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Scottish
Backhold Wrestling is one of the traditional wrestling styles of the British
Isles. Like the other styles, Cornish Wrestling and Cumbrian-Westmoreland it
has a long history and sister styles throughout Europe. Noted as one of the
major “Celtic” styles it differs from the Cornish and Breton (Gouren)
styles, which involve different holds, throws and require the wrestler to
wear a special jacket.
Scottish-Backhold
is almost identical to the Cumbrian-Westmoreland style of Northern England
(it is also practiced in Northumberland), involving largely the same
techniques, Indeed, wrestlers from both styles regularly compete in local
and international competitions either side of the border. In recent years
Scottish wrestlers have been particularly successful in Cumbrian
competitions, winning a number of local and World titles.
Backhold
Wrestling involves the two wrestlers “taking hold” of each other by putting
the left arm over the opponents right (and the right under the left) and
clasping their own hands behind the opponent’s back (hence the name ‘Backhold’,
clever huh!?). It is important not to lock the fingers together as they
might be broken in a fall. The wrestlers then attempt to trip or throw each
other while maintaining the hold. The first to touch the floor with any part
of the body except the feet or to break their hold) loses.
This style
of wrestling differs from the well-known “Olympic” styles of “Greco-Roman”
and “Freestyle” in that there is no ground-wrestling. Furthermore, the hold
must remain constant. Whereas Greco-Roman does not allow trips and holds to
the legs these are fundamental features of Backhold. Techniques like the
‘Inside Hype’, where a wrestler lefts and throws by using the knee against
the opponent’s inner thigh, are spectacular. Techniques from other styles,
such as the suplex from Greco-Roman, have also been absorbed into the
wrestler’s arsenal.
Competitions are usually open to all comers and happen at a number of
Highland Gatherings around the country (as well as the country shows of
Northern England, like the famous Grassmere Show of Cumbria). Wrestlers,
male and female, compete on the grass field (really fun in the wet). The
wrestler can wear ordinary sports clothes but for championship titles it
necessary to wear a kilt (feet are bare or stockinged). The ‘birling’ of the
kilts during the swinging and throwing adds to the spectacle but can make it
difficult for the judges to work out who lands first (“Watch the wrestler,
no’ the kilt, Sonny!”). Many a frustrated wrestler has commented that they
won a fall but the judges declared it a ‘dog fall’ (both land at the same
time).
In recent
years Scottish Backhold has been promoted by the Scottish Wrestling Bond,
headed by the former Commonwealth and Olympic Wrestling coach, William
Baxter (who has a number of articles on the web). Scottish wrestlers have
been very active (and successful) in international competition within the
Celtic Wrestling Federation, where they have been successful in both
Backhold competition and Gouren.
Anyone
interested in learning more about Scottish Backhold can find some great film
on Youtube, as well as the SWB’s homepage
http://www.wrestle.co.uk/
If you’re
at the games and fancy a go… go on yersel’
See these videos on YouTube...
Here are
some pictures...
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