After the discussion in the thread on cheating , and my linking to the NPPL rules on http://www.paintballrefs.com/nppl_rules_2002.html, I figured I'd download some other rule sets and compare.
So I downloaded the Xball and tournament rules (in pdf format) from PSP/NPPL. While virtually identical to those discussed in the thread, I notice something absolutely rediculous.
Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 are all repeated, section 4 is missing, as is the beginning of section 5.
Seems the rules they handed out at events were correct though. But I wonder how long the erroneous ones were posted on the website? Shows nobody bothered to complainn, or they didn't bother to update.
Well, hopefully Bill Mills or others reputed to be in on the committee looking at them might chime in on this thread.
Are the missing sections from the “real” 2003 rules any different from the 2002 NPPL rules on the Paintballrefs website?
In any case, I’ll make my comments on the rules here.
“10 player” and “5 player” shouldn’t be used. “10 vs. 10 game” and “5 vs. 5 game” would be far more clear and not open to misinterpretation.1.01. 10 player fields should be at least 200 feet long and 130 feet wide.
1.02. 5 player fields should be at least 150 feet long and 120 feet wide.
A 5 or 10 player field sounds like there should be 5 or 10 players TOTAL.
Whatever the designations, they should be defined in a glossary of terms and used consistently throughout the document.
Better to list general field requirements in on sub-section and requirements for each game format in separate sub-sections. This goes for all cases of differences between formats.
Field equipment should be listed in the field section.
Judging requirements, responsibilities, equipment need separate sections.OFFICIATING
2.0 STANDARDS
Belongs in another section. Part of scoring perhaps.2.05. Only clerical and mathematical errors may be corrected after the score has been posted on the score board, but no score may be changed after the beginning of the next round of play.
Much belongs grouped elsewhere.2.1 INFORMATION
Should be in Game or Tournament sequence of events. Not “Information”.2.11. Home flag stations on fields of play for every game will be determined by coin toss prior to the start of that game.
Every time this phrase is used it is meaningless. All rules should be assumed to apply to all game types unless in a section/subsection specific to a particular format.2.22. In five and ten player games,
As before, there should be a tournament and game sequence of events section. Much of this belongs in the game sequence and split into separate steps.2.22. In five and ten player games, when the teams are assembled at their respective flag stations, the Ultimate Judge will give a ten-second warning countdown, as in, “Three, two, one, ten-seconds.” Such countdown will be heard by both teams. Ten-seconds later the Ultimate Judge will announce the start of the game, heard by both teams, by shouting, “Game On”, or “Go, go, go.” The game will begin on that signal.
Additionally, reading the above you get the impression the countdown is 20 seconds.
Should be a separate rule and organized elsewhere.(2.22) Five and ten player games will be scheduled so that there is a minimum of 45 minutes between start of any team’s games.
3.06 is HUGE and should be a numbered list.
3.05 through 3.09 are game rules and definitions. Not Scoring.
3.09 needs broken up and reorgannised individually.
The numbering of the document is BIZARRE!
The section is about game starting and the first rule is about ENDING.3.1 TIME AND START
3.11. A ten player game will end at the earliest of (i) a successful flag hang, (ii) the elimination of all players on the game field, or (iii) 12 minutes after the start of the game.
3.15, 3.16. 3.17 are in the wrong section.
Rules with penalties should refer to the description of the penalty. The structure of the document would be much better served. It would also be unnecessary to keep a list of rules that a penalty applies to in the penalty section.3.16. Players are not allowed to bring tools or other prohibited equipment onto the game field. Presence of such equipment may result in a penalty and disciplinary proceedings against the offending players and/or teams.
3.18 is the only rule that actually covers the start of a match.
I’ll continue later …