Wall-Rules of ITSF

I call §23.2 wall-rules of ITSF.
These rules prevent the player from holding the ball in tic-tac between wall and player figure. This setup allows passes close to standing passes. With this setup legal, everyone would play it, thus limiting variance in playstyle on the 5-man rod.
This setup should remain illegal, but I see some weaknesses in the current rules:

Unfair Ball losses

You try to control the ball on the 5-man rod and strike the wall too many times. In this scenario you didn't even get an advantage from striking the wall, but lose ball possession without even passing the ball. If the ball is moving you can't save it with a time out either. The next contact with a player figure is a foul (§23.2).
On some tables it's hard to get the ball from the wall. In this case rule §23.2.2 takes action, but the formulated side strip is rather vague.

Confusing

You have to keep track of wall strikes the whole time the ball is on the 5-man rod. Especially in fast scenarios this can be distracting.

Restrictive

You can't use the wall in your setup as you like (unlike in P4P rules). This restricts variance in playstyle.

Not beginner-friendly

Current rules regarding wall contacts are complicated. Most rules are, though the majority is unimportant for beginners (e.g. Reset).
Beginners need walls more often to bring the ball under control. They don't get any unfair advantage over their opponents by this or even try to.

Alternative

To solve occuring problems, I formulated a new rule for wall strikes.
(as explained above, I'm against cutting the wall-rules completely)
Short version:
If the Ball gets played to the wall by the same player figure a second time in a row, it gets locked for this player figure.
A locked ball mustn't be passed by this player figure (foul).
If another player figure touches the ball or you take a time out, the ball becomes unlocked.

Advantages:

No unfair ball losses.

It's very easy to unlock the ball. Wall strikes alone won't lose you ball possession. Only passes are restricted in these rules. (Shots are still legal, but can be restricted, too. It's a matter of taste and can be changed quickly)

Clear

Only short periods have to be kept in mind. During setup the ball gets unlocked all the time. Locked passes look odd therefore are easy to see.

Versatile

Walls can be used openly in setup. This expands variance in playstyle by combining ITSF- and P4P typical setups and passes.
Additional rules like §23.2.2 could be cut. If you've had problems to get the ball from the wall, you just play it to another player figure.
This way you need less rules to cover more cases.

Beginner-friendly

Beginners will never notice the new wall rules, since it's very easy to unlock the ball. It happens unintentionally.
The rules stay complicated, but if you aren't sure, just pass to another player figure and you are save.
That's easily understandable for everyone.


Like "Ball in Play" (§6) and "Dead Ball" (§6), "Locked Ball" could be a state for the ball. It's an elegant rule to cover many cases. Even cases no one would think about right now.


Exact Rules

Locked Ball

§x If the Ball gets played to the wall by the same player figure a second time in a row, it gets locked for this player figure.

§x.1 A locked ball mustn't be passed by the player figure it's locked for.

§x.2 If a team passes a locked ball with the locked player figure, the opposing team gets to serve the ball.

§x.3 A Ball can be unlocked by touching it with another player figure or by taking a time out.


Rules §17.7 and §23.2.3 could be cut, too, since it's very easy to unlock the ball (it happens automatically).



I thought about this rule suggestion for a long time. Even in exchange with others, I couldn't find a loop hole.
If somebody finds a loop hole, please feel free to contact me.
If you have any questions, I'll try my best to answer them!


Autor: Lukas Übelacker

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