Fixing the Sport

[PinArm]

There are great armwrestlers who simply don't armwrestle. They would rather focus on their work , families, MMA, whatever.

Armwrestling has a small base of competitors. Many armwrestlers are surprised by this when they are new to the sport.

What can be done to make it better?

I like that changes are being proposed, even though I disagree with most of them. I simply think that the proposed changes are not the right ones.

Some suggestions:

1) Get rid of the fast and false starts. Non-competitor fans always raise this one with me. Perhaps pulling into the go should be enhanced, e.g. no limp grip hoping to anticipate the go better than your opponent. Also, there should be a long delay between the READY and the GO. Let's make this into a strength and power sport.

2) Use pin lines instead of pin pads so that the table is more visible.

3) Straight across pads make practices and table construction easier and quicker.

4) Triple elimination with each "match" being a best two out of three (without rest).

5) Start in a strap.

I hope that there are other substantive changes that can be suggested. Tinkering with the weight classes is putting lipstick on pig at best.

[Jeff Miller]

"You are an OLD MAN and a FOOL!"...said Thor to Odin.

[Pat Rehill]

Really.... speed kills, the sport is about many things speed is one of them, just because someones fast does not mean their power is reduced, speed is power.

[mwiggins]

gord, #1 is really up to the refs its their job to mix it up with the go's. I like your idea # 4, maybe as a new tourney idea but not for every tourney in Canada. same with #5, great idea for super matches, maybe first match could be in straps.

[Jeff Miller]

Re #1 - I prefer limp grip if you want as it is now, as it allows for an explosive hit, which I would hate to see go away (I don't have much of a hit BTW). Matt Mask/Allen Ford have this superpower, we need to see it!
#2 - This isn't a change, is it?
#3 - Interesting idea; One thing better about straight across pads is that the peg is actually positioned properly compared to the direction of the pin, vs. the offset pads which leave the peg in a worse position relative to the pinning direction (and offset pads allow less mobility as a result - like John Milne's suggestion of removing the peg...this problem is reduced with straight across pads). Honestly, this might help armwrestlers line up in a more natural position, instead of having the ref keep poking your shoulder to get in the most unnatural position possible!
#4 - This would be great, but I think too much pulling for me (stamina would be too much of a factor vs strength and power), I'd do either one or the other; triple elim, or double elim best of three. Double elimination isn't enough exercise IMO.
#5 - I like the new WAF rule that allows competitors to start in strap if they both want to. Otherwise, armwrestling without straps have fun techniques that aren't really feasible with straps.