Cornish wrestling throws

Rules Both wrestlers must wear a Cornish Wrestling jacket and must not be wearing shoes. All holds are taken upon the other wrestler's jacket, grabbing of the wrists or fingers is forbidden as well as any holding below the waist. Although all holds are to be taken upon the jacket, the flat of the hand is allowed to be used to push or deflect an opponent. 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. Scoring 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. "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 a wrestler puts a hand to ground to stop the wrestler from being thrown, or slips out of the jacket for the same purpose; sticklers (referees) will first warn the wrestler of their offence before faulting them. "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. 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. ==Heaves==

Back Heave Commonly known as Back Heave or to plan the downfall of someone who is openly embraced. Historically Cornish wrestlers were famous for this throw. • The thrower puts both arms around the throwee and pulls them close. • The thrower then leans backwards lifting the throwee into the air. • The throwee is then cast across the thrower's thigh onto their back. • Sometimes, as part of this throw, the thrower places their leg between the throwee's legs. Fore Heave Most commonly known as Fore Heave Heave, Forehitch, Outside Stroke and Fore Waist Lock. Slue, Shoulder Sweep, and Tattie Bag Heave. Historically, this throw has sometimes been called the Flying Mare. Arm Heave Belly faunce This throw appears to be unique to Cornish wrestling. • The thrower releases their dominant hand and pulls the throwee down while stepping forward and ducking their head underneath the throwee's arm. • The dominant arm is then passed under the front of the throwee's belly at waist height. • The thrower then grips the far side of the throwee's jacket and lifts the throwee bodily upwards, turning them head over heels and dropping them on their back. ==Crooks==

Back Crook Commonly known as Back Crook Forward Falx, Inside Crook, Forward Crook, Crook, Inside Click, Note that Falx is Latin for sickle. • 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. Slip Crook Most commonly known as Slip Crook (). Also known as Hitch Over, Slipped Crook, Unshipped Lock and Slip Lock. • 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. ==Sprags==

Back Sprag Commonly known as Back Sprag. Also known as the Double Lock. • This defensive technique is used as a counter to the Back Crook. • As the throwee attempts to raise the thrower's crooked leg forwards, the thrower passes their other leg between the throwee's legs and hooks the heel (as with the Back Strap) while pushing the throwee's shoulders backwards. Double Sprag Commonly known as Double Sprag (Lestans dewblek). Also known as Sprag and • 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. Single Sprag Commonly known as Single Sprag (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. ==Hip Throws==

Fore Hip Most commonly known as Fore Hip (Klun war-rag Hipt, Fore Heap, Cross buttock, Heave, Heave and Hip, Forward Hip and Buttock. • 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. Pull Over Hip Commonly known as Pull Over Hip. Also known as Cross Buttock. • This throw is similar to the Fore Hip, except that rather than passing the dominant arm around the throwee's waist, the dominant elbow is hooked into the throwee's armpit so as to get the required leverage to pull them over the throwers hip. • This setup can lead to a faster throw than the Fore Hip, but is more difficult to control. ==Trips==

Back Step Commonly known as Back Step Also known as Turne, Inturne • This variant is the same as the Back Step, except that the grip does not need to be taken on the ropes. • For example, the grip can be taken with one hand on the throwee's elbow and the other arm over the shoulder pulling the throwee close. • This move immobilises one of the throwees arms enabling various throws to be performed with the throwee at a disadvantage. • The thrower passes his arm around the outside of the throwee's arm, passes under the arm and is then pushed in between the wrestlers to grab the throwee's collar. • The thrower then pushes their elbow upwards, forcing the throwee upwards, facilitating easier throwing using the Toe, Fore Hip, Heel or Crook. Pull Under Commonly known as Pull Under. • This refers to a throw with both hands gripping the same side of the jacket (see variants below) and a throw which is used to counter the Fore Crook. • The throwee attempts to perform a Fore Crook on the thrower, with the entwined legs lifted behind them. • The thrower transfers their near hand to grip the throwee's far collar with the palm outwards (so both hands are gripping the same side). • The thrower twists the jacket behind the far shoulder and pulls the throwee underneath them as they both fall. Pull Under and Heel The Pull Under has a variant commonly known as Pull Under and Heel (Seudhel a-denewen). Also known as Pull Over Heel • This refers to a Heel throw with both hands gripping the same side of the jacket. Pull Under and Toe The Pull Under also has a variant commonly known as Pull under and Toe. • This refers to a Toe throw with both hands gripping the same side of the jacket. Toe Commonly known as Toe (Bys Troes). Also known as Heaving Toe and Hanging Trippet. • This throw uses the inside of the thrower's foot to strike the outside of the throwee's heel, calf or outside of the knee, while simultaneously pulling the throwee's body over the striking foot. ==Foul Moves==

Below are a list of moves which are fouls. Cross Collar Commonly known as Cross Collar. • Move that causes choking by crossing the arms in front of the throwee and pulling the jacket tight. Crowbar Hitch Commonly known as Crowbar Hitch. • Move where the arm is passed inside the jacket, up the sleeve and used as a lever. ==References==