METHOD OF COMBINING FULL CONTACT SPORTS WITH BALL GAMES

BACKGROUND

Ball games are a common in the art as are full contact sports such as wrestling and boxing. One popular element of ball games is the excitement surrounding exchanges between team members in the heat of competition that involve acts of antagonism and aggression that are not part of the rules of the game but add excitement to the event.

Full contact sports such as wrestling and boxing are not commonly team sports and do not commonly attract the same kind of audience and participants as so ball sports such as football or hockey.

The described invention is designed to address these limitations by combining the goal oriented point scoring system of a ball game with the interpersonal confrontation of full contact sport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a game for play between two or more opposing teams of players wherein a winning outcome is determined by at least a play object entering an opposing team's designated goal area of a playing field; said game including players incapacitating opposing players for predetermined periods during play of said game.

Preferably said incapacitating includes restraining a said opposing player in an inactive state for a predetermined time.

Preferably said incapacitating includes causing an opposing player a sufficient degree of discomfort so as to induce said opposing player to admit defeat.

Preferably said incapacitating includes inducing a loss of consciousness in an opposing player.

Preferably an incapacitating event causes an incapacitated player to be disqualified from participating in said game for a predetermined period; said predetermined period a function of the method whereby incapacitation was induced.

Preferably defence of a said designated goal area includes use of non-lethal obstructive implements.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of play of a game between two or more opposing teams of players; a winning outcome of said game determined by credits gained by entry of a game object into an opposing team's designated goal area; said game including physically incapacitating opposing players so as to disqualify an incapacitated player from participating in said game for a predetermined period.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of gaining advantage in a game played between two or more teams of opposing players; said method including causing disqualification from play of said game of one or more opposing players by incapacitating said one or more opposing players.

Preferably a winning outcome of said game is a function of credits obtained by a game object or a player with a game object entering an opposing team's designated goal area.

Preferably said incapacitating said one or more opposing players includes physically restraining a said opposing player in an inactive state for a predetermined period.

Preferably incapacitating a said opposing player includes causing sufficient discomfort to said opposing player so as to induce said opposing player to admit defeat.

Preferably a said discomfort includes discomfort from an injury inflicted according to actions sanctioned in any one of a number of martial art disciplines.

Preferably incapacitating a said opposing player includes inducing a state of unconsciousness in said opposing player.

Preferably an incapacitating of a said opposing player leads to a disqualification of said opposing player from participation in said game for a predetermined period.

Preferably said predetermined period is a function of the manner in which said incapacitation was induced.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a game for digital recording and dissemination over an electronic communication network; said game including play between two or more opposing teams of players wherein a winning outcome is determined by at least a play object entering an opposing team's designated goal area of a playing field; said game including players incapacitating opposing players for predetermined periods during play of said game.

Preferably said digital recording includes use of one or more video recording devices; images of said game captured by said video recording devices transmitted to storage media or to said electronic communication network.

Preferably said digital recording includes alternative outcomes of interactions between opposing players; said alternative outcomes selectable by a viewer/player of said game.

Preferably said incapacitating includes restraining a said opposing player in an inactive state for a predetermined time.

Preferably said incapacitating includes causing an opposing player a sufficient degree of discomfort so as to induce said opposing player to admit defeat.

Preferably said incapacitating includes inducing a loss of consciousness in an opposing player.

Preferably defence of a said designated goal area includes use of non-lethal obstructive implements.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided an interactive game playable by a viewer/player over a communication network; said game including recorded video imagery captured within a dedicated recording and data transmission facility of interactions between two opposing teams of players; said teams of players striving for a winning outcome which includes moving a game object into an opposing team's designated goal area; said viewer/player enabled to vary aspects of said game via an input device interacting with a computer system of said facility to select alternative said recorded video imagery.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of play of a game for digital recording and transmission to storage media or an electronic communication network; said game played before one or more video recording devices between two or more opposing teams of players; a winning outcome of said game determined by credits gained by entry of a game object into an opposing team's designated goal area; said game including physically incapacitating opposing players so as to disqualify an incapacitated player from participating in said game for a predetermined period.

In yet a further broad form of the invention is provided a method of gaining advantage in a game played for digital recording and transmission to storage media or an electronic communication network; said game played before one or more video recording devices between two or more teams of opposing players; said method including causing disqualification from play of said game of one or more opposing players by incapacitating said one or more opposing players.

Preferably a winning outcome of said game is a function of credits obtained by a game object or a player with a game object entering an opposing team's designated goal area.

Preferably said incapacitating said one or more opposing players includes physically restraining a said opposing player in an inactive state for a predetermined period.

Preferably incapacitating a said opposing player includes causing sufficient discomfort to said opposing player so as to induce said opposing player to admit defeat.

Preferably a said discomfort includes discomfort from an injury inflicted according to actions sanctioned in any one of a number of martial art disciplines.

Preferably incapacitating a said opposing player includes inducing a state of unconsciousness in said opposing player.

Preferably an incapacitating of a said opposing player leads to a disqualification of said opposing player from participation in said game for a predetermined period.

Preferably said predetermined period is a function of the manner in which said incapacitation was induced.

In a particular preferred form media are programmed with instructions for execution on a digital computer to give effect to the method described in any paragraph above.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates examples of methods of restraining or disabling opponent players in a game according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the example game of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 and 4 show preferred embodiments of a game played in a game recording and dissemination facility.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

In the example embodiment of the invention there is a key element of the sport that make the invention unique. While the aim of the game is to score goals by putting a ball or a person with a ball into the goal of the opposing team, a secondary aim and strategic goal is to disable or restrain members of the opposite team by means of the use of martial arts or full contact sport techniques. A member of the opposing team can be disabled by having the opposing team member admit defeat, or by using a wrestling hold that will make them pass out. As a result the opposing team will lose the player from their team for a fixed period of time giving the opposing team a distinct disadvantage.

FIG. 1 discloses three examples of ways that can be used to restrain or disable a player leading to their disqualification from playing for a predetermined period of time.

In the first example 10 a player from the opposing team 14 has been held in a disabled position by a player 15 for a predetermined length of time 13 leading to the players disqualification for a predetermined period of time and giving the opposing team a disadvantage in numbers of players during that period.

In the second example 11 a player from the opposing team 17 has been placed in a hold by another player 16 that is causing pain to the player 17. As the pain increases the player 17 admits defeat and signals that defeat by tapping 18 on the floor. This gives the opposing team a disadvantage in numbers of players during the disqualification period.

In the third example 12 a player from the opposing team 20 has been placed in a strangle hold by another player 19 that has caused the player 20 to pass out. The player 20 is subsequently disqualified for a predetermined period of time. This gives the opposing team a disadvantage in numbers of players during the disqualification period.

FIG. 2 shows the other key element of the game which is the traditional point scoring that is the result of putting a ball 33 or a person with a ball into a goal 30. The unique element of the invention is the added difficulty of trying to score points while dealing with the possibility of attack from opposing team members who are allowed to use martial art and full contact sport techniques to stop the player 32. In this example embodiment the goal keeper 31 defends the goal with the use of a defensive device 34 that is not necessarily intrinsic to the claimed invention.

FIG. 3 discloses an example of the positions of players at the commencement of play and also illustrates the advantage in player numbers to a team that has been able to disable two players from the opposing team.

The example embodiment comprises a floor plan 40, where a team 41 and opposing team 42 are positioned at opposite ends of the floor. Each team 41, 42 has their own respective goals 43, 44 which they attempt to defend.

In this representation each team has four players 45 represented by circles. Three of these players can play anywhere on the floor and one player is reserved for protecting the goals 43, 44.

This representation of the example embodiment also discloses to player location 46, 47 that do not have players because they have been disqualified from play under the guidelines of the game explained in FIG. 1.

Alternative Embodiments

The described embodiment includes timed restraint, passing out, and admission of defeat as methods of disqualification forcing a reduction in the number of players for that team. An alternative embodiment could use any full contact or martial arts technique for restraining or limiting the player as a means of disqualifying that player for a period of time.

The described embodiment discloses a five man team and two goals. An alternative embodiment could use any number of team players over two per side. An alternative embodiment could use anything more than two teams in a game and use any configuration of floor plan, goal design, ball design or throw-able device.

Preferred Embodiment

In a preferred embodiment, the game is embedded in a system comprising digital recording facilities and infrastructure for dissemination of captured imagery and audio over an electronic communication network. That is, in this embodiment, the game is played only within a dedicated recording and data transmission facility. In this sense, the facility comprises in effect a gaming machine within which the rules of the game as described above are implemented.

As shown in FIG. 3, digital video cameras 50, preferably mounted on servomotor controlled articulated support elements (not shown), are part of a larger array of video recording devices (not shown) adapted to capture the overall game, (a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 2) and also provide close-up images of game highlights such as restraining actions by players 10 and 20. Captured imagery and audio are processed by central processing units of a computer system 52 and may be stored on a database 54 of the system.

The recording and dissemination system may thus record and store a game played for later transmission over a distributed communication network 56, or may transmit the game action live. Transmission may be by any known means. Thus imagery and audio may be sent to subscribers' or viewers' display devices 58 over the internet, mobile phone networks or via cable. In at least one form of this embodiment, the game may be presented “on demand”, that is, a viewer or subscriber may view a recorded game at a time of the their choosing.

In a further arrangement, the game may be recorded in a fragmented form. That is, various alternative scenarios and outcomes may be enacted by the players of the game in accordance with the game rules and stored on the database. In this way various forms of the game may be made available as an interactive game in which the user or subscribing viewer becomes, in effect, a viewer/player of the game. In this arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4, the viewer/player 60 may, by means of an input device 62, for example select a “favourite” team, player or players as well as game objects to vary the probability of, or achieve different game outcomes. Recorded game scenarios may include for example, alternative outcomes for interactions between two opposing players, with the player of one team winning in one “take” and the player of the opposing team winning in a second take.

Interactivity between a viewer/player and the game system can further include the selection of different viewing aspects. That is the viewer/player may select from a number of possible cameras and zoom in or out through a camera control panel displayed on a section of the viewer/player's display device 58. Interactivity

In a further embodiment, the viewer/player may have the facility to place wagers on a game outcome

In Use

The following is an example of rules of the game to be recorded and disseminated by the system of the invention. The rules are couched within the context of national and supranational game playing associations.

Specific Game Rules
Contents

CONTENTS

(Before you play Footbrawl)
Page 3

(Article 1. Purpose)
Page 4

(Article 2. Application)
Page 4

(Article 3. Competition Arena)
Page 4

(Article 4. Teams and Players)
Page 6

(Article 5. Age Groups/Gender Categories/Team Classification)
Page 7

(Article 6. Weight Divisions)
Page 8

(Article 7. Classification and Methods of Competition)
Page 8

(Article 8. Duration of Contest)
Page 8

(Article 9. Drawing of Lots)
Page 9

(Article 10. Weigh-in)
Page 9

(Article 11. Procedure of the Contest)
Page 9

(Article 12. Permitted Techniques and Areas)
Page 11

(Article 13. Scoring)
Page 11

(Article 14. Game Statistics & Publication)
Page 12

(Article 15. Prohibited acts and Penalties)
Page 12

(Article 16. Substitutions)
Page 13

(Article 17. Tied Score-Sudden Death)
Page 13

(Article 18. Decisions)
Page 13

(Article 19. Tap Out and TKO)
Page 14

(Article 20. Procedure in the event of a Tap Out or TKO)
Page 14

(Article 21. Procedures for suspending the game)
Page 14

(Article 22. Refereeing & Umpiring Officials)
Page 14

(Article 23 Medical Support and Procedures)
Page 15

(Article 24. Disciplinary Board)
Page 16

(Article 25. Recorder)
Page 16

(Article 26. Video Replay)
Page 16

(Article 27. Assignment of Refereeing Officials)
Page 16

(Article 28. Other matters not specified in the Rules)
Page 16

(Article 29. Arbitration and Sanction)
Page 17

(Appendix b.) Specification for Footbrawl Competition Equipment
Page 19

(Appendix b.) Brawler Bo
Page 20

(Appendix a) Footbrawl Arena
Page 21

2

Before you play the game:

To play Footbrawl the player must first sign a player agreement stating that the player is

a) Sign a PAR Q document stating that they are in good health.
b) Also that he/she has partaken of the WFF approved training course at a WFF approved training centre.
c) Signed the player waiver document.
d) Be a financial member of the national Footbrawl association of the participating country.
e) Acquire insurance from the national Footbrawl association of the participating country.

Object of the Game:

To put the ball in the net as many times as you can. Either by kicking the ball, throwing the ball or picking up the person who has the ball and throw them through the net. Highest score wins. (minus any deductions) Goals are worth 2 points each. In the event of a draw, sudden death will result in the winner, in other words first to score will win.

Spirit of the Game:

The game should be played in a spirit of respect, control and sportsmanship.

Footbrawl was first designed as a training aid for martial arts people and evolved into a stand alone sport. Having said that, Footbrawl allows anyone to play who has completed an WFF approved training course. But the underlying principle is to test your self in a realistic situation. Because the rules include attacks and defense of multiple opponents, self- discipline must be exercised so the participants must adhere to the code of conducts handed down by the WFF. Discipline is enforced with harsh penalties for deliberate infringements of the rules.

Who can play Footbrawl?

Anyone can play Footbrawl provided he/she has fulfilled a,b,c,d & e.

Competition Rules & Interpretation
Article 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Competition Rules is to manage fairly and smoothly all matters pertaining to competitions of all levels to be promoted and/or organized by the W.F.F, Regional Unions and member National Associations, ensuring the application of standardized rules.

Article 2. Application

The Competition Rules shall apply to all the competitions to be promoted and/or organized by the WFF, each Regional Union and member National Association. However, any member National Association wishing to modify some any part of the Competition Rules must first gain the approval of the WFF.

Article 3. Competition Arena

The Competition Area shall comprise Contest Arena measured 28 m×12 m (for Seniors) and 20 m×10 m (for juniors) in metric system and have a flat surface without any obstructing projections. The Contest Arena shall be covered with matting at a minimum of 30 millimeters thick. A protective barrier of 1 meter shall be erected to surround the Contest Arena. In total shall be known as the Competition Arena or the Arena.

1. Demarcation of the Contest Arena (see Appendix a.)

1) The 28 m×12 m area shall be called the Contest Arena, and a line 1 m wide using different color shall be marked on the inside from the marginal line of the Contest Arena to call the attention of the Players not to cross the Protective Barrier Boundary line.

2) The demarcation of the Contest Arena and the Barrier Area shall be distinguished by the different colors of the two area's surface, or indicated by a white line 5 cm wide when the entire surface is one color.

3) The demarcating line between the Contest Arena and the Barrier Area shall be protected by padded barriers approximately 50 cm to 1 meter high.

2. Indication of Positions

1) Position of the Referee

The position of the Referee shall be marked at the half way line of the Arena. See appendix -a)

2) Position of the Umpire

The position of the 1 Umpire shall be marked at a point 0.5 m outwards from the center of the 1 Boundary Line facing towards the center point of the Contest Arena and the position of the 2 Umpire shall be marked 0.5 m outwards from the bottom corner of the 2 Boundary Line facing the center of the Contest Arena. The position of the 3 Umpire shall be marked at the opposite point of the 4 Boundary Line with e position of the 2 Umpire.

3) Position of the Score Keeper

The position of the Recorder shall be marked at a point more than 2 m back from the position of the 1 Umpire.

4) Position of the Commission Doctor

The position of the Commission Doctor shall be marked at a point more than 2 m to the right side from the Boundary Line.

5) Position of the Players

The position of the Players shall be marked at a point 1 m to the respective left and right sides from the center point of the Contest Arena facing towards the position of the opposing goals. The right side shall be the Blue Team's Mark and the left side shall be the Red Team's Mark. Position will be reversed at the end of each quarter.

6) Position of the Coaches & Reserves

The position of the Coaches shall be marked at a point 1 m away from the Boundary Line in line with the wing starting position.

7) Position of the Inspection Desk

The position of the Inspection Desk shall be near the entrance of the Competition Area for inspection of the Players' protective equipment

Article 4. Teams and Players
1. Qualification of Contestant

1) Holder of the nationality of the participating team

2) One recommended by the national Footbrawl Association

3) Holder of Footbrawl Level issued by the National Footbrawl Association/WFF.

2. The Costume for Players

1) The contestant shall wear a Footbrawl Jersey (WFF Approved) and protectors recognized by the WFF.

2) The contestant shall wear the Jersey, trunk protector, head protector, groin guard, forearm and shin guards and mouthpiece before entering the Contest Arena, and the groin guard, forearm and shin guards shall be worn inside the Footbrawl uniform, and the contestant shall bring the WFF-approved protectors for personal use. Wear of any other items on the head other than head protector shall not be permitted.

3) See specification Sheet for Competition Equipment

3. Teams

a. For both Senior and Junior Teams will be made up of five players per team.

b. Each team will include the following positions marked in appendix a. for Senior teams.

Position 1. Forward

Position 2. Centre

Position 3 & 4. Wings

Position 5. Goalie

c. Each team will have the goalie equipped one padded weapon. These weapons may be changed or added to by the WFF as it sees fit. E.g. “The Brawler BO”

i. Adult “Brawler BO” for Seniors (as stipulated by the WFF)

See specification sheet for Competition Equipment.

ii. The goalies will be given a choice of what weapon or size of weapon they may use.

3. Medical Control

1) At the Footbrawl events promoted or sanctioned by the WFF, any use or administration of drugs or chemical substances described in the WFF Anti-doping by-laws is prohibited. However, the IOC Anti-doping by-laws shall be applied to the Footbrawl competition of Olympic Games and other multi-sports Games.

2) The WFF may carry our any medical testing deemed necessary to ascertain if a contestant has committed a breach of this rule, and any winner who refuses to undergo this testing or who proves to have committed such a breach shall be removed from the competition

3) The Organizing Committee shall be liable for arrangements to carry out medical testing.

4) The details of the WFF Anti-Doping Regulation shall be enacted as part of the by-laws.

Article 5). Age Groups And Gender Categories

Senior Competitions (16 years up) will be carried out using the following age group categories. Age is determined by the date of birth at the time of the game being played.

E.g. the player is entered as an under 17 team member, he/she must be 16 years old at maximum at the time of the event. Mixed teams (male and female in the same team) are to be not allowed in these age categories.

Male and Female teams will be catered for in the below categories. Please see junior competition rules for further explanation.

Under 13 years old And below.

Classification of Teams

All of the above can be divided into “Extreme Division” and “Warrior Class” grade teams. Teams with more than 10 league games experience. i.e. games conducted as part of the regional, state, national, international leagues will be known as “Extreme Division”. Teams with less than 10 games will be known as “Warrior Class”.

Professional Team rules and classes will be listed in the Professional Footbrawl Competition Rules.

Article 6. Weight Division

1. Weights are divided into male and female (senior) divisions.

2. Weight divisions are only used for “Extreme Division” Footbrawl Teams as sanctioned by the WFF.

3. Weight divisions are basically divided as follows;

Weight category Male division Female division

Light Not exceeding 67kg Not exceeding 55 kg

Middle Over 67 kg &

Not exceeding 84 kg

Over 55 kg &

Not exceeding 67 kg

Heavy Over 84 kg Over 67 kg

Weight division will come into effect when players reach 18 years old.

Article 7. Classification and Methods of Competition

1. Competitions are divided as follows.

2. Systems of competition are divided as follows.

1) Single elimination tournament system

2) Round robin system

3. International Footbrawl competition shall be conducted in round robin competition system between Teams.

4. All International-level competitions recognized by the WFF shall be formed with participation of at least 4 countries.

5. Countries can enter multiple teams if excepted by the WFF

Article 8. Duration of Contest

The duration of the contest shall be four rounds of two minutes each, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. Except half time with a 2 minute rest

In case of a tie score after the completion of the 4 round, a 5 round of two minutes will be conducted as the sudden death overtime round, after a three-minute rest period following the 4 round. Finals will be 2 minutes 40 second rounds.

Article 9. Drawing of Lots

1. The drawing of lots shall be conducted one day prior to the first competition in the presence of the WFF officials and the representatives of the participating nations, and the drawing of lots shall be done from English alphabetical order of the official names of the participating nations.

2. Officials shall be designated to draw lots on behalf of the officials of participating nations not present at the drawing.

3. The order of the draw may be changed according to the decision of the Head of Team meeting or as stipulated by the competition committee.

Article 10. Weigh-In

The weigh shall be completed on the previous day of the competition.

Article 11. Procedure of the Contest
1. Call for Teams

The name of the Team shall be announced three times beginning three minutes prior to the scheduled start of the contest. The contestant who fails to appear in the Contest Arena within five minute after the scheduled start of the competition shall be regarded as withdrawn.

2. Physical and Costume Inspection

After being called, the Team shall undergo physical and costume inspection at the designated inspection desk by the marshal designated by the WFF, and the contestant shall not show any signs of aversion, and also shall not bear any materials which may cause harm to the other contestant.

3. Entering Competition Area

After inspection, the contestant shall enter into the waiting position (warm up area) with one coach and an assistant are permitted.

4. Start and End of the Contest

The contest in each round shall begin with the sound of the starters horn and shall end with the sound of the Starters Horn. The game is not over until the ball is grounded or has been put out of bounds.

5. Procedure before the Beginning and after the End of the Game

1) The Team shall face each other and make a standing bow at the referee's command of “attention” and “bow”. A standing bow shall be made from the natural standing posture of “Attention Position” by bending the waist at an angle of more than 30 degrees with the head inclined to an angle more than 45 degrees and the hands at the sides of the legs.
2) The referee shall start the contest by commanding “ready” and then throw the ball in the air at the centre line of the Footbrawl arena. When the ball is in the air the Starter will then blow his horn. The ball will then be considered in play.
3) Dead Ball.

If the ball is dead(i.e. the ball is in a stagnant position) the referee can elect at his discretion to restart the game from the position the ball became dead. Dead ball is totally a referee decision.

3) After the end of the last round, the Teams shall stand at their respective positions facing each other and exchange a standing bow at the referee's command of “bow”. The losing team shall bow first, followed by the winning team.
4) The referee shall declare the winner by raising his/her own hand to the winner's side.
5) Retirement of the Teams.
6) Leaving the Footbrawl Arena.

The teams must leave the Footbrawl Arena in an orderly fashion.

7) Re-commencement & Stopping the Game. Upon a referee blowing his whistle the game must immediately stop and all physical confrontations anywhere on the field must also stop and reset to their original positions, unless directed by the referee.

Article 12. Permitted Techniques and Areas

Any strike to the body protector is allowed. Punches, palm, kicks, knees, elbows, forearms strikes are to trunk only.

Submission Techniques

a. Arm locks

b. Leg locks

c. Strangles (vascular restraint)

d. Chokes

2. Throwing is Allowed:

a. Hip throw

b. Shoulder throw

c. Sacrifice throw

d. Stomach throw

e. Firemans Throw

f. Reeping and Sweeping

g. Tripping

3. The player who has the possession of the “Brawler BO” (the Goalie) shall be able use the padded weapon to strike the following areas:

a. Head

b. Body

c. Legs

4. Use of legal techniques;

a. All players can strike any of the opposing team players when the ball is in play.

b. There is no restriction on who you attack or when, only that the techniques are legal.

The Goalie may strike any player on the opposing team at any time. He may strike a player either standing or on the ground. {Footbrawl has a broad spectrum of techniques available in play and as such is not to be taken lightly. The game officials, player and spectators are to behave in a Martial Arts spirit and in a sportsman like fashion at all times.}

Article 13. Scoring

To score a goal (2 points) in Footbrawl you must put the ball in the net. You can do this by;

1. throwing the ball in the net,
2. kicking the ball in the net
3. pick-up the person who has the ball and throw them through the net
4. Put the ball in the net in any way
5. Invalidation of points: When a contestant performs an attack to score through the use of the prohibited acts, the points scored shall be annulled.

Article 14. Game Statistics & Publication

1. Valid points shall be immediately recorded and publicized.

2. Statistics shall be made available at the appropriate Web Site.

Article 15. Prohibited acts and Penalties

Basically there are two types of penalties.

A; RED Cards B; YELLOW Cards

1. Dismissal of Player. (RED Card- minus 2 points) If one team has 2 red cards in any competition the offending team will be disqualified from the competition. The following is a list of offenses that are illegal in Footbrawl.
a) Deliberately attacking the face.(RED Card) (The Goalie my attack the face with footbrawl approved padded weapon)
b) Deliberately attacking a fallen opponent with strikes anywhere.(RED Card) Either kicks or punches
(Exception if both players are on the ground hand techniques are permitted.) Both knees must be on the ground to strike or body contacting the matt.
c) Deliberately attacking the spine. (RED Card)
d) Deliberately attacking the groin region. (RED Card)
e) Deliberately applying neck, wrist, ankle or finger locks
f) Deliberately grabbing the hair
g) Deliberately striking the neck
h) Deliberately tackling the neck
i) Deliberately head butting
j) Deliberately biting
k) Deliberately using the hand to grab the wind pipe
l) Deliberately attacking the legs (sweeps allowed, this includes spinning leg sweep but his sweep must only be executed on a stationary opponent)
m) Spear Tackle or any throw that results in the player landing head first on the matt.)(RED Card)
n) Attacking after the whistle has blown. (1 point deduction)
o) Two players strangling and/or choking another. This will be given a red card to both offenders thus putting them out of the game and giving their team a deduction of 2 points each (4 points). Players may be substituted.
p) The players may not jump onto anyone on the ground
q) The Goalie may not jump on anyone using the “Brawler BO” to attack if the other players are on the ground.

If there is any query as to valid techniques or strikes the “pad only” rule shall apply, that is, that any strike off the pad is illegal and therefore will attract penalties.

2. Warning YELLOW Card

a. YELLOW Card is a warning by the referee for the player to show more care in play and usually means an accidental illegal strike has occurred.

b. Misconduct (YELLOW Card)

Deliberate use of bad language (1 point deduction)

i. Abusing any player (1 point deduction)
ii. Abusing referee (1 point deduction)
iii. Any act or gesture to anyone used to denigrate a player, official, or spectator. (1 point deduction) Note second offence attracts a RED Card penalty in any one game.

Article 16. Substitutions

1. Coaches can substitute players at their discretion, but are limited to 3 player substitutions per game.

There are time limits for the exchanges.

a. Procedure for substitution
i. The coach must hold his hand up to signal “substitution” to the Chief Referee who will momentarily stop the game.
ii. The substitution may take no more than 10 seconds. If more than 10 seconds the offending team will be penalized (YELLOW Card)
iii. The game will then be re-commenced at the very positions on the field held by the players at the time of the game being stopped.

Article 17. Tied Score-Sudden Death

1. In the event of a tied score after the completion of the 5 round, the winner shall be decided by superiority of all refereeing officials. The final decision shall be based on the initiative shown during the 5th round.

Article 18. Decisions

1. Win by highest score only (includes deductions and invalid points) However the margin of superiority must be 2 points. E.g. if both teams are 6 points and the one team (having received a YELLOW Card) is deducted 1 point the decision will be sudden death play-off. But if both teams are 6 points each and one team has received two YELLOW Cards that will result in a loss for that team.

Article 19. Tap Out and TKO (BLUE Card)

If a player is submitted by a legal technique he/she will receive a BLUE card. The BLUE Card means that the player will be forced to leave the Footbrawl arena for forty seconds of play time. This will mean that the player BLUE Carded will not be able to play or be substituted for the forty second period and have one man less for that time frame. The player can be substituted after the 40 second period has lapsed if required by the coach.

If the player is struck by a legal technique and cannot continue the referee must give the player a standing 10 count and the player must be able to continue willingly.

Article 20. Procedure in the event of a Tap Out or TKO

If tapped out the referee will hold up a BLUE Card and blow his whistle to stop the game. The player with the BLUE Card will then leave the matt and be side lined. The game will be re-started back to the original starting positions with one man less. Time out cannot be called at the time of tap-out or TKO

Article 21. Procedures for suspending the game (Time Out)

Only 3 time outs can be called during the game by each coach the particular of team, only 30 seconds is allowed. Possession of the ball is given to the team who has possession prior to the “Time Out signal”

Article 22. Refereeing & Umpire Officials
1. Qualifications

Holders of International Referee Certificate registered by the WFF. All referees must have the appropriate WFF qualification. E.g. Level 1 referee minimum for regional games. Level 2 for National Championships. The Head Referee must be accorded the same respect a Master Instructor would at all times. He or she shall be addressed as “Sir”. The referees are to be independent and not to be associated with any of the teams participating.

2. Referees

There are 3 referees per game.

a. One Chief referee who follows the ball and is responsible for the proper conduct of the game and has power to direct the assistant referees and players on the field.
b. Two assistant referees to police spontaneous combat situations as they happen. The Court will be divided into halves and 1 referee will be responsible for 1 half.

3. Four umpires will be at each end of the arena to spot submission attempts and breaches of the rules. Their job is to;
a. draw the attention of the closest referee to the attempt or breach, and to make sure the referees decision is carried out.
b. Validate scores (goals) as they occur.
c. The Umpire shall mark the valid points immediately.
d. The Umpire shall state their opinions forthrightly when requested by the referee.

3. Responsibilities for Umpire

Decisions made by the referees and umpire shall be conclusive and they shall be responsible to the Board of Arbitration for those decisions. If deemed by the Chief Referee video footage may be require to review goals if in question.

4. Uniform and Equipment of the Refereeing/Umpire Officials

1) The referees and Umpire shall wear the uniform designated by the WFF.

a. Have on their person a whistle

b. Have on their person RED, YELLOW, BLUE Cards.

c. Umpires to have on their person 2 flags

i) White Flag—Goal verification

ii) Red Flag—Submission attempt or possible TKO

2) The refereeing/umpire officials shall not carry or take any materials to the arena which might interfere with the contest.

Article 23 Medical Support and Procedures

1. Ambulance/medical staff/Doctors shall be available at all WFF Footbrawl competitions and will be positioned according to appendix a. When called for by the Chief Referee, the medical staff shall attend the Footbrawl arena.

2. Procedure for Blood Spillage

Small spots of blood or small spills

- Gloves and eye protection should be worn
- Contamination should be wiped up with paper towels soaked in freshly prepared hypochlorite solution (Milton or chlorine releasing tablets) containing 10,000 ppm (1%) available chlorine.
- If broken glass is present, first treat the spillage with hypochlorite, then carefully remove the pieces of glass with disposable forceps or scoop to a sharps bin, before wiping up as above.
- Towels and gloves should be disposed of in a yellow clinical waste bag for incineration (or an autoclave bag if in a laboratory).
- Hands must be washed following clearing up.

Article 24. Disciplinary Board

Deliberate infringement of the above rules who inflict physical damage to the player will result in suspension for a time seen fit by the WFF Disciplinary board. Physical damage is defined as a break, dislocation or head/facial injury drawing blood. 6 months suspension will be the starting point for deliberation.

Deliberate infringement not resulting in physical damage may attract a conference decision to be jointly made by the 3 Referees. Ranging from 1 game suspension to 3 months suspension. The “3 strikes your out” method applies to players who break the rules 3 times. One year suspension will be mandatory. That player will not be able to play Footbrawl unless given leave by the WFF disciplinary board. However he/she may have the right of appeal.

Article 25. Recorder

The recorder shall time the contest and periods of time-out, suspension, and also shall record and publicize the awarded points, and/or deduction of points. The recorder will also be responsible for noting player statistics.

Article 26. Video Replay

If requested by the Chief Referee, video footage may be replayed to obtain an objective decision. The video replay is the responsibility of the Game Coordinator.

Article 27. Assignment of Refereeing Officials
1. Assignment of Refereeing Officials

1) The assignment of the referees and Umpire shall be made after the contest schedule is fixed.

2) Referees and Umpire with the same nationality as that of either team shall not be assigned to such a contest. However, an exception shall be made for this if deemed necessary.

3) State/regional and National competitions shall regulate themselves according to the national Footbrawl association of that country.

Article 28. Other Matters Not Specified in the Rules

In the case that any matters not specified in the Rules occur, they shall be dealt with as follows.

1. Matters related to the competition shall be decided through consensus by the refereeing officials of the pertinent contest.
2. Matters not related to the specific contest shall be decided by the Executive Council or its proxy.
3. The Organizing Committee shall prepare a video tape recorder at each court for recording and preservation of the game process and to be used as necessary if play-back is required by the Chief Referee.

Article 29. Arbitration and Sanction
1. Composition of the Board of Arbitration

a. WFF Technical Director

b. Chief Referee

c. One or both referees

2. Responsibility: The Board of Arbitration shall make corrections of misumpirement according to their decision regarding protests and take disciplinary action against the officials committing the misumpirement or any illegal behavior and the results of which shall be sent to the Secretariat of the WFF. The Board of Arbitration shall also be entitled the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction concurrently at the competition for the matters in relation to competition management.

3. Procedure of Protest

1) In case there is an objection to a referee umpirement, an official delegate of the team must submit an application for re-evaluation of decision (protest application) together with the prescribed fee to the Board of Arbitration within 10 minutes after pertinent contest.

2) Deliberation of re-evaluation shall be carried out excluding those members with the same nationality as that of either contestant concerned, and resolution on deliberation shall be made by majority.

3) The members of the Board of Arbitration may summon the refereeing officials for confirmation of events.

4) The resolution made by the Board of Arbitration will be final and no further means of appeal will be applied.

3. Procedure of Sanction

1) The WFF President or Secretary General (in case of their absence, the Technical Delegate) may request the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction for deliberation when any of the following behaviors are committed by a coach or a contestant.

a. Interfering with the management of contest

b. Stirring up the spectators or spreading false rumor

2) When umpired unreasonable, the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction shall deliberate over the matter and take disciplinary action immediately. The result of deliberation shall be announced to the public and reported to the WFF Secretariat afterwards.

3) The Extraordinary Committee of Sanction may summon the person concerned for confirmation of events.

Appendix b.) Specification for Footbrawl Competition Equipment

1). Arena Matting is to be

a. 28 meters by 12 meters

b. Minimum 30 millimeters thick

2). Goals are 1.7meters high by 1.4 meters wide at inside edge. The structure is to be comprised of tubular aluminum or PVC, 90-100 millimeters thick with a a protective foam padding (4 cm thick) covered with vinyl.

3). Protective equipment for players

a. Footbrawl Jersey (WFF Approved padded Jersey)

b. WFF approved body Armor

c. WFF approved groin guard

d. WFF approved arm guards*

e. WFF approved shin protectors*

f. WFF approved gloves*.

g. WFF approved head gear

h. WFF approved mouth guard

i. WFF approved padded shorts*

* denotes that this gear is optional, =denotes exception for this rule if goalie.

4). “Brawler BO”—Padded weapon for use in Senior Games Must be approved WFF design and size. Construction—

1. Shaft made from Stainless steal alloy

2. Inner sheath made of poly-proplylene

3. Outer sheath made from medium density foam

5). Outer Arena Protective Barrier

a. Made from low density foam covered with vinyl

b. Size- at least 0.5 meter high

c. May be triangular or square in shape.

METHOD OF COMBINING FULL CONTACT SPORTS WITH BALL GAMES

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