World Wrestling Styles: Glíma, Schwingen and Kurash
A three-station circuit to practice safe, adapted versions of three traditional wrestling styles: Icelandic glíma, Swiss schwingen and Uzbek kurash. Each station has a card covering its origin and values, and at the end they're compared with traditional Spanish wrestling.
How to play
- Form three groups and give each the station card with history, grip, goal and adapted rules (3 min).
- Glíma station: belt tied around the waist and thigh, grip with both hands, wrestlers stay upright stepping in a circle; you win by making the other person put down a hand or knee (7 min).
- Schwingen station: kneeling on mats, one hand gripping the back of the belt and the other the thigh belt; you win by getting the other person onto their back or side, always guiding them down (7 min).
- Kurash station: both hands grip a towel draped over the opponent's shoulders, no grips below the waist; you win by unbalancing the other person until they take two steps out of their zone (7 min).
- Whole-group comparison: similarities with Canarian and Leonese wrestling, the cultural role of wrestling and shared values (6 min).
Rules
- All stations are on mats, with no throws above waist height.
- No grabbing the head or neck; towels are never wrapped around the neck.
- 30-second bouts with partners of similar build, with a salute at the start and end.
- Release the grip immediately at the tap-out signal.
Variations
Easier
At all three stations, you win by making the other person move a foot off their mark, with no falls.
Standard
Three adapted traditional wrestling styles at stations with culture cards and a final comparison.
Harder
Each group researches a fourth wrestling style from around the world and designs a safe version to teach next session.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: takes part in the seated schwingen station and presents the culture cards.
- Visual impairment: all three styles start with a grip, which supports participation after a verbal description.
- Students from other countries: are invited to share traditional wrestling from their home culture.
Learning goals
- Learn about traditional wrestling from different cultures.
- Adapt wrestling grips and goals into a safe format.
- Value wrestling as a cultural tradition shared by many peoples.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 18
- judo belts: 20
- towels: 10
- worksheets: 3
Teacher tip
These versions are simplified: tell students that the real rules include techniques not practiced in class for safety reasons.
PatioLab has "World Wrestling Styles: Glíma, Schwingen and Kurash" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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