Finger Jousting is a form of jousting where competitors joust using their index fingers as swords. The competitor that earns the most points is the winner.

For those who've grown bored with rock, paper, scissors, comes the next wave of hand and finger based gaming - finger jousting. Competing in six-minute matches, finger jousters use index fingers to make contact with their opponent's body. Each instance of contact scores is awarded with a point. The first player to reach a predetermined amount of points, or the player with the most points at the end of the match is declared the winner.

Score points by poking an opponent's body with an outstretched index finger.

Standard matches are fought between two jousters, and consist of three rounds of two minutes. Matches begin with jousters grasping their opponent's right hand, with arms bent in an arm wrestling position. Both jousters' right index fingers are then extended towards each other. Depending on the type of match any legal touch of the body counts as one point, or different parts of the body are worth different amounts of points. Once the match begins, jousters cannot separate their hands. Any separation results in a warning, then a point deduction and finally disqualification for the offending jouster. Jousters can use any technique to make contact with the opponent's body. Jousters cannot use feet or their left arm in an offensive manner. They can however be used for dodging and stability. Matches can be won by reaching a predetermined amount of points, or by having the most points at the end of three rounds.

Finger jousting began in the United States in the 1970's. The World Finger Jousting Federation was established in 2005 as a governing body for the sport.

Index Finger

Finger jousting is a reasonably safe sport due to a lack of any sort of serious contact between players. Most common injuries involve poked eyes. These can be avoided by wearing optional goggles.

To be successful, one must be flexible and possess a strong right arm. These can be attained through mild weight training and aerobic exercise. Yoga is also a good option for those looking to increase flexibility.

Lance - a jouster's right index finger

Sheathing - illegal action of lowering one's lance back to the hand, rather than leaving it extended

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