Pull the Onions
A traditional group combative game: the onions lie face down in a circle with arms linked, and the farmers pull on their ankles to uproot them. Every uprooted onion becomes a farmer, building isometric strength, cooperation, and safe pulling.
How to play
- Form three groups of eight on 13 x 13 ft tatami areas. In each group, six are onions and two are farmers (1 min).
- The onions lie face down in a circle with heads toward the center, linking arms and wrists with the classmates on each side to form a ring.
- Explain safe pulling: the farmer grabs one or both ankles above the shoe and pulls back low along the floor, without lifting the onion's legs (demo, 2 min).
- On the signal, farmers have 2 minutes to pull onions. An onion is uprooted when it lets go of both neighbors; it then stands up and becomes a farmer.
- When two onions are left or time runs out, restart with new farmers: the last two onions pulled. Play five rounds (10 min).
- Wrap-up: what strategy did the onions use to hold on, and how did the farmers work together? (2 min).
Rules
- Pull only on ankles and always low along the floor; no lifting legs and no pulling clothes.
- Farmers never climb on top of the onions or step into the ring.
- If an onion says 'Let go,' the farmer releases immediately.
- No earrings, watches, or anything in your pockets.
Variations
Easier
The onions hold hands only, which makes them easier to pull, and there is a single farmer.
Standard
Linked arms and wrists, two farmers, and 2-minute rounds.
Harder
Farmers must work in pairs on the same onion, coordinating to pull both ankles at once.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: act as a fixed onion that can't be pulled, anchoring neighbors with the arms, or serve as timekeeper.
- Autism or contact avoidance: play as a farmer who uproots an onion by tapping its back with a hand 3 times.
- Fitness level: shorter rounds, and students with less strength farm in pairs.
Learning goals
- Hold isometric contractions of the arms and trunk to resist pulling.
- Cooperate with the group to hold on or to coordinate the pull.
- Pull safely while following contact rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tatami mats: 30
Teacher tip
Make sure the onions have arms truly linked rather than loose hands, because a sudden pull can make someone bump their chin. It's an ideal game for the first combatives lesson because the contact is gradual and fun.
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