U.S. patent application number 12/534090 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for iso-soccer.
Invention is credited to Solomon Ofori-Ansah.
Application Number | 20110028249 12/534090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43527548 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110028249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ofori-Ansah; Solomon |
February 3, 2011 |
Iso-Soccer
Abstract
The invention disclosed is a sport and a game and comprises a
sport court that accommodates a number of players in the play of
the game, a set of rules and regulations by which the game is
played, and a method of playing the game by an inflated leather
ball. The sport court is a square with four equal-sized goalposts
at each side enclosed by a perimeter fence. The floor of the sport
court and the inward side of the perimeter fence are demarcated
with lines such that respectively, they serve as horizontal and
vertical playing surfaces for the ball.
Inventors: |
Ofori-Ansah; Solomon;
(Plano, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Solomon Ofori-Ansah
8900 Independence Pkwy, #20206
Plano
TX
75025
US
|
Family ID: |
43527548 |
Appl. No.: |
12/534090 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 19/00 20130101;
A63C 19/065 20130101; A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63B 63/004
20130101; A63B 71/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/471 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/00 20060101
A63B067/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a sport game, engaging in physical activity
and entertainment using an inflated ball, comprising a sport court
to accommodate players of the sport, and a set of rules and
regulations by which the sport or game is played.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sport court is
generally a square and comprises a floor to provide a horizontal
playing surface with demarcations to determine the legal playing
area for the players and the ball, the position of a perimeter
fence to provide containment and a demarcated vertical playing
surface for the ball, and a horizontal dead zone between the
horizontal playing surface and the vertical playing surface to
provide an inactive zone for referees.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the horizontal playing
surface of the sport court, the legal playing area, is demarcated
with circles, lines and arcs, to determine the position of five
scoring zones; the core zone at the center of the court, and four
goalposts each positioned on one side of the court.
4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the demarcations on
the sports court floor determines the positioning of players at the
start of the game, the range of movement of players, the
positioning of players during restarts, the placement of the ball
at the start and for restarts, and the type of scoring and the
relative value of the scores and the subsequently game restart.
5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the inward side of the
perimeter fence, the vertical playing surface for the ball provide
a smooth surface for regular and predictable rebound and deflection
of the ball from one part of the court to the other, and the
demarcations and calibrations on the inward side of the perimeter
fence provide guidance for targeted rebound and deflection of the
ball from one part of the court to the other.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the rules and
regulations stipulate the time divisions of the game and the
changeover of teams, the number of players per team, the
positioning of the defensive and offensive teams on the court, and
the different objectives of the defensive and offensive teams in
each term of the game.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein, the rules and
regulations determine what constitutes a technical and personal
foul, out-of-bounds, illegal entry, hand-balls and other
infringements for the defending and offending teams and the
associated consequences to non-compliant teams and the
corresponding restarts awarded to give advantage to the opposing
teams.
8. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that the middle of the court, the home zone,
is the base of the offending team and the core zone, the center of
the court, guarded by the offending team is a goal objective for
the defending team.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that a defending player in possession of the
ball scores a takeover and gain points when he enters the core zone
at the center of the court guarded by the offending team while
still in possession of the ball.
10. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that the defending team defends the multiple
goalposts, one on each side of the court, offering the offending
team multiple scoring objectives with the option to score goals
into any one of them at any time during the game for a range of
goal points.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the defending team
is time scored and gain points after a defined period of time of
successful defense of not conceding any goals in any of the
multiple goalposts being defended, and with each additional period
of successful defense, there is integral increments in the points
gained.
12. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that a foul by the offending team in the
home zone occasions a free defense wherein play is limited to the
home zone and between a few players on the offending team defending
the core zone from a takeover, and a few players on the defending
team attempting to score a takeover while accruing time score
points.
13. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that a foul by the defending team in the
goal ray, occasions a restart, a penalty kick in which the
defending player guarding the target goalposts stands clear off the
goalposts before the kick and attempts to prevent a goal score once
the ball is kicked.
14. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that an out-of-bound by the defending team
in the goal or corner rays occasions a short or long corner kicks
respectively by the offending team and that while a short corner
kick taken from the short corner arc targets the goal ray where the
out-of-bounds occurred, the long corner kick taken from the long
corner arc in the corner ray where the out-of-bounds occurred has
not target goals and may be kicked to any part of the court.
15. The method according to claim 3, wherein the rules and
regulations determines that the scoring zones on the court may be
defended in various combinations or scored into conditionally; that
each opposing team defends multiple goalposts that are opposite to
each other, or that each opposing team defends multiple goalposts
that are adjacent to each other, or that one team defends three
goals on the court while the other defends only one goalpost, or
that the core zone may or may not be included in the scoring
objective of the defending team, or that some goalposts are primary
target goals that may be scored into at any time and others are
secondary target goals that may be scored into under certain
conditions, in each term of the game.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rules and
regulations determines the number of referees, the assignment,
positioning, movement of the referee on the court, which referee
makes the call at any time during a game, when and how to take
charge of a game and the referees' responsibilities at the start of
the game, during the game and at the end of the game.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to sports, games, the associated
floor structures, confined space or playing environment for
accommodating players, and the rules and regulations that govern
the play of the game or sport.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various sports are known which serve to provide a way of
engaging in organized physical activity and recreation in a
confined space or environment. Several prior products involve the
use of a ball or balls on a field, a court, a cage, a table, or a
board with particular designs and demarcations, playing equipment,
and rules and regulations that determine the number of players and
a range of acceptable activity, movement and conduct that may take
place in the confined space or playing environment.
[0003] For each sport, the playing environment and corresponding
rules and regulations determine the type, degree and range of
physical activity as well as the resulting recreation or
entertainment, and consequently public participation and
spectatorship. Thus, popular sports such as baseball, basketball,
football, soccer, etc. are appreciated and enjoyed differently. In
spite of the similarities between baseball and cricket, or football
and rugby, they are considered different sports with regular
participants that usually do not overlap, and a spectatorship and
fan base that may or may not overlap.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide another method of
engaging in physical activity, a new sport that involves a uniquely
designed playing environment and a set of rules to regulate play.
Thus this new sport introduces a different set of challenges to the
player that tasks both his physical and intellectual capabilities,
resulting in a unique experience and enjoyment for the player as
well as for the spectator. This new sport, Iso-Soccer, is an
extreme sport. However, while most extreme sports are high-risk,
this new sport, is designed to provide extreme sports entertainment
at relatively lower risk to participants.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is a sport, referred to as Iso-Soccer, in
which two opposing teams of six players each play with an inflated
leather ball on a square court. The ball is played primarily by
kicking with the feet, as in soccer. The court has four goalposts,
each one located on one of the four sides of the court, on a goal
line. At the perimeter of the court is a boundary fence. The inner
surface of the fence has demarcations and forms part of the playing
surface of the court such that it may be used as a deflection
surface for the ball, moving from one section of the court to the
other.
[0006] In Iso-Soccer, teams take turns playing either defense or
offense in each five-minute term of the game; thus in each term,
the team playing defense defends all four goalposts on the court
against the offending team which can score into any one of the four
goalposts at any time. Goals are worth one, two, three, four or
five points, depending on the section of the court they are scored
from. In addition to goal scores, the defending team may be
time-scored as well; with each minute of successful defense, they
increasingly gain points, starting from one, and increasing up to
five points per minute.
[0007] Iso-Soccer offers a multi-level gaming experience: Varying
the number of goalposts on the court that teams must defend creates
different games with different levels of difficulty. Furthermore,
the design of the court creates the opportunity for diverse games
and drills for recreation, skill development, exercise and physical
fitness. Iso-Soccer offers a unique sporting, gaming and
entertainment system that can be translated into various media such
as board games, table games, handheld games, video games,
electronic sports, fantasy sports, television and internet, and
offers significant opportunity for commercialization and revenue
generation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention
relates, from reading the following description with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the sport court in
accordance with the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a layout view of the sport court in accordance
with the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 a view of a goalposts and the boundary fence from the
center of the court in accordance with the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boundary fence at a
corner of the court in accordance with the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning and movement of the
referees on the court in accordance with the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates the defensive and offensive player
positions on the court in accordance with the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates player positioning on the court at
kickoff and for a center pass in accordance with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates the value assigned to goals scored from
various parts of the court in accordance with the invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a takeover by the defending team on the
court in accordance with the invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates balls out-of-bounds and a deflection
pass on the court using the boundary fence in accordance with the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates technical elements such as guarding,
entry, siege and illegal entry during play on the court in
accordance with the invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates out-of-bounds scenarios and personal
fouls on various parts of the court as it relates to restarts in
accordance with the invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates player positioning on the court during a
short corner kick in accordance with the invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates player positioning on the court during a
penalty kick in accordance with the invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates player positioning on the court at the
beginning of a free defense in accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates player positioning on the court for a
dropped-ball in accordance with the invention;
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates player positioning on the court at
kickoff and for a center pass in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention, the basic game;
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates player positioning on the court at
kickoff and for a center pass in accordance with another embodiment
of the invention, the juniors game;
[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates player positioning on the court at
kickoff and for a center pass in accordance with another embodiment
of the invention, the seniors game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The Court
[0029] This invention pertains to a sport played on a court. The
sport court has three main parts; the floor, the goalposts and the
boundary fence. FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the court 33
showing the floor 24, the four identical goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G,
16B and the boundary fence 22, built on the boundary line 22'.
[0030] The Floor: The floor 24 of the court 33 is composed of
either natural grass or artificial turf and is demarcated with
circles, lines and arcs, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] Center Spot: Referring to FIG. 2, the center spot 01 is the
center of the court 33. The center spot 01 is drawn in a solid line
and is 16 meters (54 ft) from the midpoint of each of the four goal
lines 20, and 18 meters (60 ft) from the midpoint of each of the
four boundary lines 22' of the court 33.
[0032] The Circles: Referring to FIG. 2, there are three circles on
the court 33; the center circle 02, the home circle 04 and the free
circle 07. The center spot 01 is the center of all three circles.
The center circle 02 is 2.7 meters (9 ft) in radius and is drawn in
solid lines. The home circle 04 has a radius of 7.2 meters (24 ft)
and is drawn in solid lines. The free circle 07, the outermost
circle, has a radius of 9 meters (30 ft) and is drawn in broken
lines. The area within the center circle 02 is the core zone 02'.
The area within the home circle 04, including the core zone 02', is
the home zone 05. The area between the home circle 04 and the free
circle 07 is the free zone 08. Each of the three circles is
concentric with the two squares formed by the goal lines 20 and the
boundary lines 22' respectively.
[0033] Guidelines: Referring to FIG. 2, there are four guidelines
03 on the center circle 02. Each guideline 03, drawn in solid
lines, is directly opposite to and corresponds to a goalpost, 16R,
16Y, 16G or 16B, and is in line with center spot 01, and the
midpoint of the corresponding goal line 20. Each guideline 03 is
0.9 meter (3 ft) long and extends 0.3 meter (1 ft) within the core
zone 02'. A guideline 03 serves to provide direction for players at
the center of the court 33 and helps with spatial orientation.
[0034] Goal Lines, Boundary Lines and the Dead Zone: Referring to
FIG. 2, there are four goal lines 20. Each goal line 20 is 32.7
meters (108 ft) long. The goal lines 20 are drawn in solid lines
and form a perfect square. There are four boundary lines 22'. Each
boundary line 22' is 36.4 meters (120 yards) long. The boundary
lines 22' also form a perfect square. The center spot 01 is the
center of the two squares formed by the goal lines 20 and the
boundary lines 22' respectively. The two squares formed by the goal
lines 20 and the boundary lines 22', respectively, are concentric
such that each side of the inner square, the goal lines 20,
corresponds to and is parallel to one side of the outer square, the
boundary lines 22'. The perpendicular distance between each
corresponding side of the inner square, goal lines 20, and the
outer square, boundary lines 22', is 1.8 meters (6 ft) and the area
between the squares is the dead zone 21.
[0035] Ray Lines and Corner Lines: Referring to FIG. 2, there are
eight ray lines 09, drawn in broken lines. The ray lines 09
originate from the center spot 01 but are not visible within the
core zone 02' and the home circle 04. Each ray line 09 extends
beyond the home circle 04 and intersects with a goal line 20 such
that distance between the point of intersection and the midpoint of
the intersecting goal line is 7.2 meters (24 ft). The corner line
10 is drawn in broken lines and connects the points of intersection
of the ray lines 09 and goal lines 20 at the same corner of the
court 33. Thus, there are four corner lines 10, each directly
opposite one of four long corners arcs 14.
[0036] Goal Rays, Corner Rays and Corner Boxes: Referring to FIG.
2, the area bounded by the home circle 04, the ray lines 09 and the
goal lines 20 in which a goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B is located
is the goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G, 19B and the area bounded by the home
circle 04, the ray lines 09 and the corner line 10 is the corner
ray 11R, 11Y, 11G, 11B. Thus, there are four goal rays and four
corner rays on the court 33 and each has its own free zone 08. The
corner box 12R, 12Y, 12G or 12B is the triangle formed at each
corner of the court 33 by the corner lines 10 and a pair of
perpendicular goal lines 20.
[0037] Long and Short Corner Arcs: Referring to FIG. 2, a long
corner arc 14 is an arc of radius 0.9 meter (3 ft), drawn in solid
lines, at the point of intersection of two perpendicular goal lines
20. A short corner arc 13 is an arc of radius 0.45 meter (1.5 ft),
drawn in solid lines towards the corner, at the point at which each
corner line 10 intercepts a goal line 20. There are two short
corner arcs 13 and one long corner arc 14 in each of the four
corner boxes 12R, 12Y, 12G and 12B.
[0038] Goal Box: Referring to FIG. 2, each of the four goalposts
16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B is located within a goal box 18R, 18Y, 18G
and 18B respectively. Each goal box 18R, 18Y, 18G or 18B is a 5.5
m.times.2.7 m (18 ft.times.9 ft) rectangle drawn in solid lines
such that the two shorter sides are perpendicular to the
corresponding goal line 20 and each extend 2.7 meters (9 ft)
inwards from the goal line 20 into the corresponding goal ray 19R,
19Y, 19G or 19B, and one of the longer sides is parallel to the
corresponding goal line 20. Each goal box 18R, 18Y, 18G or 18B is
centered around the corresponding goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B to
provide the same amount of spacing on either side of the
corresponding goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B.
[0039] Penalty Lines: Referring to FIG. 2, in each goal box 18R,
18Y, 18G or 18B, there are two parallel penalty lines 17 drawn in
broken lines perpendicular to the corresponding goal line 20. FIG.
3 is a view of one of the goalposts 16R looking outward from the
center of the court toward the boundary fence 22. Each penalty line
17 is 1.8 meters (6 ft) long, drawn perpendicular to the
corresponding goal line 20, from the base of the side post 30
inward into the corresponding goal box 18R such that the distance
between each pair of penalty lines 17 is 2 meters (6.6 ft) long,
the same as the length of the crossbar 31 of the goalposts 16R.
[0040] Penalty Spots: There are four penalty spots 06 on the home
circle 04 and each one is directly opposite and corresponds to one
of the four goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B such that each is 9
meters (30 feet) from the corresponding goal line 20. Each penalty
spot 06 is in line with the center spot 01 and the midpoint of the
corresponding goal line 20. Each penalty spot 06 is enclosed by an
arc of radius 0.45 meter (1.5 ft) drawn in a solid line that
intercepts the home circle 04 at two points.
[0041] The Goalposts: Referring to FIG. 2, each of the four
goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G, 16B is positioned vertically on a
corresponding goal line 20, such that the middle of each goalpost
16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B is 16 meters (54 ft) from the center spot 01.
Each goalpost 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B has a goal net 32 attached
behind it. FIG. 3 illustrates a view of one of the goalposts 16R
looking outward from the center of the court toward the boundary
fence 22. The goalpost is a 2 m.times.2 m (6.6 ft.times.6.6 ft)
square and is made of two upright side posts 30 with a cross bar 31
over the top. Each side post 30 is 2 meters (6.6 ft) high from the
floor 24 and is positioned vertically on the corresponding goal
line 20. The crossbar 31 is 2 meters (6.6 ft) long and is 2 meters
(6.6 ft) above the goal line 20. The side posts 30 and the cross
bar 31 can be made of iron, steel, wood, plastic or a rigid
material joined together to form a unit structure. A goal net 32
may be affixed behind the goalposts 16R toward the boundary fence
22. It must be noted that apart from their relative position on the
court, all four goalpost 16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B are identical in
size, shape and design and the view and description of the
goalposts 16R illustrated in FIG. 3 is essentially the view and
description of any one of the other three goalposts 16Y, 16G or
16B.
[0042] The Boundary Fence: Referring to FIG. 2, the boundary fence
22 is built on the boundary line 22'. It is 1.2 meters (4 feet)
high and 36.4 meters (120 ft) long on each side of the court 33,
forming a perfect square. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the
boundary fence at the corner of the court showing a door 23. The
boundary fence 22 is made of expandable metal mesh 27; strong
enough to deflect the ball effectively back onto the court during
play, smooth enough to provide a regular and predictable
deflection, and capable of providing adequate visibility, similarly
a see-through material such as plastic capable of performing the
same function may be used. The metal mesh 27 is attached is to an
upper rail 26 and a lower rail 26' forming a frame that is attached
on the outward side to a line of fence posts 25 that run from one
corner of the court to the to the other, such that on the inward
side, the boundary fence 22 forms a smooth unbroken pattern from
top to bottom and from one corner of the court to the other, except
when it breaks into the door 23. The fence posts 25, the upper rail
26 and the lower rail 26' may be made of metal, wood, plastic or
other rigid material.
[0043] The Door: Referring to FIG. 2, there is a door 23 on each
side of the four sides of the court 33 for exiting and entering the
court 33. When facing inward toward the center of the court 33, on
each side of the boundary fence 22, the door 23 is located to the
right hand corner of the court 33. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of
the of the boundary fence 22 at the corner of the court showing a
door 23. Each door 23 is built into the boundary fence 22 and is
made of the same materials as the boundary fence 22. The door 23 is
hinged to the right hand corner fence post 25'' and latched to the
last but one fence post 25', such that when opened, the door opens
inwards against the adjacent fence.
[0044] Deflection Lines: Referring to FIG. 4, the deflection lines
28, 29 are vertical lines drawn on the inner surface of the
boundary fence 22. The lines are centered vertically such that each
one is the same distance from the upper rail 26 and the lower rail
26'. There are two kinds of deflection lines; major deflection
lines 28, 0.6 meter (2 ft) long and minor deflection lines 29, 0.3
meter (1 ft) long. The major and minor deflection lines 28, 29
alternate along the boundary fence 22 with a distance of 0.45 meter
(1.5 ft) between each pair. The purpose of the deflection lines 28,
29 is to serve as a guide and when using the boundary fence 22 as a
deflection surface for the ball during play. Using the deflection
lines, skilled players can predict the direction of balls played
against the boundary fence.
[0045] The Ball
[0046] A round, leather-bound, bladder-inflated, ball such as a
soccer ball is used. The ball may be made of leather or of other
manmade materials. The color(s) of the ball will be such that it is
clearly visible on the iso-soccer court. One ball is required per
game. Multiple balls may be used in some practice drills and
games.
[0047] Scoreboard and Timer
[0048] A device for keeping time and score is required. A regular
game timer that can be stopped and restarted without losing track
of the game time is used. The scoreboard is a regular scoreboard
calibrated to the rules and specifications of the sport.
[0049] Time Divisions
[0050] Terms: The game is played in 5 minute blocks called terms.
In each term of the game, each team plays either defense or
offense.
[0051] Quarters and Periods: The playing time is divided into 2
periods. Each period is divided into 2 quarters and each quarter
into 2 terms. Thus, each quarter will last a minimum of 10 minutes
of playtime and each period will last a minimum of 20 minutes of
playtime.
[0052] Changeover: Changeover takes place at the beginning of each
subsequent term, after the first term. The team that played offense
at the beginning of the previous term plays defense at the
beginning of the next term and vice versa. Changeover lasts between
2 to 3 minutes.
[0053] Halftime: Halftime is a mandatory 10 to 15 minutes break
between the end of the first period and the start of the second
period.
[0054] Extra Time: If, at the end of the second period, there is a
tie in the teams' scores, the referee will extend the game by 2
terms, after a 5 minute break. At the end of the two extended
terms, the team with the most points wins the match. If there is no
winner at the end of the extra time, penalty kicks will be used to
break the tie.
[0055] Playtime: The standard minimum playtime of the game is 40
minutes. Hence, a standard game may last a minimum of 60 minutes,
including changeover and halftime. When a game extends into extra
time, it can last for 90 minutes or longer.
[0056] Game Officials
[0057] The game is officiated to ensure fairness. All officials
shall be experts in the rules and regulations of the sport and
shall be impartial in their judgments and decisions. Officials
include the referees, timekeeper and the scorekeeper. The referees
shall be dressed in uniforms that distinguish them from the players
on the field.
[0058] Referees: Four referees are used to provide effective
coverage of the sport court during play of the sport game. The
referees shall watch the goal lines and other demarcations and
follow the movement of the ball and players to ensure that players
do not infringe on the rules and regulations.
[0059] Positioning of Referees: Each of the four referees is
assigned to one of the four corners of the court and is responsible
for one goal ray, one corner ray and the associated corner box.
FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning and movement of the four
referees designated by the alphabetical letter combinations RR, RY,
RG and RB enclosed by a hexagon. The referee RR is assigned to the
corner 15R and is responsible for goal ray 19R, the corner ray 11R
and the corner box 12R; the referee RY is assigned to the corner
15Y and is responsible for goal ray 19Y, the corner ray 11Y and the
corner box 12Y; the referee RG is assigned to the corner 15G and is
responsible for goal ray 19G, the corner ray 11G and the corner box
12G; and the referee RB is assigned to the corner 15B and
responsible for goal ray 19B, the corner ray 11B and the corner box
12B.
[0060] Referee in Charge: Only one of the four referees on the
court can make an official call at any particular time during a
game. He is the referee in charge. The referee in charge may move
freely on any part of the court. He is always responsible for four
sections of the court: This includes his assigned goal ray, corner
ray and corner box, an adjacent goal ray and the home zone. In FIG.
5, the referee RR is the referee in charge. He is responsible for
his assigned goal ray 19R, corner ray 11R, corner box 12R , the
adjacent goal ray 19B and the home zone 05, as long as the ball B
stays within these sections of the court 33. If the ball B enters
the corner ray 11B or the Corner Box 12B, the referee RB takes
charge of the game. If the ball B enters the goal ray 19Y, the
corner ray 11Y or the corner box 12Y the referee RY takes charge of
the game. If the ball B enters the goal ray 19G, the corner ray 11G
or the corner box 12G, the referee RG takes charge of the game. As
soon as one referee takes charge of the game, the referee
previously in charge relinquishes control and retreats immediately
into the dead zone 21 in his assigned corner. The three referees
not in charge of the game move back and forth in the dead zone 21
along the goal lines 20 from one goalposts to the other following
the movement of the ball B and ready to take charge when the ball
enters their assigned goal ray, corner ray corner box. The referees
will take every necessary precaution to get out of the way of the
players and to avoid contact with the ball. If the ball B hits the
referee RG within the goal lines 20 it is still in play. However,
if the ball B hits any one of the referees RY, RG and RB in the
dead zone 21, it is out-of-bounds.
[0061] Starting Referee: Referring to FIG. 5, the referee RR
assigned to the corner 15R is always the starting referee at the
beginning of the first and each subsequent term of the game. He is
the referee in charge at the beginning of the first and each
subsequent term of the game. However, when a goal or a takeover is
scored the referee in charge at the time of the score is
responsible for officiating the restart and serves as the starting
referee. A starting referee is automatically the referee in
charge.
[0062] Timekeeper: A timekeeper is responsible for keeping track of
the game time and for ensuring that the game clock starts,
restarts, and stops at the appropriate times during the game and at
the end of the game. The timekeeper sits in an advantageous place
outside the court, where he has a commanding view of the play area
and is able to observe and communicate effectively with other game
officials.
[0063] Scorekeeper: A scorekeeper ensures accurate record of game
scores during play. The scorekeeper also keeps track of personal,
technical and team fouls during a game. The scorekeeper sits in an
advantageous place outside the court, where he has a commanding
view of the play area and is able to observe and communicate
effectively with other game officials.
[0064] Team Officials: Teams may have their own officials for
effective coordination of operations and for technical and
strategic advisory and coaching during a game and teams may have
their own medical or first-aid attendant. Team officials are not
permitted on the court during play, except for a team's medical or
first-aid attendant who may attend to players in the case of a
medical emergency involving a player.
[0065] Players
[0066] The game is played between 2 opposing teams of 6 players
each. Each team may field a maximum of 20 players during a match,
but only 6 players may play at any time during a term. Thus, each
team may have up to 14 players on reserve at any time.
[0067] Player Equipment & Identification: For safety and
effective play, it is recommended that each player wear the
appropriate clothing and footwear compatible with the play surface
and providing adequate friction. Each player will wear a shirt, a
pair of shorts, shin guards, socks and shoes. For the purpose of
uniformity and identification, players on the same team will wear a
uniform of the same colors and design. Numbers and name tags on the
back of players' uniforms will be used to distinguish players on
the same team.
[0068] Player Positions: FIG. 6 illustrates the defensive and
offensive player positions on the court 33. The various positions
are designated by the alphabetical letter combinations GM, RM, CM
and FM enclosed by squares and circles. There are four main player
positions: two of them are defensive positions and the other two
are offensive positions. The defensive positions are the Goal Man
GM and Ray Man RM, and the offensive positions are the Center Man
CM and Free Man FM. A goal man GM is the last line of defense. He
is responsible for guarding the goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B. A
ray man RM guards the goal rays 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B providing
defensive support to the goal man GM. He is the first line of
defense, responsible for keeping the ball away from the goal rays
19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B. A center man CM is positioned mainly in the
home circle 04 during play and is responsible for supplying balls
from the home zone 05 and the center areas to other parts of the
court 33. A free man FM is at the forefront of the offensive. He
moves freely about the court 33 during play in pursuit of the ball
B and of goals. The various defensive and offensive player
positions are flexible, dependent upon the changing dynamics of the
game at any time during play. They are interchangeable roles based
on function rather than assignment. Thus, a player on the defending
team may start out as a goal man GM, play a ray man RM for half of
the term and end up playing goal man GM again at the end of the
term without any penalty.
[0069] Playing the Game Object: In each term of the game the object
of the offending team is to score points by kicking the ball into
any one of the four goalposts guarded by the defending team but the
object of the defending team is twofold; to gain points by
preventing the offending team from kicking the ball into any one of
the four goalposts being defended for as long as possible and
secondly to score points by taking the ball into the center circle
or core zone.
[0070] Player Positioning at Kickoff: The player positioning at
kickoff is illustrated in FIG. 7: The defending players are
designated by the alphanumerical combinations D1, D2, D3, D4, D5
and D6 enclosed by squares, and the offending players are
designated by the alphanumerical combinations P1, P2, P3, P4, P5
and P6 enclosed by circles. The players of the defending team D1,
D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 defend all four goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G and
16B in each five-minute term, whereas players of the offending team
P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 defend the core zone 02' in each term.
Four of the defending players D1, D2, D3 and D4 are goal men and
are each positioned in one of the goal rays 19R, 19Y, 19G and 19B
respectively, closer to their respective goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G
and 16B. The defending players D5 and D6 are ray men and they are
positioned in the goal rays 19R and 19Y closer to the free circle
07. All six players of the offending team P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6
are positioned strategically within the home circle 04. However,
the offending players P1 and P2 are positioned in the core zone 02'
with the ball B.
[0071] Kickoff: The first term and each consecutive term of the
game always begins with a center pass. The offending team always
initiates the center pass. FIG. 7 illustrates player positioning at
kickoff and during a center pass: At the referee's signal, one of
the two offending players P1 or P2, positioned in the core zone 02'
will initiate the center pass. Once the ball B is passed, the
defending and the offending teams may pursue their respective
objectives.
[0072] Stoppage and Restart: A variety of situations can cause a
temporary stoppage of the game for the appropriate attention. These
include timeouts, accidents or injuries, fouls, a scored goal,
out-of-bounds, or the end of a term. The appropriate restart will
be used after each temporary stoppage. At the end of the second
period or after extra time, the game will be permanently
stopped.
[0073] Ending the Game: At the end of the second period, the
referee will blow the final whistle to end the game. The team with
the greatest number of points is declared the winner. If the scores
are tied, the referee will declare the match a draw, if a winner is
not required. When a winner is required, a tiebreaker will be used
and the referee will blow the final whistle at the end of the
tiebreaker or after the winner has been determined.
[0074] Scoring
[0075] Goal Scores: In each term of the game, the offending team is
scored by goal scores. FIG. 8 illustrates goals scored from
different parts of the court 33. A goal may not be scored from
outside the court 33 or from the dead zone 21. A goal is scored
when the ball B passes through any one of the four goalposts 16R,
16Y, 16G or 16B, and crosses the goal line 20. Referring back to
FIG. 3; if the ball hits any one of the two side posts 30 or the
crossbar 31 before crossing the goal line 20 into the net 32, it is
a valid goal. If a player kicks the ball into his own goalposts, it
is a valid goal and it shall be credited to the last opposing
player to touch the ball.
[0076] Goal Points: Referring to FIG. 8, each successful shot at a
goal is scored on the basis of which part of the court 33 it was
scored from. There are one-point, two-point, three-point four-point
or five-point goal scores labeled as G1, G2,G3, G4 or G5
respectively. If a goal is scored from within the home circle 04
into any one of four goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B it is a
one-point goal G1. If a goal is scored from an adjacent corner ray
or corner box, such as from a corner ray 11R or corner box 12R into
goalposts 16R, or from corner ray 11B into goalposts 16Y, it is a
two-point goal G2. A goal resulting directly from a short corner
kick such as from the short corner arc 13 into goalposts 16R is
also a two-point goal G2. If a goal is scored from the same goal
ray, such as from the goal ray 19G into the goalposts 16G it is a
three-point goal G3. A goal resulting directly from a penalty kick
into the goalposts 16B from the penalty spot 06 is a three-point
goal G3. If a goal is scored from an adjacent goal ray, such as
from goal ray 19G into goalposts 16R it is a four-point goal G4. If
a goal is scored from an opposite corner ray or corner box, such as
from the corner ray 11Y or corner box 12Y into the goalposts 16R,
it is a five-point goal G5 and also if a goal is scored from an
opposite goal ray, such as from the goal ray 19Y into goalposts
16R, it is a five-point goal G5.
[0077] Time Scores: A time score refers to the points the defending
team gains after a certain amount of time of continuous play
without conceding a goal, referred to as a time score period. The
standard time score period is one minute. For each successful
minute of continuous defense without conceding a goal, the
defending team automatically gains points. The points gained
increase with each additional minute of successful defense: 1 point
after the first minute of successful defense; 2 points after the
second minute of successful defense; 3 points after the third
minute of successful defense; 4 points after the fourth minute of
successful defense; and 5 points after the fifth minute of
successful defense. Hence, if the defending team is able to
successfully defend continuously for the entire 5 minutes of a
term, they score a total of 15 points. Thus the stakes get higher
with each passing minute.
[0078] Time Score Clock: The time score clock calculates time
scores. It may be programmed to score automatically after the set
time score period. The time score clock restarts at the beginning
of each term, after every minute of successful defense, and anytime
a goal is conceded by the defending team. Thus, any time accrued by
the defending team towards a time score, before a goal score, or at
the end of a term, is not transferable to the next term; it is
lost.
[0079] Takeover: If a player on the defending team in possession of
the ball enters the center circle or core zone with the ball he
scores a takeover and the offending team restarts the game with a
center pass. A takeover is like a touchdown in football. FIG. 9
illustrates a takeover on the court 33 during a game. The defending
players D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 defend the goalposts 16R, 16Y,
16G and 16B, and the offending players P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6
defend the core zone 02'. If the defense player D5 in possession of
the ball B enters the core zone 02' he scores a takeover in spite
of the presence of an offense player P1 in the core zone 02'. A
takeover can be worth 3 or 5 points: If a takeover is scored during
a free defense it is worth 3 points. However, if a takeover is
scored at any other time during a game it is worth 5 points. For a
takeover to be effected both the defense player in possession of
the ball and the ball must be in the core zone at the same time
regardless of whether there is an offense player in the core zone
or not. A takeover cannot result from a dropped-ball: Referring to
FIG. 17, After a dropped-ball, the ball B must exit the home circle
04 before a takeover can be scored.
[0080] Tallying Scores: The score earned by a team at any point in
the game is cumulative; it is the sum of all the points earned by
the team in every term up to that point in the game. The total team
score at the end of a game is the sum of all the points earned
during each term of the game. The team with the highest number of
points is the winner. The match is a draw if both teams have the
same scores. The team with the highest number of points at the end
of a tiebreaker is the winner.
[0081] Basic Rules
[0082] Out-of-Bounds: FIG. 10 illustrates out-of-bounds and a
deflection pass using the boundary fence 22: The goal lines 20 for
each of the four goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B form a square.
This square is the internal boundary of the court 33. This is the
legal playing area. The external boundary of the court 33 is the
boundary fence 22 and play beyond the boundary fence 22 is not
allowed at any time. If the ball goes beyond the boundary fence 22
at any time, it is out-of-bounds; for instance, the ball B1 has
been kicked by the defending player D1 beyond the boundary fence 22
and it is out-of-bounds. If the ball rolls to a stop in the dead
zone 21 at any time, it is out-of-bounds; for instance, the ball B2
has been kicked be the defending player D2 beyond the goal line 20
and it is out-of-bounds in the dead zone 21. However, if the ball
hits the boundary fence 22 and bounces back or rolls across the
dead zone 21 and goal lines 20 into the legal playing area, it is a
valid ball and the ball is still in play; for instance, the ball B3
is still in play. A player on the defending team D3 kicked the ball
B3 from the home circle 04 against the boundary fence 22 to another
defense player D4 who kicks the ball B3 into the goalposts 16R. If
during play, a player other than a defending player in a goal box
18R, 18Y, 18G or 18B crosses the goal line 20 for any reason, he is
out-of-bounds. For instance, the defense player D5 guarding the
goalposts 16R has stepped behind the goal line 20 but he is not
out-of-bounds because he is in the goal box 18R. However the
defending player D6 who has stepped on the goal line 20 is
out-of-bounds.
[0083] Timeout: Timeouts are permitted only during a legal
stoppage. A timeout shall last no more than 1 minute. A team may
call for up to 2 timeouts during each period. There will be no more
than 2 timeouts per term. If the game is extended, each team may
call for 1 additional timeout during the extra time. Teams may make
substitutions during a timeout. The team with the right to restart
after the stoppage will restart the game after the timeout.
[0084] Substitutions: Each team may make as many as 2 substitutions
per term. Thus, as many as 16 substitutions may be done by a team
in a game. However, the privilege to substitute is not
transferrable from term to term and substitutions may only be done
during game stoppage. The referee must be notified before any
substitutions can be done. Substitutes may be replaced by other
substitutes and replaced players may be re-fielded; however, a
player who is dismissed from playing as a disciplinary action may
not be replaced until the next term.
[0085] Accidents & Injury: If a player sustains an injury
during play, the referee will blow the whistle to temporarily stop
the game for a medical attention, after which the game will
continue. The injured player may continue to play if he is fit;
however, if the referee determines that the player is unfit to
play, he will be replaced and the game will resume. If the injury
is accidental, there will be no penalties and the team in
possession of the ball at the time of the stoppage will restart the
ball with a free kick. The referee may also restart the game with a
dropped-ball if players of both teams were involved in the
accident. If the injury is the result of a personal foul, the
referee will issue the appropriate penalty to the team of the
player who fouled, and the game will be restarted
appropriately.
[0086] Foul Play
[0087] A foul play is any action during play that violates the
rules of the sport. If the offense involves contact with a player
of the opposite team, it is a personal foul; otherwise, it is a
technical foul. The referee is responsible for meting out the
appropriate penalties for any and all foul play.
[0088] Hand-Balls: Except for the first defending player to enter a
goal box, no player may use his hands at any time during play. If a
player other than the first defending player to enter a goal box
touches the ball with his hands or any part of his arm, he has
committed a foul and will be awarded the appropriate penalty by the
referee. FIG. 11 illustrates technical elements such as guarding,
entry, siege and illegal entry; the first defending player D2 to
enter the goal box 18Y may use his hands or any part of his arms to
defend the yellow goalposts 16Y from a goal score; however, he may
not catch or hold onto the ball B.
[0089] Entering, Guarding, Siege and Illegal Entry: Referring to
FIG. 11, if a player partially or wholly crosses into another
section of the court 33, he is deemed to have entered that section.
Also, if the ball partially or wholly crosses into another section
of the court 33, it is deemed to have entered that section. When a
defending player enters an empty goal box 18R, 18Y, 18G or 18B the
corresponding goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B is deemed guarded.
When the ball B enters a goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B that goal
ray is said to be under siege. A defending player may enter a goal
box at any time, as long as it is not guarded. Thus, all four
goalposts (16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B) may be guarded simultaneously at
all times. In FIG. 11, four defending players D1, D2, D3 and D4
have each entered and are guarding goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G and 16B
respectively. Once the goalposts are already guarded, no other
defending player may enter that goal box unless the corresponding
goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B is under siege. If a second defending
player enters a guarded goal box that is not under siege, he will
be charged with illegal entry and the offending team will be
awarded a short corner kick. In FIG. 11, the second defending
player D6 entering the goal box 18G, has committed illegal entry
because the goalposts 16G is already guarded by the defending
player D3 and the goal ray 19G is not under siege. An offending
player may enter a goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B at any time;
however, an offending player may only enter a goal box 18R, 18Y,
18G or 18B legally if he is in possession of the ball B or in
pursuit of the ball B in the goal box. If an offending player is
not in possession of, or in pursuit of, the ball and he enters a
goal box he has committed a foul even if the corresponding goal ray
is under siege. He will be charged with illegal entry, and the
defending team will be awarded a free kick. In FIG. 11, the
offending player P6 entering the goal box 18B has committed illegal
entry because he is not in possession of, or in pursuit of the ball
B; however, the offending player P1 entering the goal box 18Y has
not committed a foul because he is in possession of the ball B.
When a goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B is under siege, all defending
players have the right of defense. They may all enter the
corresponding goal box 18R, 18Y, 18G or 18B to defend the
respective goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B. In FIG. 11, all
defending players D1,D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 may enter the goal box
18Y to defend the goalposts 16Y from a goal score because the goal
ray 19Y is under siege. Once a goal ray is under siege, it remains
under siege until the ball is cleared out of it, a goal is scored
or the offending team commits a foul in it. Once the ball is
cleared out of a goal ray it is no longer under siege and only one
defending player may stay in the corresponding goal box.
[0090] Personal Fouls: Any foul involving contact with a player on
the opposing team is a personal foul. A player may not kick, hit,
push, pull, hold or trip another player. Any player who does any
one of these commits a personal foul. In all cases of personal
fouls, the referee will award the appropriate penalty depending on
the nature and seriousness of the offense. The referee may issue a
warning to the offender or he may dismiss the offender if the
offence warrants it, in addition to any penalties awarded to the
team that is at fault.
[0091] Misconduct: Any act that violates the rules of decency,
moral and ethical behavior, and sportsmanship constitutes
misconduct. If a player engages in any form of disruptive behavior
such as disrespect, verbal or physical abuse to a player, team or
game officials, or a spectator, it is grounds for dismissal from
the game. The referee reserves the right to use his own discretion.
Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the offending party
may also be liable to a civil or criminal suit from the offended
party.
[0092] Penalties and Restarts
[0093] A temporary stoppage of the game is required in certain
situations in order to take the appropriate action, after which the
game will restart. In case of accidents or injuries, foul play, a
goal score, out-of-bounds, or the end of a term, the game will be
stopped temporarily. The appropriate action and/or the
corresponding restart are dependent on the situation and/or the
type and severity of the infraction and whether the offender is on
the defensive or offensive team. The game restarts include: Center
Pass, Free Kicks, Short Corner Kick, Long Corner Kick, Penalty
Kick, Free Defense and Dropped-Balls.
[0094] Center Pass: The first term and each subsequent term of a
game shall begin with a center pass by the offending team. Also,
after every three-point, four-point and five-point goal by the
offending team or after a takeover by the defending team, the
offending team will restart the game with a center pass. Player
positioning for a center pass is the same for a kickoff; the
defending and offending teams will position themselves
appropriately on the court 33 as illustrated in FIG. 7. At the
referee's signal, one of the two offending players P1 or P2
positioned in the core zone 02' will initiate the center pass. Once
the ball B is passed the defending and the offending teams may
pursue their respective objectives.
[0095] Free Kick from a Goal Box: If a player on the offending team
goes out-of-bounds or kicks the ball out-of-bounds through a goal
ray, the defending team will be awarded a free kick. FIG. 12
illustrates out-of-bound scenarios and personal fouls on the court
as it relates to restarts: The balls B1 and B2 are kicked
out-of-bounds by a player on the offending team P1 through the goal
ray 19R, resulting in a free kick by the defending team. For a free
kick, the ball B is placed anywhere in the goal box 18R, the goal
box of the subject goal ray 19R through which the ball went out of
bounds and all players on the defending and offending teams are
positioned strategically on the court 33 however no player on the
offending team may be positioned in the subject goal ray 19R. The
free kick is initiated at the referee's signal by a player on the
defending team. Furthermore if the offending team commits a foul in
a goal ray, the defending team will restart the game with a free
kick in a similar fashion. Referring to FIG. 12, if the offending
player P4 commits a foul against the defending player D4 in the
goal ray 19B, the defending team will restart the game with a free
kick in the subject goal ray 19B where the foul occurred. Also,
when a one-point or two-point goal is scored, the defending team
will restart the game with a free kick in the subject goal ray
where the goal scoring occurred. For instance in FIG. 12, if the
offending player P5 took a free kick from the corner ray 11B and it
resulted directly into a goal in the goalposts 16Y the goal is a
two-point goal G2 (see FIG. 8) and the game will be restarted with
a free kick by the defending team in the goal ray 19Y. On the other
hand, if the offending player P5 passed the ball on to the
offending player P6 who kicked and scored a goal in the goalposts
16Y directly from the home circle 04, the goal is a one-point goal
G1 (see FIG. 8), the game will be restarted with a free kick by the
defending team in the goal ray 19Y.
[0096] Free Kick from a Corner Box: If a player on the offending
team goes out-of-bounds or kicks the ball out-of-bounds through a
corner ray, the defending team will be awarded a free kick.
Referring to FIG. 12, the balls B5 and B6 are kicked out-of-bounds
by a player on the offending team P2 through the corner ray 11R,
resulting in a free kick by the defending team. For a free kick,
the ball B is placed anywhere in the corner box 12R, the corner box
of the subject corner ray 11R through which the ball went out of
bounds, and all players on the defending and offending teams are
positioned strategically on the court 33. However, no player on the
defending team may be positioned in the subject corner ray 11R. The
free kick is initiated at the referee's signal by a player on the
defending team.
[0097] Free Kick from a Corner Ray: If a player on one team commits
a foul in a corner ray, the opposing team is awarded a free kick.
Referring to FIG. 12, if the offending player P5 commits a foul
against the defending player D5, or on the other hand if the
defending player D5 commits a foul against the offending player P5,
in the corner ray 11B, the opposing team will restart the game with
a free kick. In a free kick, the ball is placed at the spot of the
foul in the subject corner ray, the corner ray 11B. All players on
the defending and offending teams are positioned strategically on
the court 33. However, no player on the opposing team may be
positioned in the subject corner ray 11B. The free kick is
initiated at the referee's signal by a player on the team awarded
the free kick.
[0098] Free Kick from the Center: If a player on the defending team
commits a foul within the home circle, the offending team is
awarded a free kick. Referring to FIG. 12, if the defending player
D3 commits a foul against the offending player P3 in the home
circle 04, the offending team is awarded a free kick. In the free
kick, the ball is placed at the spot of the foul within the home
circle 04. All defending and offending players may position
themselves strategically on the court 33 however no player on the
defending team may be positioned in the home circle 04. The free
kick is initiated at the referee's signal by a player on the
offending team. On the other hand if the offending player P3
commits a foul against the defending player D3 in the home circle
04, the defending team is awarded a free defense.
[0099] Short Corner Kick: If a player on the defending team goes
out-of-bounds or kicks the ball out-of-bounds through a goal ray,
the offending team will be awarded a short corner kick. Referring
to FIG. 12, the balls B3 and B4 are kicked out-of-bounds by a
defending player D1 through the goal ray 19R, resulting in a short
corner kick by the offending team. FIG. 13 illustrates player
positioning during a short corner kick. A player on the defending
team D1 guards the target goalposts, the red goalposts 16R. A
player on the offending team P1 takes the shot and is positioned in
the corner box 12R. All other players are positioned strategically
outside the target goal box 18R. The ball B is placed in the short
corner arc 13 on the side of the goalposts where the player or the
ball went out-of-bounds. The short corner kick is initiated at the
referee's signal. A short corner kick has a target goal ray: The
shot must be directed towards the goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B
through which the player or the ball went out-of-bounds.
[0100] Long Corner Kick: If a player on the defending team goes
out-of-bounds or kicks the ball out-of-bounds through a corner ray,
the offending team is awarded a long corner kick. Referring to FIG.
12, the balls B7 and B8 have been kicked out-of-bounds by a
defending player D2 through the corner ray 11R resulting in a long
corner kick by the opposing team. Referring to FIG. 13 which
illustrates player positioning during a short corner kick; unlike a
short corner kick, a long corner kick is taken from the long corner
arc 14R of the subject corner ray where the player or the ball went
out-of-bounds. A long corner kick may be directed towards any of
the four goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G, 16B or any part of the court 33.
All players may be positioned strategically on the court 33;
however no player on the defending or offending team may be
positioned in the subject corner ray 11R or the associated corner
box 12R. The player on the offending team who takes the shot is
positioned outside the goal lines in the dead zone 21 at the corner
15R and takes the shot at the referee's signal.
[0101] Penalty Kick: If a player on the defending team commits a
personal foul in a goal ray the offending team will be awarded a
penalty kick in the goal ray where the foul occurred. Referring to
FIG. 12, if the defending player D4 commits a foul against the
offending player P4, a penalty kick will be awarded to the
offending team in the subject goal ray 19B where the foul occurred.
Referring to FIG. 14 which illustrates player positioning during a
penalty kick at the goalposts 16R; only one player on the defending
team D1 may guard the target goalposts 16R: He stands to one side
of the goalposts in the goal box 18R, clear of the side posts
behind one penalty line 17 and looking towards the penalty spot 06
where the ball B is placed. The player on the offending team P1 who
takes the penalty is positioned in the home circle 04 directly
facing the target goalposts 16R. All other players are positioned
outside the target goal ray 19R. The shot is taken at the referee's
signal. A penalty kick has a target goalposts: The ball must be
kicked directly into the goalposts 16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B
corresponding to the goal ray 19R, 19Y, 19G or 19B in which the
foul play occurred. The ball cannot be passed to another
player.
[0102] Free Defense: FIG. 15 illustrates player positioning at the
beginning of a free defense: If the offending team commits a foul
anywhere within the home circle 04, the defending team is awarded a
free defense to allow the defending team to accrue time scores and
possibly score a takeover. During a free defense, play is limited
to the area within the home circle 04. The objective of the
defending team is to maintain possession of the ball B and to keep
it within the home circle 04 for the entire duration of the free
defense while attempting to score a takeover. On the other hand,
the objective of the offending team is to take possession of the
ball B and/or get the ball out of the home circle 04.
[0103] Free Defense: Player Participation and Positioning: At least
two players on the defending team may actively participate in a
free defense; however, only two players on the offending team may
actively participate. Referring to FIG. 15, the actively
participating players on the defending team D5 and D6 are
positioned within the home circle 04 but outside the core zone 02',
and the two actively participating players on the offending team P1
and P2 are positioned in the core zone 02' to guard it from a
takeover during the free defense. All other players on the
defending and offending teams are considered passive participants
and are positioned strategically outside the free circle 07. The
ball B is placed with one of the actively participating defending
players D5 in the home circle 04 who initiates the pass at the
referee's signal. Once the ball B is passed, the actively
participating offending players P1 and P2 may begin pursuit of the
ball B and all active participants may move freely within and
without the home circle 04, as long as the ball B is within the
home circle 04. However all passive participants, the defending and
offending players outside the free circle 07, may not enter the
home circle 04 until the free defense is over.
[0104] Free Defense: Duration: A free defense shall last a maximum
of 15 seconds, regardless of the playtime. Thus, if a free defense
is awarded in the 5th minute of a term, unless it ends by default
before the end of the 5th minute, the term shall end only after the
free defense is over. Referring to FIG. 15, by default, a free
defense ends once the ball B partially or wholly crosses the home
circle 04. Once the ball leaves the home circle 04, play is open to
the entire court 33 and to all players.
[0105] Free Defense: Scoring: A free defense gives the defending
team the opportunity to increase their time scores as well as a
chance to score a takeover, thus, only the defending team can score
points during a free defense. Depending on which minute of
continuous successful defense they are in, the defending team can
score up to 5 points from a free defense. Referring to FIG. 15, if
one of the actively participating defending players D5 or D6 is
able to enter the core zone 02' while in possession of the ball B,
the defending team scores a takeover. A takeover scored during a
free defense is worth 3 points. The offending team technically does
not score points during a free defense because once the ball B
leaves the home circle 04, the free defense is over; however, one
of the actively participating players on the offending team P1 or
P2 may shoot the ball B from within the home circle 04 at any time
to score a goal in any one of the four goalposts, 16R, 16Y, 16G or
16B. A goal resulting directly from the shoot will be a one-point
goal G1 (see FIG. 8) since the ball originated from within the home
circle 04.
[0106] Free Defense: Foul Play and Penalties: Referring to FIG. 15,
once the free defense starts, all players outside the free circle
07, passively participating players, may not cross into the home
circle 04. If a passive player enters the home circle 04, it is a
foul and he will be charged with illegal entry and the appropriate
penalty will be awarded as follows: If the defending team commits a
foul during a free defense, the offending team will be awarded a
free kick or a penalty kick, depending on where the foul occurred.
If the offending team commits a foul during a free defense,
regardless of where the foul occurred, another free defense is
imposed.
[0107] Dropped-Balls: If there is an accident or an emergency that
causes play to be interrupted, play will resume with a dropped-ball
if neither team was at fault. FIG. 16 illustrates player
positioning for a dropped-ball. Only two players actively
participates in a dropped-ball; a player on the defending team D5
and a player on the offending team P1, both positioned in the core
zone 02'. They will stand to either side of the referee, facing
each other, separated by a distance of about 1.8 meters (6 ft). The
rest of the defending and offending players are strategically
positioned outside of the core zone 02'. The referee will signal
for readiness and will drop the ball B in the core zone 02' between
the two actively participating players, the defending player D5 and
the offending player P1. As soon as the ball B hits the ground, it
is in play and the two players may compete for possession. The
players may not kick the ball B until it touches the ground. A
takeover cannot result from a dropped- ball. After a dropped-ball,
the ball B must exit the home circle 04 before a takeover can be
scored. However the ball B can be kicked into any of the goalposts
16R, 16Y, 16G or 16B immediately after a dropped-ball.
[0108] Faulty Restarts: In all restarts, players may not move once
they take their positions, until the referee whistles or signals. A
faulty restart may result from non-compliance with this regulation
and the specific rules and regulations of a particular restart. If
there is a faulty restart, any goals scored directly as a result
will be invalidated and the referee will order a retake without
penalizing any team.
[0109] Faulty Retakes: If there is a faulty retake it is a foul,
the team responsible will be penalized by 2 goal points being
awarded to the opposing team. If a team is responsible for a faulty
penalty retake, the opposing team will be awarded 3 goal points. If
there is a faulty retake the referee will restart the game with a
dropped-ball from the center of the court.
[0110] Booking: Regardless of the penalty awarded a team as a
result of foul play; the offending player(s) may also be issued a
warning if the offense warrants it. The player may be warned that
any repetition of the offense or engagement in another offense will
result in a more severe penalty, ejection from the game. A player
who has been issued a warning may continue playing.
Notwithstanding, the referee reserves the right to eject a player
from the game immediately after an offense, if he deems it
justifiable, without initial warning of any kind
[0111] Tiebreakers: If, at the end of the second period, there is a
tie in the teams' scores, the referee will extend the game by 2
terms, after a five-minute break. Each team will play both defense
and offense in the extended quarter. The referee will toss a coin
to determine which team plays defense and which plays offense in
the first term of the extended period. At the end of the two
extended terms, the team with the most points wins the match.
[0112] Tiebreakers: Penalty Kicks: If there is no winner at the end
of the extra time, penalty kicks will be used to break the tie. The
penalty kicks may take place at any one of the goalposts 16R, 16Y,
16G or 16B (see FIG. 14). The two opposing teams take turns taking
penalty shots. When a player of one team takes a shot, a player
from the opposing team will guard the goals. Each team will have 5
turns. Every successful shot at a goal is worth 1 point. The team
with the highest score after the fifth turn wins the game. If there
is a draw after the fifth turn, the referee will rule for a second
round of penalty kicks. In the second round of penalty kicks, the
team with the highest scores after each turn wins the game.
[0113] Other Embodiments: In one embodiment of the invention each
of the two opposing teams of six players defend two adjacent goals
in each five minute term. FIG. 17 is an illustration of the player
positioning at kickoff in this embodiment, the basic game. The
defending team is defending goalposts 16R and 16B, and the
offending team is defending goalposts 16Y and 16G. The defending
players D5 and D6 are positioned in the home circle 04, and
defending players (D1 and D3) and (D2 and D4) are positioned in
goal rays 19R and 19B respectively. The offending players P1 and P2
are positioned in goal rays 19Y and 19G respectively, offending
players P3 and P4 home circle 04, offending players P5 and P6 are
positioned in the center circle 02. In another embodiment each of
the two opposing teams of six players defend two opposite goals in
each five minute term. FIG. 18 is an illustration of the player
positioning at kickoff of this embodiment, the juniors game. The
defending team is defending goalposts 16R and 16Y, and the
offending team is defending goalposts 16G and 16B. The defending
players D5 and D6 are positioned in the home circle 04, and
defending players (D1 and D3) and (D2 and D4) are positioned in
goal rays 19R and 19Y respectively. The offending players P1 and P2
are positioned goal rays 19G and 19B respectively, offending
players P3 and P4 are positioned in the home circle 04 and
offending players P5 and P6 are positioned in the center circle 02.
In another embodiment the defending team defends three of the four
goalposts on the court in each five minute term whereas the
offending team defends only one of the four goalposts on the court.
FIG. 19 is an illustration of the player positioning at kickoff in
this embodiment, the seniors game. The defending team is defending
goalposts 16R, 16G and 16B, and the offending team is defending
goalposts 16Y. Defending players D1, D2 and D3 are positioned in
the goal rays 19R, 19G and 19B respectively. The defending players
D4, D5 and D6 are positioned in the home circle 04. The offending
players P1 and P2 are positioned in the goal ray 19Y, the offending
players P3 and P4 are positioned in the home circle 04, and the
offending players P5 and P6 are positioned in the center circle 02.
In all the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, the Ball
B is placed in the center circle 02. At the referee's signal, one
of the two offending players P5 or P6 positioned in the center
circle 02 will initiate the center pass. Furthermore in these
embodiments both teams are scored by goals scored in the opposing
team's goalposts, team may swap goalposts after every term, quarter
or every half of the game. Except for the free defense restart all
other restarts are applicable to these embodiments. However in
addition to each team being goal scored, in the embodiments
illustrated FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, time scores and takeovers may be
instituted to score the defending team in each term, in such
embodiments the free defense is used in addition to the other
restarts, and teams will swap goalposts after every five-minute
term of the game.
[0114] In other embodiments some of the goalposts on the court may
be designated as primary or secondary target goalposts. Primary
target goalposts may be scored into at any time whereas secondary
target goalposts may only be scored into under certain
circumstances. For instance in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
17, the goalposts 16R and 16Y may be designated as primary target
goalposts and the goalposts, 16G and 16B, designated as secondary
target goalposts. Thus the defending team defends one primary
target goalposts and one secondary target goalposts, the goalposts
16R and 16B respectively and the offending team also defends one
primary target goalposts and one secondary target goalposts, the
goalposts 16Y and 16G respectively. While primary target goalposts
may be scored into at any time, secondary target goalposts may be
scored into under the following conditions of the corresponding
goal rays, the goal rays 19G and 19B: 1. The goal ray 19G or 19B is
unguarded by a player of the opposing team. 2. A player of the
opposing team has possession of the ball in the goal ray 19G or 19B
or kicks the ball into the goal ray 19G or 19B. 3. A player of the
opposing team commits a foul in the goal ray 19G or 19B. 4. A
player of the opposing team goes out-of-bounds or causes the ball
to go out-of-bounds in the goal rays 19G or 19B.
[0115] The description and specifications of the present invention
as disclosed in this document are not intended to be limiting but
illustrative of the preferred embodiments, as various modifications
and variations can be made in the described embodiments without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
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