Woodball League starting soon 2022

Woodball Courses

UWbF organizes a series of events in the country. It being a growing sport in the country we have not established permanent woodball courses. We however use good playing surfaces that meet all specified laws that govern woodball courses. Whenever we have a tournament we setup a temporary course at the event venue.

Our Courses include:
  • Ndejje University Woodball course
  • Kyambogo University Woodball Course
  • Makerere University Business School Woodball Course
  • Kisubi Beach Woodball Course
  • Bunjako Beach Woodball Course
  • Buddo Senior Secondary School Woodball Course

Woodball Equipment

General Principles

  1. Woodball equipment includes three pieces: the ball, the mallet, and the gate.
  2. Only the IWbF certified Woodball Equipment shall be used in Woodball championships. The certificated brands of equipment are subjected to be announced by IWbF annually.

Specifications of Equipment

Ball
  • The ball should be a round-shaped sphere made of wood, 9.5cm±0.2cm in diameter and 350g±60g in weight.
  • Numbers and the Woodball emblem can be marked on the ball.

The specifications of the ball are shown:
The Ball

Mallet
  • The mallet is in a T-shaped form. Its gross weight is about 800 grams.
  • The mallet (consisting of a handle and a bottle shaped head) is 90cm±10cm in length.
  • The bottle shaped mallet head is 21.5cm±0.5cm in length. It is installed with a rubber cushion which measures 6.6cm±0.2cm in diameter, and 3.8cm±0.1cm in height.

The specifications of the mallet shown as below:
The Mallet
The Mallet
More Mallet Specifications

Gate

  • The gate is in ㅠ shape with accessories including 1 metal rod, 2 spherical nuts, and two rubber tubes.
  • The gate is formed by 2 bottles as its base pillar fixed to the ground. The width between the 2 bottles should be 15cm±0.5cm, measuring from the inner sides of one bottle to another.
  • The gate can be equipped with an 1-meter flag pole on top.

The specifications of the gate are shown:
Gate Specifications

The specifications of the gate set are shown:
More Gate Specifications

Playing the game

General Principles

Woodball game is conducted in accordance with the Rules & Regulations set by the organizing committee and the International Woodball Rules.

All players are required to complete their session of game from the first through to the twelfth fairway, or its multiple fairways as stipulated. The final outcome is determined by the total stroke count in play.

For players who have not completed the game upon any one of the fairway or discontinues playing, their result will not be counted.

The System of Competition

Type of Competition

(1) Singles Competition: The individual as a competition unit.

(2) Doubles Competition: The pair (same sex) or mixed (opposite sex) as a competition unit.

(3) Teams Competition: The team may consist from 4 and up to 6 players as a competition unit.

Method of Competition

(1) Stroke Competition: The competitor who completed twelve fairways or its multiple fairways with the lowest strokes shall be the winner.

(2) Fairway Competition: The competitor who had won the greater number out of the twelve fairways or its multiple fairways with the lowest strokes shall be the winner.

Procedure of Competition

The Start of Play

(1) As the referee announces the start of play, players should begin their game in accordance with the order of play set by organizing committee or by draw lot basis.

(2) For the player who arrived 5 minutes late to his/her session or refuses to play after the referee announced the start of play, his/her should be disqualified from the competition.

(3) As the player enters into the starting area, other players should retreat to the rear of the starting area for safety sake.

(4) In first shot, the ball in play should be positioned within the starting area and is facing towards the direction of the gate.

Process of Play

(1) The ball in play which passes through the metal rod of the gate, behind the cup and distance away from each other, is regarded as completion of one fairway competition. If the ball passing through the metal rod of the gate were in the back of the cup and still in contact with the cup, the player has to continue to play in the same direction of passing through the metal of the gate.

Should the ball in play pass through the gate and rolls back into contact with the cup, it is still considered as completion of one fairway, as witnessed by the referee/linesman or by the majority of players in the same session. Should players in the same session are unable to reach agreement; decision will be made by the position of the static ball.

(2) The ball in play that rolls out the ground outside the boundary is regarded out of bound.

The ball in play that rolls out of the boundary line and then back in touch with the line, is regarded as out of bounds as witnessed by the referee/linesman or by the majority of players in the same session. Should players in the same session are unable to reach agreement; decision will be made by the position of the static ball.

(3) When out of bounds and prior to the player’s next turn to strike, ball should be placed at least a woodball length outside of the fairway. Upon the player’s turn, the ball should be taken back and placed at the position where the point the ball rolled out of the boundary is taken as the center with a radius of 2 mallet heads, but a penalty stroke will be applied.

(4) If the ball in play falls or rolls into obstacles such as holes, trees, grove, pools, etc, that cannot be played, it can be removed from the obstacle, with the entered point of the ball as its center, apply rules of play for out of bounds. Alternatively, the ball can be re-positioned anywhere behind the obstacle on the fairway, but a penalty stroke will be applied.

(5) Whenever a player begins to swing his/her mallet, others in the same session should move to the rear of the player, or retreat to the sides of the fairway, at a safety distance of 3 meters or more.

(6) Whether in front or behind the gate, balls on the fairway can be directly played in attempt to pass through the gate.

(7) In the event of natural contingencies, whether the game is to continue should be announced by the organizing committee.

(8) When all players in the same session completed their games on a fairway, then its session can begin games on the following fairway. Games on all the fairways are to conduct in the same manner.

(9) Order of first shot in each fairway is to follow the rotation sequence of the order of play.

(10) During play, the player may request to change his/her equipment, and it is permitted after inspected by the organizer. The ball in play is only changeable after each fairway played (excluding the case that the ball is damaged).

(11) Should the player hit the ball and simultaneously broke the mallet, it is then counted as one stroke, and request for re-play is not allowed.

(12) Should the ball on the fairway bumped by another from a different fairway, play is to resume from its new position static. In event of the ball bumped out of bounds, related penalty stroke is not applied.

(13) No matter whose ball it is, players should not touch the balls on the fairway with any part of their body or equipment.

(14) Whenever the player is to attack the gate or makes a shot, he/she should hold the mallet’s grip shaft by its upper end, not close to mallet head.

(15) Whether the player is to attack the gate or to make a shot, the mallet should not be placed/action between the legs.

(16) When the 5 meters for attacking line is marked at the said distance from the gate, and the ball in play passes through the gate, the successful player will have one stroke subtracted from his/her score for that one fairway competition.

(17) When the 30 meters for passing line is marked at the said distance from the starting line (on medium or long distanced fairways only), and the ball in play does not pass beyond the marked 30 meter line, a penalty stroke will be applied. Out of bounds and its penalties will apply regardless to out of bounds occur within or beyond the 30 meter line.

Outcome of Play

(1) Each player should have his/her records of stroke count for each fairway and the total stroke count for all the twelve fairways or its multiple fairways; otherwise, his/her result shall not be calculated.

(2) Decision of Outcome:
A. Stroke Competition: a. For singles competition, the outcome is determined after players complete the stipulated twelve or its multiple fairways. The player who scores the least strokes is the winner. In case of players who secured the same strokes, whoever scores the least stroke by fairways amongst the last twelve fairways is the winner. Accordingly, the result shall be evaluated in the same manner or the organizing committee shall construct alternate methods to determine the winner.

b. For teams competition, the outcome is determined by the total stroke count based on best 4 players’ scores in the team. The team with lowest strokes is the winner. In case of teams who secured the same strokes, whichever team with the player that secured the least strokes among the last twelve fairways shall be the winner. Accordingly, the team result shall be evaluated in the same manner. If the result is still the same, the organizing committee will construct alternate methods to decide the winner.

B. Fairway Competition:
The outcome is determined by the greater number of fairways won. In case of players who secured the same number of fairways won, additional games on fairways set by the organizing committee are to be played until the results are determined.

Woodball Rules

Woodball Team

I. Organization of Woodball Team
  1. A team should consist of the following: leader, coach, manager, captain, and team members.
  2. Each team can register from 4 and up to 8 players, including the captain for the game. 4 to 6 of them can compete in the game and the best 4 individual scores will be counted as the team result.
II. Players
  1. The player who did not enter and register his/her name for the game is not permitted to play in the game.
  2. All players are required to dress in casual sportswear. However, players in the same team competing for teams’ event are required to wear outfits in similar fashion. During the game, player is not permitted to wear high-heel shoes or clothes unsuitable for sport.
  3. In order to certify their eligibility for the game, Player should bring with them the identifications as issue by the organizing committee.

Functions and Responsibilities of Referee

I. Chief Referee
  1. Understand the practice and conduct of the game.
  2. Assign referees to the game and notify the particulars for attention.
  3. Supervise referees in the execution of the game.
  4. Assist referees to resolve problems arising from the execution of the game.
  5. Check the final scores.
  6. Request to convene the Protest Committee in case an appeal or protest is submitted, and report the incident to the Committee.
  7. Announce the rules of play and the particulars for attention to the players in advance to their game if necessary.
II. Referee
  1. Check name list of the players and their equipments.
  2. Direct the start of play on each fairway and manage the order of play amongst the players in the same session.
  3. Declare the conclusion of play on each fairway and the number of strokes scored by each player.
  4. Lead players in the session to complete the game in accordance with the designated order of the fairway.
  5. Deal with offences and infractions to game rules during play and announce time-out and the restart of play.
  6. Record number of strokes and infractions occurred for each player in the session.
  7. Check the result of play and request players in the session to sign their names for confirmation.
  8. The referee’s action and movement must not affect the player in action.
  9. The referee must stand at a position where he/she can see clearly sight the player, the mallet and the ball in action.
III. Linesmen

Linesmen can be assigned in championships to assist referees in judging out of bounds and marking of the exit point when the ball in play rolled out of boundary.

Infractions of Rules in First Shot and Penalties

  1. When the referee hands sign for the start of play and then the player’s first shot should be completed within 10 seconds. Violator is admonished, and repeated infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke.
  2. For first shot, the player shall place his/her ball on the starting line or grounds within the starting area, and hit the ball from a stationary posture. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume, but the next shot is counted as the second stroke.
  3. Should first shot fail to go out of the starting area; it is still counted as one stroke. Play is to resume, but the next shot is counted as the second stroke.

Infractions of Rules in Hitting and Penalties

  1. To make a shot, players are suggested to hit the ball in a two-legged stance, holding the mallet with both hands and place the mallet behind the ball. The starting posture should be stationary. It is not permitted to hit the ball while walking. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  2. The player is allowed to warm-up or practice shots without touching the ball, thus, these shots will not be counted. However, delaying the game by continuous practice is not permitted. The violator is admonished, and repeated infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke.
  3. The player should hit the ball within 10 seconds after he/she’s ordered to play. The violator is admonished, and repeated infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke.
  4. It is not permitted for others to walk in or across the fairway ahead when player is making a shot. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke.
  5. It is not permitted for others to shout or use bad language so as to affect the player hitting the ball. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke.
  6. When hitting, the player swings his/her mallet which merely touches or moves the ball, the swing is counted as one hitting, that is, one stroke.
  7. The player must hit the ball with the ends of the mallet head, either the bottle’s head or bottom. It is not permitted to hit the ball with the sides of the bottle, or with the shaft of the mallet. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  8. It is not permitted to push the ball with the mallet. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  9. It is not permitted to hit the rolling ball repeatedly. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  10. The player should hold the mallet’s grip shaft by its upper end, not to the mallet head. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke. Should the ball passes through the gate, it is not recognized and, in addition to the penalty applied, play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.

Infractions of Rules in Play and Penalties

  1. The ball on the fairway that lies further away from the gate is given priority to hit, or the referee shall direct the order of play. Any player cannot hit his/her ball at will. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  2. The player who hits the ball on the fairway, and it rolls out of boundary line without touching the boundary line. It is regarded as out of bounds, a penalty stroke is applied.
  3. Should the ball in play comes in obstruction against the next player, the concerned player can always request to play first or mark the ball with permission from the referee. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke. The mark is placed directly behind the ball on the fairway before the ball is picked up.
  4. The ball in play that bumped on obstacles taken as the boundary line and rebounded back to the fairway is not regarded as out of bounds. However, the ball in play that bumped on obstacle outside the boundary line is penalized as out of bounds.
  5. During play on curving fairways, the ball should be preceded on the fairway. To play the ball flying over out of the bounds area is not permitted. Infraction will incur the violator’s ball penalized as out of bounds.
  6. When balls on the fairway bumped each other in play:
    • The ball at rest that was bumped but remain inbound; play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position. In event of the ball at rest bumped to pass through the gate, it is regarded as completion of one fairway competition. However, should the ball at rest bumped out of bounds, the penalty stroke is not applied.
    • Should the ball in play bumped out of bounds by another, it is penalized as out of bounds.
    • Should the ball in play remains inbound after bumped, play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  7. During play, the player against sportsmanship is admonished and requested to improve; at the same time, the infraction will incur violator a penalty stroke. Repeated infraction will result in disqualification to the violator from the competition.
  8. During play, the player who touches balls on the fairway with any part of the body or with the equipment holding during play, the infraction will incur violator a penalty stroke, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position.
  9. During play, the player who action without observing the rules, or hits the ball with the mallet between his/her legs, a penalty stroke is applied, and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position. If the ball passes through the gate, it is not recognized.
  10. During play, the player may request to change its mallet, and it is permitted after inspected by the organizer. The ball in play is only changeable after each fairway played. (excluding the case that the ball is damaged) Infraction will result in disqualification to the violator from the competition.
  11. It is not permitted for the player to adjust the fairway ground in front or behind of the ball in play prior to his/her shot. The violator will incur a penalty stroke.

Infractions of Rules in Gate Area and Penalties

  1. The ball on the gate area, in fairway competitions, the ball farther to the gate is given priority; in stroke competition, the ball nearer to the gate is given priority. Infraction will incur the violator a penalty stroke and play is to resume from where the ball lies in its new position. Should the ball in play pass through the gate, it is not recognized.
  2. The player cannot damage the gate intentionally. The violator is admonished and applied a penalty stroke. Repeated infraction will result in disqualification to the violator from the competition