Rulebook

The Laws of Crosseball

1 COURT AND COURT EQUIPMENT

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Diagram A

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1.1 The court shall be a rectangle marked out with lines 40 mm wide as marked in Diagram A.

1.2 The lines marking out the court shall be easily distinguishable and preferably be coloured white or yellow.

1.3 All the lines shall form part of the area which they define.

1.4 The posts shall be 1.55 meters in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained as provided in Law 1.10.

1.5 The posts shall be placed on the doubles side lines as in Diagram A irrespective of whether singles or doubles is being played. The posts or its supports shall not extend into the court beyond the sidelines.

1.6 The net shall be made of fine cord of dark colour and even thickness with a mesh of not less than 15 mm and not more than 20 mm.

1.7 The net shall be 760 mm in depth and at least 6.1 meters wide.

1.8 The top of the net shall be edged with a 75 mm white tape doubled over a cord or cable running through the tape. This tape shall rest upon the cord or cable.

1.9 The cord or cable shall be stretched firmly, flush with the top of the posts.

1.10 The top of the net from the surface of the court shall be 1.524 meters at the center of the court and 1.55 meters over the side lines for doubles.

1.11 There shall be no gaps between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the full depth of the net at the ends shall be tied to the posts.

2 TENNIS BALL

2.1 A typical tennis ball should weigh between 56-59.4 grams with a diameter of 6.54-6.86 centimeters. 

2.2 A tennis ball should be yellow or white in colour.

2.3 Subject to there being no variation in the general design, speed and flight of the ball, modifications in the above specifications may be made with the approval of the Member Association concerned.

3 LACROSSE STICK

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Diagram B

3.1 Each stick should have a soft mesh pocket and a plastic handle as depicted in Diagram B.

3.2 The length of the stick should be between 40 to 72 inches.

3.3 Soft mesh pocket can be made of any material as long as it allows to throw the ball without any obstruction.

4 EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE

4.1 The International Crosseball Association shall rule on any question of whether any lacrosse stick, tennis ball or equipment or any prototype used in the playing of Crosseball complies with the specifications. Such ruling may be undertaken on the Federation's initiative or on application by any party with a bona fide interest, including any player, technical official, equipment manufacturer or Member Association or member thereof.

5 TOSS

5.1 Before play commences, a toss shall be conducted and the side winning the toss shall exercise the choice in either Law 5.1.1 or 5.1.2:

5.1.1 to serve or receive first;

5.1.2 to start play at one end of the court or the other.

5.2 The side losing the toss shall then exercise the remaining choice.

6 SCORING SYSTEM

6.1 A match shall consist of the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged.

6.2 A game shall be won by the side which first scores 11 points, except as provided in Law 6.4 and 6.5.

6.3 The side winning a rally shall add a point to its score. A side shall win a rally, if the opposing side commits a "fault" or the ball ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the opponent's court.

6.4 If the score becomes 10-all, the side which gains a two point lead first, shall win that game.

6.5 If the score becomes 19-all, the side scoring the 20th point shall win that game.

6.6 The side winning a game shall serve first in the next game.

7 CHANGE OF ENDS

7.1 Players shall change ends:

7.1.1 at the end of the first game;

7.1.2 at the end of the second game, if there is to be a third game; and

7.1.3 in the third game when a side first scores 6 points.

7.2 If the ends are not changed as indicated in Law 7.1, it shall be done so as soon as the mistake is discovered and when the ball is not in play. The existing score shall stand.

8 SERVICE

8.1 In a correct service, the flight of the ball shall be upwards from the server's stick and be thrown overarm to pass over the net so that, if not intercepted, it shall land in the receiver's service court (i.e. on or within the boundary lines); and

8.1.1 neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and the receiver are ready for the service;

8.1.2 on completion of the backward movement of the server's stick head, any delay in the start of the service (Law 8.2), shall be considered to be an undue delay;

8.1.3 the server and the receiver shall stand within diagonally opposite service courts (Diagram A) without touching the boundary lines of these service courts;

8.1.4 some part of both feet of the server and the receiver shall remain in contact with the surface of the court in a stationary position from the start of the service (Law 8.2) until the service is delivered (Law 8.3);

8.1.5 the ball shall initially be in the mesh pocket of the stick;

8.1.6 the movement of the server's stick shall continue forwards from the start of the service (Law 8.2) until the service is delivered (Law 8.3);

8.2 Once the players are ready for the service, the first forward movement of the server's stick head shall be the start of the service.

8.3 Once started (Law 8.2), the service is delivered when the ball is thrown by the server's stick.

8.4 The server shall not serve before the receiver is ready. However, the receiver shall be considered to have been ready if a return of the service is attempted.

8.5 In doubles, during the delivery of service (Law 8.2, 8.3), the partners may take up any positions within their respective courts, which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.

9 SINGLES

9.1 Serving and receiving courts

9.1.1 The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective right service courts when the server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.

9.1.2 The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective left service courts when the server has scored an odd number of points in that game.

9.2 Order of play and position on court.

In a rally, the ball may be caught and thrown by the server and the receiver alternately, from any position on that player's side of the net, until the ball ceases to be in play (Law 14).

9.3 Scoring and serving

9.3.1 If the server wins a rally (Law 6.3), the server shall score a point. The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.

9.3.2 If the receiver wins a rally (Law 6.3), the receiver shall score a point. The receiver shall then become the new server.

10 DOUBLES

10.1 Serving and receiving courts

10.1.1 A player of the serving side shall serve from the right service court when the serving side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.

10.1.2 A player of the serving side shall serve from the left service court when the serving side has scored an odd number of points in that game.

10.1.3 The player of the receiving side who served last shall stay in the same service court from where he served last. The reverse pattern shall apply to the receiver's partner.

10.1.4 The player of the receiving side standing in the diagonally opposite service court to the server shall be the receiver.

10.1.5 The players shall not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.

10.1.6 Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from the service court corresponding to the serving side's score, except as provided in Law 11.

10.2 Order of play and position on court

10.2.1 After the service is returned, in a rally, the ball may be caught and thrown by either player of the serving side and either player of the receiving side alternately, from any position on that player's side of the net, until the ball ceases to be in play (Law 14).

10.3 Scoring and serving

10.3.1 If the serving side wins a rally (Law 6.3), the serving side shall score a point. The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.

10.3.2 If the receiving side wins a rally (Law 6.3), the receiving side shall score a point. The receiving side shall then become the new serving side.

10.4 Sequence of serving

In any game, the right to serve shall pass consecutively:

10.4.1 from the initial server who started the game from the right service court

10.4.2 to the partner of the initial receiver.

10.4.3 to the partner of the initial server

10.4.4 to the initial receiver,

10.4.5 to the initial server and so on.

10.5 No player shall serve or receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in Law 11 or when a fault for misconduct is called.

10.6 Either player of the winning side may serve first in the next game, and either player of the losing side may receive first in the next game.

11 SERVICE COURT ERRORS

11.1 A service court error has been made when a player:

11.1.1 has served or received out of turn; or

11.1.2 has served or received from the wrong service court;

11.2 If a service court error is discovered, the error shall be corrected when the ball is not in play and the existing score shall stand.

12 FAULTS 

It shall be a "fault":

12.1 if a service is not correct (Law 8.1);

12.2 if, in service, the ball:

12.2.1 is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;

12.2.2 after passing over the net, is caught in the net; or

12.2.3 is touched by the receiver's partner;

12.3 if in play, the ball:

12.3.1 lands outside the boundaries of the court (i.e. not on or within the boundary lines);

12.3.2 fails to pass over the net;

12.3.3 touches the ceiling or side walls;

12.3.4 touches the person or dress of a player;

12.3.5 touches any other object or person outside the court;

(Where necessary on account of the structure of the building, the local Crosseball authority may, subject to the right of veto of its Member Association, make bye-laws dealing with cases in which a ball touches an obstruction).

12.3.6 is held on the stick and then slung during the execution of a throw;

12.3.7 is touched twice in succession by the same player. However, a ball hitting the head and the mesh area of the stick in one catch and throw shall not be a "fault";

12.3.8 is touched by a player and the player's partner successively; or

12.3.9 touches a player's stick and does not travel towards the opponent's court;

12.3.10 in wheelchair Crosseball if the ball is:

12.3.10.1 caught on the net and remains suspended on top; or;

12.3.10.2 after passing over the net is caught in the net.

12.4 if, in play, a player:

12.4.1 touches the net or its supports with stick, person or dress;

12.4.2 invades an opponent's court over the net with stick or person except that the striker may follow the ball over the net with the stick in the course of a throw after the initial point of contact with the ball is on the striker's side of the net;

12.4.3 invades an opponent's court under the net with stick or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted; or

12.4.4 obstructs an opponent, i.e. prevents an opponent from making a legal catch or throw where the ball is followed over the net;

12.4.5 deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures;

12.5 if there is a gap of more than two seconds between the catch and the throw by the player;

12.6 if a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law 15;

12.7 if a player deliberately aims the throw at the opponent's body.

13 LETS

13.1 "Let" shall be called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play.

13.2 It shall be a "let”, if:

13.2.1 the server serves before the receiver is ready (Law 8.4);

13.2.2 during service, the receiver and the server are both faulted;

13.2.3 after the service is returned, the ball is:

13.2.3.1 caught on the net and remains suspended on its top, or

13.2.3.1.1 except in wheelchair Crosseball when it is a fault.

or

13.2.3.2 after passing over the net is caught in the net;

13.2.3.2.1 except in wheelchair Crosseball when it is a fault.

13.2.4 during play, the ball disintegrates;

13.2.5 in the opinion of the umpire, play is disrupted or a player of the opposing side is distracted by a coach;

13.2.6 any unforeseen or accidental situation has occurred.

13.3 When a "let" occurs, play since the last service shall not count and the player who served last shall serve again.

14 TENNIS BALL NOT IN PLAY 

A ball is not in play when:

14.1 it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net;

14.2 it hits the surface of the court; or

14.3 a "fault" or a "let" has occurred.

15 CONTINUOUS PLAY, MISCONDUCT & PENALTIES

15.1 Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in Laws 15.2 and 15.3.

15.2 Intervals:

15.2.1 not exceeding 60 seconds during each game when the leading score reaches 6 points, except Handicap matches; and

15.2.2 not exceeding 120 seconds between the first and second game, and between the second and third game shall be allowed in all matches.

(For a televised match, the umpire may decide before the match that intervals as in Law 15.2 are mandatory and of fixed duration).

15.3 Suspension of play

15.3.1 When necessitated by circumstances not within the control of the players, the umpire may suspend play for such a period as the umpire may consider necessary.

15.3.2 Under special circumstances the umpire can suspend the play.

15.3.3 If play is suspended, the existing score shall stand and play shall be resumed from that point.

15.4 Delay in play

15.4.1 Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover strength or wind or to receive advice.

15.4.2 The umpire shall be the sole judge of any delay in play.

15.5 Advice and leaving the court

15.5.1 Only when the ball is not in play (Law 14) and until the players have taken up position to serve and receive shall a player be permitted to receive advice during a match.

15.5.2 No player shall leave the court during a match without the umpire's permission, causing delay to play, except during the intervals as described in Law 15.2.

15.6 A player shall not:

15.6.1 deliberately cause delay in, or suspension of, play;

15.6.2 deliberately modify or damage the ball in order to change its speed or its flight;

15.6.3 behave in an offensive or inappropriate manner; or

15.6.4 be guilty of misconduct not otherwise covered by the Laws of Crosseball.

15.7 Administration of breach

15.7.1 The umpire shall administer any breach of Law 15.2 15.4.1, 15.5.2 or 15.6 by:

15.7.1.1 issuing a warning to the offending side;  or

15.7.1.2 faulting the offending side, if previously warned. or

15.7.1.3 faulting the offending side in cases of flagrant offense.

15.7.2 On faulting a side (Law 15.7.1.2 or 15.7.1.3), the umpire shall have the power to disqualify the offending side from the match.

16 OFFICIALS AND APPEALS

16.1 The umpire shall be in overall charge of the tournament or event of which a match forms part.

16.2 The umpire shall also be in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surroundings.

16.3 The umpire shall call service faults made by the server should they occur (Law 8.1.2 to 8.1.8).

16.4 The umpire shall indicate whether a ball landed "in" or "out" on the line(s) assigned.

16.5 The umpire's decision shall be final on all points of fact.

16.6 The umpire shall:

16.6.1 uphold and enforce the Laws of Crosseball and, especially, call a "fault" or a "let" should either occur;

16.6.2 give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered;

16.6.3 ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match;

16.6.4 appoint or replace a substitute umpire only for a match and not the whole tournament.

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