How is it played? (Rules)

A group of players register to the competition. Then they try to throw the sheaf over a certain height. Three to five chances are given to each competitor to go over the bar, without touching it. After all challengers have made their attempts, the bar is raised and all successful competitors move on to the new height. This continues until all athletes, less one, are eliminated. If some athletes are equal at a height, it is the number is attempts which determines the position.

Sport or Game History and origins:

The sheaf toss is a traditional agricultural sport event contested at country fairs. The practice comes from the agricultural working gestures.
After working days, or after the summer working season, farmers reproduiced their dexterity during festivals and fairs.

Submitted by

TI AR GOUREN

Objective

From the ground, to throw a sheaf of 8 pounds over a horizontal bar, as hight as possible, with the help of a pitchfork.

Benefits

Physical: Physical condition improvement (strength, speed, endurance, etc)
Physical: Motor skills improvement (coordination, balance, agility, etc.)
Psychological: Psychological skills improvement (motivation, leadership, group cohesion, concentration, etc.)
Social: Socialization (social relations based on game/sport).
Social: Integration (intergenerational, integender, intercomunities, etc.)

Game’s materials

Two pools of 10 to 20 metters with a bar in between them. This bar can be moved thanks to a system of pulleys and ropes on the two pools.
A two-pronged pitchfork and a sheaf of 8 pounds. This sheaf is made of rushes which are bound tightly with baling twine.

Is it related to an specific event or festivity ( festivals, religious or pagan celebrations)?

All these games reproducing farming gestures are played during local festivals, patron days festivals, or fairs.