US20070049424A1

US20070049424A1 - Smashball

Info

Publication number: US20070049424A1
Application number: US11/035,439
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseangel Hernandez-Ramil; Cristina Hernandez-Ramil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-25
Filing date: 2005-08-25
Publication date: 2007-03-01

Abstract

The contents of this package are the rules and regulations for a new sport that I have created. The package contains all the rules and regulations of the game. This sport is going to be called Smashball in a National League environment. It n be played on either an indoors and outdoors playing surface. All that is needed is a smooth skating surface. This is a game that is extremely challenging and very enjoyable to watch as well as play.

Description

Rule 1. Rink

The game of “Smashball” shall be played on a skating surface known as the “RINK”.
NOTE: There shall be no markings on the playing floor except as provided under these rules without the express written permission of the League.

Rule 2. Dimensions of Rink

(a)

The official size of the rink shall be two hundred feet (200) long and eighty-five feet (85′) wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of twenty-eight feet (28′). They may also be in 90 degree angles.
The rink shall be surrounded by a wooden or fiberglass wall or fence known as the “boards” which shall extend no less than forty inches (40″) and no more than forty-eight inches (48″) above the level of the ice surface. The ideal height of the boards above the surface shall be forty-two inches (42″). Except for the official markings provided for in these rules, the entire playing surface and the boards and the kick plate at the bottom of the board which shall be any color of choice. Any variations from any of the foregoing dimensions shall require official authorization by the National Smashball League.

(b)

The boards shall be constructed in such manner that the surface facing the playing surface shall be smooth and free of any obstruction or any object that could cause injury to players.
All doors giving access to the playing surface must swing away from the playing surface.
All glass or other types of protective screens and gear to hold them in position shall be properly padded or protected. All equipment used to hold the glass or screens in position shall be mounted on the boards on the side away from the playing surface.

Rule 3. Goal Posts and Nets

(a)

Eleven feet (11′) from each end of the rink and in the center of a red line two inches (2″) wide drawn completely across the width of the surface and continued vertically up the side of the boards, regulation goal posts and nets shall be set in such manner as to remain stationary during the progress of a game. The goal posts shall be kept in position by means of flexible pegs affixed in the ice or floor.
Where the length of the playing surface exceeds two hundred feet (200), the goal line and goal posts may be placed not more than fifteen feet (15′) from the end of the rink.

Rule 4. Goal Crease

The game of “Smashball” shall be played on a surface known as the “RINK”.

(a)

In front of each goal, a “GOAL CREASE” area shall be marked by a red line two inches (2″) in width.

(b)

The goal crease shall be laid out as follows: A semi-circle six feet (6″) in radius and two inches (2″) in width shall be drawn using the center of the goal line as the center point. In addition, an “L”-shaped marking of five inches (5″) in length (both lines) at each front corner will be painted on the surface.
The location of the “L”-shaped marking is measured by drawing an imaginary four foot (4′) line from the goal line to the edge of the semi-circle. At that point, the “L” may be drawn.

(c)

The goal crease area shall include all the space outlined by the crease lines and extending vertically four feet (4) to the level of the top of the goal frame.

(d)

The complete goal area, which includes the crease and to the base of the goal (to the back of the net) shall be painted any color.

Rule 5. Division of Surface

(a)

The area between the two goals shall be divided into three parts by lines, twelve inches (12″) in width, and blue in color, drawn sixty feet (60) out from the goal lines, and extended completely across the rink, parallel with the goal lines, and continued vertically up the side of the boards.

(b)

There shall be a line, twelve inches (12″) in width and red in color, drawn completely across the rink in center ice, parallel with the goal lines and continued vertically up the side of the boards, known as the “CENTER LINE”.

Rule 6. Center Spot and Circle

A circular blue spot, twelve inches (12″) in diameter, shall be marked exactly in the center of the rink; and with this spot as a center, a circle of fifteen feet (15) radius shall be marked with a blue line two inches (2″) in width.

Rule 7. Goal Face-Off Spot

(a)

In both end zones and on both sides of each goal, a red face-off spot shall be marked on the rink. The face-off spot shall be two feet (2) in diameter.

(b)

The location of the face-off spot shall be fixed in the following manner:
Thirty-five feet (35′) from each goal line there will be a face-off spot. Two feet (2′) in diameter. This is where the play will restart if the ball is thrown over the glass.

Rule 8. Players Benches

(a)

Each rink shall be provided with seats or benches for the use of players of both teams and the accommodations provided including benches and doors shall be uniform for both teams. Such seats or benches shall have accommodation for at least fourteen persons of each team, and shall be placed immediately alongside the ice as near to the center of the rink as possible.
Each players' bench should be twenty-four feet (24′) in length and when situated in the spectator area, they shall be separated from the spectators by a protective glass of sufficient height so as to afford the necessary protection for the players. The players' benches shall be on the same side of the playing surface and should be separated by a substantial distance.

(b)

No one but players, the Manager, Coach and Trainer shall be permitted to occupy the benches so provided.

Rule 9. Signal and Timing Devices

(a)

Each rink must be provided with a siren, or other suitable sound device, for the use of Timekeepers.

(b)

Each rink shall be provided with some form of electrical clock for the purpose of keeping the spectators, players and game officials accurately informed as to all time elements at all stages of the game including the time remaining to be played in any period. Time recording for game time shall show time remaining to be played.

(c)

Behind each goal, electrical lights shall be set up for the use of the Goal Judges. A red light will signify the scoring of a goal.

Rule 10. Composition of Team

(a)

A team shall be composed of six players on the rink who shall be under contract to the Club they represent.

(b)

Each player and each goalkeeper listed in the line-up of each team shall wear an individual identifying number at least ten inches (10″) high on the back of his jersey.
All players of each team shall be dressed uniformly with the approved design and color of their helmets, jerseys, short pants, stockings and skates. Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. Velcro inserts, over-sized jerseys, etc. will not be permitted, unless with written permission. Any player or goalkeeper not complying with this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game.
Each Member Club shall design and wear distinctive and contrasting uniforms for their home and road games, no parts of which shall be interchangeable except the pants.

Rule 11. Captain of Team

(a)

One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and he alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game. He shall wear the letter “C”, approximately three inches (3″) in height and in contrasting color, in a conspicuous position on the left top front of his jersey.
In addition, if the permanent Captain is not on the surface, Alternate Captains (not more than two) shall be accorded the privileges of the Captain. Alternate Captains shall wear the letter “A” approximately three inches (3″) in height and in contrasting color, in a conspicuous position on the front of their jerseys.

- NOTE: Only when the captain is not in uniform, the Coach shall have the right to designate three Alternate Captains. This must be done prior to the start of the game.

(b)

The Referee and official Scorer shall be advised prior to the start of each game, of the name of the Captain of the team and the Alternate Captains.

(c)

Only the Captain, when invited to do so by the Referee, shall have the privilege of discussing any point relating to the interpretation of rules. Any Captain or player who comes off the bench and makes any protest or intervention with the officials for any purpose must be assessed a misconduct penalty or a game ejection.
A complaint about a penalty is NOT a matter relating to the interpretation of the rules'.

Rule 12. Players in Uniform

(a)

At the beginning of each game, the Manager or Coach of each team shall list the players and goalkeepers who shall be eligible to play in the game. Not more than twenty players shall be permitted.

(b)

A list of names and numbers of all eligible players must be handed to the Referee or Official Scorer before the game, and no change shall be permitted in the list or addition thereto shall be permitted after the commencement of the game.
1. If a goal is scored when an ineligible player is on the surface, the goal will be disallowed.
2. The ineligible player will be immediately removed from the game and the club may be fined.

(c)

The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for disciplinary action any delay in making a substitution.

Rule 16. Starting Line-Up

(a)

Prior to the start of the game, at the request of the Referee, the Manager or Coach of the visiting team is required to name the starting line-up to the Referee or Official Scorer.

(b)

Prior to the start of the game, the Manager or Coach of the home team, having been advised by the Official Scorer or the Referee the names of the starting line-up of the visiting team, shall name the starting line-up of the home team which information shall be conveyed by the Official Scorer or the Referee to the Coach of the visiting team.

Rule 18. Change of Players

(a)

Players may be changed at any time from the players' bench provided that the player or players leaving the floor shall be within five feet (5′) of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made.
If in the course of a substitution either the player entering the play or the player retiring is struck by the ball accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.

(b)

Following the stoppage of play, the visiting team shall promptly place a line-up on the ice ready for play and no substitution shall be made from that time until play has been resumed. The home team may then make any desired substitution which does not result in the delay of the game.
If there is any undue delay by either team in changing lines, the Referee shall order the offending team or teams to take their positions immediately and not permit a line change.

- NOTE: When a substitution has been made under the above rule, no additional substitution may be made until play commences.

(c)

The Referee shall give the visiting team a reasonable amount of time to make their change after which he shall put up his hand to indicate that no further change shall be made by the visiting club. At this point, the home team may change immediately.

Rule 19. Injured Players

(a)

When a player is injured or compelled to leave the floor during a game, he may retire from the game and be replaced by a substitute, but play must continue without the teams leaving the floor.

(b)

(c)

If a player has been injured, he may proceed to the dressing room without the necessity of taking a seat on the bench.

(d)

When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured players team has secured possession of the ball; if the players team is in possession of the ball at the time of injury, play shall be stopped immediately unless his team is in a scoring position.

- NOTE: In the case where it is obvious that a player has sustained a serious injury, the Referee and/or Linesman may stop the play immediately.

(e)

When play has been stopped by the Referee or Linesman due to an injured player, such player must be substituted for immediately. If when the attacking team has control of the ball in its attacking zone, play is stopped by reason of any injury to a player of the defending team, the face-off shall take place in the defending teams end zone face-off spot.

Rule 21. Skates

(a)

All skates shall be of a design approved by the Rules Committee. All skates worn by players and by the Referee and Linesmen shall be equipped with an approved safety heel. When the Referee becomes aware that any person is wearing a skate that does not have the approved safety heel, he shall direct its replacement at the next intermission. If such replacement is not carried out, the Referee shall report the incident to the Commissioner for disciplinary action.

(b)

The use of speed skates or fancy skates or any skate so designed that it may cause injury is prohibited.

Rule 23. Protective Equipment

(a)

All protective equipment, except gloves and headgear must be worn under the uniform.

- NOTE: Players violating this rule shall not be permitted to participate in game until such equipment has been corrected or removed.

(b)

All players of both teams shall wear a helmet with face mask of design, material and construction approved by the Rules Committee at all times while participating in a game, either on the playing surface or the players' benches.

Rule 24. Dangerous Equipment

(a)

The use of pads or protectors made of metal, or of any other material likely to cause injury to a player, is prohibited.

- NOTE: All elbow pads which do not have a soft protective outer covering of sponge rubber or similar material at least one-half inch (½″) thick shall be considered dangerous equipment.

(b)

A mask or protector of a design approved by the Rules Committee is to be worn by all players.
NOTE: The Officiating Department is specifically authorized to make a check of each teams equipment to ensure the compliance with this rule. It shall report its findings to the Commissioner for his disciplinary action.

Rule 25. Ball

(a)

The ball is a size 3 soccer ball. The color will be decided by the home team

(b)

The home team shall be responsible for providing an adequate supply of official balls. This supply of balls shall be kept under the control of one of the regular Off-floor Officials or a special attendant.

Rule 29. Misconduct Penalties

(a)

In the event of MISCONDUCT penalties to any players, the players shall be ruled off the floor for a period. A substitute player is permitted to immediately replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the locker room until the next stoppage of play.

(b)

A misconduct penalty imposed on any player at any time may be accompanied with a fine to the club of one hundred dollars ($100).

(c)

A GAME MISCONDUCT penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game, but a substitute is permitted to replace immediately the player so removed. A player incurring a game misconduct penalty and may incur a fine to the club of two hundred dollars ($200) and the case shall be reported to the Commissioner who shall have full power to impose such further penalties by way of suspension or other fines on the penalized player or any other player involved in the altercation.

Rule 34. Calling of Penalties

(a)

Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a penalty be committed by a player of the team not in possession of the ball, the Referee will blow his whistle and impose the penalty on the offending player upon completion of the play by the team in possession of the ball.

(b)

The ball would be placed on the spot that the penalty occurred. It will be handed to the team not accessed the penalty to throw in

Rule 34A. Suspensions

Whenever suspensions are imposed as a result of infractions occurring during exhibition games, the Commissioner shall exercise his discretion in scheduling the suspensions to ensure that no team shall be short more players in any regular League game than it would have been had the infractions occurred in regular League games.

Rule 35. Appointment of Officials

(a)

The arena or place where game is to be played shall appoint a Referee, two Linesmen, Game Timekeeper, Official Scorer and two Goal Judges for each game. The league must approve of them.

(b)

The team shall forward to the league a list of Referees, Linesmen, and Off-surface Officials, all of whom must be treated with proper respect at all times during the season by all players and officials of clubs.

Rule 36. Referee

(a)

The REFEREE shall have general supervision of the game and shall have full control of all game officials and players during the game, including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall be final. The Referee shall remain on the floor at the conclusion of each period until all players have proceeded to their dressing rooms.

(b)

All Referees and Linesmen shall be dressed in black trousers and official sweaters. They shall be equipped with approved whistles.

(c)

The Referee shall order the teams on the surface at the appointed time for the beginning of a game and at the commencement of each period. If for any reason, there is more than fifteen minutes of delay in the commencement of the game or any undue delay in resuming play after the fifteen-minute intervals between periods, the Referee shall state in his report to the league the cause of the delay and the club or clubs which were at fault.

(d)

It shall be his duty to see to it that all players are properly dressed, and that the approved regulation equipment is in use at all times during the game.

(e)

The Referee shall, before starting the game, see that the appointed Game Timekeeper, Official Scorer and Goal Judges are in their respective places and satisfy himself that the timing and signaling equipment are in order.

(f)

It shall be his duty to impose such penalties as are prescribed by the rules for infractions thereof and he shall give the final decision in matters of disputed goals. The Referee may consult with the Linesmen or Goal Judge before making his decision.

(g)

The Referee shall announce to the Official Scorer all goals legally scored as well as penalties. The Referee shall cause to be announced over the public address system the reason for not allowing a goal every time the goal signal light is turned on in the course of play. This shall be done at the first stoppage of play regardless of any standard signal given by the Referee when the goal signal light was put on in error. The Referee shall report to the Official Scorer the name or number of the goal scorer but he shall not give any information or advice with respect to assist.

Rule 44. Attempt to Injure

(a)

A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure an Official, Manager, Player, Coach or Trainer in any manner and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action.

(b)

- An attempt will be considered as if the injury actually happened. It will result a game ejection. Then it would be reviewed by league for any further investigation.

Claims

1. The sport which is described in the papers submitted consists of six players on each team, playing on a rink with the dimensions of 200 feet by 85 feet.

2. The game which is mentioned in claim one is called Smashball.

3. The object of the game described in claim one is to put the ball through the opponents' net as many times as possible within four periods of fifteen minutes each.

4. The game that is mentioned in claim one, will prohibit the concept of “tackling” as found in football. It will be characterized by pushing and checking among the players.

5. The game that is mentioned in claim one, will stipulate that as soon as the player holding the ball hits the ground, the ball will immediately be turned over to the opposing team.

6. The game that is mentioned in claim one, if there is a tie at the end of the four periods, the game will continue with overtime periods until the time expires in the overtime period and one team is ahead.

7. The game that is mentioned in claim one is to be played by using a size 3 soccer ball.

8. The game that is mentioned in claim one obligates the players to wear the proper padding, head gear and inline skates as is described in the rules.

9. The game that is mentioned in claim one is to be played on a smooth skating surface, indoors or outdoors.

10. The game that is mentioned in claim one at the start of each period, or after scoring, the way the ball is put back in play is by a face-off. The ball is set in front of them, as soon as the referee blows the whistle both players dive to get the ball. The player who comes up with the ball, enables his team to get possession of the ball.

11. The game that is mentioned in claim one will have three face-off circles. One which is thirty-five feet from each goal and one in the center of the rink. Each of the face-off circles will be two feet in diameter.

12. The game that is mentioned in claim one will have two goals being each one six feet by twelve feet.

13. The game that is mentioned in claim one has as its League Colors, lime green and royal blue.

14. The sport that is mentioned in claim one will belong to a League with the acronym of NSL.

15. The sport that is mentioned in claim one will have as a League emblem a lime color circle embedded inside the royal blue letters NSL.

16. The sport that is mentioned in claim one will be played by many different teams and each team will be allowed to choose its color and mascots, as long as they are morally and socially acceptable.

17. The sport mentioned in claim one, if a dispute occurs during the game, the final word that settles the argument will be given by the head referee present at the game.

18. The sport mentioned in claim one shall have a set of 3 commissioners that will periodically review every aspect of the game to keep up with the changes that may affect it.

19. The sport mentioned in claim one shall require its

20. The sport mentioned in claim one will require each and every player, coach, team member etc. to have health insurance, and if applicable to be covered by worker's compensation insurance.