Since Ssirum tests the physical strength of youngsters. In the past, the winner was awarded a young bull, the most valuable asset in pre-modern agricultural society. The wrestler who shows enacious fighting spirit is praised, even in the case that he loses the match. They rise to their feet and begin the contest at the signal of a judge. The youths of a village are divided into two teams, the eastern and the western.
Every inhabitant is required to contribute straws to make a rope.
Individual contributors are formed into a team. The head of each rope has a looped end. The woven rope is wound around wheel and carried to the play ground. The two ropes, one from the eastern and the other from the western team, are unfolded and their looped ends are connected by inserting an oak stick through the loops. The play ground is pompously decorated with flags, gongs and cymbals to urge in a fighting spirit.