KNOW THE SPORT of

BACKHOLD  WRESTLING
Backhold Wrestling can be seen all over Scotland and the north of England from May to October, at Highland and Border Games. The rules are simple, once the closed hold with the right hand under the opponent's left is taken, the referee shouts "hold" in Scotland or "wrestle" in England to commence the bout. The first wrestler to touch the ground or break their hold loses. 
 
Scottish Costume
The sport is thought to be one of the earliest and most basic  martial art and is depicted on crosses and standing stones dating from the 7th and 8th centuries.
The Scottish Costume
A "Swinging Hype" above
Variations of Backhold exist in at least ten other European countries, including Iceland, Albania and Sardinia. Today the sport is organised into district, national and European Championships. The English Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Association has since 1900 insisted that their competitions, open to any wrestler, are the World Championships.
 
Scottish  Backhold  Wrestlers wear White Vests and Kilts
   
In Scotland there are eight adult weight classes commencing at 9st 7lbs up to heavy weight at over 15st 7lbs.
Throws retain their robust early English names and there are many variations of the most important techniques which are; hypes, buttocks, twists, hanks, backheels, strokes and inner-hooks.
 
English Costume
 
White Vest: with embroidered pattern on
Velvet Pants: also often embroidered
White Tights
Stockinged Feet: or by permission of the referee bare feet
Wearing of sweaters is Forbidden
 
THE  RULES
Every fall is decided by two judges and a referee, who makes the final decision if the judges disagree. On taking hold the wrestlers stand up chest to chest, each placing their chin on their opponent's right shoulder and grasping them around the body, each placing their left arm above the right arm of their opponent.
When both wrestlers have got hold, the referee calls "hold" and the wrestlers. With the exemption of kicking, they are allowed to use every legitimate means to throw the other.
If either party breaks their hold, they shall be declared the loser, if the other retains their grip.
If both fall to the ground, the first person down loses.
A fall is defined as touching the ground with any part of the person, the feet excepted.
 
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