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Rules for the game of Throw Ball
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DEFINITIONS Player: Any person playing throw ball. Match: The basic contest in throw ball between opposing sides each of one to six players. Singles: A match where there is one player on each of the opposing sides. Doubles: A match where there are two players on each of the opposing sides. Full: A match where there are six players on each of the opposing sides. Serving side: The side that possess the ball and has a right to serve. Receiving side: The side opposing the serving side. Rally: A sequence of one or more throws starting with the service, until the ball ceases to be in play. Hit: Striking, pushing or volleying the ball Touch: Contact with the ball with the intention of striking or volleying the ball 1. COURT AND COURT EQUIPMENT 1.1. The court shall be a rectangle laid measuring 18m x 9m, surrounded by a free zone with a minimum of 3m wide and with a space free from any obstruction up to a height of a minimum of 7m from the playing surface. 1.2. The terrain may be either sand, grass or artificially laid. 1.3. If the terrain is sand then the terrain shall be composed of leveled sand as flat and uniform as possible. 1.4. The grass courts shall consist of maintained grass surfaces that are free of holes, puddles and uneven grounds. 1.5. Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court. Both side and end lines are placed inside the dimensions of the playing court. 1.6. There is no center line. A net zone line is marked 3 meters from the net on either court. A net zone is valid only for games with more than 2 players in a team. 1.7. All lines are 5-8cm wide. 1.8. The lines must be of a color which contrasts sharply with the color of the playing surface. 1.9. The court lines should be ribbons made of a resistant material and any exposed anchors should be of soft and flexible material. 2. SERVICE ZONE 2.1. The service zone is the area behind the end line and between the extensions of the two sidelines. In depth, the service zone extends to the end of the free zone. 3. NET AND POSTS 3.1. The net is 9.5m long and 1m (+/- 3cm) wide when it is hung taut, placed vertically over the axis of the center of the court. It is made of 10cm square mesh. At its top and bottom there are two 7-10cm wide horizontal bands made of two-fold canvas, preferably in bright colors, sewn along its full length.. 3.2. Two color bands, 5-8cm wide (same width as the court lines) and 1m long, are fastened vertically to the net and placed above each sideline. They are considered part of the net. 3.3. The height of the net shall be 2.24m. A height of 0.12m is reduced for players in the age group of 14 years and under. Group with 12 years and under will have a further reduction in height by 0.12m. 3.4. The height of the net is measured in the center. The end must be of same height and shall not exceed more than 2 cm of the center height. 3.5. The posts supporting the net must be rounded and smooth with a height of 2.55m. They must be fixed to the ground at an equal distance of 0.7-1 m from each sideline to the post padding. 4. BALL 4.1. The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible material which does not absorb humidity. The ball will have bladder inside made of rubber or a similar material. 4.2. The color of the ball shall be bright enough to be easily visualized and in contrast with the playing surface. 4.3. The circumference of the ball shall be 25.5” to 27”. 4.4. The weight of the ball shall be between 260-280g (9-10 oz). 4.5. The inside pressure of the ball shall be 171 to 221 mbar or hPa (02.5 to 3.2 lbs/sq inch). 4.6. All balls used in a match must have the same characteristics regarding color, circumference, weight, pressure, type, etc. 5. TEAM 5.1. A team is composed exclusively of those players recorded on the score sheet. 5.2. The number of players in a team is determined by the tournament rule. 5.3. A team roster can have a maximum of two substitute players. The number of substitute players is determined by the tournament rules. 6. PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT 6.1. A players’ equipment consists of shorts. Players may wear a hat. The apparel may be decided by the tournament rules. 6.2. On a sand court players must play with bare foot. On a grass court players may wear shoes. 6.3. Referees may permit players to play with socks. 6.4. It is forbidden to wear any object that may cause an injury to a player. 6.5. Players may wear glasses or goggles at their own risk. 7. BEHAVIOR, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PLAYER 7.1. Except in the intervals provided (timeout) no player shall be permitted to receive advice during a match. 7.2. When the ball is in play no player shall leave the court. 7.3. An exchange of substitute player can take place with the permission of the umpire. 7.4. A player shall not deliberately cause delay in, or suspension of, play. 7.5. A player shall not deliberately modify or damage the ball in order to change its speed or its flight. 7.6. A player shall not behave in an offensive manner. 7.7. A player shall honor the verdict of the referee. 7.8. A player has a right to address his or her grievance to the organizers or committee. In the court the referee’s call is final. 7.9. A player, while serving, shall call the score. The server may not do so if a referee or a scorer calls the score. 8. LOCATION OF PARTICIPANTS 8.1. The players’ chairs must be 5m from the sideline, and no closer than 3m from the scorer’s table. 9. SCORING SYSTEM 9.1. The match is won by the team that wins two sets. 9.2. A set (except the deciding 3rd set) is won by the team that first scores 21 points with a minimum lead of 2 points. 9.3. In the case of a 1-1 set tie, the deciding set (the 3rd) is played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points. 9.4. In the case of a 20-20 point ties (in the 1st and 2nd set), the play is continued until a two-point lead is reached. 9.5. In the case of a 14-14 point tie (in the 3rd set), the play is continued until a two-point lead is reached. 9.6. Scores are obtained in a running sequence from love-all (0-0). For every fault committed by a team the opponent gets a point. 10. DEFAULT AND INCOMPLETE TEAM 10.1. If a team refuses to play after being summoned to do so, it is declared in default and forfeits the match with the result 0-2 for the match and 0-21, 0-21 for the sets. 10.2. A team that does not appear on the playing court on time is declared in default with the same result as in Rule 10.1 above. 10.3. A team declared incomplete for the set or for the match loses the set or the match (see next rule on ‘SUBSTITUTES’). The opposing team is given the points, or the points and the sets needed to win the set or the match. The incomplete team keeps its points and sets. 11. SUBSTITUTES 11.1. No substitutions or replacement allowed in a set in a two-player match. An exception is what is stated in 11.3. 11.2. In a match with more than two-players unlimited substitutions are allowed as long as one player does not occupy more than one position in the service order during a single set. See an exception in 11.3. 11.3. If a player becomes injured and no legal substitute is available for that position in the service order, a non-playing player in the roster may enter the set as an exceptional substitution for the injured player. The substituted player cannot be replaced for the remaining set until/unless this player is also injured. If no team members are available, an injury time-out may be granted. If, at the end of time-out, there are no legal players available to continue the match, the decision is made as per rule 10.3 above. 11.4. An injured player is given 5 minutes to recover. If at the end of 5 minutes a recovery is not in sight decision is taken as per rule 11.3. 12. TOSS 12.1. Before the official warm-up, the referee conducts the coin toss in the presence of the team captains. The winner of the toss chooses: a) Either the right to serve or b) The side of the court. 12.2. A new toss will be conducted for the deciding set (3rd set). 12.3. In the 2nd set the receiving team of the 1st set makes the opening serve. 13. WARM-UP SESSION 13.1. Prior to the match the teams will have a 5-minute warm-up period at the net. 14. PLAYER POSITIONS 14.1. At the moment the ball is hit by the server, each team must have all their players within their court (except the server). 14.2. The players are free to position themselves. There are NO determined positions on the court. Exception is defined in rule 14.3. 14.3. In 5 or 6 players per team match, a team cannot have more than 3 players in the net zone. In 3 and 4 players game a team cannot have more than 2 players in the net zone. 14.4. There are no positional faults. 14.5. Before the beginning of the set, a captain will indicate the serve order among the players. 15. SERVICE ORDER 15.1. Service order must be maintained throughout the set and is determined by the team captain immediately following the coin toss. 15.2. A service order fault is committed when the service is not made according to the service order. 15.3. A scorer must indicate the service order and correct any incorrect player. 15.4. A service order is punished by loss of rally. 15.5. If an incorrect player attempts to serve, the scorekeeper or the 2nd referee shall attempt to correct the order. 15.6. Should the error be discovered after the ball has been served (and the ball is in play) the scorekeeper or the 2nd referee shall stop play and allow the correct player to serve. 15.7. Should the incorrect server not be discovered until after points were scored, the play continues with the service order merely corrected and the team(s) retaining their scored point(s). Case-1: The serving team lost the point. At the end of the play it was discovered that the serve was made by a wrong player. The serving team demanded for a re-play. Should a re-play be allowed? No. By rule 15.7 the discovery of the error occurred after the ball ceased to be in play. 16. FAULTS 16.1. Any playing action contrary to the rules is a fault. 16.2. The referee determines the penalties of a fault in accordance to the rules laid out. 16.3. There is always a penalty for a fault. The opponent team committing the fault wins the rally. 16.4. When more than one fault is committed successively, only the first one is accounted. 16.5. If two or more faults are committed by the two teams simultaneously, the rally is replayed. 17. PLAYING THE BALL 17.1. It is necessary for a ball to be caught and, or, carried and delivered. 17.2. Each team is entitled to a maximum of 1 hit before catching the ball and throwing it back to the opponent over the net. 17.3. Any contact with the ball that is not caught or carried is deemed to be a hit. 17.4. Blocking is allowed provided the blocked ball is caught and thrown back by a team mate. 17.5. At the time of the serve, only players in the net zone, when valid, can block the ball. 17.6. Team hits include both intentional and unintentional contacts with the ball. 17.7. A player who hits the ball intentionally cannot catch the ball after a hit and throw it over the net to the opponent. Doing so is a fault. 17.8. A ball cannot be caught and then thrown in air for another team member to catch and throw the ball over the net. Doing so is a fault. A referee’s decision is final in this matter. 17.9. A simultaneous hit by two players is a fault. 17.10. More than one player in the net zone may block the ball. However, none of the blocking players can catch and throw the ball back. 17.11. A ball may touch various parts of the body, only if the contacts take place simultaneously. 17.12. Women are allowed to throw a caught ball using both hands. Men are allowed to throw using only one hand. 17.13. Over arm and under-arm throws are allowed. 17.14. While blocking, consecutive and simultaneous contacts by one or more players are authorized. All net zone players, whenever valid, who attempt to block the ball will be considered as playing-for-block. 17.15. A player, intending to throw the ball, must throw the ball over the net from the spot where the ball was caught. 17.16. A player is allowed to take one step with a caught ball before throwing it back to the opponent. 17.17. Jumping while throwing the ball is allowed. Case-1: A player, while attempting to catch the ball, slips off his hand and is recovered by him. Is this a fault? No. The players’ intention was not to hit the ball. Fumbling is fine. Referee’s decision is final. Case-2: While catching the ball, the player was off the ground and landed about three feet away from the place where he caught the ball. He threw the ball back. The opponents called it fault. Is it so? No. The spot of the ball where it is being caught is determined by the place where the player lands with the ball in possession. Case-3: With a caught ball a player took a step forward, jumped in the air, and threw the ball over the net. Is this fault? No. The player is allowed to take a step(17.16) and a jump(17.17) before throwing the ball. Case-4: In a 6-players game all the players in the net zone attempted to block the ball. The ball jumped up on a contact with one of the players and was caught and thrown by another net zone player. Is this valid? No. This is a fault. The very fact that all the net zone players attempted to block the ball invalidates every one of them from catching the ball. Read rule 17.10 and 17.14 together. 18. OTHER FAULTS AT BALL PLAY 18.1. Moving with the ball in possession before throwing it back is a moving violation that constitute to a fault. See rule 17.16. 18.2. A player, catching the ball with an intention of throwing the same over the net, should do so immediately on the ball being caught. A wait of more than 1 second is deemed to be a fault. (in an all-women match the wait time is relaxed to 2 seconds). 18.3. A player crossing the center line and going over to the opponent side while making contact with the ball is a fault. Exception to this is stated in rule 19.8. 18.4. A player(players) blocking the ball over the net with any part of their body crossing above or below the net is a fault. Exception to this is stated in rule 19.8. 18.5. A ball can be hit only by hands. The contact of the ball can be anywhere between the elbow and finger tips of a hand. 18.6. Contact with net, while trying to make a contact with the ball, is not a fault. After hitting the ball the player can touch any objects outside the length of the net provided such action does not interfere with play. If the referee determines that such an action has interfered with the play a fault is called. 18.7. A ball contacted with any assistance is a fault. 18.8. When a ball is in play, a player touching the opponent in the opponent space is a fault. 18.9. In a co-ed competition no male players may participate in a block. Doing so is a fault. 18.10. If a blocker blocks the ball outside the post in the opponent’s space it’s a fault. Case-1: In a doubles match both the players attempted to block the ball. The blocked ball was caught by one of the player and thrown. Is this not a fault? No. In a doubles match there is no net zone players per se. Hence both the players can attempt to block the block and one of them can recover the blocked ball and throw the same to the opponent. 19. BALL IN PLAY 19.1. A ball is in play until a fault is committed or is out. 19.2. A thrown ball touching the net and falling on the same side of the team is deemed as out. 19.3. A hit ball touching the net may be recovered (by a catch) and thrown over the net. In such a case the ball is in play. 19.4. A ball, when hitting the net, making the net to crash, shall be canceled. The ball should be replayed. 19.5. A ball, when it touches any external objects, including the vertical net poles is out. 19.6. While the ball is hit or thrown it may touch the upper part of the net before going over to the opponent side. Exception to this rule is in service. See rule-20. 19.7. A ball going below the net is deemed to be out. 19.8. A player may enter the opponents’ court in order to play a hit ball before it crosses the court completely below the net. 19.9. A ball sent to the opponent’s side must go over the net within the crossing space. The crossing space is determined as follows: (a) Below, by the top of the net (b) At the sides, by the poles and its imaginary vertical extension (c) Above, by anything that prevents the ball from going up before it has a free fall 19.10. A thrown ball falling on the opponent side completely outside their boundary lines even before the opponents had any contacts with the ball is out. 19.11. A ball may be played by the opponent from anywhere in the opponent’s court or outside the boundary lines of the whole court. 19.12. A ball falling on the boundary lines of the opponent court is deemed to be ‘in the play’. The ball is considered out only if the ball falls outside the boundary lines. 19.13. A thrown ball can be travel over the net only once. Case-1: While hitting the ball to a team member a player had to enter the opponents’ court? Is this legal? Yes within the purview of rule 19.8. Case-2: While attempting to hit the ball the player entering the opponents’ court had a contact with an opponent player? The ball is in play. What’s the ruling? If the opponent team feels that there was no hindrance to their game the play shall continue. However it’s the opponents’ call to request for a replay of the point. The opponents’ need to make the request as soon as the event has occurred and not at the end of the play. Case-3: When hitting the ball, once again, the ball travels over the net to a team member who attempts to catch the ball and throw it over the net to the opponent. Is this valid? No. It’s a fault. A ball, if travelling over the net, can travel in only one direction - from the hitting team to the opposing team. Case-4: A player hit the ball that traveled over the net from the opposite side into his side of the court. It was successfully caught by his team mate and thrown over the net to the opponent side. Is the ball still in play? No. By rule 19.13 the ball can travel over the net only once. Case-5:A thrown ball that touched the net and rebounded was successfully recovered by a team member and delivered. Is this a valid play? No. As per rule 19.2 a thrown ball, when touching net, is a fault. 20. SERVICE 20.1. The referee authorizes the service after determining that the correct server is in possession of the ball. 20.2. While serving, the server has to serve from the free zone behind the boundary line opposite to the net and be within the extended imaginary side lines. Not serving so is a fault. 20.3. While serving a server cannot touch the boundary lines until after the contact with the ball is established. Doing so is a fault. 20.4. To serve the server can only throw the ball over the net to the opponent court. Both under-arm and over-arm serves are allowed. 20.5. The server needs to serve the ball within 5 seconds. Not doing so is a fault. 20.6. A service executed before the referee’s call is to be cancelled and replayed. 20.7. To serve, a ball can be thrown over the net by holding the ball with both the hands or with one hand. 20.8. Tossing a ball and throwing the same to serve is a fault. 20.9. While serving, a teammate of the server shall not prevent the opponent from seeing the server or screen the path of the ball. On opponents’ request, the hindering player should move sideways. In match with more than 3 players to a side, if the referee determines that a screening had taken place, a fault may be called. 20.10. A ball touching the top of the net and travelling to the opponent court must be replayed if the ball has not travelled out. 20.11. A serve is deemed fault if the ball travels outside the vertical plane of the net. 20.12. Just before the initiation of a serve all non-serving players in the court have to take a position. No player can move about. Moving during the serve is a fault and the point goes to the opponent. 20.13. If it was noticed that a player was serving out of sequence all points obtained during the serve of the player is voided. The right player is called to serve and the game continues. 20.14. No team can call for replay after a player had completed his or her serve chance. All points obtained shall remain so. 20.15. A referee can stop a server as the ball was being served from the wrong side. In this case only the serve sides can be changed. 20.16. While serving the ball shall not touch any part of the hand between the wrist and elbow. Case-1: Is it necessary for the server to call the score every time when the ball is being served? Yes vide rule 7.9. Case-2: While serving the server had called an incorrect score that went unnoticed until after the point was played? Do we need to replay the point? No. If the receiving team agrees that the score was called wrong the play continues with the corrected score. Yes. If the receiving team disputes the score. In which case the point is replayed. Case-3: While serving a player in the serving team touches the net when the ball was in the air. Is it a fault? Yes. The serving team loses the serve point and the possession of the ball. Case-4: While serving a player in the receiving team touches the net when the ball was in the air. Is it a fault? Yes. The serving team receives the point immaterial of the outcome of the serve. Case-5: While serving the hat or goggles of a member of the servicing side falls to the ground. Is it a fault? No. The receiving side can ask for a replay if they consider that the falling of the object seems to have hindered their game. Case-6: While serving the hat or goggles of a member of the receiving side falls to the ground. Is it a fault? No. The serving side can ask for a replay if they consider that the falling of the object seems to have hindered their game. Case-7: In the 2nd set the playing for the opening serve it was identified that the opening serve should have be done by the other team. The referee stopped the game corrected the serve error. The team that lost the point demanded a replay. Is it a valid demand? No. As per rule 12.3 the receivers of the 1st set should have opened in the 2nd set. If this was not done and the error was noticed at the end of the first point the referee, as per rule 20.15, shall correct the error. The obtained points stay. Case-8: In the situation mentioned in Case-7, is the player on the receiving side, who had already made the 1st point serve, allowed to start again? For example, player A of team-1 opened the 2nd set. After obtaining the 1st point referee ordered team-2 to open the set and ruled that team-1 can retain the 1st point. When it was team-1’s chance to serve, team-1 wanted to pitch player-A to serve again. Is this correct? Yes. Player-A can perform the serve once more. 21. CHANGE OF COURT SIDES 21.1. In first and second sets the teams switches court sides only at the end of the set. 21.2. In set-3, team switches court sides after every 5 points. 21.3. The interval between each switch lasts 5 minutes in between sets. In the 3rd set the interval is 1 minute between every 5 points. 21.4. Just before the beginning of the 3rd set (deciding set) the referee carries out a coin toss. 21.5. During court switches the teams must change immediately without delay. 21.6. If the court switch was not carried out at the proper time, the switch shall take place as soon as the error was discovered. All points scored till then remain so. Case-1: When the ball was in play it was determined that there should have been a change in sides. Should the play be stopped? No. The play shall continue and appropriate switch made immediately after playing the point to its completion. Case-2: After playing for 5 more points it was noticed that a side switch was skipped. Should a side switch take place now? Yes, and moving forward, until the set is completed. Case-3: It was noticed that the side switch was not made at the beginning of the 2nd set, well after the set began. Should we continue the play? No. The side switch shall take place immediately after the point is played. 22. MISCONDUCT 22.1. Inappropriate conduct is classified into four types of categories: (i) Unsportsmanlike conduct: Argumentation, intimidation, irritant behavior that causes disturbance to other players (ii) Rude conduct: Acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, expressing contempt (iii) Offensive conduct: Defamatory or insulting words or gestures (iv) Aggression: Physical attack or intended aggression 22.2. According to the degree of inappropriate behavior the sanctions are applied in the following manner and recorded in the score sheet: a) Warning for unsportsmanlike conduct b) Penalty for rude conduct c) Expulsion for the remaining of the set for offensive conduct d) Disqualification for aggression for the rest of the match 22.3. A fourth warning in a set will be a penalty. 22.4. Three penalties in a set can lead to expulsion. 22.5. Sanctions are cumulative in nature only within an individual set. 22.6. Based on the conduct any sanctions can be applied in any order. 22.7. Rule 22.2 is applicable before and in-between sets. 23. INTERRUPTIONS 23.1. The first referee, the organizer or the control committee can interrupt a game (in the middle of a play) because of any unforeseen circumstances. 23.2. A suspended game will be resumed by repeating the serve. Scoring resumes with the points scored up to the beginning of the suspension. 23.3. In a set a referee may call for more than one suspension. Play resumes with the obtained scores. Exception is rule 23.5. 23.4. The sum total of all suspension time should not exceed 4 hours. 23.5. If the sum total of all suspended periods exceeds 4 hours the entire match needs to be replayed with a fresh score sheet. 23.6. An injury cannot be a cause for suspension of a game. 23.7. Under no circumstances a play can be delayed for a player to recover strength or breadth. 23.8. Any external interference that affects the concentration of a player may be called as an interruption by the referee. In such situation the referee shall call a replay. External interference includes but not limited to calls from audience, an object falling into the court, phone rings, rain and halt from the opponent player. Case-1: During the game a suspension of 15 minutes was called by the referee as one of the officials was hurt? Will this time be accounted in the 4 hours total? No. Case-2: During the game a suspension of 10 minutes was called by the referee as there was an argument? Will this time be accounted in the 4 hours total? Yes. Multiple occurrences of such delays can lead to penalties imposed on the team. See rule 22.3. Case-3: A referee called a suspension of play because of an injury to a player. Will this suspension time be accounted for in the 4 hours total? No. A decision is to be taken in 5 minutes by the referee (rule-11.4). 24. TIMEOUTS 24.1. A timeout is deemed to be an interruption. 24.2. A timeout lasts for 30 seconds. 24.3. Each team is entitled to have four timeouts in a set. 24.4. Timeouts may be requested by the players or the coach of the team. 24.5. Timeouts can be requested only when the ball is out of play and in-between service. 24.6. Intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games, shall be allowed in all matches. Case-1: It was noticed that a team prolonged a timeout period? Is this admissible? No. A prolonged timeout is a cause of delay. A warning shall be issued to the team by the referee. Multiple sanctions may be cumulated and treated as per rule 22. 25. OFFICIALS AND APPEALS 25.1. The Referee is in overall charge of the match. 25.2. The referee is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds. The referee shall report to the organizers and the committee. 25.3. The service judge shall call service faults made by the server should they occur. 25.4. The line judge shall indicate whether a ball landed ‘in’ or ‘out’. 25.5. The service and line official’s decision are final on all points for which that official is responsible. 25.6. The referee shall uphold and enforce the laws of throw ball. 25.7. The referee shall call a fault or replay should either occur. 25.8. The referee shall give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered. 25.9. The referee can call the scores instead of the server. 25.10. The referee can appoint or remove service or line judges. 25.11. The referee can officiate for a service or line judge. 25.12. The referee can call for a suspension of play to discuss with the organizers or committee on a matter of dispute. 25.13. The referee shall keep everyone informed of the progress of the game. Case-1: During the game, on a matter of dispute, the referee suspended the game for 15 minutes. Is this suspended time recorded and becomes part of the 4 hours period (as per rule 23.4)? Yes. COURT LAYOUT
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