Michigan Shuffleboard Association

 

Michigan Shuffleboard Association Rules & Regulations

The current Michigan Shuffleboard Rules govern all competitive contests conducted or sanctioned by the Michigan Shuffleboard Association.  It is essential that the Rules and Regulations be fully understood and carried out.  It is the duty of all the officials to enforce the rules, with mandatory penalties assessed whenever observed.  True sportsmanship is vital to the enjoyment of the game.

A - GAME

1. The game of shuffleboard is played by either two (2) persons (called singles), or by four (4) persons (called doubles).
2. The object of the game is to propel discs by means of a cue onto scoring diagram at opposite end of court to score, to prevent opponent from scoring, or both.

 

B - EQUIPMENT

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1. Discs shall be made of composition not less than 9/16" and not more than 1" in thickness, 6" in diameter, and not less than 11-1/2" ounces in weight. New discs shall weigh 15 ounces.
 
 Four (4) discs shall be colored yellow, four (4) colored black. These eight (8) discs comprise a set. (Other colored combinations may be used, as white, red, blue, etc., as long as there are two contrasting colors.) Care should be taken that all discs in a set shall be uniform in weight and thickness.
2.

The cue shall not have an overall length of more than six feet, three inches (6'-3"). No metal parts on cue shall touch playing surface of court.
3. Players shall not be required to play with discs, new or old, that are not in satisfactory condition. Defective discs will be replaced by good discs, if available. Any change of discs must be made before the first (1st) game begins. New discs are not to be used in tournament play, unless thoroughly broken in.

 

C - PLAYING RULES
COLOR ROTATION FOR MAIN EVENT
AND CONSOLATION FINAL MATCHES
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1. Match type and length will be at the discretion of the tournament director.  (Best two-out-of-three 75-point games.   Best two-out-of-three 12 or 16 frame game.  Best two-out-of-three 12 or 16 frame game or 75.  One single 24 or 36 frame game with teams switching colors at the half way point.  Or any other combination as long as it is announced prior to the beginning of play.)   A FRAME shall be defined to equal to a Half-Round, every time a score is posted to the scoreboard constutes a frame. See Officials 2
1a. Player, or team, with lowest line number will play the first game with YELLOW discs, change color and play the second game with BLACK discs. If a third game is necessary, players will shoot for color choices as described in 2. Winner will immediately decide which color they have selected before leaving the court. This decision will be final and may not be changed.  Failure to make the decision of color choice before leaving the court forfeits this right and gives the color choice to the opponents.
1b.

Before practice round begins, each player may shoot two (2) discs only to check the speed of the court.  These two (2) speed shots must be taken before any court may be swept and/or beaded. There shall be no setups of any kind.  (back to top)
1c. Two full rounds of practice on your assigned color are allowed before the first and second games, and no practice is allowed before the third game.
1d. In doubles, partners shall play on the same color at both ends of the court.
1e. In doubles, players may change ends once immediately at the conclusion of the practice rounds before the first game begins. Team assigned to the YELLOW discs must decide first whether to change ends or not, and the decision stands for the match, after which the team assigned to the BLACK discs must decide whether to change ends or not, and the decision stands for the match.
2. In shooting for color choice, players must shoot from the head of the court. In Non-Walking singles, the match at the foot of the court will shoot for color choice from the foot of the court. To determine the color choice, any two opposing players (one from each side) each shoot four (4) discs to the far deadline. The players shoot alternately: first YELLOW (or alternate color), then BLACK, then YELLOW, etc. The first three discs of each player are for practice and are removed progressively; the last disc of each player is left on the court. As between these last two discs, the disc nearest the line determines who shall have color choice. The measurement is from center of disc to center of line, EXCEPT if the disc is not touching the line, it shall be measured from the edge of the disc closest to the line to the edge of the line closes to disc. If the last black disc shot touches or moves the last yellow disc, the color choice goes to the player of yellow. The last disc of each color shot shall be left in place until inspected by at least one member of each team and the winner agreed upon. If moved, whichever team moved the disc concedes the lag.
3 To start a game, the YELLOW disc is shot first. Play alternates yellow, then black until all discs are shot. Yellow shall always be played from the right side of the head of the court, and left side of foot of the court.
3a. ERROR IN COLOR LEAD OR WRONG COLOR PLAYED: Error in color lead or wrong color played shall be corrected if discovered before the half-round is completed; and the half-round shall be played over. If the half-round is completed, the scoring shall be credited to the players making the score, regardless of the color shot, and play continues in the correct order. (The HALF-ROUND is completed when the eighth disc is shot and all discs come to a stop.)
3b. SHOOTING OPPONENT'S DISC: Player shooting opponent's disc; if LIVE disc is not touched, PENALTY - 10 Off, and opponent's disc shall be returned to the starting position and play continued as before the infraction. If a LIVE disc is touched, PENALTY - 10 Off; plus any 10-Offs offender had on the court; good disc of the offender does not count. Opponent's good disc shall be credited to opponent's score (excepting any 10-Offs) and the Half-Round shall be played over. The penalties will be annotated on the scoreboard; however, the Half-Round is not complete until the 8th disc has been shot by the correct player.

If player shoots his or her disc from opponent's respective half, and live disc is not touched: Penalty 10-Off, that disc is removed from court and play continues. If a live disc is touched, penalty 10-Off, plus any 10-Offs the offender had on the court, other good disc of offender shall not count. Opponent's good disc on court shall be credited to opponent's score EXCEPT any 10-Offs and the frame shall be played over, unless game point has been reached by offender's opponent.
3c. In WALKING SINGLES, after all discs are played, completing a HALF-ROUND, the players walk to the other end of court, or foot of court, and start play with color lead changed to BLACK.  The players are to use their own alley to proceed to the other end of the court. (back to top)
3d. In DOUBLES, after all discs are played at head of court, play starts at foot or opposite end - YELLOW leading, BLACK following. Color lead does not change until both ends have been played (a ROUND).
4. Players shall place their four (4) discs within and not touching lines of their respective half of 10-Off area. PENALTY: 5-Off. Penalty not applied to a player until he/she has played a shot.
4a. Discs must be played from the clear from within the respective half of 10-Off area. If disc played touches front or back lines, PENALTY: 5-Off.
4b.

If disc played touches side line, or triangle, PENALTY: 10-Off; offender's disc removed, and opponent credited with any of his/her discs displaced. All displaced discs shall be removed from the court immediately after scoring of opponent's displaced discs. Any 10-Offs the offender had on the court that were displaced will be removed before further play and also be deducted from offender's score.

DISC TOUCHING LINES: It is common practice with players to jockey or slide the playing disc backward and forward to see if there is sand which might interfere with disc sliding evenly. NO PENALTY is to be called on this practice if lines are touched or crossed while jockeying. Disc in motion may cross outside diagonal line.

A disc is played (in the act of shooting) when it is completely in the 7 area. If a disc is touching the farthest dead line, it is in play.

If disc does not reach lag line and is not called dead and is not removed, play should continue and the disc shall be treated as a live disc for that half-round.
5. Players must not touch a foot, hand, knee, or any other part of their body to the court on or over the baseline or extension of the baseline at any time while executing a shot. PENALTY: 10-Off.
6. Players may stand behind baseline extension in the alley between the courts before or while shooting, but not on adjoining court. PENALTY: 5-Off.
6a. The area between the baseline of the court and on imaginary line, even with the back of the bench, and bounded on the sides by the farthest line of each adjoining alley, should be considered part of the court.
7. In Doubles and non-walking singles, players must remain seated when play is to their end of the court until the last disc has been shot and comes to rest.  PENALTY: 5-Off except players can remove dead discs within 8" of baseline, judge discs and retrieve dead discs that have gone onto other courts.  In Walking Singles, a player must not cross the baseline to proceed to the other end of the court until all discs are shot and stopped. PENALTY: 5-Off (back to top)
8. Players must not leave the court during a game without permission, EXCEPT to gather discs at end of half-round. PENALTY: 10-Off.
8a No penalty if player leaves court between games. Player may not be gone more than ten (10) minutes. PENALTY: 10-Off. A game is concluded when the score is recorded on the scoreboard, and the scores are recorded on the player's card. The referee on the court shall start the time when the game is concluded. Additional penalties may be awarded for further infractions. See Rule C-19
9. Players shall not stand in the way of, or have a cue in the way of, or interfere with opponent while he/she is executing a shot. PENALTY: 5-Off.
9a. Player, after shooting a disc, shall step to the rear of his/her portion of the shooting area with his/her cue in a vertical position in order not to disturb his/her opponent's play. PENALTY: 5-Off.
10. Players shall not touch live discs at any time. PENALTY: 10-Off, plus any 10-Offs the offender has on the board. Other good discs of offender shall not count. Opponent's good discs on the court shall be credited to opponent's score, EXCEPT any 10-Offs, and the half-round shall be played over, UNLESS game point has been reached by offender's opponent.
11. Players must not talk or make remarks to disconcert opponent's play. PENALTY: 10-Off.
12. Any remark or motion to partner which indicates coaching his/her play is prohibited.
PENALTY: 10-Off.
13. Player shooting before opponent's disc comes to rest, PENALTY: 10-Off plus any 10-Offs the offender has on the board. Other good discs of the offender shall not count. Opponent's good discs on the court, prior to the offense, shall be credited to opponent's score, except any 10-Offs and the half-round shall be played over, unless game point has been reached by opponent.
14. For intentional delay or stalling, PENALTY: 5-Off.
15. A cue slipping from a player's hand which touches any live disc, PENALTY: 10-Off plus any 10-Offs the offender has on the board. Other good discs of the offender shall not count. Opponent's good discs on the court, prior to the offense, shall be credited to the opponent's score, except any 10-Offs and the half-round shall be played over unless game point has been reached by opponent.
15a. A cue which slips from a player's hand and which ends up on another court, interfering with player shooting a disc on that court, PENALTY: 10-Off to offender loosing control of cue.  If no live discs, other than the disc shot by the player who was interfered with, are disturbed, the player interfered with may take their shot over.  If live discs, other than the disc being shot by the player who was interfered with, are touched or moved by the errant cue, the half-round on the court of the player interfered with shall be played over and no score on that court shall count. (back to top)
15b. A dead disc coming from another court which interferes with a disc being shot from a court other than the offender's court: PENALTY 10-Off to offender.  If a live disc, other than the disc shot, is touched by the errant disc the half-round on the court where the disc was touched shall be played over with no score being credited to any player.  If the only disc touched by the errant disc is the one being shot by the player on the other court, the player shooting may take his shot over and the half-round shall not be played over. (back to top)
16. NO HESITATION SHOT ALLOWED. PENALTY: 10-Off. Any 10-Off(s) the offender had on the court that were displaced will be removed before further play and also be deducted from offender's score.
17. NO HOOK SHOT ALLOWED. The shot must be delivered in a straight line with continuous forward motion of cue and disc. PENALTY: 10-Off, offender's disc removed, and opponent credited with score of any of his/her discs displaced. All displaced discs shall be removed from the court immediately after scoring of opponent's displaced discs. Any 10-Off the offender had on the court that were displaced will be removed before further play and also be deducted from offender's score.
17a. Regarding a hook shot, hesitation shot, shooting off from line, there will be no appeal, as there is only one person who can tell if you have shot off the line or made a hook or hesitation shot, and that is the referee. That is strictly a judgment call by the referee, and once he/she has made that call, it will stand. The only time a divisional should be called is if the referee isn't sure of the penalty or gives wrong penalty, then the player will make an appeal.
18. Any player shooting two consecutive discs, PENALTY: 10-Off, plus any 10-Offs offender may have on court. Other good discs of offender will not count. Opponent credited with all good discs on court before second disc was played (except 10-Off) and that half-round played over unless game point has been reached by offender's opponent.
19. In case of improper action of a player not specifically covered by the rules, or in a match to which a court referee has not been assigned, the Tournament Director will ascertain the facts and may assess a penalty. He/She will also insure that the offender gains no advantage from his/her improper action and, in addition, impose a 10-Off Penalty.
20. A disc or discs returning or remaining on the playing area of the court, after having struck any object outside the playing area, shall be removed before further play, it is called a dead disc.
20a. If a dead disc rebounds or ricochets and touches a live disc, or causes another dead disc to touch a live disc, the half-round shall be played over and a 10-Off PENALTY to the player shooting the offending disc causing the replay.  EXCEPT, if it was the result of the last disc, which is the eighth disc played in the half-round is not replayed, 10-Off PENALTY is assessed.  (If it is the result of the 8th disc shot the only score will be 10-Off to the offending shooter)
20b. If a dead disc coming from another court moves or displaces a live disc, that half-round shall be played over, with no score credited to any player. A 10-Off PENALTY to the player on another court shooting the offending disc causing the half-round to be played over.
20c. Player shooting a disc making one or more discs to go completely over the backstop or rebounding from over the backstop, PENALTY: 10-Off. This rule is temporarily suspended. The Michigan Shuffleboard Association MAY, by a majority vote of the entire Executive Board, reinstate the 20c Hard Shooting Rule AT ANY TIME.
21. Any disc that clearly leaves the court beyond the farthest baseline, or goes off the sides of the court, is a dead disc.
22. A disc, which stops less than eight inches (8") beyond the farthest baseline, shall be removed.
23. A disc that is leaning over the edge of court and touching the alley shall be immediately removed.
24. A match will be forfeited after the third call of 5-minute intervals, total 15 minutes.
25. Any team or individual that forfeits or is forfeited in a game or match, up to and including the quarter-finals, is DISQUALIFIED from the tournament.
26. No electronic equipment (cell phones, etc) allowed on court.

D - SCORING

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1. SCORING DIAGRAM - one 10-point area; two 8-point areas; two 7-point areas; one 10-Off area.
2.

After both players have shot their four (4) discs, SCORE ALL discs on diagram within and NOT touching lines; separation triangle in 10-Off area not considered.

JUDGING DISC: When judging disc in relation to lines, the official shall position himself/herself with the disc between him/her and the line and sight DIRECTLY DOWN.

A MOUNTED DISC, or disc resting on top of disc, happens sometimes when players use excessive force in shooting. Each disc shall be judged separately according to scoring rules.

No Artificial Aid or Cue shall be used in judging discs. Use EYESIGHT ONLY, except in judging lagging discs. PENALTY: 5-Off.
3. Play continues until all discs have been shot in that half-round, even if game has been reached.
4. If a tie game results at game point or over, play is continued in regular rotation of play, until two full rounds in doubles or one full round in singles are completed. At that time the side with the higher score wins, even if it has less than 75 points or the number of points specified as game points. If the score is tied again, play continues again as above outlined.
5. In tournament play, the winner of a match must sign the score card, thus approving the record entered thereon.
6. If an error occurs in the scoring of a score on the scoreboard at the end of a half-round and it is discovered before the next half-round is completed, the error must be corrected. Otherwise the score as scored on the scoreboard must stand, unless both sides are agreed on the correction.

 

E - OFFICIALS

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1. Officials in Tournament Play shall be Tournament Director, Assistant to the Tournament Director, Divisional Referees, Court Referees, and Court Scorers.
1a. A Court Referee shall be assigned to a match upon the request of any player in that match.
2. THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR shall have complete charge of arrangements of the tournament namely, type of tournament, length and style of games and/or matches, conduct the drawings, pairings, assign the courts, officials, set time for starting games and matches; inspect all courts and equipment, etc., and all other details which enter into tournament play. The Tournament Director may also cancel, suspend, or otherwise re-arrange court calls and tournament play in such instances where extreme weather conditions prevail.
3. An ASSISTANT TO THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR may be appointed as desired by the Tournament Director. He/She shall render final call on close discs (third call), shall render decision on question of fact, but final APPEAL FROM PLAYERS will be made by the Tournament Director.
4.

DIVISIONAL REFEREE: One or more Divisional Referees shall be appointed, number dependent on how many courts are in play.

The Divisional Referees are the aides of the Tournament Director, and shall carry out his/her orders regarding assigning officials and players to courts. He/She shall see that discs, indicators, pointers, chalk, score cards, and other necessary equipment are at each court. He/She shall inform officials of any special rules and regulations which have been made for the conducting of the tournament. He/She shall collect all score cards at finish of matches and shall return them to the Tournament Director. He/She shall have jurisdiction only on the action of courts assigned to him/her. Divisional Referees shall be informed by Court Referees of all PLAYER APPEALS and, if decision made by Court Referee is not justified or not according to the rules, may over-rule him/her.

If a Divisional Referee observes a violation of a rule by a player in his/her assigned section in a match on a court without an assigned Referee, the Divisional Referee will notify the Tournament Director of the violation. With the Tournament Director's approval, the Divisional Referee will assign a Referee to that court for the remainder of the match.
5.

COURT REFEREE shall have complete charge of play on court assigned to him/her. He/She shall consult his/her Divisional Referee on APPEALS FROM PLAYERS. He/She shall be sole authority on decisions and scores, except as above noted. He/She shall inform players of any rules and regulations made for the tournament. He/She shall give signal for start of play, shall call disc good or no count, shall remove dead discs from play, shall announce score at end of each play, shall have charge of color indicator, and announce color lead.

He/She shall announce any violation of rules to players and instruct scorer as to penalty of same. He/She shall supervise the scoring and assure himself/herself that it is correctly done. He/She shall not touch live discs in determining whether they are good or no count. If he/she should disturb live discs, half-round played over. He/She shall not gather discs for the players. He/She shall sign score card at end of match and verify that scores are correct.

For any rule violation seen by the Referee, a fine must be mandatory, with Referee giving no warning at any time in all tournaments.

 
6. COURT SCORER shall tally clearly the score of game on scoreboard at end of court, tallying only score called by Court Referee after each half-round.

 

F - APPEALS

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1.

Either player in singles, and either player in doubles at the end of the court to which the discs are played, may:

Request permission from the Referee to examine any close disc as to good or not good, or;

Ask the Referee if a disc is close and the Referee responds "Yes"; this is automatic approval for the player to examine it without additional approval. In singles, when there is no referee on the court, a player may go and examine the disc as to good or not good, and also to gain information concerning location of discs.
1a. If a player wishes to make an appeal on any close disc, as to whether it is good or no count, it must be made before another disc is shot by either player, and the decision made shall be final and cannot be again appealed at the end of the half-round, unless such disc or discs have been touched or moved by another disc after decision was made. Anyone from the shooting end of the court in doubles asking for either First or Second Call shall be construed as coaching. PENALTY: 10-Off.
1b. If the Referee and Divisional agree, there will be no third call. If they disagree, there must be a third call by the Director or his/her representative.
1c. If there has been no request by either party to examine a close disc until AFTER the half-round is completed, then the half-round is played over if either player protests the Referee's call, and the protest is sustained by the Tournament Director, UNLESS such disc or discs protested is (are) the result of the last disc played. No live disc will be moved after a disc has been protested and no dead disc may be placed in the playing area, until the protested disc has been finalized. PENALTY: 10-Off. (back to top)
1d. Shooter may ask Referee to have partner check close disc. If there is no Referee, shooter may ask partner to check the close disc.
2. Player or players making appeal without sufficient reason shall be PENALIZED 10 POINTS OFF SCORE.
3. Players may request officials to give them information concerning location of discs. Players shall not be permitted to examine these discs.
4. A player or team may protest any one or more officials assigned to their court, provided such protest is placed before the Divisional Referee or Tournament Director before the first game begins.
5. To refuse assignment of a Referee, a player or team must have a good and valid stated reason.

NOTE: Tournament Director or Divisional Referee must appoint other officials to serve in place of those protested, which appointment must stand.

 

G - SUBSTITUTES

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1. Once a tournament starts, there will be no substitutes allowed in any tournament played in the State of Michigan. Tournament starts when the draw is completed.

 

H - WET COURTS

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1. If it starts to rain during any unfinished half-round of play, players will not be required to complete the half-round. All discs will be removed from court to a dry place. In case of rain, Scorekeeper will write on the back of the scorecard the scores, color lead, and at which end of the court play will resume. If the Tournament Director decides that the game is to continue after the rain ceases, play will then be resumed at score and color lead where play ceased. (If half-round was not completed, then half-round will be played over.)
2. If Tournament Director shall deem it necessary to discontinue play on account of weather conditions, any unfinished game or match shall be resumed later, at score and color lead where play ceased.
3. Practice after a rain delay is to be as follows: If play can restart on the same day, there will be two (2) speed shots and four (4) practice discs. If play restarts the following day, there will be full practice, including two (2) speed shots.
4. Lagging procedure to decide color choice for the third game to be as follows: Following the second game, if it is obvious that the third game cannot be completed, or even started, the lag for color choice shall be done immediately following the second game (unless it is raining) and the choice of the color be made by the winning team of the lag within ten (10) minutes after the lag. Failure to make this choice within ten (10) minutes constitutes the forfeiture of choice and the opponents will have two (2) minutes to make the choice of color.

 

 I - VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

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C-3b Shooting opponent's disc 10-OFF
C-4a Discs not in starting area 5-OFF
C-4b Played disc touching front or back line 5-OFF
C-4c  Played disc touching sides or triangle (see Rule 4c) 10-OFF
C-5  Players stepping on or over baseline or extension of baseline while in the act of shooting 10-OFF
C-5a Player must not touch any part of body on or over baseline at any time while executing a shot 10-OFF
C-6    Players must not stand or step on adjoining court 5-OFF
C-7 Players not remaining seated 5-OFF
C-8    Players must not leave court during game without permission. Except to gather discs. 10-OFF
C-9 Standing in way or equipment in way of opponent 5-OFF
C-9a Fail to step to the rear with cue in vertical position 5-OFF
C-10 Touching live disc (See Rule 10 for total penalty)
C-11 Remarks disconcerting opponent 10-OFF
C-12 Any remark or motion to partner 10-OFF
C-13 Shooting disc while opponent's disc in motion (see Rule 13) 10-OFF
C-14 For intentional stalling 5-OFF
C-15 Cue slipping from player's hand (see Rule 15, 15a, 15b) 10-OFF
C-16 No hesitation shot allowed (see Rules 16 & 17a) 10-OFF
C-17 No hook shot allowed (see Rules 17 & 17a) 10-OFF
C-18 Player shooting two consecutive discs (see Rule 18) 10-OFF
C-19 For improper action, not otherwise covered, Tournament Director may impose Penalty which prevents any advantage to violator, plus Penalty 10-OFF
C-20a Player shooting disc rebounds causing replay of half-round 10-OFF
C-20b Player shooting disc rebounds causing replay of another court 10-OFF
C-20c Disc going over backstop is TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
C-25 Forfeit before semifinal DISQUALIFIED
D-2 No artificial aid/cue when judging disc 5-OFF
F-1a Shooting end in doubles asking for a call.  Considered Coaching 10-OFF
F-1c Moving disputed disc before inspection 10-OFF
F-2 Appealing without reason 10-OFF

 

J - AMATEURS,  PROS. DIVISONS

1.

Players shall be divided into two divisions: Amateurs, and Pros.
2. A Amateur shall be advanced to Pro, effective the following May 1st, when he/she accumulates a total of three (3) points in three (3) consecutive years or less (May 1 through April 30). Counting shall be as follows: a first, second, third or fourth place win in the Main Event in a State Tournament Event shall count as one (1) point. A first, second or third place win in Consolation of a State Tournament Event, shall count as one-half (1/2) point.
3. No tournament, other than the Michigan State Tournament Events, shall be considered in the counting.
4.

Anyone coming to Michigan from another State or Country where they are designated as an Expert, Master or Pro shuffleboard player will be ranked as a Pro in Michigan.
5.

A Pro is ineligible to play in any Amateur tournament.
6. Players may accept cash prizes without losing amateur status.
   
   

 

 

 

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