2.13.1 All participants, including athletes and officials, must be familiar with and adhere to the UPAWA costume code. Each country must be identifiable and each competitor identifiable to its District.

2.13.2 Only short sleeve or sleeveless shirts & sport pants (no jeans) allowed during competition. Very limited advertising is allowed on shirts only.

2.13.3 Shoes are required as part of the uniform and to compete in the tournament.

2.13.4 No competitor may compete out of uniform, no competitor may receive their award out of uniform. If a competitor comes on stage to compete out of uniform they will forfeit that bout. A district without uniform may request in writing before the start of the competition to

3.1.1 is responsible for referee assignments at and during UPAWA competition.

3.1.2 is responsible to supervise the referees during the competition and issue a performance report card at the end of the tournament to each participating referee.

3.1.3 is responsible to remove any referee that is deemed irresponsible or technically unfit to referee a UPAWA tournament.

3.1.4 is responsible to bring to the attention of the UPAWA executive, documented proof of a referee who is to be disciplined for unwarranted behavior or blatant misconduct.

3.1.5 is responsible to make certain referees conform to UPAWA referee dress code at UPAWA tournaments.

3.1.6 Every UPAWA Master Referee should have the chance to be a candidate for the position of UPAWA Head Referee.

3.1.7 is responsible to hold a Technical Referee Seminar, which all Team Captains must attend.

3.1.1 is responsible for referee assignments at and during UPAWA competition.

3.2.1 is responsible to assure assigned referees are competent both physically and technical, to referee a UPTWA tournament.

3.2.2 is responsible to implement a short but comprehensive referee clinic with assigned referees prior to the competition.

3.2.3is responsible to oversee a statewide referee training program, implement the program and to keep current to any changes in rules

3.3.1 is responsible to wear proper UPAWA dress code for referees which is short sleeve black and white striped shirt, with stripes being 1" wide, black pants, socks and shoes. Individuals name and ranking may be printed on their back. Ranking to appear on right shoulder sleeves, 1" up from cuff.

3.3.2 The referee will not be allowed to wear a district flag on his/her shirt.

3.3.3 is responsible to know UPAWA rules thoroughly and to make certain to attend state clinics prior to tournaments.

3.3.4 is responsible to conduct themselves in an unbiased and professional manner. Referees are not to congratulate individual competitors; they may congratulate both competitors on a match well done.

3.4.1 The referee starting the match will be deemed Head referee of that particular match. Assistant referee will watch for elbow fouls at start of match and assist in assuring a fair start. After the match has started, the two referees will watch each their side for fouls or a pin.

3.4.2 Once a referee is set at a table, he/she cannot be removed, unless for lack of competence or technical knowledge.

4.1.1 The U.P. Arm Wrestling Championships will always be hosted in the month of April or May.

4.1.2 Right and Left arm events will be held on separate days.

4.1.3 Each weight class will be called to the stage when it comes to their turn to compete. They will be accounted for as per draw sheet. Then the matches will begin. A specified area will be secured for the pullers who’s class is being run. The officials will send these pullers to this specified area.

4.1.4 Wrist wraps, straps, elbow bandages/supports or cups, protective wraps, rings or bangles are not permitted on arms. *An arm is defined as that portion of the body starting from the shoulder and continuing on and ending at the finger tips.

4.1.5 Individuals (unless authorized by the Head referee at a table), may not approach a table to within 20 feet. Strict penalty may be enforced.

4.1.6 Points will be deducted from a district’s team for breach of discipline or poor sportsmanship.

4.1.7 Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and it could lead up to and including being barred from the tournament.

4.1.8 No challenge matches allowed during or immediately proceeding the competition. No disruption of scheduled proceedings allowed.

4.1.9 There will be a Rs.1000.00 charges to hear a protest. If the protest is UPHELD the Rs. 1000.00 is returned. If the protest is DENIED the Rs.1000/- it kept by UPAWA. All protests will be handled off the stage at the secretary table, Rs.500/- penalty for breaking this rule.

4.1.10 Semi-finals and Final matches (if played on one table) cannot be judged by referees of the same nationality with competitors. Head Referee is responsible for the implementation of this article

4.2.1 Drug testing will be allowed in all Districts, State and National Championships, provided they are UPAWA sanctioned. Complainant will have to deposit required fees along with an official letter to be submitted to UPAWA chairman or standing committee on discipline.

4.2.2 Each positive test of an athlete oblige his District association/ body to finance an additional doping test to be carried out on anyone of their athletes next World Championship.

4.3.1 Mobile phones that are switched on during competition or in congress meetings will be charged Rs500.00. The host of the event will be given an exception.

4.3.2 Any unauthorized competitor or official who come on stage during the event will be charged a Rs 500.00 as fine.

4.3.3 A fine will be charged to competitors, coaches and spectators who use bad language towards the referees.

Ist Offence - Rs.2000.00

IInd Offence - Rs.5000.00

IIIrd Offence - Rs.10,000.00

1 year to 5 year suspension or as decided by UPAWA for any future offences.

5.1.1 UPAWA championships will always be double elimination. All contestants must lose twice. No seeding prior to championships. Contestants are placed on draw sheet by luck of the draw. Team members from the same district will not be matched against each other on the first round if possible.

5.2.1 Contestants for each weight class will be announced and they will come to the stage to be verified against the draw sheet.

5.2.2 Contestants’ names will be called and they have 30 seconds to come to the table.

5.2.3 Anyone with long hair will have to have their hair restrained in some fashion. Head bands are permitted but not hats.

5.2.4 Referees are not to use force or wrestle with you. A referee will lightly touch competitors hands to see that they are properly aligned, wrists straight and arm centered to the table top.

5.2.5 No breaks in contest during or between matches, unless there is equipment failure, draw sheet mistake or authorized by officials.

5.2.6 No competitor will be matched twice against the same opponent unless for place standing.

5.2.7 The referee’s may give a disabled puller some allowances for his handicap.

5.2.8 You can only pin your opponent on the winning side of the table

5.3.1 The grip is palm to palm, grip at thumb, thumb knuckle must be visible. Gripped hands should be level on a plain at the forefingers. Free hand will grip the hand peg provided at the table edge. This arm may or may not touch the table top. Finger nails should be trimmed so as not to injure your opponent. Stickum/rosin/chalk are permitted.

5.3.2 Back pressure to the extent that it pulls your opponents arm across the marked center of the table will not be allowed. This infraction will be deemed the same as a false start.

5.3.3 Shoulders will be kept square to the table. They may slope to either side before the start.

5.3.4 There will be a hand width between the shoulder and forearm of each competitor as well as between the chin and hand prior to the start.

5.3.5 The signal given by the Head Referee is “Ready...Go!” in an unspecified cadence. At the end of the match the referee will say “Stop” and indicate the winner by raising his arm towards him/her. All effort must be made by the referee that the competitors are aware the match is stopped.

5.3.6 A pin is when any part of the natural wrist line to finger tips, touches or goes below the touch pad.

5.3.7 Competitor’s legs can be wrapped around the table leg or braced against an opposite table leg prior to the start of the match, providing they are not interfering with their opponent. Feet can be off the ground during competition and legs can be moved in any fashion as long as they don’t interfere with their opponent.

5.3.8 In the event of an injury during competition, the competitor’s name will continue to be brought forward until he/she has fulfilled the two loss commitment. The match that a competitor was injured in will be regarded as a loss.

5.3.9 There is no time limit during an actual bout. However, if in the estimation of the Head Referee or a UPAWA authorized physician, that a competitor is deemed unfit to continue, the match will be stopped.

5.3.10 Competitors can start a match in strap or in referee’s grip or in referee’s grip in the strap if both agree to do this.

8.1.1 If competitors fail to come to the table in the 30 seconds allotted they will be given a loss. Their name will be dropped to its proper slot, the same as a loss in an actual bout. If they already have a loss they would drop out of the tournament for that particular weight class. (2013)

8.1.2 Competitor’s shoulder must not cross the “centerline” between pegs during competition. This will be a FOUL.

8.1.3 Competitor cannot touch any part of their body such as chin, shoulder or head. A foul will be given.

8.1.4 Intentionally pushing of your own hand into an opponents shoulder will result in you getting a FOUL.

8.1.5 When a competitor starts to put themselves in a “dangerous position”, the referee will caution the competitor loudly so that the competitor understands the caution. Referee will instruct the competitor to face their competitive arm, so as to keep the hand, arm and shoulder in a straight line. Competitors must never force their shoulder inwards, ahead of their arm or hand, towards the table.

8.1.6 Competitors cannot drop the competing shoulder below the level of the elbow pad when in a neutral or losing position. This will be considered a dangerous position. The neutral position defined as the starting position down to 2/3 of the way to the losing side of the table.

8.1.7 Any obviously intentional action that causes your opponent to get a foul will result in no foul for the opponent and you receiving the foul instead. Example obviously intentionally pushing your opponent off the back of the elbow pad.

8.1.8 30 second rest is permitted after a FOUL.

8.1.9 Foul language, poor sportsmanship or abuse towards an official will result in a FOUL. If it continues, competitor or official will be barred from the tournament.

8.1.10 Any foul given when a competitor is more than 2/3 of the way down to the pad is a loss

8.2.1 Competitors have 30 seconds to “Grip Up”. If in that time, they have not gripped up, they will be given a “referee’s grip”. A referees’ grip consists of the following procedure.

8.2.2 Competitors’ hands are placed palm to palm by the referee, the thumbs are pushed down by the referee, the fingers are wrapped by the referee, first one competitor, then the other. As they are wrapped referee asks competitor if he/she wants their thumb covered or not. Thumb knuckles will be showing, forefingers level, wrists straight and arms centered. Competitors are not to move from this set up.

8.2.3 Examples of movement are fingers re-gripping, back pressure, bending wrists, early start or elbow lifting off the pad.

8.2.4 Any movement by any competitor will result in a foul being given against the one that moves.

8.3.1 A foul will be given when a competitor’s elbow loses contact with the elbow pad. A competitor is considered to lose contact with the pad when

8.3.2 The elbow lifts vertically off the pad, no matter how insignificant, as long as there is clearance between the pad and the elbow. It is not considered an elbow foul if the elbow has lifted off the pad, but the competitor still has contact with the elbow pad with their triceps or their forearm.

8.3.3 An elbow foul will be called if the competitor is riding on their triceps or forearms and the elbow extends beyond any side of the elbow pad.

8.3.4 Any foul that occurs simultaneously with a foul by your opponent will be considered coincidental, the march will be stopped and restarted and no foul will be given.