Teams - A team consists of 12 players, with a mimimum of 3/4 females in the advanced/recreation division respectively.

Object - To eliminate all members of the opposing team

The Play - Play begins with each team lined up behind their respective back line (with one foot completely behind the line.)  5 balls are on the centerline. On the whistle players can retrieve balls. The player must clear the attack line with 2 feet (which is 5 feet back from the centerline) before they can throw.

Eliminations - If any part of your body touches the opposing side (across the center line) during the opening rush, the referee may grant some leeway.

If you are hit by an opponent's ball in the air on any part of the body, excluding the head, you are out. This also includes deflections. The ball is live until it touches the ground or wall.  For example, if a ball ricochets and strikes 4 players, all players are out if the ball is not caught. If the ball is caught, all players are safe and the thrower on the opposite team is out.

A deflected ball can also be caught.

A hit player is still alive until the ball that initially struck becomes dead (i.e. hits the ground or wall.) This means a player may get hit by a ball and if the ball is still in the air they may still throw or catch until that ball becomes dead.

When a player is out, that player should raise a hand while they walk to the outline to let the opposing team know they are out.  If an out player is struck while walking to the outline, that ball is immediately dead.

Once a player is in the outline they should not interfere with any balls on the court.

Hands/fingers and clothing count.

Headshots - If a player is hit in the head, neither they nor the thrower are out. However, it is only a headshot if it is direct hit, meaning if a deflection hits you in the head, you are out. Please do not intentionally headhunt.  We will give a head shot recipient the benefit of the doubt.  The referee has final determination of what is called a headshot.  Once a headshot occurs, that ball is immediately a dead ball.

*in most cases a courtesy grace period will be given to a head shot recipient before they get whacked again

Blocking - A player may hold a ball as a shield to defend. However, if the ball you are holding is knocked out of your hands by an opponent’s ball, you are out. (Once a held ball is used to block, you must keep possession of that ball if you wish to make a good catch on the deflected ball or throw the ball used to block with across the center line in the air.)

You are a live target even when retrieving a ball.  You can only throw a ball if you are in bounds.

If 2 balls hit each other in the air, they are dead balls.

Catch-Ins - A good catch is a ball caught with two feet inbounds before it touches the ground (including deflections off a held ball or teammates body.) If a player catches a ball, an eliminated teammate can re-enter the game. Players must form an outline in the order they were eliminated.  First out would be the first back in.

A ball caught while out of bounds will only result in both the thrower and catcher being safe.

Saves - If a player is hit inbounds, neither that player nor a teammate can save the player that was hit by catching the ball out of bounds.  The result is the player that was hit in the court of play is out.

Eliminated Players - Should line up in the order they were eliminated with the first out beginning the outline in the back corner.  When you are out pay more attention than when you are in. This is the worst time to get hit in the privates. Also, when you are out you should not interfere with the balls that are on the court.

Delay of Game - Players controlling the greater number of balls have the burden to give up control of possession (ex. If a team has 5 balls and the other has 2, that team must throw at least 2 balls) A 10 second throw clock may be incorporated by the ref.  The ref may instruct you that you need to throw if it appears you are stalling. We don't have all day people. Also, this is not a counting exercise. We know you can count to 10, so you don't need to do it out loud. Ref can call you out for excessive stalling.

If one team is in possession of all the balls they have 5 seconds to give the other side a ball.

Giving up possession must be done by making a reasonable throw at the opposing team, not by rolling, placing, blowing or kicking the ball across the line.

If a referee counts down and a team has not thrown, possession of the balls can be awarded to the other team.  Excessive stalling can result in a player being called out.

Pinching - No pinching of the balls is allowed at all.  A firm squeeze is ok.  Pinching is defined as manipulating the ball by having rubber touch rubber.

Rack the Balls - LOSERS RACK! After each game, the losing team must rack or line up the balls prior to the start of the game. Wow! If that is not incentive to win, I don’t know what is.

Timeouts - Each team has a 30 second timeout per match. You may use it to breakdance, eat orange slices, rest, or comb your stache.  Timeouts/stoppage of play will be made clear by a visible signal from the ref.  Do not assume that a whistle means play is stopped.  Referees may also call a timeout.

Duchebaggery - Players can be called out for arguing or acting a fool.

Yellow Card - players arguing or acting as poor sports can be issued a yellow card. If a player receives a yellow card they must sit out the current game and the next.

Winner - The team that wins the most games in the span of each timed match or the team offering the ref more money and/or booze.

Captains - Only team captains are allowed to interact with the refs.  This should be done during a timeout, between games or if the ref has stopped play.

***We play mainly on the honor system, but the referee has complete authority.