Cornish Wrestling Throws
Cornish wrestling is an ancient martial art which later became the sport that is still practiced today.
It was used historically in battle during close combat fighting. All the throws can be performed from a standing position and can finish in a standing position.
The following sections give a brief introduction to the rules and points system of Cornish wrestling and brief descriptions of some of the throws.
As with other styles of wrestling, the aim is to defeat the opponent, but in the Cornish manner. To do this either score a "Back" or more cumulated points must be scored. Both wrestlers must wear a Cornish Wrestling jacket and must not be wearing shoes.
When any part of the body, other than the feet, touches the ground the hitch is deemed "broken" and the wrestlers must cease fighting, shake hands and restart the contest.
The handshake is a formality which is traditional and must take place before a contest begins, before each hitch and after the bout is over.
"Faults" are given against a wrestler who breaks the rules and one point will be deducted from their score for each offence. It is a foul, for instance, if you put a hand to ground to stop yourself being thrown, or slip out of the jacket for the same purpose, sticklers (referees) will first warn the wrestler of their offence before faulting them.
A "Back" is scored when a wrestler has been picked up and dropped flat on their back so that at least three of their four "Pins" hit the ground simultaneously. "Pins" are the shoulders and hips. A "Back" will win a contest for a contestant whenever it takes place and the bout is then over; but if there is no "Back" during a contest the bout will be decided on points.
Points are scored when a pin hits the ground; one point for one pin down and two points for two pins down. All throws must be made from the standing position and there must be no grappling on the ground whatsoever.
If no points are scored during a contest a point will be awarded to the wrestler showing most "Play", i.e., one who has made most honest attempts to throw their opponent.
- The thrower moves their dominant arm underneath the shoulder and around the throwee's back placing the flat of the hand on the hip.
- With both hips now facing the same direction, the thrower steps with their inside leg in front of both of the throwee's legs making sure to bring the thrower's hips into the throwee's lap.
- Leaning forward to lift the throwee's legs off the ground, the thrower rotates the throwee over their hip so that the throwee lands on their back in front of the thrower.
Fore Crook[1][2][3][4][5] (Bagh war-rag)
- The thrower moves their dominant arm over the top over the throwee's shoulder placing the flat of their hand on the top of the throwee's outside shoulder.
- With both hips now facing the same direction, the thrower steps with their inside leg between the throwee's legs pushing back and hooking their foot around the throwee's ankle lifting their leg to the rear.
- Leaning forward with the upper body, the thrower pulls with the outside arm to rotate the throwee's back towards the ground.
- This is a combination throw, which starts as a Fore Crook, but then changes into another throw.
- The thrower moves their dominant arm over the top over the throwee's shoulder placing the flat of their hand on the top of the throwee's outside shoulder.
- With both hips now facing the same direction, the thrower steps between the throwee's legs with their inside leg, pushing back and hooking their foot around the throwee's ankle lifting their leg to the rear.
- Leaning forward with the upper body the thrower pulls with the outside arm to rotate the throwee's back towards the ground, at the same time releasing the inside leg and stepping across the throwee's outside leg and sweeping it to the rear.
Fore Heave[2][4][5] (Halyans war-rag)
- As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower hip to hip, the thrower takes grip across their lower back pulling them into the thrower's body.
- The thrower leans away from the throwee, while keeping a strong grip on them, taking the weight off their legs.
- While lifting the throwee, the thrower rotates the throwee over their leg so that the throwee lands on their back in front of the thrower.
Back Heave[3][4][5] (Halyans war-dhelergh)
- As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower hip to hip, the thrower takes grip across their lower back pulling them into the thrower's body.
- The thrower leans away from the throwee, while keeping a strong grip on them, taking the weight off their legs.
- While lifting the throwee, the thrower rotates the throwee over their leg towards the rear so that the throwee land on their back behind the thrower, who makes sure that they rotate, so as not to land on their back.
Single Sprag[4] (Lestans unnik)
- This defensive technique is used when being lifted while both wrestlers are facing the same direction.
- The defender wraps both legs around one of the aggressor's legs so that they cannot lift the defender any further.
Double Sprag[4] (Lestans dewblek)
- This defensive technique is used when being lifted while both wrestlers are facing the same direction.
- The defender locks each leg around each of the aggressor's legs either both inside or both outside so that they cannot lift the defender any further.
Scat un Back[2][4][5] (Knouk war-dhelergh)
- As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower, hip to hip or stepping across the front of the thrower's body, the thrower takes grip across the throwee's lower back pulling them into the thrower's body.
- The thrower steps behind the throwee so that the thrower's leg strikes both of the throwee's legs while pulling them to the rear.
- The thrower rotates the throwee over their thigh, backwards, so that they land flat on their back, rotating so as to make sure that the thrower does not land also on their back.
Flying Mare[6][7][3][4][5] (Kasek neyja)
- The thrower takes grip on the ropes of throwee's jacket.
- The thrower rotates, so that both wrestlers are facing the same direction, while pulling the throwee towards them and moving quickly in the same direction, building momentum.
- When moving at speed, the thrower stops abruptly and bends forward, pulling the throwee up and over their back and head.
- Keeping grip of the rope, the thrower rotates the throwee's back toward the ground.
Back Strap[6] [1][2][3][4][5] (Kamm war-dhelergh)
- The thrower takes grip on the ropes of the throwee's jacket and pulls the throwee towards the thrower.
- When the throwee pulls away, the thrower steps between their legs and hooks the back of one of their legs, pushing them to the ground so that they land flat on their back.
- The thrower's hooking foot can be placed either between their legs (as per the photo above) or outside and around one of their legs.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Walker, Donald: Defensive Exercises, PALMER and CLAYTON (London) 1840, p30-32.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Armstrong, Walter: The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes - Fencing, Boxing and Wrestling, Spottiswoode and Co (London) 1889, p215-223.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Quiller-Couch, A T: The Cornish Magazine, Selections, Joseph Pollard (Truro) 1952, p199-200.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Kendall, Bryan H: The Art of Cornish Wrestling, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies (Cornwall) 1990, p1-32.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Guy Jaouen and Matthew Bennett Nicols: Celtic Wrestling, The Jacket Styles, Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (Switzerland) 2007, p119-155.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sir Parkyns, Thomas: The Inn-play or Cornish Hugg Wrestler, J Bailey (London) 1713, p18-19.
- ↑ Carew, Richard: The Survey of Cornwall, B LAW (London) 1769, p76.
External links
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