ISO Investors Marketing our RollerBall Game .. tested in the Denver area
The Game Board
ROLLERBALL
The Game is played by 2 players. Each player having a pair of (2) paddles. A 1" steel ball is used to score with. The player hitting the ball into any one of the three holes of his opponent's goal board is the winner of that point.
The Serve
The players can decide who serves by the simple toss of the coin (tournament rules), but normally the challenger will automatically inherit the serve. The serve is initiated by placing the ball behind the red serving line and then tapped slowly to the opponent who then taps it back slowly to the server. After the ball has crossed back behind the server's serving line, he, (the server), may then hit the ball as hard as he wants to put the ball into play. If the opposing player, whom is not serving the ball, does not return the ball back beyond the server's serving line during the serve, the server inherits a "free-shot" and like-wise, if he does not return it soft enough for the server to have the opportunity for a controlled "first-hit". The server is allowed to 'dig' or 'top' a served ball that may align itself in the corner of the playing surface and the wall. That maneuver may be used only 'once' in which to set-up one's serve.
The Play
The play is executed from the third hit, after which each player attempts to sink the ball into an opponent's goal. The player losing the point inherits the serve for the next play.
Forward Motion
Forward motion is a result of a forward rebound of the ball off of the goal board, paddle and/or the interaction of the spinning of the ball at surface level beginning at the serving line and ending at the center foul line.
PENALTIES
Scooping
At no time (except the free-shot) may a player stop the forward motion of the ball in front of the serving line with the back of his paddle, wrist, arm, etc.
Line Foul---Glass
At no time during the play of the game may a player hit, or even glance his paddle, hand-guard, arm, etc., off the center safety shield. A player's paddle is allowed to go into the center foul-line, (under the glass), but not over it.
3 Second Rule
Once the ball has crossed the foul-line and/or made contact with a player's paddle, he must attempt to put the ball into forward motion within the "3" seconds allowed. NOTE: When, during the play of the game, the ball strikes the center safety shield and drops to the playing surface, once the ball has stopped bouncing, the countdown for the "3" second rule begins again at "0" seconds, but does not void the forward motion the ball was already in.
Hand-Guard Rule
It shall be illegal to intentionally utilize the hand-guard as an instrument or tool in an attempt to alter the natural course of the ball. The play of the ball shall primarily be conducted off the striking portion of any paddle used, thereby, rendering the hand-guard as a safety factor only and not as an offensive or defensive tool. The bottom and in rare circumstances, the sides of the paddles are considered a legal striking portion also.
NOTE: It shall be legal to use the top portion of one's paddle to "dig" out a ball caught in the "threshold" of one's own hole. It is NOT LEGAL to touch the ball with one's fingers, hand, arm, etc., in a attempt to alter the natural course of the ball.
Chopping
It shall be illegal to "chop" the ball at any time. This is done by one's paddle descending in a downward stroke to make contact with the ball between the bottom of the paddle and the playing surface. Chopping results in a erratic and dangerous motion of the ball and will result in a "free-shot" for the opposing player. The 2nd violation of a 'chopping' call will result in an automatic point given to the opposing player.
The Free-Shot
The Free-Shot is initiated from behind the player's serving line. The player making the Free-Shot may execute that shot as hard or as soft as he wishes to do so. His opponent CANNOT block this shot, as it will result in an automatic point for the player executing that Free-Shot. If the player executing the Free-Shot does not score with that shot, then, and only then, may his opponent stop the forward motion of the ball, (scoop), with the back of his paddle, ONLY ONCE, and then put the ball back into play, thus resetting the '3' second rule. The ball MUST NOT make contact with the back of one's paddle more than one time per possession. This is a limited opportunity only.
The Hard Shot
The hard-shot is a result of what happens when the ball leaves the perimeter of the playing surface or is hit off the table. Whose ever OFFENSIVE paddle, arm, wrist, etc., the ball made contact with last before leaving the table of the perimeter of the playing surface, constitutes a hard-shot for his opponent. Also, if the ball should ever lodge itself in between a players fingers and hand-guard and stops, providing the player's paddle was in a legal defensive position, it will be considered off the table, constituting a hard-shot for that player.
NOTE: At any time during the play of the game, if a player's paddle, arm, wrist, etc., crosses in front of his serving line, as long as he remains in that position, that player's paddle, arm, wrist, etc., is considered in an offensive position.
The Dead Ball
If the ball should ever lie dormant on the playing surface in front of the serving line, the player must re-activate the ball in a forward motion, providing the ball was already in forward motion, within the time (3 seconds) he is allowed.
If the ball should ever lie dormant on the foul-line, (under the glass), it shall be the responsibility of the player whose side the ball has just come from, to return the ball to his opponent before the end of the 3 seconds in which he has to do so in. If this is not done, it results in a free-shot for his opponent.
When an opponent hits the ball into the glass and if the ball should roll across under the shield at center field (foul line) onto your side of the playing field, that ball may be drawn back to you with the back of your paddle, ONLY ONCE, and then put back into a forward motion. This can be done because the ball had not become to be in forward motion at that time.
REMEMBER, in this dead-ball scenario the back of the paddle must not make contact with the ball, (in front of the serving line) more than one time per possession.
Grasping
It shall be illegal to "Grasp" the ball between a player's two paddles, interfering with the natural course of the ball. I.E. The ball can only be contacted with only one paddle at a time and not both paddles at once, (except the initial set-up of the serve, hard-shot or free-shot).
ADDENDUM
FREE-SHOT-------During the free-shot, the player attempting that shot, must be given a clear and totally unobstructed view of his opponent's goal-board until that shot has been completed.
The hard-shot and free-shot must be executed with ONE hit of a player's paddle ONLY, beginning from behind the executer's serving line and ending upon the release of the ball. A double-hit is NOT LEGAL.
The area BEHIND the serving line is a player's "margin of error", protecting that player from accidental "scoops". That is why it is more reasonable to play one's defense as closely to the goal-board as possible. This area is not a sanctuary protecting one from other violations.
The 'Flagrant' Punch
Towards the end of an offensive stroke, if a player's paddle makes contact with the ball at the bottom of his paddle (the plastic portion being the bottom) and the ball should leave the table, a 'one-time' warning shall be given to the offending player and after the 'one-time' warning for any 'punches' such as that, the next violation will constitute a 'free-shot'.
Again, only 1 warning will be given on a 'Flagrant Punch'.
These 'punches', if done improperly, can launch the ball in a very erratic and dangerous manner.
This is why a 'chop' is illegal as this is also a highly erratic and unsafe shot.
THE 'ACE'
An ACE is the result of a score from the 'Serve or Hard Shot' position.
In the 'serve' mode, a player must initiate his return from behind the serving line and can follow through accordingly in his attempt to score an ACE. This cannot be a 'double hit' .
In the 'Hard-Shot' mode, a player must initiate his hard-shot from behind the serving line and must follow through accordingly in his attempt to score an ACE. This cannot be a double hit.
Remember, a free-shot and a hard-shot cannot be a double-hit. A double hit in these penalty shots results in a free-shot for the violator's opponent.
Note:
Sometimes a 'served' ball will align itself on the playing surface in the corner of either one of the side-rails making it very difficult to return.
A player is allowed to 'Top' the ball ONLY ONCE, with the bottom or other hitting portion of his paddle in an attempt to pull it into a more favorable position from which he may resume his serve.
TIPS
When in an offensive position, always try to maintain control of the ball with well timed and calculated shots.
Remember, a player has up to 3 seconds to manipulate and execute his offense. He who controls the ball will usually win that point.
When playing defense, stay back against the goal board to block your holes, as you will soon recognize your opportunity to acquire control of the ball for your own offensive attack.
ENJOY YOUR ROLLERBALL EXPERIENCE!