
In 1968, this sport was presented during the Olympic Games in Mexico as Polish Ringo (the name is derived from an English word: “ring”). - Description:
Ringo consists in throwing a rubber ring over a tape, rope, string or net so that it falls onto the opponent’s field. This ring can be bought cheaply in many stores. You can also use other items to play at home or in the garden, e.g. tennis balls or even boxes, rolled-up newspapers etc.
You hang a string, net, rope or net at a height depending on the age and the height of the players. You can play one-to-one or in teams of two or three participants each side (or even bigger).
In one-to-one version, one player starts the game with a serve from behind the end line – he or she has to throw the ring over a net or a tape with one hand to the other half of the pitch. The opponent tries to catch it (also with one hand) and flip it again with the same hand over the string/net/tape.
Players only move around the pitch without a ring in their hands. When they catch it, they must stop and flip the ring. When the ring hits the ground on the opponent’s field of play, the game is interrupted and the team which managed to force its counterpart not to catch the ring, gets a point.
If the ring flies under the net or falls to the ground off the pitch, the team which committed this mistake, loses a point.
In team version, you play with one ring in teams of 2 or 3 participants a side or you can try a more professional type of ringo – playing with two rings, flying simultaneously! - Current status:
Polish Ringo is a quite popular sport in Poland. There is even the Polish Association of Ringo and International Ringo Federation (based in Poland), which organizes many, regular competitions in Ringo at various levels in Poland and abroad, including World Championships in this sport.
Ringo is played recreationally in many places in the entire country. It is a simple and very accessible game for everyone.
Ringo was also presented during the important, international sport and cultural events, including World and European Sport for All Games, European Week of Sport, Olympic Games and the others. - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
Ringo is a dynamic and attractive game for everyone – very simple and easy to organize. You can play it both outdoors and indoors, one-to-one, in pairs or in bigger teams. You can organize recreational games almost everywhere. You only need a string, a tape or something else to hang and a small, rubber ring (ringo) that is cheap and accessible to buy in many stores.
It has been proven that this sport has a very positive effect on widely understood health and physical fitness of children and adults. Besides, it is a joyful game that simply gives a lot of fun to all its players. - Contacts:
Bartosz Prabucki, PhD,
Expert of traditional sports, Institute for the Development of Sport and Education (IRSiE)
www.inspirowanysportem.plPolish Association of Ringo
01 - 493 Warszawa
ul. Wrocławska 16 m 39
Webside: http://www.ringo.org.pl/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/ringo.poland
+48 226388715,
602778176This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. International Ringo Federation
Webside: http://irf.ringo.org.pl/
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Gallery:
- Documents:
- Name of sport (game): Rintapaîni
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Finland
- Name of sport (game): Ristynės
- Name in native language: Ristynės
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Lithuania
- History:
Ristynės is a traditional Lithuanian wrestling style that has a long and rich history. It is believed to have originated in the 15th century, and it was popular throughout the country for centuries. Ristynės was often performed at local fairs and holiday celebrations, and it was also used as a form of entertainment for the nobility.
The name "ristynės" comes from the Lithuanian words "risti" (to roll) and "tynės" (to wrestle). The style is characterized by its use of throws, holds, and pins. It is a physically demanding sport, and it requires both strength and agility.
Ristynės was banned by the Soviet Union in 1940, but it has since been revived. It is now a popular sport in Lithuania, and it is also practiced in other countries around the world.
Here are some of the key events in the history of ristynės:
15th century: Ristynės is believed to have originated in the 15th century.
19th and 20th centuries: Ristynės was most popular between the middle of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.
1940: Ristynės was banned by the Soviet Union.
1990s: Ristynės was revived after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
2012: The Lithuanian Wrestling Federation, Lithuanian Alysh Federation, and International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) organized demonstration championships of ristynės.
Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture, and it is a valuable source of pride for the country. It is a physically demanding sport that requires both strength and agility, and it is a great way to stay healthy and fit. - Description:
Terminology:
• Bridge and Half-Bridge Positions: Bridge and Half-Bridge Positions are used for both defence and offence in combat.
• Dynamic stretching: Dynamic stretching exercises are designed to prepare muscles and joints for intense physical activity.
• Formation Exercises: Formation exercises are designed to teach basic positions and
movements.
• Lifting: The lifting action is lifting the opponent's body off the ground so that no part of the body, arm or leg, is reaching the ground. Lifting is done with the whole body: in a halfsquatting position with the back straight and keeping the grip as low and close to the centre of gravity as possible. When picking up an opponent, the gap between the action and the opponent shall be as small as possible to prevent the opponent from escaping.
• On-the-spot Exercises: On-the-spot exercises are designed to develop body strength,
flexibility and balance.
• Parterre: A position in which the fighter may be on his back, bridge or half-bridge position, on his stomach, or with both folded limbs touching the ground.
• Ristynes: Traditional Lithuanian wrestling, recognised as the country's intangible Cultural heritage.
• Static Stretching: Static stretching is to relax muscles after intense exercise.
• Standing: This is a fighting body position. The legs are slightly bent and stand shoulder-width apart, with one foot in front. This leg position is required to react, attack or defend. Everyone will find his or her own comfortable position. Arms bent and slightly extended forward to control the distance. Head slightly bent with forward.
• Pushrod: A strategic form of play designed to improve balance, strength and tactical
positioning in combatThe preparation of the Ristynes is based on minimal equipment that reflects its traditional origin and availability.
• Sportwear: Participants usually wear light, comfortable and mobile clothing, such as shorts and T-shirts. While special wrestling shoes can improve traction and stability, they are not necessary as Ristiness often takes place on natural surfaces.
• Equipment: Wrestling is mainly an individual sport, no special team equipment is required. However, for training purposes, basic wrestling mats or padded surfaces can be used to reduce impact and ensure safety during training.
• Number of Players: Wrestling can be practiced individually or in small groups, under the guidance of a coach or experienced professional. Individual training allows individuals to concentrate on technique and concentration, while group sessions provide the opportunity to spar and improve tactics. A minimum of two participants is usually ideal for meaningful training, promoting camaraderie and competition in a training environment.The aim of the bout is to put the opponent on both scapulae of the back, which is considered a dangerous position. If the opponent can not leave the dangerous position within 5 seconds, the referee stops the match and the athlete who put his opponent on his back wins. The fight lasts 2 rounds of 2 minutes with a break of 30 seconds. During this time the winner will be declared the one who will collect more points. You can win early by putting on your back or by collecting a 10-point advantage. To put the opponent in the parterre and take a position behind the opponent is estimated at 1 point. All actions in the parterre that put the opponent in a dangerous position are evaluated in 2 points. Throws from the standing are evaluated in 3 points. Throws from the standing with a large aplitude of the throw is evaluated in 5 points. It is possible to grapt the opponent with hands only for the body above the waist, with feet it is possible to make pick-ups or hooks only for the legs of the opponent. It is not allowed to tail the clothes, to make blows, scratch, bite, spit, not to listen to the judge's remarks, grab the hair, talk, strangle and make joints break. In Lithuanian wrestling there is a belt that can be grabbed and various actions can be performed in order to put the opponent in a dangerous position.
Usually in Lithuania competitions are held in the street and fight on the hay, which is scattered in the form of a circle with a diameter of 6 meters. Leaving the fight beyond the boundaries of the territory of the fight is punished by one point, which the judge gives to the opponent who was the last to stay in the circle of the territory where the fight takes place. In parterre the judge gives usually 10 seconds of time to the opponents to make actions. If the actions that could lead to the result do not take place, the judge raises the opponents to the rack and there is a continuation of the fight. - Current status:
Ristynės in Lithuania, it is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. This traditional style of wrestling originates from different regions of Lithuania and reflects the unique conditions and customs of each area. The Lietuviškų ristynių federacija (LRF) has carefully developed the modern rules governing the sport based on historical descriptions of wrestling bouts. Stanislav Bajurin, together with Andrius Janionis, Tomas Gērve and Jevgenij Belov, came together for this purpose. Stanislav is a famous Lithuanian freestyle wrestling representative whose Experience was invaluable in shaping the modern system. "Rooted in the ancient traditions of freestyle wrestling, Ristynės embodies the essence of Lithuanian martial arts, emphasizing strategy, agility and strength. The initial and most important contribution to the revival of Ristynės was made by Tomas Gėrve together with Andrius Janionis. They found and collected all the historical and folkloric descriptions of the Ristynės that were available at the time.
The LRF was created with the aim of revitalising the Ristynės. The development concept was chosen using the opportunity to participate in large festivals organized in Lithuania. During the festival, it is organized educational events together with competitions. The competitions were made between festival visitors or fighters of different wrestling styles invited in advance. Over time, the necessary documents and materials are submitted to the Lithuanian National Centre for Culture in order to have Ristynės recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. As a further step, aimed to include traditional games in the Lithuanian school system and it is also successfully implemented. - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture for several reasons:
Historical significance: Ristynės has a long and rich history dating back to the 15th century. It was a popular sport throughout Lithuania for centuries, and it was often performed at local fairs and holiday celebrations. Ristynės was also used as a form of entertainment for the nobility.
Cultural identity: Ristynės is a unique form of wrestling that is not practiced anywhere else in the world. It is an important part of Lithuanian identity, and it is a source of pride for the country.
Physical and mental benefits: Ristynės is a physically demanding sport that requires both strength and agility. It is a great way to stay healthy and fit, and it can also help to improve mental health.
Social benefits: Ristynės is a social sport that can help to bring people together. It is a great way to meet new people and make friends.
Economic benefits: Ristynės is a growing sport that is attracting more and more attention from around the world. It can be a source of economic benefits for Lithuania, through tourism and other related activities.
Overall, Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture that has a lot to offer. It is a unique and valuable sport that can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Contacts:
Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas
Tel: +37067992665This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: https://etnosportas.lt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lietuvos_etnosporto_komitetas/Lietuviškų ristynių federacija
Gegužių g. 43-24, LT-78325 Šiauliai
+370 696 01479This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: https://lietuviskos-ristynes.lt/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/Lietuvisku.ristyniu.federacija/
Clubs:- Vilnius. V.Maciulevičiaus g. 51. +370 654 50101
- Vilnius. Ąžuolyno g. 5. +370 684 11800
- Vilnius. Žirmūnų 106 E. parduotuvės “IKI” antrame aukšte. +370 677 47580
- Vilnius. Pergales 13. +370 608 44393
- Kaunas. Partizanų g. 180. +370 689 3300
- Radviliskis. Vaižganto 29 c. Imtynių sporto klubas “Radviliškio laisvūnas” +370 602 12984
- Kuršėnai. Liepų al. 15. Sporto klubas “Dvikova” +370 674 01600
- Kelmė. J. Janonio g. 9. Kelmės imtynių sporto klubas +370 678 23606
- Sources of information :
Articles:
https://www.delfi.lt/en/lifestyle/lithuanian-martial-arts-ristynes-73202186
https://lietuviskos-ristynes.lt/
https://alkas.lt/2021/11/25/lietuviskos-ristynes-bene-sudetingiausia-etnosporto-saka/Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD6H_itqgSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZBSVPPnew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZBSVPPnew&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR04i07mRErErnQ7469cnJYDw0igt0IsMeGsm8z8FGwW0VgKNTITmq_I0pYThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
Informations: Stanislav Bajurin, President Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas; Kazimierz Waluch
Source of photos used in this article and gallery: All photos: Kazimierz Waluch, Traditional Sports
- Gallery:
- Name of sport (game): Ritinis
- Name in native language: Ritinis (also called ripka)
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Lithuania
- History:
Ritinis is an old Lithuanian team sports game, also known as the ripka, played using a circular wooden disc, which is thrown or rolled by two teams of players with their hands into the goal, passed to each other, and stopped with wooden sticks called the ritmusha.
Archaeological finds show that the roll could have been played as early as the middle of the first millennium BC, because rolls and rhythms (special sticks for beating the roll) have been found in cemeteries in the central part of Lithuania. It is believed that this game was an entertainment and training tool for the soldiers of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas and was played in the 14th – 15th centuries. This is written in Mikalojus Husovian's poem "A Hymn about the Appearance, Cruelty and Hunting of a Bison" (1523).
Ritinis, sometimes called ripka, is one of the most interesting (authentic) Lithuanian folklore games. It is already mentioned in 17th-century written sources as a pastime for soldiers. As a game, it was first mentioned in the XVII century by S. Daukantas, who extrapolated the game’s benefits for physical health and strength. He wrote that “ritinis is the best way of training fighting skills for youngsters”. Ritinis is also mentioned by XVIII-century author M. Valančius.
In the 19th century “the Ritinis” (“the Ripka”) became widespread in Lithuanian villages. Children, young people and adult men played, and the best players were respected throughout the neighborhoods. As villages broke up into homesteads in the 20th century and new sports started prevailing, the ripka disappeared, but in the post-war period, was revived by enthusiasts, it moved to stadiums and flat meadows, and its rules were improved.
Rules of ritinis were adapted to the stadium in the year 1923 by Karolis Dineika and the first sports events were held. Then several games were played, but it did not gain popularity.
Ritinis was brought back to life after the World War II in year 1956 by Vytautas Steponaitis, a folk games enthusiast, and former guerilla fighter. He adapted game rules to football stadium, which made it more popular. - Description:
Terminology:
Attackers (in the game known as the second line) - 2 players who most often throw the ripka towards the opponent’s goal.
Corner - when the ripka touched by players of the defending team goes out of boundaries over the sideline between the goal and control lines, a corner is awarded. In this case, a player of the attacking team rolls the ripka towards the goal of the defending team from behind the touchline, without crossing the touchline, through the side by which the ripka left the pitch.
Defenders (known as the front line) - 4 players stopping the ripka.
Gateway - a gate is placed on the goal line. It shall consist of one horizontal and two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flags and 7.32 m (measured internally) apart (football goals).
Goalkeeper - stands in the gate (the gate is the entire back line of the pitch).
Lithuanian “Ritinis” – it is an old Lithuanian team sports game, also known as the ripka, played using a circular wooden disc, which is thrown or rolled by two teams of players with their hands into the goal, passed to each other, and stopped with wooden sticks called “ritmusha”.
Markings - the pitch shall be marked by lines not less than 12 cm in width, running in the same plane as the surface of the pitch. The long lines bounding the pitch shall be called the sidelines and the short lines are called as the goal lines. Flags shall be placed at the corners of the pitch on the shafts of flagpoles not less than 1 m in length. A center line shall be drawn across the pitch and the front lines of the initial roll shall be marked on both sides within 10 m of the center line, parallel to the center line. At a distance of 20 m from the goal line, control lines shall be drawn parallel to them. The area between the goal lines and the control lines is called the goal area. The intersection of the control lines with the side lines shall be marked with flags. The goal area is also called the goalkeeper’s box. The width of the lines shall be included in the area of the pitch and the size of the pitches shall be limited by those lines.
Outskirts - an outskirt defines the condition when the ripka goes over the sideline and out of the pitch, regardless of where the player of the defending team was standing, in or off the pitch. If the ripka stops in, or even slightly touches the sideline, the ripka shall be counted as being in the pitch zone.
Pitch - the pitch is a field of a rectangle form, 80-110 m in length and 40-65 m in width. For the final match of the national championship, the pitch shall be at least 90 m in length.
Pitch referee – the main referee of a game. Before the start of the game, the referee must check if the pitch is prepared according to the rules, is correctly marked, the dimensions of the equipment are as stated in the rules, the clothing and footwear of the player comply with the rules, and that there are medical staff on duty. A referee is appointed for each match.
- The referee shall enforce the rules of the game and shall rule on all disputes. The decision of the referee is final.
- The authority of the referee to direct the game shall commence from the moment he signals the start of the game with the whistle. He may impose a penalty for offenses committed even when the game has been stopped or “the Ritinis” is not being played.
- The referee shall have the right to suspend the game after any violation of the rules, and to suspend or terminate the game definitively in cases where he deems it necessary (bad weather, interference of spectators, and other reasons).
- The referee has the right to remove a player from the pitch without prior warning, in case of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Ripka (definition) – shorter definition of Lithuanian “Ritinis” or the name of wooden/rubber disc.
Ripka (Eng. a disc) - the item with a diameter of 17 cm and a thickness of 2.5 cm (on the edges), which is used to play the game. In order to make it easier to hold, the ripka has circular cut-outs at both ends. The weight of the ripka is about 600-700 g. During the game, the ripka may only be replaced with the permission of the referee. Two ripkas may be selected for the game. When one rolls far out of boundaries, the other is played with. For women’s, children’s, and junior competitions, a smaller and lighter ripka with a diameter of 14 cm, a thickness of 2.2 cm, and a weight of 400-500 g may be used.
Ripka players - defenders, attackers, goalkeeper.
Ritmusha (eng. a stick for ripka) - a wooden stick with a curled end of not more than 150 cm. The stick shall not be wider than 10 cm at any point and the length of the curled end shall not exceed 40 cm. The goalkeeper’s stick may be up to 15 cm of width.
Rolling to the gate - when the referee awards a penalty - a rolling to the gate, the player of the attacking team shall take it from a distance of 16 meters. Only one goalkeeper may be in the goal area at the time of the penalty rolling. The throw-in shall be taken without running and without lifting the supporting leg off the ground. If the thrower violates the rules during the throwin, the goalkeeper shall start the game from the 20-metre control line.
Side referees - two side referees are appointed to assist the referee. Their duties are to signal any violation of the competition rules with a wave of the flag, when the ripka crosses the sideline, and to raise the flag when the ripka crosses the goal line (when a point is won).
Timekeeper - the timekeeper shall keep tracking the time of the game and shall announce it to the referee with a whistle, at the end of the game. The timekeeper writes the match report, noting how many points the players of each team have scored, the substitutions of players, and the time spent by players sent off the pitch.
Preparation & Equipment
Number of Players: 7 to 7 (14 people in total); Defenders: 4 players; Attackers: 2 players; Goalkeeper: 1 player
Number of Game: 2 sets
Keeping Time: 20 minutes
Break: 1 break - 10 minutes
Location: Football Pitch/Stadium/Artificial Surface
Ripka - Hard Rubber Disc: 14-18 cm (diameter), 2.2-2.5 cm (width), 400-700 gr (weight). For women/children or junior competitions, a smaller and lighter disc with a diameter of 14
cm may be used.Ritmusha - A Wooden Stick With A Curved End: The length shall not be more than 150 cm, the length of the curled end shall not exceed 40 cm and the width shall not exceed 10 cm (up to 15 cm for a goalkeeper)
Sportwear: Comfortable clothing similar to the outfit for football or volleyball
Source: https://www.lse.lt/ritinis/Aim of the game:
The aim of the game is to roll the ripka over the opponent’s defensive end line (1 point) or to roll the ripka into the net (3 points).Shortened rules of Lithuanian “Ritinis”:
- The game is played on a football pitch (or other stadium) (dimensions of which are a rectangle of 80-110 m in length and 40-65 m in width); the playing area must be marked with flags (at least 1 m long) which are placed at the corners of the pitch, the center line is marked across the middle of the pitch and the lines of the initial roll are marked on both sides of the field 10 m from the center line, running parallel to the center line. At a distance of 20 m from the goal lines, the control lines parallel to the goal lines shall be marked across the square. The area between the goal line and the control line (line is 20 m long) is called the goalkeeper’s box. On the goal line, equidistant from the corner flags, are the goal zone (inside 7.32 m - football goals).
- Played with a rubber ripka with a diameter of 17-18 cm, a thickness of 2.5 cm and a weight of about 600-700 g. For women’s, children’s and junior competitions, a smaller and lighter rubber ripka with a diameter of 14 cm, a thickness of 2.2 cm and a weight of about 400-500 g may be used. Each player shall carry a ritmusha with a curled end of not more than 150 cm. The length of the stick shall not exceed 40 cm and the width shall not exceed 10 cm (the width of the goalkeeper’s stick shall not exceed 15 cm).
- Two teams of seven players (including the goalkeeper) line up in front of each other 15-20 meters apart. The aim of the game is to roll the ripka over the back-goal line (one point) or into the goal (three points).
- Each team takes turns rolling the ripka (except when the rules are broken). The ripka shall be rolled by hand in any way, so that it rolls on the ground, and the players of the opposing team shall not be interfered with. The ripka may only be stopped by the ritmusha and not thrown out of the player’s hand.
- The ripka that is touched by the ritmusha stick but not stopped, may be stopped in any other way (hands, feet, etc.). The goalkeeper, being in the goalkeeper’s box, may stop the ripka in any way (in another part of the pitch as a regular player).
- The ripka can be rolled from the point at which it stops. The ripka may be carried, thrown or passed to another player of the team, but the ripka must be rolled towards the opposing team within 10 seconds of stopping and from the stopping point (the line across the pitch). In all cases, violations of the rules for rolling or stopping the ripka shall be penalized by the team passing the ripka to the opposing team and rolling it from the place of violation.
- Only players of the defending team may be in the goalkeeper’s box. If the team players break the rules in the goalkeeper’s box, that team shall be penalized with a 16 m penalty shot on goal (two points), taken without acceleration.
- Played in two rounds of 20 minutes each. A 10-minute break between rounds. The game starts with one of the teams (determined by lot) rolling the ripka from the baseline (10 m from the center line). During the initial roll, neither team may cross the lines of the initial roll (10 m from the center line). The team conceding a goal shall start the game from the baseline. A deliberate, flagrant violation of the rules or unsportsmanlike conduct during the match may result in a warning or exclusion from the field for 2 minutes, 5 minutes or until the end of the match.
- The team with the highest score wins the match. 4 points are awarded for a win, 2 points for a draw and 1 - for a loss. The teams meet for 2 times, then the points are counted and the winner is declared.
- Current status:
Since 1961, national “Ritinis” (“the Ripka”) championships have been held annually. In the current competition, teams of seven players play in stadiums according to the rules adopted by the Lithuanian Ritinis Sports Federation in 2004 and updated in 2023. Specially made ripkas are used in the matches, sometimes, especially in educational activities, old-style wooden disc with a metal hoop (also known as the ripka).
Nowadays, as a regularly practiced team game, Lithuanian “Ritinis” is widespread in the municipalities of Plungė, Kupiškis, Kaunas and Vilkaviškis. The tactics, history and tradition of “Ritinis” are cherished by enthusiasts of the sport, by club leaders, and passed on from generation to generation, usually by parents to their sons. The game has an important social function – the players of all ages train together, participate in sports clubs and socialize with each other. The developers of the tradition preserve this cultural heritage, create a dialogue between generations. Together with museums, schools and communities, they implement educational projects, share their experience with the Lithuanian National Youth Union or Lithuania Ethnosport Committee and practice the game of “Ripka” in camps and festivals. - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
The games are not only a leisure activity for children or young people, but they are also an effective educational tool, important for developing physical strength and endurance for children. On the other hand, games cannot be regarded as a measure of physical education alone, since they also develop children’s reactions, intelligence, discretion and other important mental qualities, develop thinking in general and, moreover, encourage sociability and socialize children. Therefore, games are also an important tool for the moral education of the younger generation. On the other hand, games have always had an important cultural function, not only for children.
Before the end of the First World War, traditional Lithuanian folk games were an important element of rural culture and the basis of the physical culture of its inhabitants. Movement sport games were considered to be a reasonable method of preparing children and young people for the world of adulthood. Games were also a way of regaining the strength lost in hard work. - Contacts:
Lithuanian Ritinis Sport Federation
Web: https://ritinis.lt/Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas
Stanislav Bajurin, President Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas
Web: http://www.etnosportas.lt/
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel. +37067992665
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100037757806536
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lietuvos_etnosporto_komitetas/ - Sources of information :
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BYLrqwachs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d3dWMh4lo0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RRbghKVS9c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9gL3Ize2DUThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
Informations: Stanislav Bajurin, President Lietuvos Etnosporto KomitetasSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
https://www.lse.lt/ritinis/
https://ekspertai.eu/ritinisripkavienas-originaliausiu-lietuviu-liaudies-zaidimuperkeltas-i-stadiona
https://jp.lt/eriskiai-kviecia-susipazinti-su-lietuviu-liaudies-zaidimu-ripka/
https://jp.lt/eriskiuose-vyko-lietuviu-liaudies-sportinio-zaidimo-ripkos-etno-zaidynes/
https://www.infokupiskis.lt/en/educations/ripka-lithuanian-roll/ - Gallery:
- Name of sport (game): Ritpaïni
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Finland
- Name of sport (game): Rounders
- Name in native language: Rounders
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
England, Ireland
- History:
Rounders, or something very like it was probably played several centuries prior to the first documentary evidence of the game. There is an engraving in the Bodleian Library dated 1344 which depicts a woman about to throw (underarm) a ball towards a chap wielding a large club which is thinner at the handle end. The engraving also has several other figures of both sexes which the illustrator did not include because they were mostly damaged or indistinct. These figures are waiting to catch or stop the ball once the batsman has hit it.
The description of the engraving does not mention any posts or bases so whether the game just involved hitting or whether running was also involved isn't known. But no wicket is shown so it doesn't appear to be an ancestor of Cricket. And people playing Stoolball hit the ball with their hand in those days so it cannot be that game.
Therefore, if the game is the ancestor of any modern game, Rounders seems to be the most likely candidate.
The other primary theory, equally vague, is that Rounders is a development of the old game of Stoolball. This game is mentioned in texts that go back as far as the fifteenth century. At this time, of course, there were no governing bodies dictating rules and so people played such games at fairs and on the village green in a variety of different ways. The only really consistent thing is that one player threw a ball and another player hit it - generally speaking with their hand. The stools were usually described as a wicket but in some versions, multiple stools were set up in a ring and players had to run from one to another.
The game of Baseball is indeed an old sport. Most texts that you will read quote that the earliest documentary evidence for the game is from 1744 when the game was referred to as Base-ball. This is a reference from what is probably the first ever book written for children, 'The Little Pretty Pocket Book' by John Newbery published in London. In fact, the earliest mention made was by the Reverend Thomas Wilson, a Puritan living in Maidstone, Kent who wrote a disapproving piece about games being played on Sunday in 1700: "I have seen Morris-dancing, cudgel-playing, baseball and cricketts and many other sports on the Lord's day".
Base-ball continues to be mentioned in England - for instance by Jane Austen in "Northanger Abbey" which was written around 1800. But the earliest reference to the name 'Rounders' found by this author is in in the English Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine of 1787 as a children's game - so the term was in use by that time.
In America, where the national sport is Baseball, arguments raged for some time over whether the game was invented in North America or England. Discoveries of the above references put an end to most such discussion, especially as the rules for Baseball published in an American "Book of Sports" in 1834 were an exact copy of the rules of Rounders from the "Boys Own Book" published in London in 1829. The game was obviously being called by both names and being played in the same way in both America and England by the same rules in the early 1800s
The USA was certainly playing proto-baseball before this: In 1778, one of George Washington's soldiers in the American war of Independence mentioned playing a game of "Base" in his diary. And anyway, it was known in North America since 1750 when 'The Little Pretty Pocket Book' was published there. The game really came to the fore in America around the mid-nineteeth century, when Alexander Cartwright of New York City initiated the first codification of the rules (the "Knickerbocker Rules"), from which modern baseball developed.
In 1889 the Liverpool and Scottish Rounders Association was formed. The first official rules did away with the practice of putting a running batter out by hitting them with a thrown ball. The National Rounders Association was formed in 1943 and is still active today working particularly with schools promoting and encouraging play. These days, at competition level, Rounders tends to be played more by girls than boys.
Source: https://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/rounders.htm - Description:
The rules of this sport come from Rounders England website: https://www.roundersengland.co.uk/play/rounders-rules/
Teams
Rounders games are played between two teams. Each team has a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 6 players. No more than 9 players may be on the field at any one time. If a team is mixed, there should be no more than 5 male players. A list of players and substitutes should be submitted to the Umpire prior to play. Players once substituted may return during the game, but batters only in the position of their original number.Batting
The batting team should wait in the backward area well away from 4th post. If out, wait in the backward area well away from 1st post. A batter should only enter the batting square when called to do so by the Umpire. The batter will have one good ball bowled to them. Batters can use 2 hands if they wish. Batters can take a no ball and score in the usual way, but once you reach 1st post you cannot return. You cannot be caught out or stumped out at 1st post on a no ball.Bowling / No balls
A No Ball will incur if:
• The ball is not thrown in a smooth underarm action.
• The ball is above the batters head or below the batters knee.
• The ball bounces on the way to the batter.
• The ball is thrown wide or straight at the batters body.
• The Bowler’s foot is outside the square during the bowling action.Running around the track
If a batter stops at a post, they must keep in contact with the post, with hand or bat. If they don’t, the fielding side can stump the following post to put the batter out. Batters can run on to a post even if it has been previously stumped (you don’t score if the post immediately ahead has been stumped). When the bowler has the ball in the bowling square a batter cannot move on, but if they are between posts they can carry on to the next. There cannot be two batters at a post. The umpire will ask the first to run on when the second makes contact. When at a post, the batter does not have to move on for every ball bowled. Once in contact with the post, a batter may turn the corner over the 2 metre line. Batters can move on as soon as the ball leaves the Bowler’s hand, including no balls. Batters must touch 4th post on getting home.Scoring
• If the batter hits the ball and reaches and touches 4th post before the next ball is bowled, the batting team scores 1 Rounder.
• If the batter hits a no ball and reaches and touches 4th post before the next ball is bowled, the batting team scores 1 Rounder (you cannot be caught out on a no ball).
• A ½ Rounder is scored if the batter reaches 4th post without hitting the ball.
• A ½ Rounder is scored if the batter hits the ball and 2nd or 3rd post is reached and touched before next ball is bowled. However, if you continue this run and are put out before reaching 4th post, the score will be forfeited.
• A penalty ½ Rounder is scored for an obstruction by a fielder.
• A penalty ½ Rounder is scored for 2 consecutive no balls to the same batter.
• A penalty ½ Rounder is scored by the fielding team if waiting batters or batters out obstruct a fielder.
• A batter can score in the normal way on a backward hit but must remain at 1st post while the ball is in the backward area.A player is out when
• The post a batter is running to is stumped.
• The batter is caught out.
• A batter overtakes another batter on the track.
• A batter deliberately drops or throws their bat.
• The batter misses or hits the ball and their foot is over the front or back line of the batting square.
• A batter runs inside the posts (unless obstructed).
• Side out.
• If the batter is ordered to make and maintain contact with the post and refuse to do so.
• The batter loses contact with the post; When the bowler has the ball and is in the square (except on an over run). During the bowlers action but before they release the ball. - Current status:
Practiced
- Contacts:
Rounders England
Unit 15, Venture 1 Business Park, Long Acre Close, Holbrook Industrial Estate Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S20 3FR, United Kingdom
Phone: 07837 810 613
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Webside: https://www.roundersengland.co.uk/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/RoundersEngland/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoundersEngland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roundersengland/GAA Rounders
Webside: http://www.gaarounders.ie/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/GaaRounders
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBui6eggZbfelpit6FPg00Q
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Address:
National Rounders Secretary,
Croke Park Stadium,
Jones' Road, Dublin 3 - Sources of information :
Articles:
https://web.archive.org/web/20071112065508/http://www.nra-rounders.co.uk/dyncat.cfm?catid=17177
https://www.britannica.com/sports/netball
https://gulfnews.com/sport/rounders-all-round-show-1.770808Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Lxiy9_L9Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1gQCVVF10w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M_SjjvSk3Y - Gallery:
- Documents:
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Pamplona, Spain
- Description:
The city of Pamplona is world-famous for its fiestas of San Fermín Festival. Thousands of people go there every year to experience the risk and the thrill of the running of the bulls, a tradition immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in his novel Fiesta. Over nine days, dressed in traditional red and white costumes, locals and visitors give themselves over to the festive spirit.
San Fermín starts at 6 am on 6 July. This is when the inaugural rocket is launched from the balcony of the Town Hall, marking the official start of the fiesta, and the crowd gathered in the square goes wild. The first running of the bulls takes place the next day: at 8 am the doors to the Santo Domingo corral are opened and hundreds of people run ahead of the bulls on a route around the old town to the bullring.
Every day from 7 to 14 July, this brief, intense race is repeated, taking just three minutes to run the 825-metre route. Rockets are launched to notify runners of the stages of the running: the first rocket when the corral gates are opened, the second when all the bulls have left, the third, in the arena, when the bulls enter the bullring, and the fourth when they are in the bullpens and the running of the bulls is finished. One of the most emotive moments occurs a few minutes before the running of the bulls starts, when the runners ask San Fermín to protect them, singing three times to of a small image located on Cuesta de Santo Domingo.
To amuse the children, every morning of the fiestas there is a parade of gigantes y cabezudos (carnival figures) around the city centre. Other events include outdoor dances, concerts, dance performances and, of course, bullfights, which are very lively thanks to the peñas or clubs cheering them on. San Fermín ends on 14 July at midnight, when the people gather in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento with lit candles, singing “Pobre de mí” (poor me), saying goodbye to their fiesta until the following year.
Source: https://www.spain.info/pl/kalendarz/swieto-sanfermines/ - Current status:
Practiced
- Sources of information :
Source of photos used in this article:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7243827/Two-runners-undergo-brain-scans-latest-Pamplona-bull-run-leaves-four-injures.html
- Gallery:
- Name of sport (game): Rvanje
- Name in native language: Rvanje u koštac
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Serbia
- Description:
Rvanje u koštac is played on mats and can be played on soft grass, outdoor, during summer festivals.It is a standing up wrestling style with clothes.
The wrestlers wear a T-Shirt and a short. Legs can grip legs. The arm position is fixed with hands gripping each other in the back.Weight and age categories. Tricks are mainly with hips and legs. Victory is given when the opponent is thrown on his back or rolled on the back during a short time.
- Name of sport (game): S'istrumpa
- Name in native language: Sa Strumpa or s’Istrumpa or Lotta Sarda
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Sardinia
- History:
Sa STRUMPA or s’ISTRUMPA, which is also known as the LOTTA SARDA (Sardinian Wrestling) is an ancient folk wrestling style culturally unique to the Sardinian people (the Sardinians, or the Sards). Its principles have been passed for centuries, primarily through practice and stories that from generation to generation descides the achievements of legendary characters.
The Sardinians trace their origin to the times of the pharaohs and were called SHARDANA, who belonged to the People of the Sea and believed to be the guards of the pharaohs of Egypt. The Sardinian people more likely have a Sumerian origin. This is supported by the structures called "Nuraghe" in the singular and "nuraghes" in the plural which can be found in different places all over Sardinia and which were erected long before the arrival of the Romans to that territory. In fact, the shape of those buildings recalls the cylindrical towers of Babylon, whose inhabitants the Babylonians had Sumerian origins. Among the most famous historical sites of Sardinia is the "ziqqurat" of Monte d'Accoddi, a former ancient temple which is unique not only to Europe, but to the whole entire Mediterranean region. It is located at the Monte d'Accoddi, in the Nurra, North-Western region of Sardinia, Canton of Logudoro. It’s appearance has a strong physical resemblance with those of the Mesopotamian ziqqurat temples.
When the Romans first arrived to Sardinia they settled on a territory in the North-West of Sardinia, which took the name of Romangia (also in Logudoro) which stands for Roman territory. Since Romans failed to colonize the hinterland areas of Sardinian they called it "Barbagia" which stands for "barbarian/uncivilized” territory.
Sardinia consists of quite a few micro-regions, for example Nurra and Romangia, which in turn are grouped into macro-regions, also called "cantons" and there are four of them: LOGUDORO, GALLURA, BARBAGIA and CAMPIDANO.Sa Strump ("istrumpare" - instruct, literally "thrown on the ground") is described by researchers of the past as part of "living archeology." It is part of the history of the Sardinia, which is three thousand years old and it is based on courage, loyalty and respect for the rules. There are several testimonies of this sport created over the centuries, with finds such as Uta from a nuragic bronze depicting "gherradores" and about thirty warriors, archers, wrestlers and boxers and is over two meters high, discovered in 1974 in Monti Prama, in Sinis, dated VIII or VII century BC.
In 1985, to organize the first Istrumpa tournament, elderly people from Ollolai and neighboring regions conducted a search to obtain the necessary information to develop "modern" rules. It turned out that in the traditional fight of previous generations there were no written rules, neither weight classes nor duration of fight. Players often fought until they won, while one or both gave up with exhaustion. Victory was awarded after two wins from three clashes or three out of five. Weight categories and combat times were established, and the first technical regulations for this sport were developed. On its basis, in the same year, the first regional championships were organized, which were met with great favor of public opinion and the participation of athletes from many centers in the Sardinia.
In 1994, Federazione S’istrumpa was founded, which in 1995 was incorporated into the FILC (International Federation of Celtic Wrestling). Finally in 1997, Federazione S’istrumpa was included in the FILJKAM (Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali).
Among the most famous practitioners of the "su chintu partidu/chintzu partziu" variation of the Strumpa wrestling was a two-time Mr. Olympia winning bodybuilder Franco Columbu (1941-2019) of Ollolai, Barbagia and Barbagia, Sardinia.
- Description:
This type of fight has kept its traditional rules and techniques. In the whole Sardinia it was practiced it in a similar way: for example "a manu and inthu", "inthu after inthu", "inthu partiu." The initial position is identical throughout the Sardinia: the warriors face each other half-bent forward, legs slightly buckle and slightly splay, one arm under the opponent's armpit, the other shoulder on the opponent’s shoulder to hold hands behind his back by the wrists or fingers. In another variation of this fight opponents are holding the belt.
The given below description and ruleset of the variation of the Strumpa Lotta Sarda" is present as it is practiced by the residents of Campidano (a plain located in South-Western Sardinia between Cagliari and Oristano) and adjacent areas such as Ogliastra (but not by the inhabitants of the other cantons such as Logudoro, Gallura and Barbagia) and where it is known as the STRUMPA or "sa Campidanesa.”
The wrestlers ("Gherradore" in the singular, "gherradores" in the plural) competed barefoot and were wearing canvas jackets, pants, and belts.
Below are the generally accepted wrestling modes of the STRUMPA CAMPIDANESE or "sa Campidanesa."
1. BRATZAS or BRATZOS or "a sa MUSINADA” Only following holds of the jackets are allowed: by the collar of the jacket, by the lapels of the jacket, by the sleeves of the jacket and around the biceps/triceps.
2. CHINTU PARTIDU or CHINTZU PARTZIU an equal back-hold grip, hooking legs and tripping being allowed. This variation of Strumpa is an official sport recognized by FIJLKAM. It also was practiced in the past, if both fighters mutually agreed on that.
3. In CHINTZU LIMPIU version, the wrestlers started at a distance from each other and the one who first takes a grip by the belt (not the trouser’s belt) took the lead. The tightening could cause his opponent lose his breath and could crush him to the ground. Other holds such as arm / head, arm / arm and arm / under-arm were allowed. Most likely it was CHINTZU LIMPIU that was called "sa CAMPIDANESA".
4. In this variation of Strumpa the wrestlers take holds of trouser’s belt and it is called CHINTADA / CHINTA CHINTA / CHINTA since CHINTOLZA or CHINTORZA means BELT of the pants. The wrestlers take holds of the trouser’s belt the socket of the hips, with the right arm under the opponent's left arm and the left arm above the other's right arm, and right cheek against right cheek.
The STRUMPA wrestling techniques are called TRASSAS ie "abilities", while unfair actions are called TRAMPAS. The Sa ZANGA, in reality, has the literal meaning of "cause", in the sense of a reason which causes the fall to the ground. The common Back Heel tripping is called CARCANGIU or CALCANZU.
The Strumpa Lotta Sarda matches are contested for the back falls. The back fall is when one of the two wrestlers is thrown down flat on his back.
The side falls, according to FIJLKAM regulations do not count. For the throw to be counted, the attacker must fall on top of his opponent. If the attacker will let go his hold before landing the throw is not counted even if the opponent touches the ground with his back.Pietropaolo De Montis presenting the techniques of s'istrumpa:
- Current status:
The Strumpa Sardinian wrestling gatherings traditionally were held not so much for the passion of this discipline (sport) but to demonstrate one's personal "value" in their own community (or "balentia"; su "bulente"). In fact it was a “man of value” who inclines to do good for his people. There also were wrestling meetings where the "money bets" were made which was barely legal.
In recent years, in addition to Ollolai, tournaments have been organized in various other centers, such as Fonni, Sardara, Ozieri, Dorgali, Villamassargia, Villagrande, Oliena, Urzulei, Lanusei, Sorgno, Tertenia, Tonara, Orosei, Thiesi, as well as shows at Baratile, Oristano, Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, Desulo, Olbia and Monti.
The sport of Strumpa is officially recognized by the Italian Federation of Judo, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM). The STRUMPA was placed within the Martial Arts sector of the FIJLKAM. Just like any other traditional sport it’s defined by its proper name, cultural identity and unique set of rules. The Strumpa wrestlers participate in the international tournaments organized by the FILC (International Federation of Celtic Wrestling). - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
In the popular tradition, there were many opportunities to try s'istrump: rural feasts, haircuts, grape harvest, threshing, weddings, military visits, military rallies, etc. S'istrumpa sometimes served as entertainment and fun. In addition, it has always been recognized as an educational value, tests that involved children were carried out under the vigilant supervision of fathers and the elderly.
- Contacts:
FIJLKAM (Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali)
Via dei Sandolini, 79
00122 Ostia Lido
Fax: 06/56434801
Webside: https://www.fijlkam.it/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/fijlkam
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FijlkamOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fijlkam_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FIJLKAMchannel - Sources of information :
Thank you for the information A.S.D. Polisportiva Gigliotti Team of Nuoro, which promotes martial arts. Great work by three brothers: Giovanni, Marco, Edoardo Gigliotti, who are athletes and coaches (highly decorated Champions in Sardini, Italy and worldwide).
Facebook link: https://it-it.facebook.com/PolisportivaGigliottiTeamNuoro/
Site: https://sites.google.com/site/polisportgigliotti/Materials of Italian pro-wrestler Mr. Michele (Mike) Raho of Bergamo.
Articles:
https://www.fijlkam.it/arti-marziali/s-istrumpa/storia-s-intrumpa.html
Rules: https://www.fijlkam.it/arti-marziali/s-istrumpa/regolamento.htmlVideo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYE7aorBqGo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0I77IQihJy1moSjZtkaZFxDR4iG5Ci3G5dMGgu--3-u-OspJuY3v52TuM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNko02ZFN84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYE7aorBqGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0ikcUgDaE - Gallery:
- Documents:
- Name of sport (game): Salto del pastor
- Name in native language: Salto del pastor
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Canary Islands, Gran Canaria
- History:
The Salto del Pastor Canario, is an activity spread throughout the Canary Archipelago, and that has its origin in the pastoral world, like the fight of the club.
The Canarian shepherd had to adapt to the rugged island terrain for his commuting and his daily tasks, for that reason he helped himself with a long wooden stick, generally of the Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) with a termination, in a metallic point; in the past, the end was sharpened or ended in an animal horn point, called a spit. - Description:
Depending on the area of the Island or the Archipelago, it was called in a certain way, in Gran Canaria it is called Garrote.
The length of this working tool was a function of the place where the grazing was carried out, being shorter in areas of the Coast and Midlands, than in the areas of Summit; in turn, the stick was also used as a combat weapon between different rival factions that fought to use the same space destined to feed the cattle.
El Garrote in Gran Canaria consists of the following different parts
El palo: it is the main instrument through which the shepherd slides, built in wood, although depending on the island different species are used. In the case of Gran Canaria, the normal thing is that it was made with Canary Pine wood (Pinus canariensis), although we can also find specimens made of barbuzano, almond, eucalyptus, etc.
El regatón: it is located at one end of the stick. It is made of iron or steel. The spike is nailed to the ground as a support point, to later slide on the stick. It is composed of a hollow part called a cube or cup, where the wood is introduced. The other part is solid in the shape of a cube or quadrangular pyramid that ends in a point.
Anilla: it is a metallic cover placed at the opposite end of the spout, either so that the wood does not open, or as an ornament. Leather and in some cases goat horns are also used. This element is not used in all the Islands.
There is no fixed measure for the club. The measurements usually range between two and four meters. The measurement depends on where the club is used, since at the top it is usually higher because the orography is more rugged, while in the mid-coast and coastal areas it is usually shorter since the relief is less.
The regatón oscillates between fourteen and thirty-eight centimeters, keeping a direct relationship with the length of the stick.
The puyas or puyones are part of the regatón, and are between five and twelve and a half centimeters, depending on the type of regatón. - Sources of information :
Books:
Noda Gómez, T., La elaboración de la lanza del salto del pastor, en El PAJAR. Cuaderno de Etnografía Canaria. Asociación Cultural "Día de las Tradiciones Canarias". Pinolere. II Época, nº 7, Agosto 2000, Anual, La Orotava, Tenerife
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAj_WFOJng&fbclid=IwAR34gOo-XfoMzNrLQJ5Y6Za6vjzFAZhw3Q_9FMZBes5qYayYPFHyDbD6yVk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVhfUEjoGV4&fbclid=IwAR26ndbFhvfHwxVPsQNG695a_w-RFO-Pe02nIT67wV5AfJZ5BG85HHELnCY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0t3uAyp5E&fbclid=IwAR38Hxdv2ppc-DC4Nu5vk901NwECFS0b9EvlMGG1trZowptdB9IHMorDBrM
- Name of sport (game): Savate
- Name in native language: Savate
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
France
- History:
The word savate comes from an old French word for boot, a bastardization of the Spanish word zapato. Savate as it is known today is a mixture of southern kicking styles out of Marseilles, ostensibly used by sailors to fight on boats, and street fighting techniques in Paris and northern France developed by or for the more martial members of the upper class, who wanted to protect themselves when venturing into the Parisian red light districts to gamble and party.
The southern kicking art was known as chausson, or slipper, while the northern was called savate. A series of masters in the late 1800s and early 1900s codified and organized the two loose fighting styles into a martial art and, eventually, a sport: la boxe française. The original two progenitors of the sport were Michel Casseux and his student Charles Lecour. Casseux is widely credit for creating the art of Savate out of the proto-jelly of French street fighter skills, while Lecour took his master's art and added elements of English boxing to round out the striking skills. - Description:
Savate competitions are held under two sets of rules: “assault" and “total combat." In an assault match, participants may wear protective pads — headgear and shin guards, for example. Thus, the risk of injury is reduced. In a total-combat match, they enjoy a full-contact ring experience similar to what is found in Western boxing. Knockouts are often seen.
The fist savate techniques are similar to those of boxing. The main ones are the jab, cross, hook and uppercut. The foot techniques of savate fall into four categories: low shin, side, roundhouse and reverse. Variations include kicks executed with the lead leg and the rear leg, as well as spinning, jumping and cross-stepping methods. An experienced savateur can combine those four punches and four types of kicks to form thousands of combinations.
Kicks can target an opponent's legs, body or head. One of the savateur's favorite methods of attack is to deliver a low kick followed by a roundhouse to the body with the tip of the shoe. Kicking with the tip of the shoe can be devastating. Over the years, it has knocked down more than a few experienced kickboxers. An opponent's back is a legal target for kicking.
Punching an opponent in the back is forbidden. That odd restriction stems from the olden days when savate did not have any rules. When Charles Lecour adopted the techniques of boxing, he also adopted the rules of the Marquis of Queensbury, which disallowed punches to the back. Because kicking was not covered by the Queensbury rules, the old ways of foot fighting remained in place.
Feints are a staple of savate. As such, kicks are seldom presented in a direct manner. Instead, they fly in from all angles and are almost never what they seem. An example is provided by the following combination: A savateur will often fake a fast low kick toward his opponent's leg, but it will quickly morph into a roundhouse to the stomach. Or vice versa.
Source: https://londonsavate.co.uk/savate/#development-of-savateSavate kicks
Fouetté - Literally ‘Whip’ kick. The kicking action is made around the knee joint. Striking with: toes or top of the shoe, foot extended. The final trajectory must be lateral. (Never swung forwards).Chassé - Literally to ‘drive away’. Stamping using a piston action and hitting at full extension, using the heel to keep an opponent at distance.
Lateral: hips sideways on.
Frontal: hips front facing.Revers - Reverse kick. The reverse arc of the fouetté from outside-in, striking with sole or blade of the shoe.
Lateral: hips sideways on.
Frontal: hips front facing.Coup de pied bas (balayage) - Literally low strike (sweep). Either striking forwards or outside-to-inside. Can be used to upend an opponent’s. Striking with: inside blade of the shoe, below the knee of the adversary.
Punches
direct bras avant (jab, lead hand)
direct bras arrière (cross, rear hand)
crochet (hook, bent arm with either hand)
uppercut (either hand)
Source: https://www.vice.com/en/article/78npng/savate-frances-dangerous-balletIn sporting savate, fighters hit only with their fists and different surfaces of the feet, while hits with the knees, elbows, and shins are banned. The competitions are held in three disciplines:
Assaut — light contact — is similar to non-contact karate. In such bouts, the main thing is the correctly executed blow. Light contact is allowed, but strong, tight contact results in penalty points and sometimes even disqualification.
Pre-combat is similar to full contact in karate. Participants wear protective gear: helmets and shinguards. Usually, these are the qualifiers for the finals.
Combat is the same as pre-combat, but without shinguards and helmets. This is always a final bout.Canne is another direction in savate. It is fighting with a cane 95-100 cm in length and 125-140 g in weight. This tradition dates back to the 19th century when dueling and carrying swords were prohibited. The technique is almost the same as in sword fighting. It was Charles Lecour who began to teach this kind of combat to all comers. The legend says he could hit a target up to 200 times in a minute. Canne has been preserved and is taught as part of French boxing. There are also separate canne competitions.
Source: https://blackbeltmag.com/la-canne-savates-walking-stick-weapon-art - Current status:
Practiced
- Contacts:
Confédération Européenne de Savate
Web: http://www.savate-europe.com/
Tel. +33 (0)1 53 24 60 60
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Fédération Internationale de Savate
Web: http://www.savate.sport
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FISavate/Fédération Française de SAVATE boxe française & D.A.
Address: 49 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris, France
Tel. +33 1 53 24 60 60
Web: https://www.ffsavate.com
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FFSbfDALondon Savate
+44(0)7950 456307 - Sources of information :
Books:
Kenneth Pua, Andy Kunz, SAVATE Assaut & Combat Made Easy, Independently published 2017
Philip Reed, Richard Muggeridge, Boxe Francaise-savate: Martial Art of France, Paul H. Crompton Ltd 1985
Lucien Alliot, Savate Fully Illustrated Book for Advance Pupil, eBook 2023
Andy Kunz, Kenneth Pua, French foot fencing Historical & Technical Journal Fully Illustrated Historical European Martial Arts, Kindle Edition, 2020
Andy Kunz, Kenneth Pua, Savate The Deadly Old Boots Kicking Art from France, Lulu.com, eBook, 2022
Bruce Tegner, Savate: French Foot Fighting, Thor Pub Co 1970
Bruce Tegner, Savate, Thor Publishing Co ,U.S.; 3rd Revised ed. edition 1983
Matthew Lynch, BOXING & SAVATE, 2018
Michel Delahaye, Savate et chausson, boxe francaise d'hier et d'aujourd'hui, TREDANIEL, 1995
Bernard Plasait, Défense et illustration de la boxe française. Savate, canne, chausson, Paris 1972, Sedirep
Joseph Charlemont, Théorique et pratique de la boxe française, 1878.
Joseph Charlemont, La Boxe Française, historique et biographique, souvenirs, notes, impressions, anecdotes, 1899.Articles:
https://blackbeltmag.com/savate-from-the-back-alleys-of-france-to-the-martial-arts-world
https://www.superprof.com/blog/learn-french-boxing-style/
https://mmachannel.com/what-is-savate-how-savate-evolved-from-street-fighting/
https://sweetscienceoffighting.com/savate-vs-muay-thai/
https://theselfdefenceexpert.com/savate/
https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/what-is-french-boxing-or-savate-history-technique-directions-disciplines-and-efficiency/
https://legendsmma.net/savate-kickboxing-you-need-to-know/
https://www.superprof.co.in/blog/french-boxing-for-dummies/
https://blackbeltmag.com/la-canne-savates-walking-stick-weapon-art
https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/what-is-french-boxing-or-savate-history-technique-directions-disciplines-and-efficiency/Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykx8F5LklNw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRX8iR_mdwA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMH4j6ruTIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2iUwn61LAo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_wVlJ6m48oThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/78npng/savate-frances-dangerous-ballet
https://londonsavate.co.uk/savate/#development-of-savate
https://blackbeltmag.com/savate-from-the-back-alleys-of-france-to-the-martial-arts-world
https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/what-is-french-boxing-or-savate-history-technique-directions-disciplines-and-efficiency/
https://www.martialyou.com/index.php/styles/list/56-savateSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/78npng/savate-frances-dangerous-ballet
https://londonsavate.co.uk/savate/#development-of-savate
https://savatekickboxing.ca/
http://playfighting.ca/fight-like-a-gentleman/bartitsu-blog/savate-in-bartitsu/
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1111393/ukraine-dominate-at-world-savate-champs
https://www.superprof.co.in/blog/french-boxing-for-dummies/
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/344877283938786102/
https://www.martialyou.com/index.php/styles/list/56-savate
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/26036504088269600/
https://blackbeltmag.com/la-canne-savates-walking-stick-weapon-art - Gallery:
- Documents: