Canarian Wrestling Team Matches
A school version of Canarian wrestling played as a team match: two teams send their wrestlers out one at a time, and a point goes to whoever takes the opponent down. Students work on the belt grip, off-balancing with hips and legs, and the cultural value of a traditional game.
How to play
- Mark two rings about 13 ft across with long rope on the tatami and form four teams of six in pinnies, two per ring (2 min).
- Adapted grip with a cloth belt: left hand on the opponent's belt at their right hip, right hand on their back, shoulders together (4 min).
- A fall is scored when the opponent touches the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet, using the hips, a turn, or a leg hook (2 min).
- Team match: teams line up by weight and 1 faces 1, 2 faces 2, through 6. Each bout is best of three 40-second falls and scores 1 point (8 min).
- One teammate from each team judges and starts each fall with 'Go!'; everyone else cheers outside the rope.
- Play a second team match against another team (7 min) and finish with handshakes, as tradition calls for (2 min).
Rules
- No striking, no neck or head grabs, and no kicking: leg moves are hooks.
- The wrestler who scores guides the opponent down without landing on them.
- No one moves before the call; if a pair leaves the ring, reset in the center.
Variations
Easier
Win only by pushing the opponent out of the ring or making them put a knee down.
Standard
Best-of-three-fall bouts between teams lined up by weight.
Harder
Traditional format: the winner stays in the ring, up to three bouts in a row.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: ring judge, or seated bouts won by making the partner put a hand down.
- Autism or contact avoidance: start as a judge, then wrestle with a trusted partner.
- Fitness level: match by weight and allow 25-second falls for students who tire.
Learning goals
- Practice the basic grip and off-balancing of adapted Canarian wrestling.
- Appreciate Canarian wrestling as a traditional game with customs of respect.
- Work with the team as wrestler, judge, and supporter.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tatami mats: 30
- cloth belts: 26
- long rope: 2
- pinnies: 24
Teacher tip
Push the mats tightly together and check for gaps after each bout. A short video of a real team match gets students excited and shows the closing handshake.
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