Xenon's Xenonball

The World Xenonball Championships

Date: Fall 2005

Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada

Rules and field layout are described below.

In order to sign up leave your name, and a valid return email address (xenonball@hotmail.com): Sign Up For World Xenonball Championships

The World Xenonball Championships will be held in Edmonton, AB, Canada at Windsor Park, just west of the University of Alberta.

The players will be competing for the prestigious Xenon Cup

The first 27 players to sign up will be guaranteed a slot.

All competitors must be at the field before 10:00am in order to review rules and legalities.

All competitors will be required to sign a waiver promising not to sue organizers in the event of an injury.

Players may leave the venue between games, but must be back a minimum of 10 minutes before the scheduled start of their game.

If all slots are full, alternates will still be allowed to sign up in case of cancellations or no-shows.

All competing are asked to bring their own food and drink (lunch, water) to the field.

There will be no scheduled lunch breaks, however, it is clear that everyone will have two free hours in the period between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Spectators are welcome, but there will be no seating provided. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc.

Congratulations to our 2003 Xenon Cup winner Steve Garner!

The Rules of Xenonball

1. Players: The game is played by three individual players each playing to increase his own point total, and to minimize those of his two opponents.

2. Game Time: The game is played in three straight-time periods of 10 minutes each separated by 10 minute intermissions. Overtime is played in 10 minute periods separated by 5 minute intermissions.

3.a Conditions for winning: The player with the highest point total at the end of the game is declared the winner.

3.b If the score is tied at the end of 3 periods, overtime play continues until one player has a superior score. Note: The player behind at the beginning of overtime may still win in overtime.

4. Scoring: Points are scored by shooting the ball into the goal from the inbound areas of the field. 1pt is scored within the 15ft circle. 2pts within the half line, but outside the 15ft circle. 4pts are scored beyond the half line, but inside the clear line. 8pts are scored from behind the clear line. If the ball is kicked in then double points are awarded. Points may be deducted for penalties depending on the severity of the infractions and the number of occurrences. This is at the discretion of the officials.

5. Official Possession: "Official Possession" is the right to score. When the ball is scored into the goal, whoever has official possession is awarded the points for said goal. Official Possession can be gained in two ways: On a non-penalty toss, the tosser has official possession; a player can gain possession by crossing behind the clear line with the ball.

5.a Tosses: At the beginning of the game, order of opening period tosses is determined by rock-paper-scissors. In a toss, the tosser stands behind the 15ft circle and tosses to the two remaining players standing on opposite sides of center. Tosses must be above the players' heads, and must come down within a reasonable distance from the center mark. A toss will be blown down by the official if it is judged to give an unfair advantage to one of the players. The tosser may not leave the 15ft circle until another player has touched the ball.

5.b Penalty Tosses: A "Penalty Toss" is the case where the tosser does not have official possession, all else is equal with a regular toss. This is a toss to give possession to another player as a result of an infraction.

5.c Inbound Tosses: All inbound tosses are penalty tosses. In the case that the ball has been thrown out of bounds, the player who threw it tosses the ball from outside the field where the ball left the field. He cannot return to the field until someone has touched the ball.

6. Clear Zone: The "Clear Zone" is the area farthest from the goal behind the clear line. If the player holding the Xenonball enters the clear zone he receives official possession from whoever had it previously. If an opposing player tackles the ball carrier when he is in the clear zone an automatic 1pt deduction will be assessed. Once a ball carrier enters the clear zone, the opposing players must quickly move behind the half line, failure to do so in a timely manner will result in a 1pt deduction. The ball carrier may choose to wait up to 5 seconds inside the clear zone once the opposing players move behind the half line. Note: the ball carrier may also choose not to wait at all if he sees an opportunity to take advantage of. Failure to leave the clear zone within 5 seconds will result in the ball carrier throwing up a new toss. A player with official possession may not re-enter the clear zone.

7.a Out of Bounds: If the ball carrier is forced out of bounds by his opponents there are two possibilities. A: There was clearly a closer opponent to the ball carrier. B: Both opponents were equally involved in the play. In case A the closer opponent is given the ball where his opponent went out of bounds and allowed 10 feet of space in all directions to carry the ball back onside and to his destination. If the player takes longer than 5 seconds to inbound the ball, he will toss for his two opponents. In case B, the player forced out of bounds will toss for his opposing players.

7.b Ball Out of Bounds: If the ball is thrown out of bounds outside of the 15ft circle, then that player shall throw an inbound toss for his opponents. If it was thrown out inside the 15ft circle then the player who threw it shall toss for his two opponents.

8. Down: The ball carrier is "Down" when any of these body parts touch the field: knee, back, butt, chest. When the ball carrier is down, he must immediately drop the ball on the ground, and may not touch it until another player has touched it. Failure to do so will result in said player throwing a penalty toss or a 1pt deduction.

9. Goals: A goal is scored if the ball is inside the goal opening and sinks below the plane of the top of the goal. When a goal is scored, the points are rewarded to the player with official possession and that player then proceeds to toss the ball for his opponents.

10. Overtime: Overtime is "sudden death." This means that as soon as any player is leading in score, play is stopped and that player is declared the winner. Note: if a player is losing before overtime begins, but manages to tally a score which gives him a lead, he may still win in overtime.

11. Padding: The only padding allowed is soft foam elbow and knee pads and a soft head protector. Padding is neither required nor provided.

12. The Goal: The goal is soft and can be bent, but should be treated as a solid piece of equipment. If a player intentionally moves the goal when a reasonable shot is coming toward it, the goal shall be automatically counted.

13. Illegal Tackles: There are 3 illegal tackles: a player may not intentionally lift another player off the ground to tackle him; a player may not leave the ground to check his opponent; and a player may not tackle his opponent by grabbing his head or neck. A player may not throw elbows, kick, punch, scratch, pull hair, or use any other "cheap" maneuvers to harm his opponents. Any of these infractions will result in an immediate 1pt deduction and the tackled player will be allowed to start back inside the clear zone.

14. Intent to Injure: Any clear signs of intent to injure will be dealt with harshly and quickly. If a player clearly attempts to injure another player he will be given a minimum penalty of a 1pt deduction. Depending on severity and regularity he may receive multiple point deductions or be ejected from the game. If it is clear that a player is intentionally hurting spectators or abusing the officials he will be immediately ejected from the game and the tournament. Such things as fighting and repeated violations of safety rules such as making illegal tackles will not be tolerated. In the event that a player is ejected from the game or injured and unable to complete the game, the referee will play in his place. The ref cannot win, but will allow the remaining two players to continue their game.

Note: This is intended to be a gentleman's sport. Do not play to injure, simply tackle and move on. Show respect for the officials and their calls.

Field Layout

The field is laid out as a diamond. The length of the diamond is 55ft, while the width of the diamond is 45ft. The clear line is 7.5ft from the corner opposite the goal. The 15ft circle is 15ft from the corner with the goal. The half line is exactly half way down the field. The center of the goal is placed exactly 7.5ft from the goal corner. The goal, 3ft high, at its base is 2ft in diameter, tapering to a 7in diameter opening. The goal is to be made of foam or some other soft material to avoid injury. The ball is a small, hand-sized foam football.