User:Rbphd2009/Viperball
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Viperball is a team sport adapted from and similar to the sport of toccer, which combines elements of racquet sports (such as tennis) with those of field sports (American football, soccer) for what the creator calls a "fusion" game. The game pits two teams of six players against each other in a fast-paced physical test that balances skill and finesse.
Unlike toccer, viperball is a contact sport and is played on an indoor grass field generally in an arena.
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[edit] The Playing Field
1.1. An official toccer field is 65 yards long x 25 yards wide rectangle; it is comprised of two possession areas and a field of play. With plexiglass and dasherboards surrounding the playing area of the field. Image:Viperballfield.jpg
1.2. The long sides are known as boundary lines and the short sides are known as back lines. The part of the back lines in front of the goal is called goal lines. The playing area is divided into two halves by a median line called the midline. 1.3. The possession line is a 5 yard line on each end of the field. The possession area is a rectangle that extends from the possession line and is drawn to meet each goal post. 1.4. The goals are placed at the center of the back line on each side of the field. 1.5. The field lines should be clearly visible and be 2 inches in width. 1.6. All lines are part of the area they delimit: The boundary lines and back lines are part of the field of play, as are the possession lines.
[edit] The Viper, Goal & Lance
Section 2 – The Viper, Goal & Lance 2.1 The diameter of the ball, called a viper, must not exceed 2 7/8 inches, but no less than 2 ½ inches. and weigh no more than 3 ounces, but no less than 2 ounces. 2.2 When dropped from a concrete base, the viper must bounce more than 53 inches, but less than 62 inches. 2.3 The racquet is called a lance and must be flat, consist of a pattern of crossed strings of generally uniform density and free of attached objects other than those to minimize vibration of wear. 2.4 At present, there are no restrictions on racquet frame or head size. 2.5 The goal is 5 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 8 feet tall
[edit] Players
3.1 A squad can be made up of 11 players. 3.2 Of the 11 players, 6 may play at any one time with the remaining players acting as substitutes. 3.3 Substitution will take place in front of the scorekeeper’s area on the left boundary line and occurs without stopping the match. 3.4 An injured player may be replaced as soon as he leaves the field of play. 3.5 Players should be dressed uniformly and have a clearly visible number. 3.6 Players are to wear sports shoes. Rubber-cleated shoes are authorized, but metal spikes or others are not.
[edit] Officials
4.1 Each tournament match shall have three field officials. One goal judge and two umpires, one to monitor infractions and one for timekeeping. 4.2 The field officials control the game according to the rules. 4.3 The umpire notes infractions, substitutions and foul play during the match. He also maintains the official game clock. 4.4 One umpire shall monitor all scoring and keep the official match score. He shall also monitor other infractions as they occur on the field. 4.5 The field official outfit shall be called the “bouncer” and is distinct from the player uniform. They shall have a whistle at their disposal.
[edit] Duration of Matches
5.1 The duration of a match, shall be one set. 5.2 Each set is divided into three phases of 12 minutes, with an intermission of 5 minutes between each phase. 5.3 If at the end of the set, the teams are tied, they play a 5 minute of “extra time.” 5.4 If after extra time, the teams remain tied, they will play a “penalty phase” where the teams will alternate taking scoring attempts, with the team leading at the end of the phase winning the match. 5.5 The penalty phase will feature two players from the offensive team challenging two players from the defensive team.
[edit] Scoring
Strike (7 points): When a ball is hit, kicked or headed into the goal. If the ball goes past the goal line, it is a goal.
Raindrop (6 points): Any field player catches a ball behind the opposing team’s possession line.
Solo (5 points): A player scores a solo, when he does one of the following: If the player receives the ball inside his own territory and runs the ball, without losing control of the ball, into the opposing team’s possession zone.
If the player gains possession in the ball in the while defending – via an interception or loose ball and runs it back into the opposing team’s possession zone.
Throw (4 point): When a player throws the ball into the goal, from outside the possession area and into the goal.
Challenge (3 points): A player approaches the midline and before crossing the line, he puts his racquet down and attempts to throw the ball into the goal without entering the possession area. Normal carrying rules apply.
Stamp (2 points): When a player advances the ball past the goal line via a legal carry. One defender may serve as a “blocker” for the offensive team and one player may serve as a defender for the defensive team – making the stamp a 2 on 2 scoring opportunity. The player must enter the possession area and run with the ball to the back line inside the area – either inside the goal or on the sides. To be stopped a player must be prevented from entering the goal via tackle or after more than 5 seconds.
[edit] Penalties and Infractions
Infractions are called by field officials for various miscues on the field. The results of infractions depend on the severity as adjudged by the field officials. There are basic penalties, which result in a change of possession; minor penalties which result in the player committing the infraction (or in the case of the goalkeeper, a substituted player) sent to the penalty box for 3 minutes and major penalties which result in a 6 minute stay in the penalty box. Game misconduct is an ejection for a particular infraction or repeated infractions. Two major penalties equal a game misconduct.
False – A false is called when a team scores in front of the possession line. The defending team gets control of the ball at the penalized team's possession line after the false is made. (Basic)
Crosschecking - When a player uses his racquet against another player to stop the player from moving or otherwise using the racquet to touch any part of the player's body. (Minor, but can be upgraded to major)
Personal Foul - is called when a player makes illegal contact with an opponent using their body. The fouled player receives a foul shot from the spot of the foul. If the player is shooting when the foul is committed, the player will receive a penalty shot. (Depends on severity)
Hand Contact – When a player makes illegal contact with the ball using their hands. (Basic)
Unsportsmanlike conduct– When determined by an official for unsportsmanlike conduct. (Minor)
Holding - When a player is running and uses contact to impede the opposing player from moving forward or grabs their racquet. (Basic)
Pass Interference - When a player has hand-control of the ball after a pickup, the defending player interferes with a legal pass with his racquet or hands. (Minor)
Inappropriate Use - Inappropriate use is called when a player misuses their racquet, hands, feet or other legal appendage during the game. (Depends on severity)
Extended Possession – When a rover or enabler carries the ball for an extended period of time. (Basic)
Line Violation - When a sweeper crosses the midline with the ball. (Basic)
Carrying - When a non-sweeper or rover carries the ball. (Basic)
Offside - When a player from the opposing team crosses the midline during Touch off prior to contact by the receiving team. Offside is also committed when a player crosses the midline prior to the goalie passing the ball after a goal is scored. (Basic)
Ripping - When a player takes forcibly removes the ball from the hand of a possessing player, who clearly has control of the ball. (Major)
Fighting – When a player instigates or partakes in a fight during a match. (Major, plus an additional minor penalty for instigating)
[edit] Shots
Penalty Shot - All players stand on opposite sides of the field, while the player in question stands 15 feet behind the possession line. The player can run as far as the possession before taking the shot. The goalkeeper may move at any point, but may not leave the possession area. The player may only attempt to score a goal, unless during the penalty phase.
[edit] Playing Rules & Players
[edit] Universal Position Rules
- All players are eligible to receive passes or to pass the ball to a teammate anywhere on the field, so long as the pass is within the boundaries of the field of play. - Any player may intercept a pass or pick up a loose ball from the ground. - They must either dribble the ball on their racquet or on the ground before carrying again or must pass or the resulting infraction is extended possession. - May kick the ball.
[edit] Field Players
ATTACKER The Attacker are the team’s primary offensive force. The primary role of the attackers is to: - Score goals - Create scoring opportunities for teammates Official Uniform Number: All Attackers wear a number between 10 and 29.
MIDBACK The Midback is the team’s link between the offensive and defensive sides of the field. The primary role of the midfielder is to: - Block for teammates advancing the ball - Support the defender in protecting the goal against score attempts - Support the attackers in the offensive zone Official Uniform Number: All Backs wear a number between 30 and 79.
DEEPBACK Each squad has two deepbacks. The deepback is the team’s last link of field protection before the goal. The primary role of the defender is to: - Protect the goal against scoring attempts - Serve as the team’s primary defensive force - Pass the ball to teammates and to clear the ball from the defensive zone Official Uniform Number: All Backs wear a number between 30 and 79.
[edit] Special Teams Players
OMNIVORE The omnivore is the team’s sparkplug. A field specialist, the omnivore is similar to an attacker – but is something of the team’s field general and should be adept at playing both sides of the ball. An Omnivore may carry the ball in their hands for up to ten seconds without passing the ball.
Official Uniform Number: All Omnivores wear a number between 1 and 9.
GOALKEEPER The goalkeeper is the team’s last line of defense in protecting the goal. The goalkeeper may not leave the possession area.
Goalkeepers may touch the ball at any time and can pass to teammates when they have possession. On a stamp attempt, the goalkeeper must drop his racquet, before the player may begin the attempt.
Official Uniform Number: All Goalkeepers wear GK in lieu of a jersey number.
[edit] Restarts & Faceoffs
When the match begins, teams must be positioned on their side of the field. Initial possession is determined by a faceoff. The ball is played at the center of the midfield line and the Omnivores from both teams stand 5 yards away from the midline. After the whistle is blown by the official to signal the start of the match, the players run towards the ball and attempt to gain control. No other player on other side may move from their side of the field until one of the Omnivores makes contact with the ball.
After a team scores, the players return to their side of the field and assume their starting positions. The ball starts with the goalkeeper of the team scored upon. At the end of each phase, teams switch sides of the field and another faceoff occurs.
[edit] Out-of-Bounds
When the ball leaves the field of play, the clock is stopped and play is started from where the ball went out of bounds, for the team that did not hit the ball out.
[edit] Hitting
Viperball is a contact sport. But like all sports, there are provisions for what players can or cannot do when making contact with another player.
In general, players must not be carrying their lance when attempting to tackle another player. Tackling is a method of forcing an opposing player to relinquish control of the ball. A player may throw the ball away called “diving” before a tackle, but the tackle would still be legal. If the player holds onto the ball, possession changes – but the clock does not stop.
Fighting is not part of Viperball.
[edit] History
Viperball was created by Ron Bronson, Jr., in 2004 who also invented the sport of toccer. Unlike toccer, viperball is more popular with adults and was developed to enhance the sport for an American television audience, as an alternative to conventional professional sports, encompassing the best elements of many sports - with the uniqueness of toccer.
