Combat Glima competiton

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• published: 16 Jan 2015
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Glima is traditional Scandinavian wrestling. It has three major styles; Trouser-grip, Backhold and Free style (Byxtag/Broktak, Ryggtag/Hryggspenna and Lausa tök). Of them, “Lausa tök” (Loose-grip, Free-fight) is the most un-regulated form, since it is an art that teaches battle-field wrestling – or to speak in modern terms, if gives the foundation to survive a street-fight. It is possible to compete in Glima, but do not let any victories give you false pretentions that traditional championships teach real combat. However, it can be good to test your fighting skills, and more important – your combat spirit, in front of an audience. Being in an environment you cannot escape is an excellent way to deal with aggressiveness and anxiety, which is a useful experience to achieve. The Laws of Glima are very simple; stay within reach in upright wrestling, and as soon as the opponent loses balance – get out of reach. Or in other words, the winner is the person standing while the other is down. If intentionally staying out of reach in the upright wrestling, it is considered as fleeing and the game is lost. If preventing your escape while grounded, it is allowed to apply painful techniques to convince the opponent to let go of his/her grip. However, the goal is to break free – not to submit in a stationary position. Traditional Masters of Glima prefer to wrestle from an upright body position, since they believe that a normal stance is better than an un-natural one. When learning to fight, the reactions comes quicker if based on daily life postures and walking moves. Be smart, be natural and use stances you already do by heart. Choose any strategy you like, but it is wise to use a style that prepares you for battle-field reality – instead of foster an art that would be fatal in real combat. The true energy is strong and aggressive, striving for survival by enemy demolition; thus honouring the ancestors’ Viking warrior code. So finally, arriving to the enigmatic contradiction that defines the art; “Lausa tök” teaches how to fight by respecting the opponent, while he/she is doing its utmost to conquer you.