The Court
- For Rings, the Pitt’s walls are adjusted to create a 50X50m court.
- Vertical rings are placed on all four walls of the pit, The walls are adjusted to the same 60degree angle, leaning outward.
- The Field is divided into quadrants with a large X dividing the field of play.
- There is a 6ft circle at the middle of the court known as the neutral ground, where most penalties do not apply.
- The playing surface is a hard rubber with only slight give, the walls are covered with the same material.
- Each team has 2 rings on opposite walls, four in all. For neutral courts, the walls are painted BLUE and WHITE with RED lines dividing the quads, as they are casually called.
- The Rings are usually RED as well.
- The colors of the court are adjusted in leagues where teams have their own home court, that can be decorated in team colors.
Equipment
- Rings is played with a 18CM round ball.
- The ball is YELLOW with 2 BLACK stripes dividing it into quadrants just like the court. There are 4 small circles, one in each quadrant representing the 4 rings on the court.
Rules
- Rings is played between 2 teams of 6 players. Each team can have as many as 15 on their roster.
- players attempt to move the ball through a ring, 24CM in diameter.
- only 2 attempts to score on a ring are allowed at a time, the team must move to the opposite ring after 2 failed attempts.
- The Rings are positioned vertically and a score can be made from either side.
- Each score is worth 3 points.
- The ball can be carried for only 10 steps at a time, then it must be passed or dribbled.
- If the ball crosses out of the quad of the team in possession they must revert to the opposite ring for their next scoring attempt.
- The center circle is considered neutral territory, no penalties apply within the circle.
- A change of sides or possession must pass through the neutral area before another shot can be attempted.
- Each game starts with the visiting team taking possession from the center circle of the court where the quads meet. The ball is in play until one team scores or the end of each period.
- After each score the other team takes possession back at the center circle.
- The game is played in four 12min quarters.
- Only six players are allowed on the court at time, but new players can enter at any moment, so long as the player they are replacing comes off first.
- In the case of an injury the new player is allowed to help the injured player off before he joins the action.
- A defensive player is allowed to body block; knocking an opponent down with his body, without grabbing. A grab is a tackle, which is illegal.
Penalties
- A player charged with a major penalty is confined the to neutral ground for a period of 90secs.
- Major penalties are personal fouls; clipping, tripping, tackling, kicking, punching, elbows or body blocks and poor conduct
- Clipping: when a player pushes an opponent from behind
- Tripping: when a player tries to take an opponents feet from beneath him.
- Tackling: grabbing and pulling a player anywhere on the body. A full take down tackle results in a doubled penalty.
- Kicking: when a player strikes an opponent with his foot or leg.
- Punching: when a players uses a hand or fist to ward off an opponent.
- Elbows: when a player strikes an opponent with an elbow.
- Poor Conduct: Any conduct deemed inappropriate by the official, up to an including arguing calls, attacking an opponent or teammate and instigating disputes with fans.
- A player penalized to the neutral ground can still participate in plays that move into that area. He can receive passes, and pass the ball to other players on the court. But he can not move out of the circle until his time is up.
Lesser penalties are punished with a loss of possession, or a reset of the current possession. Those include; extra steps, grabbing, blocking the ring, impedement, face blocking, spitting.
Uniforms/ Equipment:
- A moderate sized helmet is optional, but not required.
- Small shoulder pads, and arm guards extending to the elbow are mandatory.
- Some players wear torso padding as well, to protect ribs and abdomens.
- Thigh and knee pads are optional.
- The uniforms are made up of knee length pants, usually loose fitting.
- Shin padded socks, stripped with team colors.
- Short sleeved jerseys fitted to accommodate the pads beneath.
