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.

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.