Regular Season Rules

For Playoff Rules click here.

TEAMS
Teams will be comprised of four to eight players or fewer if necessary. Each team will play 4 balls per frame. If a team has 4 players participating in a frame, then each player will throw one ball each. If a team only has enough players for three at each end, then two of the players will roll 1 ball and one of the players will roll 2 balls. If a team only has enough players for two at each end, they would roll 2 balls each. At the end of each frame, the game resumes at the opposite end of the court.

FOUL LINES
There shall be one line for pointing and shooting. Players may step on but not over the foul line before releasing the pallino or ball.

STARTING THE GAME
Begin the game with a flip of a coin between the captains of each team. The winner of the coin flip will choose to either play first or the ball color. The toss is valid if the pallino passes the centerline and does not touch the backboard on the opposite end. If the player fails to place the pallino in the valid area, the opposing team will put the pallino in play. If both players fail, the pallino returns to the original team for an additional attempt. This alternating process continues until the pallino is in a valid position. The team that originally tossed the pallino will play the first ball.

THE GAME
The first ball may be rolled by any member of the team that originally threw the pallino. If the rolled ball hits the backboard without touching the pallino it is a dead ball and removed from the court. The same team must roll again and continue rolling until a valid point is established. Once the point is established, the opposing team must point or shoot until they make a new or closer point. Players may use the sideboards at any time. Balls can be measured at any time and in case of doubt an official referee or tournament official should be called. In the event a tie is determined, the last team to roll a ball must roll again until the tie is broken. If after all balls are played there is still a tie, no points are awarded and play resumes with the team last scoring tossing the pallino from the opposite end of the court. If a pallino gets stuck under the sideboard or backboard, the frame is dead and play begins at the opposite end. In the event an official moves a ball(s) during a measurement, the ball(s) are returned to approximate positions and the official will still make the call. If a member of a team currently playing measures and moves a ball, the point is awarded to the opposing team. In any case, the decision of a referee or official is final.

BACKBOARD
If a ball hits the backboard without first touching another ball or pallino, it is a dead ball and removed from the court. If a ball is shot and hits the backboard and then strikes a stationary ball(s), the shot ball is removed from the court and the stationary ball(s) are placed in their approximate original position(s). The pallino is always a valid target and remains in play even if it strike the backboard after being struck by any valid ball during a frame. If the pallino is knocked out of the court or bounces back in front of the centerline, the frame will begin again at the opposite end of the court. In the event ball(s) resting against the backboard are moved as a result of a valid shot, they remain in their new position. If they move as a result of an invalid shot, they are returned to their approximate positions.

SCORING
Only one team scores in a frame. One point is given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than the closest ball of the opposing team. Games are played to 13 points or whoever has the most points after 50 minutes. In the case of a tie after 50 minutes, there will be one more supplemental frame to decide the winner.

MOVEMENT OF BALLS OR PALLINO
Players should never touch or move any ball or pallino until the frame has ended. If a player moves a ball prior to the end of a frame (thinking play is over) and the balls cannot be accurately relocated to their positions, all remaining non-thrown balls of the non-offending team are counted as points. If the playing team commits the offense, all non-thrown balls of that team are voided and the frame is over.

BALL OR PALLINO STRIKING A PLAYER
If a player is in the court standing behind the point balls and pallino (In harms way or “downstream”) and is struck by a ball or pallino as a result of a shot, the opposite team has the Rule of Advantage. They can: 1) Leave all balls and pallino in the new configuration. 2) Remove the ball or pallino that struck their opponent from the court. If the pallino is removed from from the court the frame is over and play begins from the opposite end. 3) They can place the ball or pallino that struck their opponent anywhere on the court.

If a player is struck by a ball or pallino in a point attempt or lag, the Rule of Advantage applies no matter where the player was standing.

SHOOTING
Shooting is releasing the ball at ground level and slightly lofting the ball or rolling the ball in a forceful manner. Pointing is done with either foot or both feet before or on the foul line. A shot is valid as long as any part of the foot is on the foul line. When shooting, the player is allowed to step on the foul line prior to releasing the ball. As long as even the heel is on the line it is a valid shot. Once a player has released the ball he/she is allowed to continue steps up to the centerline. This is considered valid. All players should be out of the court if possible.

LATE ARRIVALS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
A team not present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start of the game will forfeit the game. A team may substitute during a game and it must be announced to the opposing team before the start of the next frame. Repeated “conferences” during a frame causing delays in the game are discouraged. If delays continue, the offended team captain should notify a tournament official. If the official issues a one-minute warning and delays continue, one of the offending player’s balls will be removed from the court.

GAME NOTES
Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players. Any time a player is in action, opposing players should be off the court or far behind the player if courts don’t have adequate space. If a player plays the wrong colored ball, simply replace it with the correct colored ball when it comes to rest. If a player commits a foot foul while in the act of pointing, or shooting, a warning is issued for the first offense. Should the same player foul again, the thrown ball is removed from play and all struck balls are returned to their approximate original positions. If a player rolls or shoots out of turn or plays more balls than allowed, the opposing team has two options. They can leave all balls as they rest or remove the thrown ball from play and return all other ball(s) to their previous positions.