Cornish wrestling is an ancient martial art which later became the sport that is still practiced today.

The following sections give a brief introduction to the rules and points system of Cornish wrestling and brief descriptions of some of the throws. Note that the Cornish language names for the throws are in brackets after the main English language name.

Most of the throws described have multiple variants. Some of these have alternative names. Below, some of the main variants are included. It is also noted, that the names of the throws have evolved over time and different regions have sometimes used alternative names. The history of Cornish wrestling, is not of classes with an agreed syllabus of moves being taught to everyone. Rather it is of techniques being taught mainly in families (father to son), with each family potentially having their own terminology. There is bound to have been some copying of moves that work, but it would have been easy for misunderstandings to occur re names. This resulted in names of techniques not being consistently used, even contemporarily.

Note that some of the names quoted have origins in other styles of wrestling, but were used when practitioners of other styles published descriptions of Cornish wrestling throws. Rules and scoring Rules Both wrestlers must wear a Cornish Wrestling jacket and must not be wearing shoes. All holds are taken upon the other wrestler's jacket, grabbing of the wrists or fingers is forbidden as well as any holding below the waist. Although all holds are to be taken upon the jacket, the flat of the hand is allowed to be used to push or deflect an opponent.Tripp, Michael: PERSISTENCE OF DIFFERENCE: A HISTORY OF CORNISH WRESTLING, University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2009, Vol I pp. 2–217.W, Tregoning Hooper: Cornish Wrestling, The Cornish Review, Porthmeor Press (Penzance) 1950, pp. 30–32.

When any part of the body, other than the feet, touches the ground the hitch is deemed "broken" and the wrestlers must cease fighting, shake hands and restart the contest.Kendall, Bryan H: The Art of Cornish Wrestling, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies (Cornwall) 1990, pp. 1–32.

The handshake is a formality which is traditional and must take place before a contest begins, before each hitch and after the bout is over.Guy Jaouen and Matthew Bennett Nicols: Celtic Wrestling, The Jacket Styles, Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (Switzerland) 2007, pp. 91–94.

Scoring As with other styles of wrestling, the aim is to defeat the opponent, but in the Cornish manner. To do this either score a "Back" or more cumulated points must be scored.

"Faults" are given against a wrestler who breaks the rules and one point will be deducted from their score for each offence. It is a foul, for instance, if a wrestler puts a hand to ground to stop the wrestler from being thrown, or slips out of the jacket for the same purpose; sticklers (referees) will first warn the wrestler of their offence before faulting them.

A "Back" is scored when a wrestler has been picked up and dropped flat on their back so that at least three of their four "Pins" hit the ground simultaneously.Delbridge, James: Delbridge's guide on grab hold, or Cornish style of wrestling, (Michigan), 1879, pp. 1–28. "Pins" are the shoulders and hips. A "Back" will win a contest for a contestant whenever it takes place and the bout is then over; but if there is no "Back" during a contest the bout will be decided on points.Redgrave, Paul: Cornu-Breton?, Black Belt Magazine, January 1968, pp. 34–36.

Points are scored when a pin hits the ground; one point for one pin down and two points for two pins down. All throws must be made from the standing position and there must be no grappling on the ground whatsoever.Dr Whetter, James: Cornish Essays 1971–76, CNP Publications 1977, pp. 57–58.

If no points are scored during a contest a point will be awarded to the wrestler showing most "Play", i.e., one who has made most honest attempts to throw their opponent.

Heaves

Back Heave Commonly known as Back HeaveGuy Jaouen and Henri Beon: Gouren, Breton and Celtic Wrestling, Fédération de Gouren de la F.A.L.S.A.B. et Institut Culturel de Bretagne 1985, pp. 21–72.Baring-Gould, Sabine: Devonshire Characters and Strange Events, Devonshire Wrestlers, JOHN LANE COMPANY (New York), 1908, p. 514–528.Collier, W F: The Cornish Magazine, Wrestling, Joseph Pollard (Truro), September 1898, pp. 193–201. (Halyans war-dhelergh).

Also known as Backward Heave and Back Waist-lock. As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower hip to hip, the thrower takes grip across their lower back pulling them into the thrower's body. The thrower leans away from the throwee, while keeping a strong grip on them, taking the weight off their legs. While lifting the throwee, the thrower rotates the throwee over their leg towards the rear so that the throwee land on their back behind the thrower, who makes sure that they rotate, so as not to land on their back.

Cornish Hug Commonly known as Cornish Hug.Strutt, Joseph: The Sports and Pastimes of the people of England, Methuen & Co (London) 1801, p. 69.Defoe, Daniel: Tour thro' the whole Island of Great Britain, G Strahan 1725, Vol II p. 6.

To give a Cornish hug is a phrase derived from the Cornish wrestling throw, which means to squeeze very tightly,Wallace, T: Popular Sayings Dissected, T Fisher Unwin (London) 1894, p. 145. or to plan the downfall of someone who is openly embraced.Bohn, Henry G: A Handbook of Proverbs, (London) 1855, p. 200. Historically Cornish wrestlers were famous for this throw.

Also known as Cornish Heave and Cornish Hugg. In Australia this was sometimes called a Cornish "hockle".Boxing and Wrestling, Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA), 15 May 1913, p. 3.

The thrower puts both arms around the throwee and pulls them close. The thrower then leans backwards lifting the throwee into the air. The throwee is then cast across the thrower's thigh onto their back. Sometimes, as part of this throw, the thrower places their leg between the throwee's legs.

Fore Heave Most commonly known as Fore HeaveZiehr defeats Ed. Tremberth, Camulet News, 03 January 1911, p. 7.Helson, Jean: William George Fish 1903–1954, Cornish Wrestling Champion, Old Cornwall Vol XIV, No5, Autumn 2011, pp. 44–47.Guy Jaouen and Matthew Bennett Nicols: Celtic Wrestling, The Jacket Styles, Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (Switzerland) 2007, pp. 119–155.Cornish Wrestling Association: Cornish Wrestling, the national sport of Cornwall, Omdowl Kernewek, An sport kenedhlek Kernow, maga Cornish Language Partnership 2015, pp. 1–4. (Halyans war-rag).

Also known as Forward Heave,Wrestling, Weekly Dispatch (London), 7 October 1827, p. 8.Rowett still champion, Diamond Drill, 25 December 1909, p. 4.Hone, William: The Table Book of Daily Recreation and Information, Hunt & Clarke 1827, pp. 663–664.Ballantyne, R M: Deep Down, A Tale of the Cornish Mines, J B Lippincott & Co (Philadelphia) 1868, pp. 156–157.Jacob Robinson and Sidney Gilpin: Wrestling and Wrestlers: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CELEBRATED ATHLETES OF THE NORTHERN RING, Bemrose & Sons 1893, pp. 1–308.Jaouen, Guy: Les LUTTES CELTIQUES de Bretagne et du Cornwall, Du Jeu au Sport ?, La Confédération FALSAB 2005, pp. 1–222. Heave,Armstrong, Walter: Wrestling, Frederick A Stokes Company (New York), 1890, pp. 19–28. Forehitch,Phillipps, K C: Westcountry Words & Ways, David & Charles (Publishers) Limited 1976, p. 99. Outside StrokeArmstrong, Walter: The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes - Fencing, Boxing and Wrestling, Spottiswoode and Co (London) 1889, pp. 215–223. and Fore Waist Lock. 1234 As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower hip to hip, the thrower takes grip across their lower back pulling them into the thrower's body. The thrower leans away from the throwee, while keeping a strong grip on them, taking the weight off their legs. While lifting the throwee, the thrower rotates the throwee over their leg so that the throwee lands on their back in front of the thrower.

Flying Mare Commonly known as Flying MareHooper, W Tregoning: The story of Cornish Wrestling and its relations with Britanny, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall (Oscar Blackford Ltd, Truro) Volume II Part 2 1954, pp. 88–97.Phillipps, K C: A Glossary of the Cornish Dialect, Short Run Press Ltd, 1993, p. 31.Tatlow, Eric: I do wish I could learn 'ee to talk proper, Iron Duke Publications, 2005, p. 10. ().

Also known as Mare, Slew (said to be invented by "Phep" Hancock),Hooper, W Tregoning: The Mullion and other champion wrestlers, Cornishman, 5 October 1921, p. 3. Slue,Cornish wrestling, Football News (Nottingham), 14 October 1893, p. 6. Shoulder and Flying Mair. 123 The thrower takes grip on the ropes of throwee's jacket. The thrower rotates, so that both wrestlers are facing the same direction, while pulling the throwee towards them and moving quickly in the same direction, building momentum. When moving at speed, the thrower stops abruptly and bends forward, pulling the throwee up and over their back and head. Keeping grip of the rope, the thrower rotates the throwee's back toward the ground.

Half Heave Commonly known as Half Heave (Hanter Halyans).

This throw is useful if the throwee is too heavy to bodily raise off the ground with an Under Heave. The thrower releases their dominant hand and pulls the throwee down while stepping forward and ducking their head underneath the throwee's arm. The dominant arm is then passed under the front of the throwee's belly at waist height. The thrower then grips the far side of the throwee's jacket, lifts the throwee upwards and then steps through with their dominant leg and performs a Heel, rolling the throwee down the thrower's thigh.

Alternative Under Heave

There is a variant of the Half Heave known as the Alternative Under Heave.

This is the same as the Half Heave, except that the thrower's subordinate hand drops the shoulder grip and the flat of the hand presses down on the back of the throwee's head.

Scat un Back Commonly known as Scat un Back (Knouk war-dhelergh).

Also known as Knock Back, Knock over the Knee,EXON: Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, George Maddick JNR, October 20, 1877, p. 108. Sweep, Side Sweeping, Hank, Back Lock and Inside Clamp. 1234 As the throwee attacks, coming into the thrower, hip to hip or stepping across the front of the thrower's body, the thrower takes grip across the throwee's lower back pulling them into the thrower's body. The thrower steps behind the throwee so that the thrower's leg strikes both of the throwee's legs while pulling them to the rear. The thrower rotates the throwee over their thigh, backwards, so that they land flat on their back, rotating so as to make sure that the thrower does not land also on their back.

Teddy Bag Heave Commonly known as Teddy Bag Heave (Halyans Sagh Tetis).

The name comes from how people throw a bag of potatoes over their shoulder.

Also known as Shoulder, "Sand Sack" HeaveWrestling and Single Stick, The Observer, 20 August 1837, p. 3. and Tattie Bag Heave.

Historically, this throw has sometimes been called the Flying Mare.Wylde, Zachary: The English Master of Defence, or the Gentlemen's Al-a-mode Accomplishment, 1711.

The thrower holds the throwee's sleeve with their subordinate hand and transfers their dominant hand, palm up to grab the other side of the jacket. The thrower moves their dominant foot in front of the throwee's dominant foot while pulling up the throwee's arm and tucking their dominant elbow into the throwee's armpit (keeping hold of the grips on the jacket). With both hips now facing the same direction, the thrower lifts the throwee with their legs and flips the throwee head over heels over their shoulder.