Two versions of the game: Grass and Street. Which one you play generally depends on the weather, as with an average of 8 months of rain, it gets pretty muddy. The rules are slightly different based upon the playing surface, but are generally the same. Here are the constants:
- No time limit. First team to 5 wins. When the game is tied at 4, we call it Beer Point.
- Each player must have a bike and a mallet. The Mallet may be held in either the right or left hand (generally right is easier), but must remain in the same hand for the entirety of the game: no switch hitters.
- Goals, one at each end of the court or field, are one bike's length in width.
- To start the game, the ball is centered. A count-off is given, and teams sprint like hell from their goal line to try to take control of the ball before the other team does.
- If you "dab", i.e. touch your feet to the ground, you must either "circle out" ( street ), or "touch the base" ( grass ) with your mallet.
- Mallet-to-mallet contact is permitted, as is "hooking" another player's mallet.
- Body-to-body contact ( blocking ) is permitted, but hands may NOT be used. Just like in football, you can use your elbows, arms, shoulders to push, shove, ride someone into a fence or bystander... but you may not grab or push with hands.
- Players may handle the ball in any direction they wish, and are not subject to rules to establish "right of way." Stealing is part of the game. What are we? Gentlemen?
- A player may throw their mallet in order to try to block a goal. So far, this has resulted in some fairly memorable crashes, but no serious injuries. Just don't kill anyone.
- If you have a question about a play or rule, and it's not listed here or under the court-specific rules, it's legal. We generally don't like rules.
For rules specific to the type of game, choose: Grass or Street
