Rules

Official Rules of Launchball

1. The Field of Play - Launchball can be played on grass or artificial turf. Field must be green in color. The field must be rectangular in shape, marked by two goal lines, and marked by two touch lines. The field is divided into halves. The length of the touch lines must be longer than the goal lines.

(Regulation Measurements)

1a. Goal line length - minimum 45 meters or 50 yards, maximum 90 meters or 100 yards

1b. Touch line length - minimum 90 meters or 100 yards, maximum 120 meters or 130 yards

1c. At each end of the field there is a Launchball goal centered along the goal line

1d. Six yards from each Launchball goal along the goal line and six yards out into the field is the goal box

2. The Launchball - A Launchball must be spherical in shape and made of rubber or similar material. Its circumference must be 5 to 6 inches.

3. The Number of Players - Launchball matches are to be played by two teams of 10 to a side. If a team cannot find at least 7 players at match time then the game is a forfeit. Youth leagues may be allowed to have fewer than 10 players in order to gain better insight and practice of how Launchball is played. There may be three substitution per team per match. Youth leagues may allow as many substitutions as necessary so long as they are written on the match card before the beginning of the match. If this is not done then those players will marked as ineligible to play in the match. Substitutions are allowed to enter the field from the halfway line. They must wait for the referee's approval and after the player to be subbed has gone out of the field of play.

4. The Player's Equipment - All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and cleats. The socks must cover the shin guards entirely. If the referee deems a player’s equipment unsatisfactory, the player can be sent off until the issue is remedied. No rings, earrings, studs, or piercings of any kind will be allowed to be worn during a game in order to prevent injury to the player. Necklaces are allowed so long as they are tucked inside their jersey. No hoodies or sweaters can be worn under the player's jersey. No watches will be allowed either to be worn.

5. The Referee - The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you question a referee’s decision, you can be disciplined further simply for dissent.

6. The Assistant Referees - The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the referee in performing his duties – this includes signaling with a flag when a ball goes of play, when a player is fouled, or when a player is in an offside position.

7. The Duration of the Match - A Launchball match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time added for each at the referee’s discretion. The halves are separated by a half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was taken up due to substitutions and injuries. The amount of extra time is announced and displayed at the half line at the end of each 45-minute period. Although Launchball does have an allotted time limit, it is ultimately up to the referee’s as to when to end a match.

8. A game of Launchball shall begin at the center of the half way line of the field. A captain from each of the two teams, assistant referees, and referee will be present for the beginning of the game. A coin flip will decide who will commence the gameplay. In the second half of the game the team that didn't commence the gameplay in the first half will commence the gameplay.

9. When a goal is scored the gameplay will commence from the area where the goal was scored.

10. The defenders, forwards, and mid-fielders cannot enter the area of their or their opponents Launchball goal. Players will throw the ball from outside the Launchball goal area. If a player touches the line marking the Launchball goal area with their foot any goal scored thereafter will be invalid.

11. If a player evades any of the opposing team's defender(s) and jumps in order to throw the ball into their opponents goal and lands in the Launchball goal area any goal scored thereafter will only be valid if the player didn't touch the line marking the area before the jump.

12. The defenders can only enter the goal area to recommence the gameplay from inside the goal area if the ball hits the Launchball goal and lands in the goal area.

13. If a player throws the ball and it rebounds off the equipment and lands back onto the field of play then whichever player touches the ball first their team will take possession of the ball in order to commence gameplay from that spot on the field.

14. If a player throws the ball and it rebounds off the equipment and it is still in the air then whichever player from either team catches the ball will take possession of the ball and gameplay will continue from there.

15. If the ball is blocked by a defender and the ball goes out of bounds on either side of the Launchball goal then the ball shall be thrown from that goal line by the team that attempted to make a goal but was blocked by the opposing team.

16. Every time the ball is passed from one teammate to another they must not drop the ball onto the field or else the other team will take possession of the ball and commence gameplay from that spot on the field. No players from the opposing team may block the player from commencing the gameplay.

17. If a player holds the ball longer than 6 seconds in three separate occasions, that player will be given a timeout of 5 minutes from the field of play. The coach cannot replace that sanctioned player with another player from their team during the timeout. If that same player holds the ball longer than 6 seconds in another three additional occasions then the player will be expelled from the game. The team to which that player belonged to will not be able to substitute the expelled player with another player from their team.

18. If a player passes the ball to one of their teammates and it rebounds off their feet accidentally and the ball doesn't touch the ground then a player from either team can intercept the ball by catching it while in the air. However, if a player intentionally places their foot in order to rebound the ball off their feet and into the air then the pass will be invalid and possession of the ball will be given to the opposing team.

19. If the ball hits the body of a player and rebounds off them that player can catch the ball themselves to take possession of the ball. That player's teammate or opponent can also try to catch the ball in order to possession of it as long as the ball hasn't touched the ground yet.

20. A player cannot touch or hit the hand of their opponent who has the ball in possession. If they do that player will receive a technical foul.

21. When a player commits any kind of foul during the game the referee will notify that player and write down the foul, player's number, and player's team in their note book.

22. If a player intentionally hits another player before, during, or after a game that player will be immediately expelled from the area. We will not tolerate any violence in this sport. The player will also be fined pending what the Launchball officials determine about the incident.

23. A player cannot tug on another player's jersey, nor embrace their opponent in order to prevent them from advancing on the field, nor shove their opponent. They cannot slide tackle their opponent either. Hair pulling will not be allowed.

24. If a player removes their jersey at any point during the game that player will be given a verbal warning and if they continue removing their jersey they will be given a sanction and removed from the game.

25. A player can block an opponent while having their arms tucked close to their body in order to help their teammate who has possession of the ball better position themselves in order to score a goal.

26. A player who has possession of the ball cannot pass the ball to themselves. They have to pass the ball to a teammate.

27. A player cannot hit their opponent in the face in any manner. If blood is drawn from an accidental hit it will be up to the referee to call a sanction or not. If the hit to the opponent's face is deemed intentional then the player shall be expelled from the game.

28. Every time a team scores a goal the count of the points will go up by one. The team with the most points will win the game.

29. If a player commits a foul due to preventing their opponent from scoring a goal the opposing team will be able to perform a free throw at a distance of 36 feet from the Launchball goal.

30. If a player passes the ball to their teammate and said teammate is in the air and throws the ball towards the goal and scores, the goal will be valid so long as the player who made the throw didn't cross the line marking the goal area before the throw.

31. If a player tries to intercept the ball from the opposing team and does not successfully catch the ball the ball will remain in possession of the team who passed the ball initially in that play. Where ever the ball lands in the field is where the gameplay will commence again.

32. There will be no goalkeepers in this sport. If a player is in the Launchball goal area at any time during gameplay they will receive a sanction. Only if the ball rebounds off the equipment and lands in the goal area or if a player throws the ball and it lands in the goal area will a player be allowed to enter.

33. If a defender crosses the line marking the goal area during the gameplay the opposing team will be granted a free throw. If a player is pushed or thrown into the goal area the referee will decide whether a sanction or not will be given to the player who pushed their opponent into the goal area.