The Playing Field
The official dimensions for a regulation court are as follows:
The court is divided into two 60' X 30' areas, with a 4' X 30' neutral zone located at center court separating the two sides, an attack line located parallel and 10' from the center line, for a total court length of 60' from endline to endline, and a total width of 30' from sideline to sideline. (Mini cones will be used to designate lines)
Equipment
6 regulation size balls: 4 Blockers™ (8.5") and 2 Stingers™ (5").
Ball layout goes as follows: Blocker, Stinger, Blocker, Blocker, Stinger, Blocker.
Players
Teams consist of eight players with up to four substitutes.
Coed teams may consist of either gender, however at least two players of each gender must participate at the start of each game.
Substitutions
Substitutions must be made prior to the start of the game. No substitutions can be made during a game, except in cases of injury.
In the case of an injury, if the player cannot continue and must be taken out of the game; he or she must sit out at least one game before re-entering the game.
Retrievers
Retrievers are individuals designated to retrieve balls that go out of play.
Teams are responsible for providing retrievers. The number of retrievers required will determined by the Aviator staff member or commissioner; or you may use players that are out as retrievers.
Retrievers may not enter the court at any time. (Exception: team has nobody out and no designated retrievers)
Retrievers are only allowed to field balls from their side of the court or turf.
Matches
A regulation match consists of Five (5) 5 minute matches
Game Types:
Timed Game.
A game played until pre-determined time limit expires or all opponents are eliminated on one side. If time expires, all remaining players are counted. The team with most players remaining wins the game.
Scored Game.
A scored game is played as either an elimination or timed game with points awarded not for the win, but for the number of players remaining "in" at the end of each game.
In Tournament play, this will be used for the first round of the tournament*
Beginning Play
Play begins with all players positioned behind their team's endline.
The Rush
The Rush occurs at the beginning of each game or reset.
Upon the official's signal, both teams rush to center court and attempt to retrieve as many balls as possible.
A team may rush with as many or as few players as it wants, but at least one person from each team has to Rush.
There is no limit to how many balls an individual player may retrieve.
Players may not slide or dive into the neutral zone or they will be called out.
Crossing over the neutral zone will result in an "out."
Players may not physically grab and pull another player across the neutral zone or prevent them from returning to their side of the court.
Putting a Ball in Play
During the initial opening Rush, any ball retrieved from the neutral zone must be returned behind the attack line before it may be thrown at an opponent. A ball that hasn't crossed the attack line is considered a dead ball; any hits or catches with these balls will be voided.
There are a couple ways to put a ball into play following a Rush.
A player carries the ball across the attack line.
A player passes the ball to a teammate who is behind or carries it across the attack line.
Time Outs
There are no team time outs
Injury Time Outs will be issued by the referee
There will be 30 seconds between each game.
Outs
Players shall be deemed "out" when a live ball hits any part of the player's body, clothing, or uniform.
If a player is hit by a live ball after rebounding it off another player or ball lying on the court.
A defending player catches a live ball they have thrown
Players shall return from the Queue in the order they were put "out" (i.e. first "out," first "in").
Blocking
Players can defend themselves by blocking the ball in flight with another ball but must retain control over the ball they are blocking with. A player dropping or losing possession of the blocking ball is deemed "out."
Any blocked ball rebounding off another ball is considered dead. Any player hit by the rebounding ball is deemed "safe."
Pinching
The act of squeezing the ball in order to alter the thrown or blocked ball is not allowed.
Stalling
When a player(s) appear to be deliberately prolonging the game, this will be considered stalling. In the act of stalling, the referee will give a countdown. 5…4…3 etc. When the count has reached zero(0), all of the players that had possession of balls (on both teams) will be required to put the balls into play on their opponent side.
Out of Bounds Rule
If any part of the player's body touches the endlines or far neutral zone line, the player shall be deemed "out".
Momentum may carry a player out of bounds while making a catch. Providing control of the ball was established prior going out of bounds.
One foot in bounce with control of the catch will be deem “in”
Control will be deemed by referee or commissioner by securing the ball or maintaining the ball while conducting an athletic move.
Neutral Zone Rule
The neutral zone is a 4' by 50' area centered around the centerline. A player may safely step into the neutral zone but not across. Any player crossing over the neutral zone is deemed "out."
Headshots
Headshots will not be permitted. Any player that gets hit in the head will be deemed “in”
Uniforms
Aviator does not allow players to wear gloves, baseball caps or bandanas during play.
During Tournament play, Aviator Sports and Event Center may supply T-shirt depending on the tournament check with tournament director at time of registration. Teams are more than welcome to provide their own.
