Section 7: Violations & Penalties
In the standard elimination format, a player is eliminated immediately after a clear loss of legal position. The caller should distinguish an actual violation from harmless movement of clothing or hair.
Eliminating violations
- A knee, elbow, forearm, lower leg, hip, torso, head, or other non-permitted body part touches the mat or floor for support.
- A player falls, sits, or lies on the mat.
- A hand or foot leaves its assigned circle without a new call for that limb or the caller’s temporary-lift permission.
- A player fails to place the called limb on the called color.
- A player occupies a circle already controlled by another player.
- A player cannot complete a legal move after a reasonable opportunity or after an agreed time limit expires.
- A player deliberately pushes, pulls, trips, tickles, grabs, or otherwise interferes with another player.
Minor and accidental contact
Incidental brushing between players is expected and is not automatically a violation. If accidental contact dislodges a player, the caller may restore both players to their previous positions and repeat the call. Deliberate or reckless contact eliminates the responsible player, even if the opponent does not fall.
Circle boundaries
A hand or foot should make clear contact with the colored circle. Slight overhang beyond the edge is acceptable when the limb remains recognizably placed on that circle. Touching only the blank mat between circles does not satisfy a call.
Recreational warning option
For young or new players, the group may use one warning per round for a minor placement error. The player corrects the mistake immediately while the others hold position. Falls, unsafe conduct, and deliberate interference should still result in elimination or a stopped round.
Unsporting conduct
Taunting, deceptive calls, moving the mat, manipulating the spinner, or distracting a player physically is outside the spirit of the game. The caller may issue a warning, eliminate the offender from the round, or end play if the conduct creates a safety risk.