Finger Jousting is an obscure 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 has been played all over the world

In 2005, Julian Gluck founded the World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF) and created the organization’s official website. The WFJF has held tournament

Tournament

A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...

s for willing jousters to compete in and established an official set of rules for the sport.

History of Finger Jousting

The true origins of the sport are very unclear, however some historians speculate about certain theories. Some believe the sport was created by ancient Israelites. These Israelites referred to the sport as finger spearing. The modern form of finger jousting definitively was established during the 1970’s. The official World Finger Jousting Federation was founded on August 1, 2005 by Julian R. Gluck.

Four Quadrants

There are four key elements which compose the elementary skills of finger jousting. The four elements, or quadrants, are: quickness, strength, technique, and tradition/practice. Like many other sports, to be skilled in the sport, a jouster must be well rounded and skilled in each quadrant. The WFJF still recognizes and values the four quadrants, however recently a modern version of the four quadrants has been developed--the five elements of victory. They include: quickness, strength, technique, endurance, and luck.

Hierarchy

The hierarchy serves as a board of administrators in charge of the World Finger Jousting Federation. They are specialized volunteers and maintain a passion and dream for the WFJF to succeed. It consists of the President, or Lord of the Joust, Julian R. Gluck and Chief Marshal Aaron Contreras.

Duties as President of the WFJF include:
Managing the website
Overseeing finances
Governing public relations
Supervising the sanctioning and endorsement of clubs and events
Rendering the rules
Electing hierarchs
Writing articles
Designing images

Chief Marshal’s duties include:
Advising rules and regulations
Administrating referee and marshal functions
Regulating the certification of referees and marshals

World Finger Jousting Federation

The WFJF was founded on August 1, 2005. The organization concerns itself primarily with the rules, customs, and etiquette of the sport. The WFJF has continually promoted good sportsmanship among competitors. The organization has held tournaments for willing competitors to joust for titles. The tournaments are played based on weight gender or age. The organization put together Codes of Conduct

Code of Conduct

A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual, party or organization. Related concepts include ethical codes and honor codes....

 that competitors and their entourages are expected to follow while they are at a competition.

General Code of Conduct

The General Code of Conduct is composed of:

• Respect
  Respect
  Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity , and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected...
  
   –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
  Decorum
  Decorum was a principle of classical rhetoric, poetry and theatrical theory that was about the fitness or otherwise of a style to a theatrical subject...
  
  - 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. All finger jousters should know that their personal appearance, behavior, and standards are direct images of the sport, being judged by the public and sporting communities. This applies while competing, attending an event, and while traveling. Moral obligation and ethical conduct are parts of winning and losing. Sportsmanship, pride, honor, and personal behavior should be the most important values for the competitors. The rules reflect this spirit.

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 their selves. Entourages must be well groomed and appropriately dressed to maintain a standard of professionalism. Sportsmanship, appearance, pride, honor, and interest in the welfare of the competitors should be of great value.

Referees and Marshals’ Code of Conduct

Referees and marshals are to conduct matches in a dignified, professional, and unbiased manner, dealing with all situations in the spirit of good sportsmanship and in the best interest of the jousters and the sport. When in uniform or on site, referees or marshals shall not fraternize with competitors and/or entourages. Referees and marshals must be physically prepared for matches. Referees should always respect the marshal’s leadership. Referees and marshals will enforce the rules firmly and fairly.

Spectator Sportsmanship

The WFJF requests spectator sportsmanship by supporting participants and officials in a positive manner. Zero tolerance for profanity, racial, or sexist comments directed at anyone.

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. When the game begins, 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

The 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. In tournament finger jousting, the match is played inside either a circular arena, with a 16 to 30 ft (4.9 to 9.1 m), 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- Competitor must participate with full intent and finger joust competitively throughout match. Warning on first and second violations, a point is taken on the third, and disqualification on the fourth.
• Clinching- Competitors may clinch only for a short amount of time, then they must “break it up.” If done repeatedly, penalties will be administered. Warning on first and second violations, a point is taken on the third, and disqualification on the fourth.
• Incorrect starting positions- Starting a match in an incorrect stance (i.e. Not with the lance down). Warning on first and second violations, a point is taken on the third, and disqualification on the fourth.
• False start- Starting to joust or move prior to the official call being given. Warning on first and second violations, a point is taken on the third, and disqualification on the fourth.

Medium infractions:

• Unsportsmanlike conduct- May include swearing, harassment, throwing clothing, failure to stop when told by an official, indicating displeasure with a call, not complying with regulations, spitting, or other distasteful acts. Can be called on entourage.
• Unnecessary roughness- May include excessive competitive aggression, punishing actions, gripping opponents hand too tightly, slamming opponent’s lancing hand or lance, or overly forceful maneuvers. If done with the purpose to injure, infraction becomes malicious unnecessary roughness.
• Interference- Using legs, latent arm, or head on purpose.
• Vacating arena- Leaving arena without referee or marshal’s permission.
• Separation of hands- When hands become disconnected. Not a penalty unless done deliberately.
• Sheathing- Bending one’s lance down or dropping the lance so as to not stick out.

Major infractions:

• Greater unsportsmanlike conduct- When marshal or referee deems unsportsmanlike infraction to be of higher consequence.
• Malicious unnecessary roughness- When marshal or referee deems roughness infraction to be of higher consequence.

Automatic disqualification:

• Illegal injury- If a competitor injures his/her opponent due to an infraction, the competitor will be disqualified and the opponent will be declared the winner.
• Illegal fingernail length- Fingernails must not break regulations (i.e. Good hygiene and trimmed).
• Delay of match- Not being present for a match at the required time.

External Links

• An Exploration of Meaningful Inveolvement in Popes Course Programs by Katryna Srephanie Haras
• http://www.fingerjoust.com/media/coverage.htm A list of sources such as newspapers and television discussing finger jousting