Section I – Field Lines and Marks

Section II – Hoops

Section III – Game Balls

Section IV – Brooms

Section V – Player Equipment

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Section I – Field Lines and Marks

1. Boundary Lines - The pitch consists of four boundary lines which form a 36 by 66 yard rectangle.
1. The 36 yard boundary lines are the endlines.
2. The 66 yard boundary lines are the sidelines
3. The sideline closest to the scorekeeper’s table is the “scorekeeper’s sideline.”
2. Midfield Line - The midfield line connects the midpoints of the sidelines.
3. Keeper Zone Lines - There are two keeper zone lines, which run parallel to the endlines, connect the sidelines, and are positioned 12 yards away from the midfield line on either side of it.
4. Goal Lines - There are two goal lines, which run parallel to the endlines, connect the sidelines, and are positioned 18 yards away from the midfield line on either side of it.
5. Penalty Boxes - Each team has a penalty box outside of the pitch.
   1. Each box is a 6 by 6 yard square area that begins at the midfield line and extends along the scorekeeper’s sideline in the direction of the team’s bench.
6. Ball Positions - There are four ball positions directly on the midfield line.
   1. The first two ball positions are 3 yards of either side of the center of the midfield line.
   2. The other two ball positions are 9 yards on either side of the center of the midfield line.
7. Substitution Areas - Each team’s substitution area is a 21 by 3 yard rectangle outside of the pitch and bordering their own keeper zone.
   1. One side of the substitution area is the scorekeeper’s sideline inside the keeper zone.
   2. The substitution area extends 3 yards away from the sideline.
8. Team Benches - Each team’s bench is a 21 by 3 yard rectangle that extends 3 yards farther from the pitch behind their sub- stitution area.
9. The Player Area - The player area is a rectangle enclosing the pitch with the pitch at its center.
   1. This rectangle is 48 yards wide and 72 yards long.
   2. The player area must be clear of obstacles and dangerous terrain.
      1. No tournament-specific obstructions, such as a scorekeeper’s table, may be set up within the player area.
   3. During gameplay, the player area is reserved for:
      1. Players on the active roster of the teams in play.
      2. Referees and officials assigned to the game currently in play.
      3. Tournament staff given access to the player area (at their own risk) at the discretion of the head referee or tournament director.
      4. Team staffers as designated in 3.I.1 Team staff.
10. Field Markings - Various parts of the pitch and surrounding area should be marked in a clear manner. These markings are usually made with cones or lines.

Section II – Hoops

1. Hoop Composition and Construction
   1. Each hoop must be made up of a post and a circular loop attached to the top. These may be made of any material other than metal or concrete and must not be dangerous to players.
   2. A hoop may be attached to a base to keep it upright.
      1. This base should not affect the hoop height.
      2. Other than metal fasteners, the base must not be made of hard metal or concrete.
   3. Hoops must be freestanding and able to withstand play.
      Referees must disallow any hoops or bases that they believe are dangerous to the players.
2. Hoop Shape
   1. Each set of hoops must have posts of three different heights.
      1. These heights must be 3 feet, 4.5 feet, and 6 feet.
   2. A hoop loop must be fastened to the top of each post.
      1. The inner diameter of each hoop loop must be 33 inches.
      2. The attachment of the hoop loop must not make the total height of the post exceed the required post heights.
3. Hoop Positioning
   1. Three hoops are positioned on each goal line.
      1. The 6 foot hoop must be placed at the center of the goal line.
      2. The other two hoops are placed on the goal line, 9 feet away from the 6 foot hoop on either side.
      3. Facing either set of hoops from midfield, the 3 foot hoop must be on the left and the 4.5 foot hoop must be on the right.
   2. The hoop loops must be in line with the goal line.

Section III – Game Balls

1. The Quadball
   1. A volleyball.
   2. Between 25.6 and 26.4 inches in circumference.
   3. The quadball must maintain its spherical shape and must be neither inflated all the way nor so flat that the average player could grip a bulk of the leather in one hand.
2. Dodgeballs
   1. Three spherical balls made of flexible rubber or rubber-like covers (such as dodgeballs).
   2. 8.5 inches in diameter, 26.7 inches in circumference
   3. The dodgeballs must maintain their spherical shape and must be neither inflated all the way nor so flat that the average player could grip a bulk of the rubber in one hand.
3. The Flag Runner
   1. A standard tennis ball held within a tail.
      1. The sock must have a visible and unobstructed length of between 10 and 12 inches.
      2. If the tail is attached to the outside of the shorts, up to 2 inches of the attachment may be counted toward this minimum length.
   2. The tail must be tucked in or attached to the shorts of the flag runner in a manner that is secure and allows for the removal of the tail by the seeker.
4. Defective Balls Mid-Play
   If a game ball becomes defective (e.g. deflates) while in play, the head referee must stop play to replace the ball. The following conditions apply:
   1. The head referee must stop play immediately when any ball becomes defective.
   2. If a ball was in midair when it became defective, the replaced or repaired ball is returned to the player who last held possession, except the quadball after a good goal.
      1. If this player is knocked out or dismounted before play is stopped, then the ball is given to the nearest eligible player on the same team to this player’s current location.
         1. If no such player exists, then the ball shall be left at the player’s current location.
   3. No goals or knockouts may happen with a ball an official recognized as defective before the knockout or goal occurred.
   4. If a dodgeball becomes defective while hitting a player, the knockout counts and the dodgeball is considered dead.
      1. If the dodgeball becomes defective in the final motion of being otherwise successfully caught, that catch shall count.
   5. If the flag runner becomes defective during the flag catch (e.g. the tail breaks in half and the seeker gets half of it), the catch counts if the seeker cleanly removed the actual ball.
      1. If the flag becomes defective before the catch, the catch must be called no good.

Section IV – Brooms

1. Broom regulations
   All players in play must have a broom. The broom:
   1. Must consist of a rigid pole made of plastic between 39 & 41 inches long
   2. Must not have splinters or sharp points.
   3. Must not be attached to the body, clothing, or other equipment of the player.
2. Broken Brooms
   If a broom breaks during the course of play, the head referee must immediately stop play and it must be replaced before its player may make any play
   1. It is illegal to knowingly initiate a new play while using a broken broom.
   Red Card - Knowingly initiating a new play with a broken broom
3. Providing brooms
   The tournament director for a game must provide equal brooms to both teams. Teams may provide their own brooms unless this is disallowed by event policy prior to the event.

Section V – Player Equipment

1. Safety
   Players must not use any equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or other players.
2. Mandatory Equipment
   While in play, each player must properly wear the following equipment:
   1. A colored headband at least half an inch wide and worn on the forehead distinguishing the player’s position.
   2. Their uniform as explained in the MLQ Uniform Policy
   3. Shoes or Cleats
      1. Spikes or studs must not be sharp.
      2. Spikes or studs must not be completely made of metal or affixed with metal caps.
   4. A mouthguard which shall:
      1. Include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion.
      2. Include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion.
      3. Cover the posterior teeth with adequate thickness.

   Blue Card - Entering play without wearing mandatory equipment

   Blue Card - Intentionally removing mandatory equipment while in play

3. Headband Requirements
   Position headbands are subject to the following standards.
   1. The color of the headband must be distinct enough to unambiguously identify the player’s position.
   2. The headband must be easily visible from a reasonable distance and be identifiable through a player’s hair or other equipment.
   3. Hats or other headgear may not be used as headbands.
   4. If a player’s headband is lost mid-play, they may continue to play without it. However they must replace the headband whenever any of the following occur:
      1. They are knocked out.
      2. There is a stoppage in play.
      3. A goal is scored.
   5. If an official deems a player’s headband unacceptable for any reason, the player must immediately correct the issue.
      1. If this cannot be completed immediately on the pitch, the accidental equipment infringement procedure shall be applied (See: 2.V.5 Accidental equipment infringement).
4. Additional Equipment
   All additional equipment must be approved by the head referee with the following standards:
   1. Pass the “knock test,” i.e. when a referee raps on it with a knuckle, it should not make a knocking sound.
5. Accidental Equipment Infringement
   In the event that a player’s previously legal equipment becomes illegal as a result of play:
   1. Play is not stopped unless the referee determines the infringement presents a danger to players.
   2. The player at fault must leave the pitch to correct the infringement immediately and may be replaced with a substitute.
      1. Players do not need to leave the pitch to replace a broken broom.
   3. Any player required to leave the pitch to correct equipment must not re-enter until the equipment has been replaced, repaired, or removed.
      1. Mandatory equipment must be replaced or repaired.
      2. If there is no replacement for a broom or headband available, the head referee must stop play until the equipment is provided.
   4. If the player does not leave the pitch upon being informed of the infringement, or re-enters play with- out correcting the infringement, that player is subject to penalty for disregarding an official’s directive.

   Yellow Card - Disregarding an official’s directive

6. Intentionally Altering Equipment
   It is illegal to intentionally alter any game equipment, including the game balls and hoops, in order to gain an advantage.

   Red Card - Illegally altering game equipment

7. Forbidden Equipment
   The following are forbidden equipment and may never be worn by players while in play:
   1. Audio or visual recording devices.
   2. Grip enhancing substances which might transfer to and affect a ball.

   Red Card - Wearing forbidden equipment

8. Jewelry
   1. Players are not permitted to wear jewelry of any kind while in play.
      1. Flexible piercing retainers which are flush with the skin are allowed.
      2. Players with significantly stretched piercings may use hard plastic retainers which are flush with the skin and completely fill the piercing.
   2. Players wearing forbidden jewelry that does not impact gameplay will be ejected from the game.
   3. Players wearing forbidden jewelry that impacts gameplay or the other team must receive a red card.

   Ejection - Wearing forbidden jewelry that does not impact the game

   Red Card - Wearing forbidden equipment that impacts play.