ATSA Official

Matchplay Rules

Simplified reference for ATSA tournament players.

Match Format

Match Structure

A match consists of a series of games (typically best-of-3, best-of-5, or best-of-7 as specified by the event). Each game is played to 5 goals. The team that reaches the game target first wins that game.

Coin Flip (Prelude)

Before the match, a coin flip determines which team chooses first kick-off or table side. In doubles, the team with first kick-off must declare their positions (offense/defense) before the other team.

Switching Sides

After the first game, either team may request to switch table sides. If they do, teams must switch after every subsequent game. If not requested after Game 1, both teams stay on the same side for the entire match.

Serve & Ready Protocol

Ready Protocol

Before every serve, the player with the ball must ask "Ready?", and the opponent must respond "Ready!" before play begins. Moving the ball before the response is a False Start.

Opening Sequence

After the "Ready!" response, the serving player initiates play by moving the ball with the restart figure. The ball must then contact a second figure (the possession clock figure, which starts the time limit), and finally a third contact by any other figure completes the sequence. The ball cannot be legally passed forward until this sequence is complete.

False Start

Moving the ball before the opponent says "Ready!" — first offense is a warning (re-serve), subsequent offenses award possession to the opponent's 5-rod.

Possession Time Limits

Rod	Time Limit
5-rod	10s
3-rod	15s
Goalie rods (goalkeeper + 2-rod)	15s

The clock starts once the ball is reachable on that rod. Exceeding the time limit results in loss of possession. "Goalie rods" refers to both the goalkeeper rod (1 figure) and the 2-rod (2 figures) — they share a combined 15-second possession limit.

Time-outs

Each team gets 2 time-outs per game (30 seconds each).
You can only call a time-out during active play if your team has active possession. You can also call one during any pause (between points, between games, or another time-out) or after a dead ball / ball off table.
A time-out taken between games counts against the following game's total.
During time-outs, players may lubricate rods and wipe the playfield (without substances). No practicing allowed.
Calling a time-out without possession, or with no time-outs remaining, results in a penalty.

Dead Ball & Ball Off Table

Dead Ball

If the ball stops and is unreachable by any rod, it is declared dead. Dead ball between the 5-rods → re-serve (kick-off). Dead ball behind a 5-rod → goalie rod possession for the nearest team.

Ball Off Table

If the ball leaves the playing area (strikes a person, the floor, or any fixture outside the goal assembly), it is given to the goalie rod of the team that was last scored against. The ball is not off table if it strikes a goal post or crossbar and returns to the playing area.

Spinning (Illegal)

A rod must not rotate more than 360° either before or after contacting the ball. If the spin does not result in a transition (pass or shot), it is not an infraction. A spin that does not contact the ball (e.g. free-spinning a rod) is not an illegal spin either, but may be ruled a distraction.

Penalty: The spun transition is disallowed and possession goes to the opponent's 5-rod. If a goal was scored by the spin, it doesn't count. Note: an own goal from a spin effectively counts, since the non-offending team can choose to continue.

Passing Rules

A ball that is stopped, pinned, or adjusted becomes a "restricted ball". A restricted ball cannot be legally passed from the 5-rod to the 3-rod (neither directly nor indirectly). You must first perform a transfer (touch the ball with a different figure on the same rod) to clear the restriction before passing.
From the goalie rod to the 5-rod, a restricted ball cannot be direct-passed, but can be indirect-passed (e.g. a lane pass off the wall). Again, a transfer clears the restriction.
There are no restrictions on passes between other rods, or on backward passes.
Penalty for an illegal pass: 5-rod Possession Award to the opposing team.

Wall Contact (5-rod)

On the 5-rod, the wall contact count cannot exceed 2 during a single active possession. However, if the ball becomes trapped near the wall, multiple contacts used to free it count as a single wall contact.
If two or more wall contacts are used to free a trapped ball on the 5-rod, the player must perform a transfer before passing or shooting.
It is illegal to influence a trapped ball by hitting a rod into the wall — you must use a figure to free it.

Scoring

A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line. If it crosses and bounces back out, it still counts.
An own goal counts — if you shoot the ball into your own goal, the opponent receives the point.
The team that conceded the goal performs the next kick-off.

Jarring & Reset

Reset

A Reset is when the defensive team causes a bump or shock that disrupts the offensive player's ball control. On the first Reset in a game, the referee calls "Reset!" — the possession clock and wall contact count restart, but active play continues. The next infraction is a "Reset Warning" (play still continues). A further infraction in the same point results in a Penalty Shot.

Jarring

A jar is any shake, shock, slam, shift, or rod clash that impairs the other team's ability to retain or gain possession. Unlike a Reset, jarring can affect any team (not just the offensive player). Penalty: 1st and 2nd in match → Restart or 5-rod Possession Award; subsequent → Penalty Shot.

Distractions

Players must not pull the attention of the opposing team away from the game during active play — this includes sounds (talking, shouting), excessive rod or hand movement not part of play, body gestures, or electronic device noises.
Moving a non-playing rod excessively, releasing both handles and reaching away, or making a rod clash with an opponent's rod can all be ruled distractions.
In doubles: you must not control a rod not designated for your position, and you must not perform a controlled transition within 1 second of either player taking hold of a handle (Sudden Play rule).
Penalty: First in match → Warning. Subsequent → Restart, 5-rod Possession Award, or Penalty Shot at referee discretion.

Player Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct — threats, aggressive behavior, offensive language, or any form of intimidation — will result in penalties ranging from a warning to match forfeiture or expulsion.
Do not slam rods or forcefully shake/shift the table, even outside active play.
Spectators must not coach or distract players during active play. Coaching is only permitted during time-outs and between games.
Players must not modify the table, ball, or playing surface in any way.
Players must not use headphones, mobile phones, or electronic devices during a match except during time-outs or between games.

Table Maintenance

Players may briefly wipe the playfield without substances outside of active play.
Rods may be lubricated during time-outs and between games using pipette or sponge applicators only — no spraying directly onto rods.
If a table component breaks during play (bent rod, broken figure, etc.), call for table maintenance. The disrupted point may be replayed.
Leveling the table can be done during the prelude. Once play has started, both teams must agree to level it, otherwise the requesting team is charged a time-out.

Penalty Shot

A Penalty Shot is awarded for serious or repeated rule violations. The ball is placed on the non-offending team's 3-rod.
In doubles, one player from each team steps away from the table. The shooting player has a single 3-rod possession under normal rules (15-second time limit, no spinning, etc.).
The Penalty Shot is over when: a goal is scored, the ball goes backward past the 3-rod, the ball goes off table, the ball is stopped or dead, or the time limit expires.

Doubles-Specific Rules

One player controls the goalie rod and 2-rod; the other controls the 5-rod and 3-rod.
Partners may switch positions (offense/defense) between points, between games, or after time-outs.
Both players on a team must have their hands on the handles during active play — a player must not play a rod that belongs to their partner.
It is a distraction if both partners call time-out or make noise simultaneously to confuse the opponent.