Page "Sumo" Paragraph 41

Finally the wrestlers crouch down at the shikiri-sen, or starting lines, each trying to stare the other down.

When both wrestlers place both fists on the ground on or behind the shikiri-sen, they spring from their crouch for the tachi-ai ( the initial charge ).

In the upper divisions they almost never charge on the first occasion.

Instead, after staring at one another, they return to their corners for more mental preparation.

More salt is thrown whenever they step back into the ring.

This can happen a number of times ( about three, or even more in the case of the highest ranks ) until on the last occasion the referee informs them they must start the bout.

The total length of time for this preparation is around four minutes for the top division wrestlers, but in the lower divisions they are expected to start more or less immediately.