SPORT LAUSTAK BUILDS RESILIENCE by Tyr Neilsen

Vikings were known for their toughness and resilience, and it's no surprise that their wrestling sport, Laustak, plays a major role in building these qualities.

In Sport Laustak, you not only build physical strength, but also mental and spiritual resilience. By continually getting up one more time than you are knocked down, you develop a strong and tenacious spirit that helps you overcome life’s challenges.

Sport Laustak, also known as Free-grip Viking wrestling, is a sport that involves throwing, tripping, sweeping, and pulling opponents to the ground. However, the competition is not over when someone hits the ground - the goal is to be the person standing out of reach when the other is on the ground.

A Sport Laustak competition is not over just because a competitor is thrown to the mat. If the person thrown can grab the person who initiated the takedown, they can pull, sweep, trip or grapple with them. In this way the competition can continue, which creates an exciting battle of wills and perseverance.

The concept of resilience is central to Sport Laustak and to life itself. Sport Laustak is all about building the tools to enable you to get up one more time. Here you learn to gather information from each fall and use it to get up faster and stronger.

By continually getting up one more time than you were knocked down, you develop a strong and unbreakable spirit that helps you overcome the challenges that come your way.

Over time, with practice and persistence, you develop the resilience to achieve success. This applies to all areas of life - whether it's challenges at school, at work, in relationships, or in personal goals.

VIKING WRESTLING by Tyr Neilsen

Vikings loved all kinds of sports, but the best loved sport in Viking Age Scandinavia, was by far, wrestling. 

Over the centuries, this traditional folk wrestling has been known by many names, fang, fangbrögð, leikfang, glíma, farmer wrestling, Scandinavian wrestling, Norwegian wrestling, and of course, Viking wrestling (vikingbryting in Norwegian). 

Whether it was as a form of physical, mental or spiritual training, as competition, or as a form of entertainment, Viking wrestling was a major part of Viking Age life. Men, women, and children trained in this sport, and whenever the people of the north gathered, at home, in a village, at a market, or at a Thing, Viking wrestling was always a major attraction. 

Viking wrestling was so important in Viking Age society, that their most popular god, Thor, was also the god of wrestling. In fact, the first written mention of Viking wresting is a Norse myth about Thor. It was written in the form of a poem and dates back to the 9th century. The poem involves Thor in a wrestling competition with a magical old woman who is actually old age. The ancient poem was written by Bragi hinn gamli Boddason and Kveldúlfr Bjálfason, who were both of Norwegian descent.

Thor wrestling with old age by Icelandic sculptor Einar Jónsson (1874 – 1954)

In 874 AD, the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson, became the first permanent settler in Iceland, according to the ancient manuscript Landnámabók (Book of Settlements). In the following centuries, Norwegians, and to a lesser extent other Scandinavians, immigrated to Iceland, bringing with them their culture, and their sport wrestling and combat skills.

Norwegians settlers were very protective of their culture, and throughout the centuries, Norse traditions have been preserved and cherished in Iceland. This includes the original form of traditional Norwegian wrestling, which was documented in 13th century Eddas, Icelandic Sagas and Icelandic law books.

Icelandic Jónsbók lovboken (Jonsbok lawbook), compiled in 1281, and based on earlier Norwegian Laws,

TYPES OF VIKING WRESTLING

Icelandic sources tell us of the 3 forms of Viking wrestling; Lausatök, Hryggspenna and Brókartök. Lausatök means loose-grip/free-grip, Hryggspenna means back-hold, and Brókartök means trouser-grip.

In back-hold and trouser-grip, once the grip or hold was taken, it had to be constant. If the grip was broken during a competition, the competitor that had not held their grip, lost the match. In loose-grip, competitors were free to change grips or holds during a wrestling match.

In the 11th century, Icelandic clergy changed the name of Viking wrestling in Iceland to Glíma, which means glimpse or flash in Old Norse.

By the 19th century, the trouser-grip was the most popular form of glíma in Iceland, and there has been a national Brókartök championship since 1888. In 1905, a special leather gripping belt, tied around waist and thighs, was created, and began to be used instead of trousers. This belt, and a contemporary set of rules, led to the development of a new and unique sport called Icelandic glima, which is the national sport.

In Sweden, the original trouser-grip glima, continued to be a popular sport through the centuries, expecially with farmers. Brókartök is still the most popular form of glima in Sweden, where there has been several national glima championships.

Many regions of Scotland were under Norwegian rule or colonization until the 15th century, and many speculate that the Viking back-hold wrestling, Hryggspenna, is the ancestor of Scottish backhold wrestling, the most popular form of folk wrestling in Scotland.

Lousatök (Laustak in Norwegian) is the most popular form of traditional folk wrestling in Norway. Since the late 20th century, Norwegian Laustak techniques have been collected and codified, and in 2009, the Norwegian Laustak Federation established a standard for Laustak Sport competition rules, as well as a system for the teaching of Laustak techniques, which includes grading and certification in Sport Laustak and Combat Laustak.

There have been many Viking wrestling competitions in Norway, especially in the last 30 years. The most prestigeous of these is the Norwegian Laustak Championship.

Today, there is regular Laustak training in sports halls around the world, as well as national and international Sport Laustak competitions.

Thanks to martial artstists and reenactors, Laustak has become the most popular form of Viking wrestling in Norway, UK, Europe, South America, and USA, both as a sport and combat system! 

THE LAUSTAK GRIP by Tyr Neilsen

laustak handsal tyr neilsen

Not only was the Laustak grip the most important hand technique in the martial arts of the Vikings, it was also part of a legal contract in Viking Age society.

The Laustak grip is an extremely strong and flexible grip that is capable of adapting to many situations.

For Viking warriors in unarmed combat, the Laustak grip was used to hold and manipulate parts of an opponent’s body, clothing or weapon. In armed combat, the Laustak grip was used to hold any single-handed weapon. When a grip could mean the difference between life and death, this was the one to have.

The 3 forms of Viking sport wrestling are defined by grips; Laustak is free-grip wrestling (Lausatök in Old Norse), Ryggtak is Back-grip wrestling (Hryggspenna in Old Norse) and Bukse-tak is trouser-grip wrestling (Brókartök in Old Norse).

Hryggspenna and Brókartök both have the restriction to one compulsary grip. In Laustak, you are free to use any grip at any time.

demonstrating handsal and techniques from handsall at uk Lausatak seminar

The Laustak grip is an essential part of sport Laustak right from the very first move, when opponents clasp each other’s forearm at the start of a competition. This is called the 'Handsal', which means that the opponents are friends before the wrestling starts, are friends during the competition, and are friends after the competition, regardless of who wins.

The handsal can be the initiator of other moves, or it can be built upon to control the opponent.

The Handsal was not only an integral part of sport Laustak, it was a legally binding contract in the Viking Age and is still a legally binding contract in Norway today.

Grip strength is important in combat, but strength is not enough, flexibility is also needed. No matter how strong a person’s grip is, it can be broken by using the correct technique. Close quarters combat, grappling and wrestling are not static.

The people in these situations are always in motion, using strength and technique to win. To control an opponent in these situations, a strong yet flexible grip is vital.

In order to throw an opponent, it is necessary to grip an opponent’s arm or some part of the body. To stop an opponent from hitting or throwing you, the first line of defense is often to take a grip of the arm being used against you.

In order to stop a person from using a weapon against you, it is usually necessary to control the weapon by either a gripping the weapon, or gripping a part of the opponent’s arm that is holding the weapon. A strong but static grip is not enough in these situations, and when weapons are involved, a strong static grip can be fatal.

When gripping, the arm muscles are tightened, which usually means stiffness or less flexibility. A strong grip is usually made by gripping with all four fingers towards the thumb.

Although strong, this grip is prone to be ‘broken’ when the object that is being gripped moves into a position that weakens the gripping arm. What makes the Laustak grip so good is that it is flexible whilst still being strong.

The secret of the Laustak grip is the passive index finger, which leaves a three finger grip towards the thumb. By not gripping tight with the index finger as well as the other three fingers, the wrist is more flexible and has more range of motion.

Applying pressure from the index finger to the Laustak grip at certain moments can secure or build on the grip, so long as the index finger isn’t fixed and can relax or release without negatively impacting the grip. This is true for grips on an opponent’s arm, on an opponent’s clothing or on an opponent’s weapon.

Being so versatile, the Laustak grip can range from loose to firm control without cramping the hand or arm. It provides the supple and active grip needed to hold and use.

The Laustak grip is so effortless when used correctly that it makes the four-finger ‘hammer’ grip seem clumsy with slow recovery in comparison.

As there is so much more to the Laustak grip, there will be follow up articles on the Laustak Grip in sport, combat and with weapons.

Link to Laustak grip for weapons: https://www.vikingmartialarts.com/weapon-training/2023/4/5/laustak-weapon-grip-by-tyr-neilsen

SPORT LAUSTAK by Tyr Neilsen

Laustak in Norway has changed little since Norse people wrestled for sport in the Viking Age. It is fundamentaly still two opponents agreeing to compete, within a set of rules, where the winner is the one standing out of reach of an opponent who is on the ground.

As with all martial arts, techniques must continue to develop in order to stay relevant. In order to ensure this, the Norwegian Laustak Federation established a standard for Sport Laustak competition rules, as well as a system for the teaching of Laustak techniques, which includes grading and certification.

In sports halls around Norway, there is regular Sport Laustak training, as well as Laustak competitions at Viking arrangements, and the Norwegian Laustak Championship.

A Sport Laustak contest can range from an exposive finish immediately after starting with a Handsal, or it can be an exciting contest of will, strength, stamina and technique.

The aim in Laustak is to send an opponent to the ground, either by a throw, trip, sweep or pull, but the competition is not over just because an opponent hits the ground first.

If the contestant who initiated the takedown does not get out of reach fast enough, the contestant on the ground can grab them, and continue the competition by pulling, sweeping, tripping, throwing or grappling from the ground.

Laustak is incredibly effective on the ground, where skill, speed, strength, endurance and balance are as important as when the competitors are standing.

Exciting battles ensue when both glima competitors are on the ground, and the fight is to be the first person on their feet and away.

I feel immensely proud to be able to keep this unbroken line from the Viking Age intact, and preserve Laustak Viking wrestling techniques so they can be handed over to the next generation.

It is an honor to be able to sustain this unique part of the Viking heritage that goes back over a thousand years.

Hávamál - verse 58

Get up early and fight
for what you want
before others take it
A lazy wolf
gets no meat
the sleeping get no victory.

For information about Sport Laustak competition rules, go to this link: https://www.vikingmartialarts.com/laustak/2016/11/22/laustak-competition-rules-by-tyr-neilsen

LAUSTAK COMPETITION RULES by Tyr Neilsen

glima tyr neilsen

LAUSTAK RULES

Rules for Laustak competitions in accordance with the Norwegian Wresting Federation.

Loose-grip/Free-grip Viking Wrestling

• The contest is started when both athletes take the Handsal grip.

• In the competition form of Laustak (Loose-grip/Free-grip), the athlete who manages to make their opponent fall to the ground and remain standing out of reach, or is the first athlete up on their feet and out of reach, wins.

• According to Viking Age rules, 3 drops to the knee was enough to win the game, if a full throw could not be implemented.

• A throw is counted when any part of the body from the knee and above, touches the ground.

• Brøderfall is when both fall at the same time. No win is counted with brøderfall (brother-fall). The win is counted with the first contestant standing and cannot be taken down by the opponent on the floor.

• If you are thrown, you can grab any part of opponents body before and after landing, to continue. If the person who initiated throw/takedown is within grabbing range, glima grappling and pain techniques can be used from the ground.

• After being thrown or taken down, a competitor can win from the ground, by keeping hold of their opponent, forcing them to the ground, then standing up and getting out of grabbing distance first.

• The winner is the competitor standing out of reach whilst the other competitor is on the ground.

• Laustak slaps to the body are allowed. (Fast and light slaps to distract, not hard slaps to hurt or injure)

• It is not allowed to strike with any other part of body, other than palm of hand.

• When in doubt, the judge's assessment is final.

 

Rules for Sport Laustak Competition – Full Overview

Win by Fall:

The aim of the contest is to win by what is called a fall.

In a Laustak match, a 'fall' is when a competitor ends up with knees/legs/body on the ground after being thrown, tripped, pulled or pushed, and the competitor who initiated the fall stands out of rach of the competitor on the ground.

Win by technical superiority:

From Handsal, hands, feet, knees, elbows and shoulders can be used to take an opponent down.

If a fall is not achieved by a clean throw, sweep or other takedown, a competitor can win with technical superiority, which means that he has controlled the fight and got his opponent to his knees three times .

If a contestant wins by forcing his opponent down this way, he wins the contest on technical superiority.

Win by Walk-over:

A ‘Walk-over’ is when a competitor steps over the opponent on the ground, and is out of reach before opponent can grab them.

Contest

There is a 5 minute time limit in regulated contest.

If there is no clear winner within 5 minutes, the referee gives the contestants a 1 minute break, then allows them to compete for a further 5 minutes. This can can happen for a total of 3 extra rounds of 5 minutes each.

If after the 3 extra rounds, there is still no clear winner, contest will go to judges decision.

Win the judge's decision:

If none of the competitors achieve a win with clean technique or technical superiority, the competitor who dominated the game in the referees judgment will be awarded victory.

Win by Injury:

If a competitor is injured and unable to continue, their opponent will be awarded the victory. This is also called a medical omission.

The term also includes situations where the competitor becomes ill, has too many injury breaks, or bleeds uncontrollably.

If a competitor is injured due to opponent performing an illegal act, and therefore cannot continue , the opponent is disqualified.

Win by Disqualification :

If a competitor receives three warnings for illegal acts, he/she will be disqualified.

In other circumstances, such as excessive brutality, the fight is stopped immediately and the athlete disqualified for the tournament. This requires a majority decision from the judges.


Team Points in tournaments:

In a team competition, a team consists of competitor/competitors for each weight class and overall points are awarded depending on individual performance .

 

Example: 

If a contestant wins their weight class, the contestant’s team will receive 10 points. If the contestant comes in tenth place, the team would only receive 1 point. Towards the end of the tournament, each team’s scores will be set together and the team with the most points will win the team competition, with subsequent ranking.

Teams Tournament:

A long contest or challenge is a meeting between teams where contestants compete in specific weight classes. A team receives one point for each victory in a weight class regardless of how the result is achieved. (clean win or decision) The team that gets the most points at the end of the tournament wins the team tournament.

With point similarities between the teams, this can be solved in two ways: One way is to have a best- of - three final competitions. The second way is to judge matches by considering in priority the following:
1 Most victories by adding together the points from the matches
2 Most points for fall, Walk-over, contestant withdraws, or disqualification
3 Most matches won on technical superiority
4 Most rounds won on technical superiority
5 Most technical points in total in tournament
6 Least achieved technical points in the tournament
This works in a similar manner when there are 2 teams or more than two teams in this situation.

Til árs ok friðar

Tyr Neilsen

LAUSTAK KONKURRANSEREGLER av Tyr Neilsen

Konkurransereglene for Laustak :

LAUSTAK

• Kampen er i gang når begge utøvere tar Handsal-taket.
• I konkurranseformen av Laustak, utpekes den utøveren som klarer å kaste sin motstander i bakken og holde seg stående utenfor rekkevidde, eller er den første utøveren opp på beina og utenfor rekkevidde, til vinner.
• I de gamle reglene fra vikingtiden sto det at 3 fall til kne var nok til å vinne kampen, dersom et fullt fall ikke kunne gjennomføres
• Et fall telles når en hvilken som helst del av kroppen over kneet eller albuen rører bakken.
• Brøderfall, dvs når begge faller samtidig, telles ikke.
• Det er ikke tillatt å slå med knyttet neve, eller hodet. 
• Dommerens vurdering i tvilstilfeller er endelig.

Regler for Laustak Vikingbryting kamper – Oversikt

Seier ved Fall:
Hensikten med brytekampen er å vinne ved det som kalles fall. Avhengig av typen Vikingbryting kamp, betyr et fall at enten er en utøver kastet til bakken, eller en utøver holder begge motstanderens skuldre mot bakken samtidig.

Seier ved teknisk overlegenhet:
Hvis et fall ikke er oppnådd ved et reint kast, kan en utøver vinne ved teknisk overlegenhet, hvilket vil si at han har kontrollert kampen og fått sin motstander i kne 3 ganger.
Hvis en utøver vinner ved å tvinge sin motstander ned på denne måten, vinner han kampen på teknisk overlegenhet. 

Seier ved dommeravgjørelse:
Dersom ingen av utøverne oppnår en rein teknikk, eller teknisk overlegenhet, vil den utøveren som har dominert kampen etter dommernes skjønn bli tildelt seier.

Seier ved uteblivelse:
Hvis en utøver ikke er i stand til å fortsette turneringen uansett grunn, eller unnlater å stille til kamp etter å ha blitt ropt opp 3 ganger, taper han kampen, og motstanderen erklæres vinner ved uteblivelse. 

Seier ved Skade:
Hvis en utøver er skadet og ikke I stand til å fortsette, vil den andre utøveren bli tildelt seier. Dette er også kalt en medisinsk uteblivelse.
Termen inkluderer også situasjoner der utøveren blir syk, har for mange skadepause eller blør ukontrollert. 
Dersom en utøver blir skadet pga at motstanderen utfører en ulovlig handling, og derfor ikke kan fortsette, blir motstanderen diskvalifisert. 

Seier ved Diskvalifisering:
Hvis en utøver mottar tre advarsler for ulovlige handlinger, vil han bli diskvalifisert.
Under andre omstendigheter, som overdreven brutalitet, kan kampen stoppes umiddelbart og utøveren diskvalifisert for hele turneringen. Dette krever en majoritets bestemmelse fra dommerne. 

Lag poeng i turneringer:
I en lagkonkurranse, består et lag av en utøver for hver vektklasse, og totale poeng gis avhengig av individuelle prestasjoner. 
Eksempel: En utøver vinner sin vektklasse vil utøverens lag motta 10 poeng. Dersom utøveren kom på tiende plass, ville laget kun motta 1 poeng. Mot slutten av turneringen legges hvert lags poengsummer sammen, og laget med flest poeng vil da vinne lag turneringen, med påfølgende rangering. 

Lag turneringer:
En langkonkurranse eller duell er et møte mellom (som oftest to) lag hvor utøvere går mot andre utøvere i definerte vektklasser. Et lag mottar ett poeng for hver seier i en vektklasse uavhengig av resultat. Laget som tar flest poeng mot slutten av turneringen vinner lag turneringen. 

Ved poenglikhet mellom to lag, kan dette løses på to måter: En måte er å ha et best-av-tre oppsett. Den andre måten er å vurdere kampene ved å vurdere i prioritert rekkefølge: 
1. Høyest antall seire ved å legge sammen poengene fra de to kampene
2. Flest poeng for fall, Walk-over, utøver trekker seg eller diskvalifisering
3. Flest kamper vunnet på teknisk overlegenhet
4. Flest omganger vunnet på teknisk overlegenhet
5. Flest tekniske poeng totalt i turneringen
6. Minst oppnådd tekniske poeng i turneringen

Dette fungerer på en lignende måte når det er flere enn 2 lag i denne situasjonen.

Til árs ok friðar

Tyr Neilsen