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Finger Jousting is a pseudo sport in which two players clasp their right hands together and attempt to poke each other with their right index finger. The competitors interlock hands as if they were arm wrestling and may use only their right arm to “joust,” or poke, his or her opponent. The sport is most popular in the schools of Texas, especially Huston and Dallas.

In 2005, Julian Gluck founded the World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF). Julian Gluck worked with Aaron Contreras to create the organization’s official website. The WFJF has held tournaments for willing jousters to compete in, and established an official set of rules for finger jousting.

World Finger Jousting Federation

The WFJF was founded on August 1st, 2005.The organization has held tournaments for willing competitors to joust for titles. The organization concerns itself primarily with the rules, customs, and etiquette of finger jousting. The WFJF has continually promoted good sportsmanship among competitors. The organization put together Codes of Conduct that competitors and their entourages are expected to follow while they are at a competition.

Codes of Conduct

General Code of Conduct

The General Code of Conduct is composed of:

• Respect –Players should maintain a respect for their opponents and others around them by not intentionally injuring them. The participant should also to respect the outcome of a match.

• Decorum- Players should not use profane language around the arena.

• Indisturbance- Players should avoiding jousts at inappropriate times or locations. For example, a class room would be an inappropriate location.

• Manicure- Players should keep their fingernails at a proper length. Long fingernails are a potential danger to the person’s opponent in a match.

Competitor's Code of Conduct

Under the Competitor's Code of Conduct, competitors are expected to act as if they are representing their entourage, the sport, and themselves. Sportsmanship, pride, honor, and personal behavior should be the most important values for the competitors.

Entourages’ Code of Conduct

The Entourage's Code of Conduct states that a competitor’s entourage is expected to present themselves as to reflect their competitors, their professions, and themselves.

How to Play

The objective of finger jousting is to poke your opponent with your right index finger, or “lance” your opponent. When finger jousting, the two competing players start by interlocking their right hands (as if they were arm wrestling), and extend their index finger. While playing the game, the two players may not use their legs or left arm in an offensive manner. In order to win the round, you must lance your opponent anywhere on the body except for their lancing (right) arm. Games are usually played in odd sets (Ex. best out of three).

Tournament Play

WFJF sponsored finger jousting tournaments are divided into different classes based on weight gender or age. The home team is given the color green and the other is given red. This is decided by who is currently holding a title, or by coin toss. In tournament finger jousting, a match is played inside either a circular arena, with a 16 to 30 foot diameter, or square arena, with a 16 to 30 foot side. There must also be a 3 foot safety area around the arena. The players begin the round in the center of the arena, three feet apart from each other.

Tournament matches consist of 3 separate two-minute rounds. A round can be ended if a player scores, a penalty is given or an injury occurs. When a player scores, he receives one point for a lance to the legs or latent (left) arm. Two points are awarded for to the body. This includes the torso, back or neck. And, three points are given for lance to the head. If a player reaches six points, he or she automatically wins.

Penalties

In tournament play, players receive penalties for breaking the rules. A player may inflict four different levels of infractions. For a minor infraction, two warnings are given before a point is deducted from the player’s score. If a player is to commit a fourth minor infraction, he or she is disqualified. Medium infractions are given only one warning followed by a point deduction then disqualification. A major infraction is given no warnings. A point is deducted for the first infraction followed by disqualification.

Minor infractions:

• Stalling
• Clinching
• Incorrect starting positions
• False start

Medium infractions:

• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Unnecessary roughness
• Interference
• Vacating arena
• Separation of hands
• Sheathing

Major infractions:

• Greater unsportsmanlike conduct
• Malicious unnecessary roughness

Automatic disqualification:

• Illegal injury
• Illegal fingernail length
• Delay of match

External Links

• An Exploration of Meaningful Inveolvement in Popes Course Programs by Katryna Srephanie Haras
• Strange Games by Montegue Blister