Boomerang Competition Regulations
2007
United
States Boomerang Association
Boomerang Competition Rules 2007
Boomerang Safety-Forward-Definitions-Tournament
Organization-Official (Judge) Obligations-Contestant
Obligations-Contestant Rights-Tournament
Details-Intentional Interference-Protests-Timing
Boomerang Competition Regulations
2007
Table of Contents
1......... Boomerang Safety
2......... Forward
3......... Definitions
4......... Tournament Organization
4.1. Announcements
4.2. Cancellation of Tournaments or Events
4.3. Changes to the Order of Events
4.4. Field Requirements
4.5. Recognition of Results
5......... Official (Judge) Obligations
5.1. Tournament Director
5.2. Head (Line) Judge
5.3. Judge
5.4. Head Spotter (Long Distance Event only)
5.5. Steward
6......... Contestant Obligations
7......... Contestant Rights
8......... Tournament Details
9......... Intentional Interference
10....... Protests
11.......
Timing
12....... Scoring
12.1. Individual and Team Tournaments
12.2. Head to Head (H2H) Tournaments
13....... Records
14....... Individual Events
14.1. Accuracy 50
14.2. Accuracy 100
14.3. Australian Round
14.4. Trick Catch / Doubling 100
14.5.
Fast Catch
14.6. Endurance
14.7. Maximum Time Aloft 100 (MTA 100)
14.8. Maximum Time Aloft Unlimited (MTA Unlimited)
14.9.
Individual Relay Trial
14.10. Juggling
14.11.
Five-Minute Juggling
14.12.
Long Distance
14.13. G-L-O-R-P
15....... Team Events
15.1. Team Accuracy 50
15.2. Team Accuracy 100
15.3. Team Australian Round
15.4. Team Trick Catch / Doubling
15.5. Team Fast Catch
15.6. Team Endurance
15.7. Team Maximum Time Aloft 100 (Team MTA 100)
15.8. Team Relay
15.9. Team Endurance Relay
15.10. Team Supercatch
15.11. Team Position
15.12. Team Beaver Scramble
16....... Super Novice Events
16.1. General Rules
16.2. Accuracy
16.3. MTAussie Round
16.4.
Trick Catch
16.5.
Fast Throw
16.6. Endurance
16.7. Maximum Time Aloft Limited (MTA Limited)
Figure 1. Minimum Required Circles for Accuracy
Figure 2. Minimum Required Circles for Australian Round
Figure 3. Minimum Required Circles for Trick Catch / Doubling, Fast Catch, Endurance, and Team Endurance Relay
Figure 4. Minimum Required Circles for Maximum Time Aloft 100 (MTA 100)
Figure 5. Minimum Required Circles for Team Endurance Relay
Figure 6. Minimum Required Circles for Long Distance
1.1.
Boomerangs can be dangerous if they are thrown carelessly.
1.2.
Throw boomerangs only from a safe place where they have plenty of room to fly or
bounce without danger of hitting anyone or anything.
1.3.
If you see anyone in danger of being hit, warn him promptly and loudly.
1.4.
Warn anyone on the field if your throw may endanger him. Make sure he is clear
before you throw.
1.5.
Do not enter another throwers circle without checking to see if it is safe and
telling the thrower you are entering his circle.
1.6.
Make sure that the area immediately around you, in all directions, is clear to a
radius of approximately 30 meters.
This book describes the individual events conducted in USBA tournaments and sets
standards for running them. Certain words have special meanings in these rules.
These words are defined in the definitions section.
An attempt was made to write these rules clearly and completely, and to
cover most expected circumstances.
If things happen that are not covered or not covered clearly, the intent is
interpreted by the tournament officials.
The intent is to make the rules as fair as possible to all contestants
and to avoid creating an unfair advantage or unfair disadvantage to any person.
Active Circle
Competition circle currently being set up or being used to run an event.
Advanced
The highest level/class of competition. Throwers considered the best or most
competitive.
Board, USBA
Elected officials of the USBA. The
board may act in place of the USBA President if the USBA President is not
available.
Boomerang
Number of arms is unrestricted. To be a boomerang a stick must tend to return as result of gyroscopic precession caused by asymmetric lift. The lift is created as a result of a throw that gives the object rotation and linear motion. Other characteristics include:
a. Materials – can be made from any non-metal material. Metal may be embedded or taped on but may not have exposed sharp edges.
b. Other- No launching, propulsion, or catching aids may be incorporated in the boomerang.
Bull's-Eye
Area inside the 2 meter circle from which throws are made. The marked line is
outside the bull's-eye. If a thrower touches the line during the throw - before
the boomerang is released - no points are scored for the throw or catch. This
area is designated 10 points in Australian Round and Accuracy.
Catch, Behind The Back
Legal catch during which
a.
the boomerang passes behind the competitors back or
b.
the catching hand is behind the competitors back and withdraws the boomerang
(Catches on the other side are permitted if the catching hand crosses behind the
throwers back and withdraws the boomerang from behind the back).
Catch, Broken
A legal catch of any part of a boomerang is considered a legal catch if all
other boomerang requirements are met.
Catch, Eagle
One hand clean catch during which the hand approaches the boomerang from the
(overhand) top of the boomerang.
Catch, Foot/Leg
A legal catch during which the boomerang is caught with the feet or lower legs.
The boomerang may not touch any part of the competitors knees, or
anywhere above his knees. The
boomerang and both of the competitors feet must remain clear of the ground
during the catch. The thrower may
elect to make a stand up foot/leg catch in place of the foot/leg catch.
Catch, Hackey
A catch where the first contact of the boomerang must be made with the foot,
defined as any part of the body below the ankle.
Either or both feet may be used.
The thrower attempts to kick or “hackey” the boomerang off the foot, and
then catch the boomerang prior to contact with the ground.
After the boomerang has been kicked, any legal catch may be made,
including body traps.
Catch, Legal
Act of stopping and obtaining full control of a flying boomerang after a legal
throw provided the boomerang has not touched the ground during the flight or
catch and provided its range is sufficient. Full control must be obtained before
the boomerang is allowed to touch the ground. The boomerang may be trapped
against the thrower on any catch for which a clean catch is not specified. A
boomerang may be "popped or bobbled" but must not be allowed to touch the
ground. Anything that protrudes beyond the planes of the top or bottom surfaces
of the boomerang may not be used to assist in catching. Holes - whether open or
closed - may also not be used to assist in catching. No devices - mechanized or
otherwise - may be used to aid in catching a boomerang.
Catch, One Hand Clean
Legal catch with the additional requirement that during the catch the boomerang
may not touch the competitor except on the hand and forearm of the specified
side (left or right). The boomerang may not touch the thrower's elbow.
Catch, One Hand Behind The Back
One hand clean catch that satisfies requirements of behind the back catch.
Exception: the boomerang may touch the back or buttocks or back of legs during
the catch, but trapping the boomerang (either flat or on edge) against any part
of the body to obtain control is not allowed. If the boomerang is withdrawn
after control is obtained it may touch the body - even forcibly - as long as
control is maintained. If control is lost, it must be regained by the catching
hand without trapping.
Catch, One Hand Under The Leg
One hand clean catch that satisfies requirements of under-the-leg catch.
Exception: the boomerang may touch the leg, body or buttocks during the catch,
but trapping the boomerang (either flat or on edge) against the leg or body to
obtain control is not allowed. When the boomerang is withdrawn after control is
obtained it may touch the body - even forcibly - as long as control is
maintained. If control is lost, it must be regained by the catching hand without
trapping.
Catch, Stand Up Foot/Leg
Legal catch during which the boomerang satisfies all the requirements of a
foot/leg catch except one or both feet may be in contact with the ground during
the catch. The thrower may not touch the ground with any part of his body other
than his feet or shoes. The boomerang may be trapped between or come to rest on
the throwers feet and/or legs between the ground and his knees. The boomerang
cannot touch the ground or his knees, however.
Catch, Tunnel
Under-the-leg catch where both feet remain on the ground while the boomerang is
being caught. Either or both hands may be used for the catch. If, at the moment
of catch, the thrower's catching hand/arm is under a leg but the boomerang has
not yet passed under the leg the boomerang must be withdrawn under the leg to
complete the catch. Control by the catching hand(s) must be maintained until the
catch/withdrawal is completed.
Catch, Two Hand Clean
Legal catch using both hands. The
boomerang may not any part of the body except the hands/forearms.
It may not touch the throwers elbows.
Catch, Under The Leg
Legal catch during which the boomerang passes under a leg. If, at the moment of
catch, the thrower's catching hand/arm is under a leg but the boomerang has not
yet passed under the leg the boomerang must be withdrawn under the leg to
complete the catch. Control by the catching hand must be maintained until the
catch/withdrawal is completed.
Catch, Unofficial
Catch which does not meet all the requirements of a legal catch. Not counted as
a catch.
Catching Aid
Any characteristic of a boomerang, hand, or other object that provides a
catching advantage. Some examples are:
a.
Chemical or mechanical (Velcro) adhesives applied to the boomerang, the thrower
or his clothing
b.
Any extension to the throwers hand, arm, leg, etc.
c.
Any item thrown to intercept a boomerang.
Center Point
Point at center of bulls-eye from which the radius of all accuracy and range
circles are measured.
Circle Judge
See Judge.
Competition Field
Area specifically reserved for the boomerang competition and specifically
authorized for use prior to the start of the event. Parking and spectator areas,
adjacent in-use sports fields, streets, and any other areas designated as off
limits, before the start of the competition, are not part of the competition
field. Adjacent public or private land is not considered part of the competition
field.
Feat
Best recognized performance in an event which does not meet the more stringent
requirements of a record.
Glove
Any hand covering which may provide protection for hands but may not be made to
aid catching or throwing.
Ground
Point where the earth or its covering is firm enough to noticeably affect the
linear or rotational motion of a boomerang in flight or during a catch. If any
part of the boomerang clearly touches the earth or its covering during an
attempted catch the catch is not counted.
Head Judge / Head Line Judge
Person responsible for fair conduct of all events included in a tournament. This
includes interpreting the rules, organizing other judges and stewards, and
recording of scores. The head judge
may be the tournament director.
Head Spotter
Person responsible for the determination of the furthest point of travel in the
distance event. The head spotter
triangulates the locations recorded by the range stewards to determine the point
of furthest travel.
He, His
Reference to the male gender and for the purpose of this rulebook includes the
female gender.
Immediately
As soon as possible – even if it is necessary to interrupt an official
conversation.
Individual Event
An event in which one thrower competes and the score obtained by the thrower is
applied to that thrower alone. The
score recorded by that thrower may not be applied to any other individuals.
Interference
Situation in which the flight of a boomerang is altered by contact with another
person's boomerang in flight, a person, animal or pre-designated obstruction.
Interference occurs if a boomerang is caught or deflected by someone other than
its thrower. Interference can be called if a thrower is prevented from getting
to his boomerang for a catch by a person or animal. Interference may not be
called if the boomerang hits ground before the alleged interference. Re-throw
policy is defined in each event's rules.
Intermediate
The middle level/class of competition.
Between novice and advanced.
International Scoring System
The system by which USBA tournaments are scored where placing position equals
scoring points. The overall
tournament placings are determined by adding scoring points from each event.
Order of finish is from least amount of points (first) to most points
(last).
Judge
Person responsible for fair conduct of an event included in a tournament. This
includes interpreting the rules, organizing other officials and stewards, and
recording of scores. The judge may be the head judge, or an event judge
designated by The tournament Director or Head Judge.
A judge may not be the active competitor.
Mandatory Event
a.
No event is mandatory. The
Tournament Director may choose any set of events for the tournament. Tournament
directors are free to experiment with tournament formats that meet their
localities needs. All other rules within this rulebook apply. For example
Contestants' rights remain unchanged, rules for changing the events or order of
events remains the same, and the rules for the events described in this rulebook
remain the same. For example, a typical individual tournament consists of
Accuracy, Fast Catch, Endurance, Trick Catch / Doubling 100, Australian Round,
and
b.
An event that is required in order to complete a tournament.
All mandatory events must be declared prior to the start of the
tournament. For example, an
individual tournament may consist of Accuracy, Fast Catch, Endurance, Trick
Catch / Doubling 100, Australian Round, and
Meter Circles
Lines marked the specified distance from the center point on the field.
National Championship
Tournament(s) where all national event champions and national overall champion
are determined. All events should be contested at a single tournament unless the
venue is determined to be unacceptable for a particular event (i.e. field is too
small to contest long distance) and as a result, the event is not contested at
the tournament. If a venue is deemed unacceptable, the national championship for
that event may be awarded to another tournament.
National Event Champion
The winner of the event at a predefined tournament (National Championship).
Events where a national champion is determined include Accuracy, Trick Catch /
Doubling 100, Australian Round, Fast Catch, Endurance,
National Overall Champion
Overall winner of a predefined tournament (National Championship). The national
champion is determined using the events of Accuracy, Trick Catch / Doubling 100,
Australian Round, Fast Catch, Endurance, and
Non Catch
Failure to make a legal catch. Includes unofficial catches made after a throw or
flight which did not meet the requirements of the event.
Novice
The lowest level/class of competition.
Throwers who chooses to enter novice category due to inexperience, age or
other criteria set out in tournament flyer.
A novice may not compete in Intermediate or Advanced category in the same
tournament in which he participates as a novice.
Obstruction
Any moveable person or thing that could potentially interfere with a boomerang’s
flight or movement of the thrower and is within 10m of outermost range steward.
For example, a spectator standing at the 55m line during Australian Round
may be considered an obstruction as the outermost range steward is at the 50m
line. A spectator standing at 65m
line during Australian Round may not be considered an obstruction.
Official
Tournament director, head judge or person designated by either of them to help
officiate in an event. Officials may be competitors or non-competitors
Optional Event
An event that is not required in order to complete a tournament.
Any event that is not declared as a mandatory event is automatically an
optional event.
Point of Contact
Area of the body which touches ground. For example, the entire bottom of a foot
or the tip of a toe could be one point - whatever is touching the ground, two
feet on the ground is one point.
President, USBA
President of the USBA or person designated for the appropriate task by the
president.
Range
Outermost meter circle over which the boomerang flies - between when it is
thrown from and when it begins its return toward the thrower.
Range Challenge
Notification of event judge by any competitor or event official that a throw was
suspected to be short. Any throw for which sufficient range stewards are not
used to evaluate range of the throw may be challenged. Once a challenge is made
the suspect boomerang must be handed to the event judge as soon as possible
after completion of the thrower's turn. The boomerang may not be handed back to
the competitor until range testing begins. If the owner or thrower is observed
to be altering the balance of the boomerang by adding or removing weight, or by
twisting or bending it, the boomerang is assumed to be too short and the
thrower's turn is scored accordingly.
Range Test
Test procedure during which the thrower attempts to show event officials that
his range challenged boomerang has adequate range. The test is conducted as
follows: Thrower makes 5 throws from 2m circle. All throws are checked and must
have at least 20m range. Throws must be the same style and in the same general
direction relative to the wind - in the opinion of the head judge - as the
throws used in competition at the time of the challenge. The throws are
considered short if the thrower refuses to submit his boomerang to the judge as
soon as possible after it is challenged.
Record
Best tournament performances as defined in "Records."
Referee
Person(s) designated to help judges make decisions about protests and penalties.
Re-throw
Throw taken to obtain score in lieu of score lost due to interference on a throw
during a
previous turn. May also be ordered by judge if original throw could not
be properly scored. Re-throws are conducted and scored to ensure that the
thrower cannot improve upon the best score possible for the turn at the time of
the interference. Valid scores obtained in spite of interference may become
official scores if re-throw fails to improve upon it - unless interference
caused improved score in the original turn.
Round
A sequence in an event in which each thrower (all throwers) has an opportunity
to have a specified number of turns. Turns may be in rotation with other
throwers, consecutively, or simultaneously per event rules.
Score
The sum of points accumulated by a thrower or team in a single event, the time
recorded by a thrower or team in a single event.
Senior
An optional competition class for competitors
whose 50th birthday was on or before the date of the tournament in which a
senior competitor is participating.
Seniors compete with slightly different rules from Novice, Intermediate, and
Advanced competitors. Entry into
the Senior class is optional.
Steward
An Official appointed by a judge to assist with the judging of an event.
Tandem Throwing
Two throwers throw within a 3-second time period in an event. The second thrower
must throw within 3 seconds of the first throw.
Team Event
Any USBA approved event with the word Team in front of the name that involves
the participation of multiple team members.
Throw, Legal
Throw of a boomerang from inside the center most circle for the event that
satisfies range requirements of the event.
Throw On Command
Boomerangs must be thrown upon verbal command of official announcing the event.
Thrower has at least 5 second to throw after the throw command is given.
The thrower loses his turn if 5 or more seconds has elapsed since the
throw command was given, the thrower has not thrown, and the thrower has been
informed that he has lost his turn.
Thrower
A competitor participating in a boomerang event.
Tournament Director
Person who organizes and is generally responsible for a tournament, or person
designated by him to fulfill certain duties. The tournament director determines
events, order of events, and assigns head judge responsibility.
Turn
Thrower's opportunity to perform in an event. The sequence of turns for all
competitors is set for all events and competition circles before the start of
the tournament. A turn begins when the previous thrower's turn has been scored
or any time thereafter when the event judge indicates that officials are ready.
The thrower must make his throw within 20 seconds (guideline - timing not
required) of the start of his turn unless otherwise advertised or announced
before the start of the tournament. Extensions may be allowed by judges if done
fairly and consistently.
Un-Scored Round
Round in which an official score could not be recorded because of interference,
or because the judge could not properly score the round. Requires a re-throw.
USBA Record
The best performance by a USBA member in a USBA tournament or a tournament in
which rules of the event are at least as restrictive as USBA rules.
World Record
The best performance in a USBA tournament or a tournament in which rules of the
event are at least as restrictive as USBA rules.
4.1.1.
Sanctioning of tournaments by the USBA must be requested to the USBA President
at least 60 days prior to the first day of competition.
The request must include the date of the tournament, the rain date for
the tournament (if applicable), general location (city), and contact information
for the tournament director (i.e. name, address, phone number, email address,
etc.). The USBA President will
either accept or deny the sanctioning request.
See Appendix 1.
4.1.2.
Sanctioned tournaments must be announced to the to the USBA President at least
30 days prior to the first day of the competition.
The tournament announcement must include the starting time of the
tournament, conditions under which the rain date will be used (if applicable),
exact location (address of field), nominees for head judges (at least 3 nominees
in order of preference), events, and order of events.
The USBA President must approve the all of the above criteria except for
the nominees for head judge. At
least one of the nominees for head judge must be approved by at least 3 USBA
board members (may or may not include the USBA President).
See Appendix 1.
4.1.3.
Any changes to the order of events must be submitted to and approved by the USBA
President at least 1 day prior to the first day of the competition.
4.1.4.
Before the start of the first event all competitors will be told the name of the
tournament director, the name of the head judge, the order of events, and the
order in which the competitors will throw in each event.
The order in which the competitors throw must be arbitrary.
4.1.5.
Before the start of the first event the tournament director and/or head judge
must inform competitors of any additional rules or rule changes.
4.1.6.
Before each turn in each event, the officials must be identified.
4.2.1.
Advertised tournaments or events are held on schedule, regardless of weather or
other occurrences unless at least 75% of the registered and checked in throwers
vote at the scheduled starting time to cancel it.
4.2.2.
Occasionally it may be necessary to discontinue an event in progress due to
lightning or other life-threatening circumstances. The break must be between
rounds. If this is not possible, the event must be canceled unless the throwers
vote unanimously to continue. If part of the event must be delayed and the break
is between rounds the event must be finished the same day and in the same
location or it is considered canceled.
4.2.3.
Mandatory events may be cancelled if at least 75% of registered competitors
agree to change it.
4.2.4.
Optional events may be cancelled if at leat 75% of registered competitors agree
to change it or by the head judge if specific conditions for canceling the event
(outlined prior to the tournament) have been met.
Examples of acceptable conditional cancellations include:
a.
Accuracy will be cancelled if it is not started by
b.
Doubling will be cancelled if any winds exceeding 12mph for more than 15 seconds
are recorded during the Accuracy event using a Fairworth® anemometer.
4.2.5.
If any events are canceled the scores for the completed events constitute the
completed tournament.
4.3.1.
The order of events may only be changed if at least 75% of registered
competitors agree to change it or by the head judge if specific conditions for
changing the order of events (outlined prior to the beginning of the tournament)
have been met. Examples of
acceptable conditional changes include:
a.
Accuracy will be postponed until after the last event if more than 35
competitors are registered at
b.
4.3.2.
The order of optional events may be changed by the tournament director, the head
judge, or if at least 75% of registered competitors agree to change it.
4.3.3.
Criteria for decisions about revising the order of events on the day of the
tournament must be documented in the official results.
4.4.1.
Field must be marked as required for the events being contested as per the event
rules. Additional circles may be
present as long as they do not interfere with the minimum required circles.
4.4.2.
Field marking lines must be immovable.
Lime, chalk, gypsum, paint, or equivalent material must be used. All
lines from the 2m circle line to the 20m circle line must be uninterrupted
(solid) lines. The 30m circle line
and the 40m circle line may be solid or dashed.
The 50m circle line must be solid
4.4.3.
Field must be level and free of obstacles to a radius of approximately 10m
beyond the requirement listed in the event rules.
4.4.4.
There may not be any holes, mounds or obstacles that are unsafe or which may
interfere with the flight of any boomerang or the movement of any competitor as
agreed upon by all (100.0%) of competitors.
4.5.1.
Recognition is granted by the USBA only if:
a.
Announcement requirements have been met.
b.
Events are run in the order in which they were announced, advertised, and
submitted to the USBA President.
c.
Events are run and officiated in compliance with the USBA event rules or
equivalent.
d.
Changes to the schedule may be accepted by the USBA President if appropriate.
e.
Field requirements are satisfied.
f.
Eleven (11) or more contestants participate in the tournament.
Note: The tournament director, head
judge, and referee may compete in the tournament in which they are officials. If
they do they must have designated alternates to perform their duties in any
action or decision in which they are involved as competitors.
5.1.1.
Before the tournament
5.1.1.1.
Must perform all announcements as per section
4.1.
5.1.2.
At the tournament.
5.1.2.1.
Appoints the head judge and score analyst.
5.1.2.2.
Verify that all competitors and judges have signed USBA liability waivers before
the tournament begins.
5.1.2.3.
Provide adequate control of spectators.
5.1.2.4.
Conduct a pre-tournament meeting to make announcements, and review rules.
5.1.2.5.
Make a copy of current USBA rules available to all contestants for reference.
5.1.2.6.
Assist head judge as needed in resolving protests.
5.1.3.
After the tournament