Sailball 101

The game is played with two floating goals, two fleets of boats and two balls. Each team has a defensive zone three boat lengths in radius which surrounds a goal.   A boat within her defensive zone has the right of way.  If boats from opposing teams touch inside a defensive zone, the defensive team gets a point.  Boats outside their defensive zones are governed by the racing rules.  The object, of course, is to shoot the ball into the opposing team’s goal. 

The Field, Goals, Ball and Sticks

The field is any body of water.  A goal is any small floating area.  A square made of PVC pipe, five feet on a side, and held by a mooring line is adequate.  Tennis balls work and short lacrosse sticks can be used to propel or pick up the ball, but are not required. Usually the game is played double-handed, but expert players can play single-handed.  Generally each team has two co-captains - one for defensive play calling and one for offensive play calling.

Goals can be any convenient distance apart. 

Rules

1. 1. At the beginning of the game each team captain has a ball.  The game can be started from shore or on the field.
   

2. 2. A team may capture the opponents ball by intercepting or picking it up out of the water.  It can then score with it.
   

3. 3. Scores can be made from within or outside a defensive zone.
   

4. 4. Rocking, pumping, ooching, sculling and frequent roll tacks are allowed.  The lacrosse stick can be used as a paddle, but ordinary paddles are forbidden.
   

4. A boat within her defensive zone has the right of way.  If two boats from opposite teams touch when one is in her defensive zone, the defensive boat’s team is awarded a point, and play continues. 

5. 5. A boat outside her defensive zone is governed by the racing rules.  The 720 rule applies to boats on opposite teams.
   

6. 6. If a boat capsizes, play is suspended, and all boats must circle in their positions until the capsized boat is righted. 
   

7. 7. If a crew player falls in the water and is separated from his/her boat, the game ends and the win is  awarded to the opposite team.
   

8. 8. ISAF Rule 2 (fair play) applies.
   

9. 9. ISAF Rule 1.1 (helping those in danger) and Rule 1.2 (life-saving equipment and personal buoyancy) apply.
   

10. 10. If there is disagreement on a foul, a protest committee meeting is called after the game has ended, and the prevailing team is awarded a point.
    

8. 8. One team co-captain always stays in the vicinity of his/her goal, and is responsible to keep count of the goals scored by the opposition and points scored by his team by means of defensive encounters within the three boat length zone.  All scoring and racing rule issues are maintained on the honor system.
   

9. 9. A boat is in her defensive zone if any part of her is in the defensive zone.
   

10. 10. After a goal, the defensive team fishes the ball out of its goal and play continues.
    

11. 11. If a point is scored by a defensive boat and an offensive boat touching inside the defensive zone, and the offensive boat has the ball, the offensive boat must throw her ball into the water and cannot regain possession of the ball until she has exited the defensive zone.