Rules Of Sports

[steve samurai jack]

Rules Of Sport

American Football Rules

* Games last for four 15 minute quarters. A 2 minute break between the 1st & 2nd and 3rd & 4th quarters is had along with a 15 minute rest between 2nd and 3rd quarters (half time).
* Each team has 4 downs to gain 10 or more yards. They can either throw or run the ball to make the yards. As soon as the team gains the required yards then the downs reset and the yardage resets. Failure to make the yardage after 4 downs will result in a turnover.
* There are hundreds of different plays that players can run on any down. Plays are made up by the teams and often have players running all over the place (routes) in what is essentially organised chaos. The head coach or quarter back calls the on field plays for the attacking team whilst the defensive captain calls the plays for the defensive team.
* At the start of every game is the coin toss to decide which team receives the ball first and which side of the pitch they want to start from.
* The game begins with a kick-off where one team punts the ball down field for the other team to then run back with the ball as far as possible.
* On fourth down the offence has the option to either try to make up the yards they are short or to kick the ball. If they decide to kick they have two options; to punt or to try for a field goal. Depending on their position on the pitch will usually dictate their paly. Anything within 40 yards or so of the opposition’s goal posts will result in a field goal attempt. Further back will likely mean they take the punt option.


Basketball Rules

* Each team can have a maximum of 5 players on the court at any one time. Substitutions can be made as many times as they wish within the game.
* The ball can only be moved by either dribbling (bouncing the ball) or passing the ball. Once a player puts two hands on the ball (not including catching the ball) they cannot then dribble or move with the ball and the ball must be passed or shot.
* After the ball goes into a team’s half and they win possession back the ball must then make it back over the half way line within 10 seconds. If the ball fails to do so then a foul will be called and the ball will be turned over.
* Each team has 24 seconds to at least shot at the basket. A shot constitutes either going in the basket or hitting the rim of the basket. If after the shot is taken and the ball fails to go in the basket then the shot clock is restarted for another 24 seconds.
* The team trying to score a basket is called the offence whilst the team trying to prevent them from scoring is called the defence. The defence must do all they can to stop the offence from scoring by either blocking a shot or preventing a shot from being fired.
* After each successful basket the ball is then turned over to the opposition.
* Fouls committed throughout the game will be accumulated and then when reached a certain number will be eventually be awarded as a free throw. A free throw involves one playerfrom the offensive team (the player fouled) to take a shot unopposed from the free throw line. Depending on where the foul was committed will depend on the number free throws a player gets.
* Violations in basketball include travelling (taking more than one step without bouncing the ball), double dribble (picking the ball up dribbling, stopping then dribbling again with two hands), goaltending (a defensive player interferes with the ball travelling downwards towards the basket) and back court violation (once the ball passes the half way line the offensive team cannot take the ball back over the half way line).

 

[steve samurai jack]

Archery Rules

* Archers must adhere to all official rules in terms of the equipment they use in the performance of their sport, with the main emphasis being on them using no equipment or accessories that would give an unfair advantage over an opponent.

* The maximum time permitted to shoot an end of three arrows is two minutes, and four minutes for an end of six arrows.

* Athletes may not raise the bow arm until the signal to start is given and penalties can be given – in the form of points forfeits – if the bow is drawn after the official practice has been closed.

* An arrow cannot be re-shot under any circumstances. The arrow may be considered not to have been shot if it falls from the bow or misfires, or if the target blows or falls over. Extra time would be given in such circumstances.

* An arrow that rebounds or hangs from the target will still score based on the mark it makes on the target face. Arrows that stick – Robin Hood-style – in the nock of another shall score the same as the arrow in which they are embedded.

* Athletes can be disqualified, have points deducted or be banned from competition for various breaches of rules, based on the severity of the offence.

* If equipment is damaged, appeals can be made to the judge for such equipment to be replaced or fixed, and any time allowances will be at the judge’s discretion.


Aussie Rules Football Rules

* Umpires signal for all decisions and their call is final

* By kicking the ball between the goal posts without it being touched by any other player, then 6 points are awarded. If the ball is kicked without being touched between the behind posts (point) then 1 point is scored.

* A game consist of four 20 minute quarters.

* The game starts with ruck. This is where the umpire throws the ball into the air and one player from each team will try and tap the ball to their team. After a goal has been scored the game will be restarted with the same way as at the beginning of the game.

* The only way you can pass the ball is to hand ball. For this to happen the ball must be placed in the palm of the hand and then the ball struck with the butt of the other hand clenched into a fist. You cannot throw or slap the ball to perform a successful pass.

* A player can ‘mark’ the ball when they receive it. This can happen one of three ways; the player catches the ball without the ball bouncing, the player catches the ball after it has travelled over 10 metres or the player catches the ball before it’s been touched in the air. Once marked the player cannot then be tackled. If a tackle occurs or an opponent steps over the mark then a foul will be called and the team with the ball will advance 15 metres down the field.

* Players can tackle opponents to try and win back the ball. A player can only be tackled from shoulder height downwards.

* If a player is tackled and refuses to let go of the ball then holding the ball will be called by the umpire and possession will be turned over.

* Players are permitted to block their opposition by shepherding players away from the ball. This can only be done within 5 metres of the ball.

* Players are omitted from pushing their opponents in the back either whilst they are running or whilst in a tackle.

 

[steve samurai jack]

Badminton Rules

* A game can take place with either two (singles) or four (doubles) players.
* An official match has to be played indoors on the proper court dimensions. The dimensions are 6.1m by 13.4m, The net is situated through the middle of the court and is set at 1.55m.
* To score a point the shuttlecock must hit within the parameters of the opponents court.
* If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands out then a point is awarded to your opponent.
* Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent. As points are won then serving stations move from one side to the other. There are no second serves so if your first serve goes out then your opponent wins the point.
* A serve must be hit underarm and below the servers waist. No overarm serves are allowed.
* Each game will start with a toss to determine which player will serve first and which side of the court the opponent would like to start from.
* Once the shuttlecock is ‘live’ then a player may move around the court as they wish. They are permitted to hit the shuttlecock from out of the playing area.
* If a player touches the net with any part of their body or racket then it is deemed a fault and their opponent receives the point.
* A fault is also called if a player deliberately distracts their opponent, the shuttlecock is caught in the racket then flung, the shuttlecock is hit twice or if the player continues to infract with the laws of badminton.
* Each game is umpired by a referee on a high chair who overlooks the game. There are also line judges who monitor if the shuttlecock lands in or not. The referee has overriding calls on infringements and faults.
* Let may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental circumstance arose. These may include the shuttlecock getting stuck in the bet, server serving out of turn, one player was not ready or a decision which is too close to call.
* The game has only two rest periods coming the form of a 90 second rest after the first game and a 5 minute rest period after the second game.
* If the laws are continuously broken by a player then the referee holds the power to dock that player of points with persisting fouls receiving a forfeit of the set or even the match.


Rules of Beach Volley Ball

* Players are allowed to touch the ball three times maximum before they return it across the court – blocks included.
* There are a number of moves and hits that are classed as illegal in Beach Volleyball, including “hand touches”, “tips” and “dinks”.
* Players are permitted to cross below the net in Beach Volleyball – but this will be classed as a foul if it tampers or interferes with the opposing team's play.
* There is no set position for players, meaning they can move to any part of the court they wish at any time – provided it is on their side.

 

[steve samurai jack]

Beer Pong Rules

* Once the teams have been arranged, the team to go first must be decided. This can be done in several ways but is usually done by a coin toss or a quick game of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’.
* An equilateral triangle of cups (10 or 15) is arranged in front of each team and an agreed amount of beer (or other alcoholic drink) is placed in each cup. Each team will also have another cup for personal use to rinse the ping pong ball.
* The team to go first then each throws a ping pong ball towards their opponents cups. If one or both of the balls successfully land in an opposition team member’s cup, then an opposition team member must drink the contents of that cup and the cup is then removed from play.
* The teams continue to take turns until the one team has eliminated all of the opposition team’s cups.
* Should both teams eliminate their opposition's final cup on their final turn, then the game is tied. In this instance, 3 cups are re racked and overtime begins, the winner being the first to eliminate all of the opposition's cups. Further rounds of overtime will take place if further draws take place until a clear winner is found.
* Shooting in Beer Pong may be done either underarm or overarm and the player may try and bounce the ball into the cup or throw it in directly.
* Care should always be taken when playing Beer Pong and all players should drink responsibly.


Billiards Rules

* A cannon: This is where the cue ball is struck so that it hits the red and other cue ball (in any order) on the same shot. This scores two points.
* A pot: This is when the red ball is struck by the player's cue ball so that the red ends up entering a pocket. This scores three points. If the player’s cue ball strikes the other cue ball resulting it going down the pocket, then this scores two points.
* In-off: This occurs when a player strikes their cue ball, hitting another ball and then entering a pocket. This scores three points if the red was the first ball hit and two points if it was the other player’s cue ball hit first.

 

[steve samurai jack]

Bobsleighing Rules


Every bobsleigh vehicle has limitations on weight (including crew members) for an Olympic games race. The regulations are as follows:

Four-Man Race: 630kg
Two-Man Race: 390 kg
Two-Woman Race: 340kg


Bossaball Rules

Bossaball is a relatively new sport and was derived from Spain in 2004. Since then the sport has gone on to have international acclaim with countries such as Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Kuwait, Ecuador and Saudi Arabia all have very successful Bossaball teams. Whilst international competitions are limited, teams from respected countries travel the world to try and raise awareness of the sport.

* Teams consist of 3-5 players and a mix of male and female players are permitted.
* Serves can be made using any part of the body as long as they are ‘creative’.
* You can hit the ball once using your hands and twice using your feet or head when the ball is on your side of the court before a team mate must then hit the ball.
* A team can hit the ball up to 5 times before they must try and get the ball into their opponents half.
* Games have no time limit and can only be won by reaching 25 points and by two clear games. Best of 3 or 5 sets are usually in operation.
* After each point teams rotate their positions clockwise so that a different person is on the trampoline section each time.

 

[steve samurai jack]

Bull Riding Rules
Bull Riding is a sport that can trace its roots back to ancient times with contests to tame bulls going back to the classical age with the Minoans being particular fans of this type of activity. However,

* The bull rope: This is what the rider holds onto whilst riding the bull. Made of braided rope or another substance, it is adjustable depending upon the size of the bull and is how the rider attempts to control the bull and hold on.
* Gloves: Because rope can burn hands in the extremely frenetic sport of bull riding, each rider wears leather gloves to prevent this and they can also provide an extra sense of grip too.
* Boots: Cowboy boots are essential, as their spurs can help keep the rider balanced whilst on the bull and they can also use them to ‘spur’ the bull into action in an attempt to score more style points from the judges.
* Chaps: These are worn on the legs and provide protection and prevent chaffing whilst being thrown about on the bull.
* Helmets: Helmets are not required at most adult level competitions but are required at junior level rodeos. However, more and more riders are beginning to wear them.


Rules of Cricket
Cricket is a sport that has been tracked back to the early 16th century and has been a popular ever since. The pinnacle of the international game comes in the form of the Cricket World Cup.

* Each team is made up of 11 players.
* The bowler must bowl 6 legal deliveries to constitute an over.
* A game must have two umpires stood at either end of the wicket. The umpires then must count the number of balls in the over, make decisions on whether the batsmen is out after an appeal and also check that the bowler has bowled a legal delivery.
* A batsmen can be given out by either being bowled ( the ball hitting their stumps), caught (fielder catches the ball without it bouncing), Leg Before Wicket (the ball hits the batsmen’s pads impeding its line into the stumps), stumped (the wicket keeper strikes the stumps with their gloves whilst the batsmen is outside of their crease with ball in hand), hit wicket (the batsmen hits their own wicket), Handled ball ( the batsmen handles the cricket ball on purpose), timed out (the player fails to reach the crease within 30 seconds of the previous batsmen leaving the field), hit ball twice (batsmen hits the cricket ball twice with their bat) and obstruction ( the batsmen purposely prevents the fielder from getting the ball).
* Test cricket is played over 5 days where each team has two innings (or two chances to bat).
* The scores are then cumulative and the team with the most runs after each innings is the winner.
* One Day cricket in played with 50 overs. Each team has 50 overs to bat and bowl before swapping and doing the previous discipline. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
* International games will have a further two umpires known as the third and fourth umpire. These are in place to review any decisions that the on field umpires are unable to make.
* The fielding team must have one designated wicket keeper who is the only person allow to wear pads and gloves on the field. The wicket keeper stands behind the opposite end to the bowler to catch the ball.

 

[steve samurai jack]

Rules of Wiffle Ball
Wiffleball is a simplified version of the game of baseball that is designed to be a miniature version of the game that is suitable to be played both indoor and outdoors, often in confined spaces.

• Wiffle Ball teams can number between 1 and 10 players
• To decide who bats and who fields, a coin should be tossed or some other way of deciding should be done such as a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
• Each batter faces three balls from the pitcher, and must attempt to hit the ball into one of the scoring zones.
• Failure to hit the ball within these three pitches will result in the batter being out.
• Unlike baseball, there is no stealing bases, and movement between bases can only be done on a scoring shot.
• Hitting the ball into the single zone enables the player to advance one base, hitting into the double zone enables them to advance two bases, and a triple three bases. Hitting past the triple zone is a home run.
• Every player who makes it round the bases scores a run for the team.
• There are two ways to be out in Wiffle Ball. Being caught out or swinging and missing three times.
• An innings is up once all the batters have had their turn or if three are ‘out’. It is then the opposition’s turn for their innings.
• Each team shall have an agreed number of innings, usually 6, although another number can be agreed between two teams. Games may also be played in a set time limit, often 55 minutes.
• At the end of the game, the winner is the team with the most runs. Some leagues allow drawn games where the points are split, but most leagues and informal games will have another innings for each team, with the team scoring the most runs in this being declared the winner.

Water Polo Rules
The game of Water Polo originated in Britain and it was one of the original sports featured at the the first ever modern Olympic Games in 1900.

• The playing area is 30m x 20m with a minimum depth of 2m.
• Teams consist of 13 players in total, with 7 players in play at any time, 6 field players and 1 goalie.
• Players are only permitted to use one hand to hold the ball apart from the goalie who can use two hands when within 5m of their own goal.
• Water Polo is played in four quarters with each quarter lasting for eight minutes with a two minute break between quarters.
• Players advance the ball upfield by swimming with the ball in front of them or by passing to teammates.
• Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool and players tread water or swim for the entire match.
• Teams can only retain the ball for up to 30 seconds without shooting at goal.
• A goal is equal to one point and is scored when the ball is pushed or thrown completely between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
• Fouls are made up of ordinary fouls and major fouls. Players are only allowed three major fouls, any more and they are excluded out of the game.
• If at the end of the game the score remains tied, a shootout occurs to decide the winner.