February 2010 Newsletter No 3
In this February Newsletter, I will address a number of subjects relating to ‘rules and their application, approach and attitude of players and umpires” during International competition, those comments are valid as well in our National scene.
All players entering an official competition are supposed to know the rules of the games;
I must add that it is also very important for all officials to know the rules of the game and relevant regulations.
Rules of the Game:
Art 6 - Start of Play and rules regarding circles
Use of the prefabricated circles is by the decision of the organiser that must supply them. Where a prefabricated circle is used, it must be rigid and have an internal diameter of 50cms (tolerance: + or – 2mm).
Circles are now used in all International competitions run under the umbrella of the FIPJP and most Confederations.
Circles makes the game flow more rapidly; the circle is marked by 2 lines one on the front facing the jack and one on the side in case it is moved by a player.
No more cases of playing from the wrong circle and problems encountered with players not erasing the drawn circle on the ground.
Feet of players must be totally inside the circle and cannot touch the circle (side, front or the back).
When the end is finished the player throwing the last boule will bring the circle back with him to the head (not a rule) simple courtesy.
Once the points have been agreed to by both teams, the circle will be placed around the jack and the next end will start.
If the jack cannot be thrown to all regulation distances the following will apply
- The player may step back, in line with the previous end's play, without exceeding the maximum distance authorised to throw the jack. This opportunity is offered only if the jack cannot be thrown to the maximum distance in any other direction.
Note: The same rules apply for the position of the circle as for a hand drawn circle.
The circle can be placed at the edge of the line if the terrains of play are enclosed by solid barriers, these must be a minimum distance of 1 metre from the exterior line of the playing area.
Article 10 – Displacement of obstacles
Only one player to back fill one hole of his/her choice, when 2 or 3 players come to the head and walk around under the pretext of studying the ground “gardening/flattening in fact” art 34 is applied.
It is strictly forbidden for players to press down, displace or crush any obstacle whatever on the playing area. However, the player about to throw the jack is authorised to test the landing point with one of his or her boules by striking the ground no more than three times. Furthermore, the player who is about to play, or one of his partners, may fill in a hole which would have been made by one boule played previously.
For non-observation of the rules above, the players incur the penalties outlined in Article 34 “Discipline”.
Article 16 – Behaviour of players and spectators during a game
Umpires are now asking Players to stand behind the circle of play so to avoid any controversy or dispute between the teams or players.
Once a team has played all their boules it must allow their opponents to play without interference, they only can come to the head if a measurement is made by their opponent.
During the regulation time allowed for a player to throw a boule the spectators and players must observe total silence.
The opponents must not walk, nor gesticulate nor do anything that could disturb the player about to play. Only his or her team-mate/s may remain between the throwing circle and the jack.
The opponents must remain beyond the jack or behind the player and, in both cases, to the side with regard to the direction of play and at a distance of at least 2 metres the one from the other.
The players who do not observe these regulations could be excluded from the competition if, after a warning from the Umpire, they persist in their conduct.
Article 20 – Time allowed to play
1 minute to play whatever the score 1 -1 or 12 -11, There is no possibility to go beyond the minute.
Players who re- measure points and discuss at length their next moves are sanctioned by the umpire for going over the minute.
Penalties are clearly outlined in Art 34 of the rules of the game
Once the jack is thrown each player has the maximum duration of one minute to play his or her boule. This short period starts from the moment when the previous boule or jack stops or, if it is necessary to measure a point, from the moment the latter has been effected.
All players not respecting this rule incur the penalties outlined in Article 34 “Discipline”.
Article 25 – Measuring of points
Umpires are called by players to measure as the last resort usually when the difference is of a few millimetres, players calling an umpire when the difference is of 3 or 4 centimetres can be given an official warning.
When a player in a team concedes the point to his opponent he engages his team, players in the same team should avoid re-measuring and discussing at lenght, keeping in mind that the next boule has to be played within the minute.
The measuring of a point is the duty of the player who last played or by one of his or her team-mates. The opponents still have the right to measure after one of these players. Whatever positions the boules to be measured may hold, and at whatever stage the end may be, the Umpire can be consulted and his or her decision is final.
Measuring must be done with appropriate instruments, which each team must possess. Notably, it is forbidden to effect measurements with the feet. The players who do not observe this ruling will incur the penalties outlined in Article 34 “Discipline”.
Article 26 – Removed Boules
Points are given or agreed by your opponents, a team can claim as many points as it wishes but their opponent must agree, in case of dispute the umpire can be called and his decision will be final.
It is forbidden for players to pick up played boules before the completion of an end.
At the completion of an end, any boules picked up before the agreement of points are dead. No claim is admissible on this subject.
Umpire:
An umpire has the right to intervene in a game when he/she sees it necessary when a breach of the rules occur, an umpire can wait until the end finishes or can stop the game and makes his/her ruling.
A good umpire is an umpire that doesn’t become the centre of attention, the game is more important. Players by their behaviour respect and knowledge of the rules will make the role of the umpire definitively easier and the game more enjoyable for all concerned.
Officials:
(Federations, Leagues or Clubs) should know the Rules of the Game and regulations so as to avoid conflict with players and umpires alike. They must at all times support their umpires.
Officials playing and not involved in running of the competition must show a total respect to the umpire and be very supportive in case of disciplinary matters concerning their own Club members.
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