1.1.1
Surfaces
Acceptable surfaces are any that will allow smooth transfer of the
Schlockey ball (the “schlock”) to all areas of the playing surface. Allowed surfaces include (but are not
limited to): Floorboards, carpet, linoleum, close cropped grass, cement,
decking, smooth slate or asphalt.
Unacceptable surfaces include (but are not limited to): Water, gravel,
flowerbeds, train tracks, wheat fields, escalators or roof tiles.
1.1.2
Surrounds
The playing surface should be surrounded on all sides by solid vertical surfaces or surfaces that will allow the schlock to remain inside the field of play. There is no provision for “out of bounds”. Should the schlock strike one of these surrounds there will be no stoppage in play. Suitable surrounds for the Schlockey arena include (but are not limited to): Couches, television cabinets, speakers, walls, garden sheds, bookcases, refrigerators or doors. Unacceptable surrounds include (but are not limited to): Trees, dogs, clothing, firearms, motor vehicles, vegetables or saucepans.
1.1.3
Dimensions
There are no compulsory dimensions for the Schlockey arena. The area should be large enough to practically accommodate two to four players, depending on whether doubles or singles is being played. The area should be small enough to be defended practically by one or two players. The arena should be longer than it is wide, or at the very least square, octagonal or oval in shape. A triangular arena would not be acceptable.
1.1.4
Zones
The arena is to be divided in to two equal, horizontal sections.
These two sections will then be split in to two areas, the furthermost areas
comprising seventy five percent of the total area. The back zone of each half
of the arena is designated the “attack” zone, while the forward zone is
designated the “retrieval” zone. Two goals will be placed directly opposite
each other at either end of the arena. The width of the goals should not exceed
forty percent of the total width of the court. (Refer to fig 1.1.4a for visual
reference.)
1.1.5
The Goals
The width of the goal has no set restriction, but should be both small enough to allow practical defence of the area, and large enough to afford reasonable opportunity for the opposition to score. The height of the goal shall not exceed forty-five centimetres.
1.1.6
Markings
All zones, areas and goals must be clearly marked. Items suitable
for marking zones include (but are not limited to) salt and pepper shakers,
stones, candles (unlit), spray cans or plastic cups. Items not suitable for
marking zones include (but are not limited to) cats, dogs, insects, trucks,
trees (unless already in situe) ,
or computers.
Players may wish to place masking tape or some other markings across the court
to signify breaks between the various zones and the halfway line.
2.1
Equipment
2.1.1
The Schlock
The Schlockey ball or “schlock” should be of spherical shape, smooth
surface and lightweight. Items Acceptable for use as a schlock include: Tennis
ball, stress ball, nerf ball, plastic golf ball, and any sort of small toy
ball. Unacceptable items include: cricket balls, basketballs, mirror balls,
beach balls, baseballs, footballs, (of any code) or hotels.
2.1.2
Clubs
Clubs used in the game of Schlockey should be of the nature of toy golf
clubs or similar. The length of the shaft should not exceed sixty-five
centimetres in length and one point five centimetres in diameter. The face of the club should be
no wider than seven centimetres, the height not to exceed four centimetres. The
total surface area of the clubface must not exceed 20 square centimetres.
2.1.3
Footwear
Footwear is optional. Footwear if worn must
not provide an unfair advantage to the player. The size
of a players footwear must not
exceed the size of a players foot. Clowns are exempt from this rule.
Players should refrain from
wearing golf shoes, as they are impractical and unfashionable. Novelty
slippers i.e. pigs or dogs, are
recommended by the ISA.
3.1
Gameplay
3.1.1
Movement
No part of
a player’s anatomy or equipment may encroach upon their opponent’s half of the
arena. Should any part of a players anatomy or equipment cross into the
opponents half, possession shall pass to the opponent and play shall commence
from within the opponents attack zone. Should the encroachment occur in the
process of playing a shot, any score resulting from that shot will be
disallowed.
3.1.2
Attack
A player must
aim to propel the schlock between the opposition’s goals. This is attempted by
striking the schlock with the schlockey stick. Players may only play at he
opposition’s goal from within their own attack zone. The ball may be gathered
from the retrieval zone and moved back to the attack zone, however no shot on
goal is permitted from the retrieval zone. Any shot on the opponent’s goal must
be made with the use of a stick. Feet, hands, head or any other part of the
body may not be used to play a shot. Any score resulting from such play will be
disallowed.
3.1.3
Defence
A player
must aim to prevent the schlock from passing into his own goal. When defending,
a player may only have one foot between his goal area. This single foot, along
with the leg, arm, head, body and the schlockey stick, may be used to block the
schlock. The hand may not be used to defend goal, unless it is also in contact with
the schlockey stick. A player may only bring his second foot in to play after
the schlock has struck his foot, body, schlockey stick, or any section of the
wall containing the players goal. A player may use his second foot to deflect
or control the schlock, provided it does not enter the area between the player’s
goals.
3.2
Penalties for breach of rules
3.2.1
Encroachment
into opposition half
Should a
player encroach on the opposition half, he shall be deemed “offside” and must
return possession of the schlock to his opposition immediately. Repeated offences
shall be more severely punished. In the third instance of encroachment within
the same match, a penalty shot on goal shall be awarded to the opposition from
the halfway line. Should this fail to deter further encroachment, the referee
may, at his discretion, deduct points after the sixth such incident within the
same match.
3.2.2
Overstepping
the Attack zone
Should a
player shoot on his opposition goal from within the retrieval zone, he shall be
deemed to have “overshot”, and possession of the schlock shall pass to the
opposition. No score shall result from any instance where a player overshoots. Should
a player overshoot three times within the same match, a penalty shot on goal shall
be awarded to the opposition from the halfway line. Should this fail to deter further
encroachment, the referee may, at his discretion, deduct points after the sixth
such incident within the same match.
3.2.3
Illegal
use of feet in defence
Should a
player bring his second foot in front of his goal whilst defending, he shall be
deemed to have “blocked”, and an immediate penalty shall be awarded to the
opposition from the halfway line. Should a player block three times within the
same match, a penalty shot on goal shall be awarded to the opposition from the
blocker’s attack line. Should this fail to deter further encroachment, the
referee may, at his discretion, deduct points after the sixth such incident
within the same match.
3.2.4
Illegal
use of hands in defense
Should a
player use his hand in front of his goal whilst defending, the hand not being
in contact with the schlockey stick, he shall be deemed to have “slapped”, and
an immediate penalty shall be awarded to the opposition from the halfway line.
Should a player slap three times within the same match, a penalty shot on goal shall
be awarded to the opposition from the slapper’s attack line. Should this fail
to deter further encroachment, the referee may, at his discretion, deduct
points after the sixth such incident within the same match.
3.2.5
Abuse
of equipment
Any player
who willfully damages any equipment, fixtures, markers, or schlockey sticks
shall have a point deducted from his score for each instance of such abuse.
Point deductions shall be at the discretion of the match referee.
3.2.6
Schlock
breakage
Should a
player, accidentally or otherwise, step on the schlock and cause it to break,
he shall forfeit all points accrued to that point in the match.