Two teams of eight, whose total mass must not exceed a maximum weight determined for the class, align themselves at the end of a thick rope (approximately 10 centimetres in diameter). The rope is marked with a "centre line" and two markings four metres either side of the centre line. The teams start with the rope's centre line directly above a line marked on the ground, and once the contest (the "pull") has commenced, attempt to pull the other team such that the marking on the rope closest to their opponent crosses the centre line, or the opponents commit a foul (such as a team member sitting or falling down).
There are tug-of-war clubs in many countries, and both men and women participate.
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)