Bay Malayali Throwball Tournament
This is a fundraising tournament to support the non profit work of BayMalayali. So the registration fees will not be refunded if you decide not to participate after registration.
Current Registration
THROWBALL RULES
A. COURT DETAILS
• Court Size – 48 feet × 24 feet (each side is 24 feet × 24 feet).
• Net Height – Volleyball net will be used; approximate net height is 7 feet 4 inches.
• A 2-foot box/neutral line is marked from the center line. The ball must cross the 2-foot line when thrown. A ball falling in the box/line is a foul.
4×4 PLAYER POSITIONS & ROTATION
B. TEAM / PLAYERS
• Four (4) players + maximum of 2 substitute players per team.
• Substitute players are optional; a team may play with 4 players. Maximum roster is 6.
• No player is allowed to play for two teams irrespective of categories.
• All players, including substitutes, must sign the waiver/roster form.
• Players must be on the roster and also play in the league to take part in playoffs.
• All team players must be at the court 10 minutes prior to the game.
• No show will result in a forfeit in favor of the opponent team.
C. SUBSTITUTIONS
• Substitutions are allowed only when it’s the team’s turn to serve unless if there is an emergency.
• Maximum 2 substitutions are permitted per team per set.
D. TIMEOUTS
• Two timeouts (each 30 seconds) are allowed per team per set.
E. SERVING
• Over-the-shoulder serve only. No side serve or underarm serve.
• Service must be completed within 5 seconds of the referee’s call. Serving before or after that window is a foul.
• Jump or running serve is allowed.
• A service ball touching the net is a foul.
• While serving, the player must not touch the boundary line.
GAME PLAY, FORMAT & CONDUCT
F. GAME PLAY AND FOULS
• All throws during play should be overarm (above shoulder).
• No double-arm throws are allowed.
• During the rally, players can take one step forward and throw. Multiple steps or running is a foul.
• If a player steps outside the court to catch the ball, the player must come inside the court to throw it back. Only one step is allowed and at least one foot must be inside the court or touch the line.
• Jump catch is not allowed. At least one foot must be on the ground during a catch.
• Jumping and returning during the rally is allowed.
• The ball must be firmly caught with both hands but returned with one hand without touching any part of the body.
• Catch the ball and throw it back within 3 seconds.
• Overreach with outstretched arms at the elbow is not allowed in any direction.
• During the rally, the ball can touch the net (but not poles) and reach the other side.
• A ball falling on the boundary line is considered inside.
• A ball falling in the 2-foot neutral box/on the box line is a foul. The ball must cross the 2-foot line when thrown.
• If a player steps in to catch the ball, one step is allowed to get out of the box and return the ball.
• During a rally, if a ball slips or rebounds unintentionally from a player’s hands or the net, another player can catch and return it before it touches the ground. This does not apply to serves.
• The same player cannot catch the ball twice at any time.
• Shifting the ball is okay as long as it is held firmly between the palms.
• Double touch is a foul.
• Ball bouncing in hand, wobbling, or rolling are fouls.
• Two players cannot catch the ball simultaneously.
• The ball cannot touch any part of the body except the palm.
• No push, hook, or side returns during the rally.
• The elbow must clearly go back and the ball release should happen behind the ear, or as an overhead release behind the ear.
• 360-degree turns after receiving the ball are not acceptable.
• A ball touching the outside of the palm (e.g., wrist) is treated as body contact and a foul.
• The serving player always rotates anticlockwise, moving to the left. Rotation happens when service breaks for the opponent team. Improper rotation may result in loss of a point.
• Net rebounds are allowed when a player hits the ball in the net unintentionally; another player may receive and return it safely.
• The ball must be released from above the shoulder in one course of action.
G. GAME FORMAT
● Round Robin : TBD by Tournament Org
● Knockout Rounds/Quarters/Semis : Begin only after all round-robin matches are completed, TBD by Tournament Org
● Final : TBD by Tournament Org
.• Tie-break : Rank teams by number of wins. For a two-way tie, use head-to-head if teams played in the same pool. If not, use winning margin, then losing margin. The final tie-breaker is a toss.
MATCH FORMAT & OFFICIATING
SCORING • TIE-BREAKS • REFEREEING • CONDUCT
H. REFEREEING
• Two main referees (positioned at the net) and two line referees will be assigned per match.
• Only main referees are allowed to call all fouls and whistle for service.
• Line referees ONLY call line fouls: service player touching the service line and calls on out balls.
• All teams are expected to referee and serve as line referees according to the posted schedule.
I. CONDUCT
• Only the captain can talk to the referee during or in between the game.
• Abusing or calling fouls on the opponent team is not allowed. Calling fouls on the opponent team could lead to a referee penalty.
• No foul calling or disruptive coaching from outside the court.
• Only sports tapes can be used on fingers/hands/wrists, other than injury-remedy exceptions approved by organizers.
• Misconduct may result in point deduction or disqualification.
• The referee’s call is final and non-appealable.
• No underplay: If the opponent team raises a concern about underplay, a rematch will be arranged, and the organizers’ team will handle the refereeing to ensure fairness.