1.Game idea

The purpose of the game of ring tennis is to throw the ring over the net into the opponent’s field in such a way that the opponent cannot catch it and throw it back.

2. Playing field and equipment

2.1. The playing field for the single game is 12.20 m long and 3.70 m wide. It is divided into two fields in the middle by a 1.80 m wide restricted area.

2.2. The playing field in doubles is 12.20 m long and 5.50 m wide. The dimensions for the restricted area correspond to the individual field.

2.3. The locking space is unlimited in the lateral extension.

2.4. The longer sides are called side lines, the narrow sides are called baselines. All lines of the playing field must be clearly marked and 2 to 6 cm wide. The lines belong to the playing field.

2.5. There is a net suspended from two vertical posts above the middle of the playing field. The net is 6.00 m long, so it extends over the side lines by 25 cm. The net height is 1.55 m and must be taut.

2.6. A safety distance of 3.00 m (in accordance with the gymnastics regulations, framework regulations Appendix 3) must be kept free around the playing field. If the local conditions do not allow it, it can be deviated from.

 2.7. The game is played with a rubber ring approved by the DTB. Its weight is 210 – 230 g. The diameter of the rubber is approx. 2.9 cm, the clear width approx. 11.0 cm. It bears the imprint “Tournament Ring DTB”. 

2.8. The provisions of these rules apply equally to players.

3. Playing time

3.1. It is played according to time. The playing time is two times 10 minutes in the age group men / women (age 19 and older); 8 minutes twice for all remaining games. Youth (M / F 14) play twice for 6 minutes. The tournament management is responsible for the timekeeping.

3.2. In the event of a tie and play-offs, section 11.6.2 of the rules of the Games Department (OFS) applies.

3.3. Time lost due to an interruption must be replayed in the relevant half. The referee is responsible for this timekeeping.

3.4. Injuries

3.4.1. Injury does not count as a stoppage of play. In the event of an injury, the referee must ask the player to continue play. If this is not possible, the game must be aborted. The injured player is no longer allowed to participate in further games of this type of competition. For team championships, section 11.4.4.4 of the rules of the Games Department (OFS) applies.

3.4.2. If a player develops bleeding wounds during the game, the referee must stop the game to allow treatment to stop the bleeding. Section 3.3 applies to the time lost due to the interruption. The ring must be cleaned or replaced before the game can be restarted.

4. Game preparations

4.1. The ring tennis player should wear appropriate, sport-appropriate clothing.

4.2. The players or teams must compete in uniform club clothing (club jersey with club crest or club imprint). Long training pants or tights are allowed as club clothing, but these must be uniform for a mixed or double.

4.3. The sides of the pitch are drawn by lots. Whoever loses the choice of side has the first task and ring choice. After half-time, place, task and ring election change.

4.4. If only one player from a team competes in a doubles or mixed game at the start of the game, Clause 4.1.3.4 ff. Of the rules of the Games Department (OFS) apply.

4.5. A supervisor (trainer) is allowed behind the field during the game. The distance to the field must be at least one meter.

4.6. The supervisor (coach) must have the referee write his name on the referee sheet before the game begins.

4.7. He may only tell his team the time during the current season. Intervening in the game by means of optical and acoustic signals or anticipating a decision are not permitted.

5. Task

5.1. The ring must be given up again by the player or one of the doubles / mixed players who gained the advantage.

5.2. The task has to be done immediately and behind the baseline. One foot must touch the ground behind the baseline during the task. The other leg is allowed to swing over the baseline, but not touch the ground, until the task is complete, i.e. the ring has left the throwing hand.

5.3. In doubles / mixed, the players can take turns in the task at will.

5.4. The referee re-opens the game with each task. This is done through eye contact, hand signals or the request: “Please give up”. If the task is carried out without waiting for the referee’s approval, the referee can have the task repeated.

6. Scoring

6.1. Every mistake gives the opponent an advantage and is rated with a “ring”.

6.2. The winner is the player (the double / mixed) who has scored the most “rings” during the entire playing time.

6.3. “Tie” means tie.

6.4. If the game is abandoned (injury / expulsion from the field), the game is scored as 0:20 “wrestling”.

7. Errors and their technical terms

7.1. Snap error

A player makes a catch mistake

7.1.1. when the ring touches the floor of one’s own playing field (technical term “floor”);

7.1.2. if the caught ring touches the ground at any point (technical term “ground”);

7.1.3. when the player last touches the ring that falls to the ground in the restricted area or outside the playing field (technical term “touches”);

7.1.4. if he catches with both hands, at the same time or one after the other (technical term “double catch”).

The hand is the area from the fingertips to the elbow. Catching with the same hand and with the help of the body is allowed.

When catching in a doubles / mixed, both players may be involved. The two players only commit a “double catch” if one of them touches the ring with both hands.

7.2. Throwing error

A player makes a throwing error

7.2.1. if he throws the ring outside the opponent’s field of play (technical term “outside”);

7.2.2. when the ring or the player touches the net or the post (technical term “net”);

7.2.3. if the ring is not thrown over the net by hand (technical term “incorrect throw”);

7.2.4. if the ring does not maintain its flight position after being released and overturns or wobbles significantly – more than the width of the ring – (technical term “wobble ring”);

7.2.5. if he throws the ring from above, ie the ring is pulled down, pushed or thrown (technical term “from above”);

7.2.6. if the movement sequence is stopped (interrupted) at any point in the lead or throwing phase (technical term “stopped”).

Catching the ring is finished when you close your hand around the ring.

The ring must be brought into the lead phase immediately after being caught and must always be in motion relative to the body.

Interruptions (delays) that arise are permitted

• by walking through a ring,

• when a player falls to catch the ring,

• due to minor injuries to a player,

• by catching the ring,

• by catching the ring with the help of the body,

• if both players in a doubles / mixed catch (touch) the ring at the same time or one after the other.

After a permitted interruption, the player who caused it must throw the ring high into the back third of the opposing field. If the game is interrupted by the referee (technical term “stop”), the game must be played twice up into the back third. This is where the disadvantaged player begins.

7.2.7. if the ring is not played high in the back third after an interruption or not played high in the back third after an interruption by the referee (technical term “faulty high play”); after a difficult catch situation as defined in 7.2.6. only has to be played up once, even if an additional external disturbance occurs in this situation, such as a foreign ring. After a difficult catching situation, the ring must be thrown up into the back third of the opposing half of the game after 3 seconds, otherwise there is a throwing error (technical term “faulty high game”).

7.2.8. if he changes the direction of the throwing movement or the type of throwing during the throwing phase (technical term “two movements”);

7.2.9. when the ring touches the ceiling during indoor games (technical term “ceiling”).

7.3. other errors

A player makes a mistake

7.3.1. if he runs, dribbles or walks in the direction of the net after catching the ring (technical term “step error”); After the ring has been caught, two feet are allowed to make two ground contact. The ring must be played before the third ground contact occurs. Every foot that touches the ground counts as ground contact.

7.3.2. if the surrender does not take place behind the field of play or if the person enters the field of play during the surrender (technical term “transfer”);

7.3.3. when he enters the restricted area or its lateral extension (technical term “crossing”);

8. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

A player shows unsportsmanlike conduct if he can no longer guarantee that the game will be played properly. This misconduct will be punished (technical term “unsporting behavior”).

Unsportsmanlike conduct applies, for example

disrespectful addressing of the referee,

Criticizing referee decisions,

any form of attack on the referee or opponent,

deliberate delay in the task,

disruptive intervention by a supervisor (warning the supervisor or punishing the supervised player with an error)

After the third error due to unsportsmanlike conduct, a field reference is made. In the event of a gross violation, the field reference can be made immediately. The further punishment is regulated in section 5.1.2 of the rules of the Games Department (OFS).

9. Referee

In addition to Appendix 2 of the rules of the games department, referee rules of the DTB points 1 and 2, the following applies:

Each competition is led by a referee who can be assisted by two linesmen. The linesmen have to stay at the edge of the field at the level of the back baseline and only announce their decision after being questioned by the referee. The referee should be at the net post. He opens and closes the game and has the right to interrupt it (e.g. in the event of external disturbances, external ring in the field, changes to the playing field lines or the structure of the network, contact between the ring and devices in the hall).