Article III -- Footbag Net

Notice: This version of the IFC Rules of Footbag Sports is out of date. Please click here to see the new online version of the Official Rules of Footbag Sports (which is now being translated into multiple languages!). Article III - Footbag Net Comment: Footbag net is a court game played either one-on-one or two-on-two (singles or doubles) over a 5 ft. net. It combines basic kicks, serves, spikes and digs. Each player or team attempts to score points while serving. In singles play, two kicks are allowed per side. In doubles play, three kicks are allowed per side and players (teammates) must alternate contacts. The court is 20 ft. wide and a total of 44 ft. in length, with the net dividing the court into two 22 ft. deep courts. The court is also divided down the center to form four equal serving quadrants. Outline of Contents: 301. Interpretation 302. Field of Play 302.01. Court Dimensions 302.02. Net Height 302.03. Court Surface 302.04. Boundary Lines 302.05. Footbag Net Equipment 302.06. Line Width 303. Rules of Play 303.01. Preliminary Procedures A. Choice of Footbag B. Footbag Dimensions C. Coin Toss D. Ready for Service E. Changing Sides 303.02. General A. Live Footbag B. Legal Kicks C. Player Classification D. Doubles 303.03. Service A. Hand Toss B. Service Rotation C. Server Rotation D. Scoring E. Partner Position F. Support Leg Position 303.04. Scoring A. Point B. Side Out C. Game D. Match 303.05. Scorekeeper Responsibilities A. Scoring B. Service Rotation C. Net Serves D. Line Calls E. Delay of Game F. Crowd Control G. Arbitration H. Replays I. Injury Time-Outs J. Line Judges K. Out-of-Bounds 303.06. Time-Outs A. Number Allowed B. Duration C. Injury Time-Outs D. Penalty 303.07. Out-of-Bounds Play 303.08. Fouls A. Consecutive Foul B. Delay Foul C. Net Equipment Foul D. Net Plane Foul E. Receiving Foul F. Service Line Foul G. Total Kick Foul H. Upper Body Foul I. Delay of Game Foul 304. Tournament Procedures 304.01. Seeding A. Tournament Contributions B. Points C. Timing D. Criteria 304.02. Double Elimination Play A. Movement in brackets B. Game Length C. Consolation Brackets 304.03. Pool Format Play A. Movement in pools B. Ditribution in pools C. Game Length D. Subsequent Rouns E. Consolation Brackets 305. Glossary 306. Pool (Round Robin) Example 307. Double Elimination Bracket Example 301. Interpretation: The purpose of the following rules is to provide guidelines to best describe how footbag net is played. Since its inception, footbag net has relied on good sportsmanship and fair play by all players. Therefore, the players have a basic responsibility to play within the regulations set forth and to have mutual respect for all opponents and fellow players. Violations of the player's basic responsibilities may result in penalties and disqualification by the tournament director. 302. Field of Play: 302.01. Court Dimensions: The footbag net court dimensions are the same for both singles and doubles play. The court dimensions are 20 feet in width divided in half by the center line and 44 feet in length divided in half by the net, making four equal serving quadrants. For each side, the right hand serving quadrant will be considered the "even" side, and the left hand serving quadrant will be considered the "odd" side. FIGURE 1: NET COURT DIMENSIONS 302.02. Net Height: The net height is five feet and is measured at center court. (A net mesh of one inch is recommended so that the footbag may not pass through.) 302.03. Court Surface: The footbag net court may consist of or have any type surface. Well-trimmed grass is suggested. The surface must be essentially flat and free of holes and obstructions. A player's safety must be a determining factor when laying courts. Use of gym floor tape and/or existing court lines is recommended for laying indoor courts. 302.04. Boundary Lines: The boundary lines surrounding the court are part of the court and are played in-bounds. If the footbag touches any part of the line, the shot is played as a good shot. In the absence of line judges, if a player (team) cannot see the footbag out, the shot must be called in. 302.05. Footbag Net Equipment: Touching any part of the net equipment such as the net, stanchion and guide wires constitutes a foul. (See Foul Definitions, 308.08) 302.06. Line Width: All official line widths shall be 2". 303. Rules of Play: 303.01. Preliminary Procedures: A. Choice of Footbag: Prior to the start of play, players (teams) shall decide which footbag will be used in the game (match). In case of disagreement, tournament officials will provide a footbag. B. Footbag Dimensions: Footbags used in regulation footbag net play must fall within specifications set forth in Article 1, Section 106.01-D. C. Coin Toss: A flip of the coin will be used before the first game (and third game if necessary ) to determine service or side. The player (team) who wins the coin flip has the option to serve first or defend a court side. The player (team) who does not make the call of the coin toss in the first game calls the coin toss in the third game, if necessary. D. Ready for Service: Each person shall be in a ready position preparing for play by either standing in the proper receiving quadrant or standing behind the service line. Server must wait until receiver is ready. E. Changing Sides. Players (teams) switch sides before the second game of a match. In the third game of a match, or in a match of only one game, players switch sides at 6 points for a game played to 11, and they switch at 8 points for a game played to 15. 303.02. General: A. Live Footbag: The footbag is considered "live" beginning with the moment of contact by the server, and is considered "dead" as soon as the footbag touches the ground or anything beyond the court perimeter, drops below the net without going over it after a player or team has used the maximum allowable number of kicks, or a foul accurs, whichever comes first. Note: A Net Equipment Foul supersedes all other fouls, and may occur after the footbag would otherwise be declared dead (see 303.08-C). B. Legal Kicks: A kick is legal when the footbag is contacted with one continuous striking motion by a legal kicking surface. This includes double hits, rolls, and pushes, as long as a striking motion is used and the delay, double hit, or roll is clearly accidental. C. Player Classification: No player will be allowed to move down in division in the same tournament (using singles net as the standard). For instance, after playing singles footbag net in an advanced division, a player may not play doubles footbag net in a beginner division. D. Doubles: In doubles net play: Players will not be allowed to substitute for any reason once their first match of the tournament is in progress. 2. The use of arms to screen a shot is not allowed. Screening the serve, in any way, is not allowed. 303.03. Service: Each server has one chance to get a good serve into the proper receiving court (beginner classification is allowed two serve attempts). The serve is made from behind the service line of either the right-hand or left-hand court (see Service Rotation). If the serve hits the net, but still falls over the net and into the proper receiving court (a let serve), the server will be allowed a second serve. A let serve on the second attempt causes a side out. A. Hand Toss: The server must drop or toss the footbag into the air before kicking it over the net. B. Service Rotation: When the serving person's or team's score is zero or even, service is made from the right-hand court; when the serving person's or team's score is odd, service is made from the left-hand court. Service goes cross court, from server's left to receiver's left, or server's right to receiver's right. In doubles, the serving team switches courts as necessary for the server to be in the correct court. Receiving teams do not switch courts. C. Server Rotation: In doubles play, for each game of a match, the first team to serve chooses which player will begin service. After the first side out, the other team is also allowed to choose which player will serve first. For each subsequent side out of the game, service will rotate to each player in turn. In the second game of a multi-game match, the losing player or team serves first. A coin toss determines which team serves first in a third game. When no scorekeeper is present and a team has served out of order, the team loses the serve and any points gained during the out of service foul. All players resume correct positions on the court. D. Scoring: The server shall call the score before each serve. E. Partner Position: In doubles net play, the server's partner is required to stand inside his respective quadrant during the service. Screening of the serve by the server's partner is a foul. F. Support Leg Position: The support foot of the server must remain completely behind the boundaries (within sideline and centerline extensions) of the proper service quadrant until contact with the footbag has been made. 303.04. Scoring: A. Point: A point is awarded to the serving team only. A point is awarded when the receiving player or team fails to return the footbag over the net and in-bounds in the allotted number of kicks (2 for singles, 3 alternating kicks in doubles) or commits a foul (see 303.08). B. Side Out: Service shifts to the other player or team (a side out) when the serving player or team fails to serve into the proper service court, subsequently fails to return the footbag over the net and in-bounds in the allotted number of kicks, or commits a foul. C. Game: A game is the first player or team to score 15 points. At the tournament director's discretion, preliminary games may be to 11 points. Players must win by 2 points. D. Match: A match is the winner of two out of three possible games, except in consolation rounds or losers' bracket in double elimination tournaments when one game to 15 points makes a match. 303.05. Scorekeeper Responsibilities: Players may request non-biased scorekeepers or judges in any footbag net match. The responsibilities of the scorekeeper are as follows: A. Scoring: Call the score before each point. B. Service Rotation: Maintain service rotation and proper serving quadrant. C. Net Serves: Call all net serves. D. Line Calls: Rule on line calls only when asked by players or line judges. E. Delay of Game: Assess penalties for delays of game (See 303.08-I) F. Crowd Control: Maintain crowd control (noise and movement). G. Arbitration: Arbitrate player conflicts. H. Replays: Call for replays of points when necessary. I. Injury Time-Outs: Authorize injury time-outs. J. Line Judges: Be responsible for line judges when necessary. K. Out-of-Bounds: Maintain out-of-bounds around net court. 303.06. Time-Outs: A. Number Allowed: Three time-outs are permitted per team per match. No more than two time-outs per game are allowed. B. Duration: Maximum time-out allowed during a game is two minutes. Between games, a maximum time of three minutes is allowed. C. Injury Time-Outs: Injury time-outs may be called by the scorekeeper if necessary. D. Penalty: If any of the above time-out rules is violated, a foul will be assessed (see 303.08). 303.07. Out-of-Bounds Play: The footbag can be brought back into play from anywhere outside of the court boundaries, provided the footbag crosses the net over the inbounds court area into the opponents' court. When the footbag is kicked out-of-bounds behind the net line (towards the opponent's court), it must be initially returned back outside the net stanchion before crossing the net over the inbound court area. 303.08. Fouls: If a foul is committed by the serving team, the result is a side out. If a foul is committed by the receiving team, the result is a point for the serving team. Except for delay of game, a foul may only occur while the footbag is still "live" (See 303.02-A). A. Consecutive Foul: In singles net, when a player contacts the footbag more than two consecutive kicks. In doubles net, when a player contacts the footbag twice in a row. B. Delay Foul: When the footbag is delayed or stalled on the foot. C. Net Equipment Foul: When any part of the body touches the net, the guide wires of the stanchions, or the stanchions themselves. For the purposes of a Net Equipment Foul, a point lasts 3 seconds after the footbag has been declared dead (according to 303.02-A). D. Net Plane Foul: When a player touches the opponent while breaking the plane of the net (above or below the net). E. Receiving Foul: In doubles net, when a player receives the serve out-of-order, a point is awarded to the serving team. F. Service Line Foul: When the support foot of the server touches the service line or beyond before contacting the footbag on the serve. When the support foot is outside the sideline or center line extension. G. Total Kick Foul: In singles net, when the footbag is contacted more than twice or in doubles net when the footbag is contacted more than three times before it is returned over the net. H. Upper Body Foul: When the footbag comes in contact with any part of the upper body or clothing. Upper body is defined as the kneecap and above. I. Delay of Game Foul: When a time-out exceeds its allotted time (see 303.06-B). J. Interference Under Net Foul: When player contacts the footbag under the net on the opponent's side of the net before the bag has been declared dead (303.02-A). 304. Tournament Procedures: Comment: The tournament director is responsible for determining seeding, and defines the tournament format. The following guidelines are suggested: 304.01. Seeding: Seeding will be used in all IFPA sanctioned events to categorize the top players in singles and doubles net play. A. Tournament contributions: Seeding for each category is based upon the number of people a player has finished above in the previous year in that category, plus the results of the previous two annual tournaments of the event that is currently being seeded. B. Points accumulation: One point, plus 1 for singles or plus 2 for doubles, will be awarded for each person a player finishes above in each category. Example: If 14 people entered a singles net competition, 1st place would get 14 points, 2nd place 13 points, 3rd place 12 points, and so on until the last place finisher gets 1 point; If 5 teams entered a doubles net event, each 1st place player would get 10 points, each 2nd place 8 points, and so on. C. Submission of results for seeding: Results from all IFPA-sanctioned events should be sent within two weeks after event to: James Harley, Net Committee Member (see IFC Roster, pp. VI-VII) and should include the following: Name and date(s) of event; Results from all events down to last place; Scores of all matches played during the event. D. Timing: The rankings will be updated when results from sanctioned events that meet seeding requirements are received. E. Availability of seedings: Tournament directors should request the latest seeding results 2 weeks before an event, to be sent free-of-charge. Anyone may request the latest copy of seeding/ranking points; a small fee will be charged to cover printing and mailing costs. Direct requests to James Harley (refer to the IFC Member list for information). F. Criteria: The ranking system will be used only to advise tournament directors in seeding. It should not be the only criteria used in seeding. Other criteria should include: Recent tournament performances; Tournaments not attended; Individual match records. G. Usage of seeding: All players/teams shall be ranked and assigned a seeding number before competition begins. This seeding number will be referred to as their initial seeding and will be based on the best information available to the Tournament Director. Players will be distributed into the appropriate seed slots in brackets or pools based upon thier seed. 304.02. Double-Elimination Competitive Format: (see bracket examples, pp. 22-23) A. Movement in Brackets: In a double elimination format, a player's first loss puts a player into the "losers' bracket". Such a player can continue to advance until his next loss. Ultimately, the winner in the losers' bracket faces the winner of the winners' bracket in the finals. The winners' bracket finalist has the advantage because he has not lost, and can win the event in one match. If the losers' bracket finalist wins the match, then the two players or teams are tied and another match is played to determine the winner of the event. B. Game Length: In a double elimination format, the winners' bracket is normally played with matches being the best 2 out of 3 games to 11 points. However, the final four matches in an event (finals, finals of the winners' bracket, and the last two matches in the losers' bracket) are played best 2 out of 3 games to 15 points. In the losers' bracket, matches are a single game to 15 points, except for the last two as noted above. This shorter game length expedites the losers' bracket, which has more matches and can take longer to play. The tie-breaking match of the event (in case the losers' bracket finalist wins the first match against the winners' bracket finalist), may also be a single game to 15 points. C. Consolation Brackets: In a consolation bracket format, the loser(s) in the first (and perhaps second) round go into a consolation bracket. They can advance in this bracket until their next loss. The winner of the consolation bracket, however, does not face the winner of the winners' bracket. Instead, they are simply the winner of the consolation bracket. 304.03. Pool Format: A. Movement in Pools: In pool format, players/teams are divided into pools, and tournament play consists of a number of rounds where the top 2 players /teams advance to the next round (or, more commonly, single-elimination playoff brackets). Play within a pool is round-robin; each player/team plays each other player/team. Pools should be run as follows: B. Distribution in pools: Players will be distributed into pools based on their initial seeding. Pool sizes should be limited to 3, 4, and 5 with 4 being the optimal number. Pool sizes of 3 should only be used when there are more than 5 and less than 8 players/teams. See examples on p. 21. C. Game Length: All matches within a pool will be best two-out-of-three games to 11 points. D. Subsequent round(s): A player's/team's match record shall determine her/their seeding in the next round of play. Where there is a tie, initial seeding will determine who gets seeded higher in the next round (or bracket play). The following stipulations apply: If a player/team is 2nd in the pool, she/they shall be seeded no higher than x+1 nor lower than 2x, where x equals the number of pools; If two players/teams in a pool have the same match record, the player/team that won the head-to-head match between them shall be awarded the higher place in the pool; In the rare event of a 3-way tie in the pool with the head-to-head match results forming a circle, the following criteria shall be used (in order) to determine the highest-placed player/team, with the next highest-placed player/team being determined by the head-to-head match between the remaining two: a) Highest ratio of total games won to total games lost in all games played in pool, including those played against the player/team not in the 3-way tie; b) Lowest number of total points allowed in all games won against the other two teams in the three-way tie; c) The odd person out in a three way fist-to-palm tie-breaking ritual, officiated by the tournament director. E. Consolation Brackets: In a consolation pool/bracket format, the loser(s) of the second or subsequent (usually single-elimination) round go into a consolation bracket to determine relative placement and future seeding of those players. They can advance in this bracket until their next loss. The winner of the consolation bracket, however, does not face the winner of any other bracket. Instead, they are simply the winner of that consolation bracket. 305. Glossary: Center Line Divides the length of the playing court in half to create the four equal quadrants. Coin Toss A coin toss at the beginning of the 1st and 3rd games to decide serve and side. Fault: An error incurred while serving: A. When serve does not land in proper receiving court. B. When two let serves occur successively. C. When player commits service-line foul. Let Serve A serve which hits the net and lands in the proper receiving quadrant. Server is allowed one more serve. Quadrant One of four 10 ft. X 22 ft. areas into which the footbag net court is divided. Receiving Player or Team The player or team that is on the receiving end of the serve. In doubles net, there must be a player in each quadrant and the team must receive serve in this order until side out. Receiving Rotation In doubles net, after the service rotation has been established, each receiving team member must be in the quadrant they were in during their team's last serve to receive the opposing team's serve. Screening Blocking an opponents vision in doubles net with the upper body. May also apply in blocking service (although screening the serve is a foul). Seeding The arrangement of the draw for footbag net events, so that the better players do not play against each other in early rounds. Serve Used to begin play. The server kicks the footbag from behind the service line into the receiving quadrant. Service Ace Occurs when receiving team fails to make contact with footbag landing inside the proper receiving quadrant. Service Line The back line from where the serve is initiated. Serving Team The team initiating play with a serve. Side Line The side boundary lines of the playing court. Side Out When the serving player or team fails to return the footbag over the net during play, creates a foul or fails to get a good serve into play. The opposing team becomes the serving team. 306. Double-Elimination Bracket Examples: Shown on the following pages are 5 to 8 person and 9 to 16 person brackets, with placements for each seed. If there are fewer players than bracket slots, fill the lowest seeds (highest numbers) with byes, and move the byes as you would a player that loses. If a division has more than 16 players, pool format is highly recommended. Figure 2: 5-8 person bracket Figure 3: 9-to-16 Person Double-Elimination Bracket 307. Pool Format (round robin) Worksheet Examples: If the number of players is not evenly divisible by 4, create as many 5-person pools as necessary (dotted lines and gray numbers) to accomodate the extras. Pool Competition Worksheet For 3 & 5 person pools, the game rotation is as follows: Example not currently available; check back!

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