Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Fouls and violations can occur during play. These are handled according to standard penalty rules to maintain the integrity of the game.
Fouls
A foul is any action that violates the rules of play. Common fouls include stepping on or over the boundary lines, hitting the ball with a foot or knee, touching the pole or rope with hands, or catching the ball. A player who commits a foul immediately loses their turn to hit the ball.
Fouls in Doubles
In doubles, if one player on a team commits a foul, the entire team loses their turn. The opposing team then gets to hit the ball for the remainder of their point or until they also commit a foul. This ensures that both players on the team are responsible for their actions.
Penalties
If a player commits a serious foul (e.g., using hands to catch the ball or intentionally hitting with feet), they may be given a penalty. A common penalty is losing one point for the opponent or being disqualified from the match if they commit multiple serious fouls. The referee has the final say on penalties.
Time Violations
If a player takes too long to hit the ball (e.g., more than 5 seconds), they may be called out. This prevents players from stalling or delaying the game unnecessarily. The referee will warn the player first, and a second violation results in a point for the opponent.