Description
Scottish Backhold Wrestling is a traditional Scottish wrestling style with roots going back hundreds of years. It is a standing-only wrestling discipline focused on strength, balance, technique, and sportsmanship.
- Right arm under opponent’s left arm
- Left arm over opponent’s right arm
- Hands clasped using a finger-to-finger (“S-grip”)
- Chin on opponent’s shoulder
- Chest to chest
- Square stance
- Ear to ear
The referee will check and confirm the correct position before the start.
Start of Bout
The bout begins when the referee calls:
“Hold!”
Objective
- Score a fall by forcing your opponent to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of their feet.
- You do not need to throw your opponent onto any particular part of their body.
- A fall is also awarded if your opponent breaks their grip.
Falls & Victory
- Bouts are decided by best of five falls.
- First competitor to win three falls wins the match.
- Each fall restarts from the same neutral standing position.
Grip Rules
- The grip must be maintained at all times.
- You may only open your hands below the height of your kilt (or knees) for the safety of your opponent or own hands.
- Opening your hands above this height will result in the immediate loss of the fall, even if you are directing your opponent towards the ground at the time.
- If you break your hold whilst standing upright, you immediately lose that fall.
Allowed Techniques
- Throws, trips, lifts, and sweeps
- Balance-breaking techniques
- Use of hips, legs, and body positioning
Not Allowed
- Ground wrestling
- Striking
- Submissions
- Joint locks or choking
- Dangerous or unsportsmanlike behaviour
Safety
- The referee may stop any bout for safety.
- Warnings or disqualification may be issued for unsafe conduct.
- Your head must remain within the hold throughout the entire bout, if your head slips out of the hold you must throw immediately with continuous momentum - or you will be reset in the starting position.
🧥 Competition Attire
- Traditional attire is encouraged.
- It is traditional to wear a kilt.
- Shorts or wrestling trousers may also be worn.
- Short-sleeved or sleeveless top.
Footwear
- No shoes are allowed.
- Competitors will wrestle barefoot.
Additional Requirements
- No jewellery
- No zips, metal, or hard objects
- Nails must be trimmed
🏆 Awards
- Medals/Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
- Additional awards may be presented at organiser discretion
ℹ️ Additional Information
- All competitors must follow referee and organiser instructions.
- Entry is at your own risk.
- Medical support will be present.
- Photography and filming may take place.
For questions, please contact the organisers via Smoothcomp.
