Canary Island Wrestling for Kids
A school version of lucha canaria, the native wrestling of the Canary Islands, in which two wrestlers locked in a grip try to make the other touch the ground with anything but the feet. Students work on balance, strength and respect for the opponent.
How to play
- Explain (2 min) that Canary Island wrestlers compete in a sand circle called the terrero, every bout starts and ends with a handshake, and the winner helps the opponent up.
- Set up 6 rings of 2 mats each. Each student ties a folded pinnie around the waist, standing in for the rolled-up shorts wrestlers grab (3 min).
- Grip (3 min): standing face to face, left hand on the partner's belt at their right side, right hand on their back, knees bent.
- In pairs of similar weight: on the signal, push, pull or turn so the partner touches down a knee, hand or bottom. Bouts last 30 seconds max, best of 3.
- Rotate rings clockwise to change partners (9 min).
- Team finale (8 min): two teams face off like a traditional team match, in 2 waves of 6 pairs, totaling bouts won.
Rules
- No striking, no grabbing the neck, head or clothing, and no lifting a partner off the ground.
- On 'stop' or two taps on the shoulder, the bout ends immediately.
- Wrestle barefoot, with no watches, earrings or glasses, and never off the mats.
- After each bout, the winner helps the other student up.
Variations
Easier
Wrestle on the knees: you lose if a hand or your side touches the mat.
Standard
Wrestle standing with a belt grip: you lose if anything but your feet touches down.
Harder
Use 45-second bouts in which the left hand never lets go of the belt.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: wrestle seated, gripping forearms, trying to make the partner touch an elbow down.
- Visual impairment: constant contact makes this a good fit; guide the hands into the grip and start with a tap on the back.
- Fitness level: always pair by weight and strength; students who prefer not to wrestle act as judges.
Learning goals
- Control their own balance against pushes and pulls.
- Apply safety and respect rules in a wrestling game.
- Learn about Canary Island wrestling as a native sport and its values of fair play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 12
- pinnies: 25
Teacher tip
Practice a safe fall first: let go, chin to chest and land on your side. Keep rings 2 m (6 ft) apart and stop any bout that drifts toward the edge.
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