The body of rules

1-1 General remarks

The goal of the game is to kick a football from the starting point against a flagpole (called "Pole") placed somewhere on the ground in accordance with the body of rules and with as few kicks as possible.

1-2 Influence on the ball

No player or viewer is allowed to influence the position or movement of the ball unless it happens in accordance with the rules.
⇒ s. Movement of the ball without influence of the active player (Rule 2-5)
⇒ s. Removal of loose obstructive natural products (Rule 2-6)

1-3 Agreement to waive rules

Players may not decide to ignore any rules or penalties.

1-4 Details not covered by the rules

In case of any detail not being discussed in the body of rules, all players are requested to find a mutual solution.

2-1 Quality and measurements

2-1-1 Buschball is played with size 5 footballs. Those have a circumference of between 68 to 70 centimetres and weigh between 410 and 450 g. The pressure has to be between 0.6 and 1.1 bar.

2-1-2 All players have to use the the ball(s) declared the match ball before the match.

2-1-3 If there are more than one ball in use, every player may choose a ball to play with.

2-2 Unusable match ball

A ball is unusable when it looses pressure, is visibly deformed or contains holes.

2-3 Replacement of the match ball

If the ball is damaged according to rule 2-2 or cannot be found again it has to be replaced by another ball that conforms to rule 2-1-1. The new ball then becomes the match ball.

2-4 Playing the ball

2-4-1 The ball is kicked with one foot.

2-4-2 The ball is kicked when it is moved by a deliberate motion. It is not kicked when it is moved unintentionally and put back to its original position.

2-4-3 The ball has to come to a halt before it may be kicked again. It may not be stopped by the active player.

2-4-4 A natural motion has to be carried out consistently and the ball may not be carried.

2-5 Movement of the ball without influence of the active player

2-5-1 If the ball is moved after coming to a halt by natural influence (wind etc.) this is counted as coincidence. The ball is then played from its new position. The active player may protect the ball from external influence by holding it after it has come to a halt.

2-5-2 If the ball is moved to another position by passive players, other people or animals after it has come to a halt it has to be put back to its original position. The match resumes from there.

2-5-3 If the ball is touched by passive players, other people or animals before coming to a halt it has to be put back to its original position and the kick has to be repeated.

2-5-4 The ball may and should be stopped by passive players before it ends up in a position which would make it unplayable. This applies especially to situations in which the ball would be a danger to players or oher people (rolling on streets, falling into waters etc.). In case the ball cannot be stopped by the passive players, rule 8-1 Unplayable ball applies.

2-6 Removal of loose obstructive natural products

2-6-1 If a normal kicking motion is hindered by branches, stones or other not rooted natural products those may be removed when they are not placed between the Pole and the ball or above the ball. Branches of bushes and trees may be bend aside to allow a normal kicking motion. Branches may not be broken intentionally.

2-6-2 Players are allowed to even the spot behind the ball to have a save standing while kicking.

2-6-3 Everything between the ball and the Pole may not be removed, moved or handled otherweise.

3-1 The "Pole"

3-1-1 The official Buschball Pole is 140 centimetres long. Attached to it is a 11 centimetre spike on the bottom end which usually is sunk into the ground when placing the Pole. The diameter of the Pole is 3 centimetres. The official Buschball Pole is available on www.buschball.de.

3-1-2 The colour of the Pole has to set itself apart from the background (i.e. bushes, trees etc.).

3-1-3 The bunting at the top end of the Pole is 39 times 39 centimetres.

3-1-4 The pole, bunting and spike are part of the goal.

3-1-5 The use of objects that expand or curtail the goal area is not allowed.

3-2 Pole position

3-2-1 The Pole has to be placed at least 20 metres from the starting point unless obstacles do not allow the direct aiming of the Pole (those obstacles are e.g. trees and other obstacles the ball cannot be kicked over).

3-2-2 The largest distance to the starting point is 120 metres.

3-2-3 Every player has to place the Pole at least once per match. All players have to place the Pole as many times as the others during one match.

3-2-4 The Pole position is at the discretion of the player who's turn it is to place the Pole. The Pole position should be chosen in a way that allows to hit it by a maximum of nine kicks. The Pole may be placed in every angle and leaned against other objects.

3-2-5 The Pole may not be placed higher above the ground than it is long (i.e. 151 centimetres tops). The ground is defined as a spot in the immediate vicinity of the Pole where the ball may come to a halt and a normal kicking motion is possible.

3-3 The starting position

3-3-1 The first starting position of a match is determined by the first active player. The following starting points are determined by the pole position of the previous round.

3-3-2 If the new starting point cannot be exactly at the previous pole position the first active player of the respective round determined another starting position in the immediate vicinity of the previous pole position.

3-3-3 The starting point is determined after the pole position.

4-1 Number of players (minimum)

A Buschball match requires at least two players. If all but one players have to quit an ongoing match it has to be cancelled then at the latest.

⇒ s. Reasons to cancel a match (Rule 9-2)

4-2 Number of players (maximum)

A maximum of six players are allowed to one match. If the number of players exceeds six the match has to be played in different groups. Those should be as homogenous as possible.

5-1 Every shot is counted as one kick. A player may execute nine kicks per round. If the Pole is not hit by the ninth kick the round is closed and ten kicks are noted for the respective player. Those result from the nine executed kicks and an additional penalty point for not hitting the Pole. This is called a "Sudden Death".

5-2 The player who hit the Pole with the fewest kicks is awarded a "Best Round". If several players have used the fewest kicks all of the respective players are awarded a Best Round.

6-1 The match lasts as long as is necessary to complete the determined number of rounds.

6-2 Every player should try to complete the rounds a quickly as possible.

6-3 If a player intentionally delays the match the rest of the players are allowed to warn him and discuss possible penalties.

7-1 Preparations

7-1-1 The order in which players determine the pole position is drawn before the match.

7-1-2 The players' names are written on the scorecard in accordance to the result of the draw.

7-1-3 The first player determines the first pole position. The second player (the first active player) starts the match. This also means that the player who determines the pole position is the last active player of the respective round.

7-1-4 The number of rounds to be completed is determined before the match. It should not exceed 18 rounds.

7-2 Start of the match

Once the first pole position is determined the match may start.

8-1 Unplayable ball

The match is stopped when the ball is in unplayable position. This is the case when a normal kicking motion is not possible. All players have to be instructed about the situation and are allowed to observe the situation. When a player claims that the ball can be played he has to prove it by moving the ball with one kick in accordance to the rules to a position where the ball is playable. If he manages to do so the ball is put back to its original position and the match continues from there. If he cannot prove his claim the ball is declared unplayable and put to the nearest spot from where it can be played again (but never closer to the Pole!). The new position is determined by all players.

8-2 Unusable ball

The match may always be stopped when there is reasonable suspicion that the ball is damaged and therefore unusable. In this case all other players have to be instructed. Afterwards the ball may be picked up and examined. If it is unusable it will be replaced by another ball in accordance to rule 2-1-1 and the match continues from the same spot.

8-3 Weather

8-3-1 Under certain circumstances a stoppage of the match is reasonable. Those are for example:

• heavy rain
• strong wind

8-3-2 The match has to be stopped due to the players' safety during:

• Thunderstorm
• Hurricanes
• every type of natural disaster

8-3-3 The duration of a match shall not exceed 45 minutes. If the situation causing the stoppage does not seem to improve after that deadline the match is cancelled. It may be cancelled earlier when all players agree on that.

8-4 Injuries

If a player is injured the match is stopped. It may be continued when the degree of the injury is known and when it is decided whether the injured player can continue the match. If this is not the case the match can be cancelled.

⇒ s. Rule 9 - Abandonment of the match

⇒ s. Rule 10 - Submission of a player

8-5 Other reasons

A player may at all times stop the match due to good reasons. This includes the reasons mentioned in rule 8 as well as sudden indisposition or similar reasons that do not allow the continuation of the match.
A stoppage is also possible when the active player:

• wants to point out a breach of rules by a passive player

• considers the ball unplayable and informs the other players about that

9-1 The match may be cancelled at all times when all players agree.

9-2 Further possible reasons are:

• injury and sudden indisposition of a player
• extremely long duration

9-3 An abandonment is mandatory when the continuation of the match would put players in serious jeopardy, e.g. severe weather conditions and natural disasters.

10-1 If a player quits the match early (e.g. via submission or other reasons) he will be noted ten kicks per missing round.

10-2 The other players complete the match as intended. The sum of all kicks decides the final rank of the eliminated player.

10-3 The number of rounds is not changed and the remaining players continue to place the Pole in turn.

11-1 The match is finished when the determined number of rounds is completed.

11-2 The winner of the match is decided by the sum of kicks. The player with the fewest kicks is the winner.

11-3 In case of a tie the number of Best Rounds determines the winner.

11-4 If this does not allow a decision the number of Pole-in-Ones is decisive.

11-5 If there still is no decision the number of the "lowest" Best Rounds is decisive (e.g. the number of Best Rounds with 2 kicks, then 3 kicks, etc. until there is a difference between the players).

11-6 If the players still have the same score they both are ranked in the same spot. The following rank will be eliminated and afterwards the ranking continues as usual.

12-1 Fouls

12-1-1 Every kind of disregard of rules is defined as foul.

12-1-2 If a player observes a foul commited by another player he has to inform the other players about it. The players (apart from the offending player) decide whether a foul has been commited and which penalty is appropriate.

12-2 Misconduct

12-2-1 Misconduct is defined as every type of unfair behavious. This includes distraction, provocation and hindrance of other players especially immediately before a kick. When a player gets to the ball one should refrain from comments and flamboyant motions.

⇒ s. Respect for other players (Etiquette, article 3)

12-2-2 If a player observes misconduct commited by another player he has to inform the other players about it. The players (apart from the offending player) decide whether a foul has been commited and which penalty is appropriate.

13-1 Safety

With regard to their own health players shall wear sturdy shoes.

13-2 Apparel

Players are not allowed to wear clothes with political or religious slogans or messages. Furthermore, political and religious symboles, illustrations etc. are forbidden.

14-1 All complete matches can be reported on buschball.de.

14-2 Manipulated reports will be punished and lead to permanent disqualification from the ranking.

14-3 The ranking formula can be viewed on buschball.de