Rules of Fricket, First Edition

I. Introduction

1. Description - Fricket, also known as Cups, is a played by two teams of one or two persons each. The object is to win. Each team takes alternating turns at attempting to knock cups off the other team’s two bamboo stakes with a frisbee. If a cup strikes the ground, the throwing team scores a point. If the cup is caught with one hand before it hits the ground, the receiving team scores a point. If the frisbee passes between the bamboo poles without touching either pole the throwing team scores two points. The name has evolved from the words "Frisbee" and "Cricket" although the game bears no similarity to the latter game.

2. Spirit - There is no spirit in Fricket. Teams may resort to taunting, name-calling and general critical comments in an effort to demoralize their opponents. Heckling from the sidelines by onlookers is both appreciated and encouraged. Songs shall not be sung at the conclusion of a game except perhaps "na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye."

3. Narcissism Clause - A game may be played under any variations of the rules agreed upon by the two teams. Such things as length of game, distance between poles, and style points can easily be altered to suit the level of play or amount of beverages consumed.

II. Set-Up

1. The Fricket playing field consists of two pairs of bamboo poles driven vertically into the ground as set out in the accompanying diagram.

                Throw Line                     Throw Line
                    |                               |       
                    |                               |       
              ^     O <-Bamboo pole                 O   ^
    A disc +  |     |                               |   | A disc +
    a fist    |     |                               |   | a fist
              v     O                               O   v    
                    |                               |       
                    |                               |
   
                    <----------12metres------------->
   

2. Each bamboo pole is to be placed vertically in the ground in such a manner as to prevent easy dislodging by contact from the frisbee.

3. Each bamboo pole must be at least "a disc and a fist" in distance from its partner for its entire height.

4. An empty plastic cup is then placed upside down on the top of each of the four bamboo poles.

III. Equipment

1. Frisbee. (it does not have to be called a disc)

2. Four bamboo poles approximately 6 feet in length and 0.5" in diameter each.

3. Four disposable beer cups of approximately 15 ounce size and made of a flexible plastic material. Replacement cups as is necessary.

4. Beer or other suitable consumable.

IV. Length of Game

1. Time:
   1. A game lasts until it is completed or the competitors stop play due to sideline heckling.

   2. Time-outs are permitted for the purpose of refilling beverages.

2. Points:
   1. Each cup that strikes the ground is worth one (1) point for the throwing team.

   2. Each catch is worth one (1) point for the receiving team.

   3. A goal is worth two (2) points for the throwing team.

   4. A game lasts to twelve (12) points with teams switching sides when one team reaches six (6) points. There is no need to win by two (2) points.

V. Substitutions

1. No team may substitute another player without game forfeit unless the other team agrees.

VI. Method of Play

1. The initial throw is determined by any mutually agreed upon method (ro-sham-bo, boat race, frisbee flipping, etc.)

2. Each team alternates throwing the frisbee at the opposing team’s bamboo poles in an attempt to dislodge one or both of the cups or to score a goal by sending the frisbee between the two bamboo poles.

3. If each team consists of two players, then each player of each team must alternate throwing the frisbee. No player can refuse to throw the disc on his or her turn.

VI. Positioning

1. It is not necessary for the thrower to establish a pivot foot before throwing. Any type of throw is permitted as long as the thrower does not cross the throw line before releasing the frisbee.

2. Receiving players are allowed to take any position in anticipation of the throw as long as no receiver’s hand is closer than one frisbee diameter from each cup.

3. Receiving players may not touch the frisbee until after it has crossed their throw line.

VII. Scoring

1. Points are scored based upon the number of cups the throwing team dislodges. If a cup strikes the ground the throwing team scores a point. If the cup is caught with one hand before it hits the ground the receiving team scores a point. If the Frisbee passes between the bamboo poles without touching either pole, the throwing team scores two points.

2. If a team manages to dislodge both cups (i.e., double cups), points are scored based on whether each cup is caught or not.

3. If a receiving team, in the action of catching the Frisbee or a cup, causes a cup to be dislodged and strike the ground, the newly dislodged cup will be scored for the throwing team. However, if the receiving team legally catches the newly dislodged cup, no points for that cup will be scored by either team.

4. Bobbling to gain control of the cup is permitted, whether that bobbling is accidental or intentional, as long as the cup is not touched with two hands simultaneously or trapped against the body. This includes bobbling between team members.

VIII. Violations

1. Foot Fault:
   1. The thrower must not step past the throw line until after the frisbee is released.

   2. In the event of a foot fault, the receiving team shall call "foot fault" and no points shall be scored by the thrower. Points earned by the receiving team for a catch are scored.

   3. In the event of a contested foot fault, the frisbee returns to the thrower to be re-thrown. No points are scored by either team for the disputed throw.

   4. The receiving team may take any position with regards to their throw line as long as they do no touch the frisbee until it has crossed their throw line.

2. Goaltending:
   1. The receiving team shall not touch the frisbee until it has completely crossed their throw line.

   2. In the event of a goaltending call by the throwing team, the frisbee shall be returned to the thrower to be re-thrown.

   3. The receiving team shall not take a position such as to interfere with the throw by the throwing team.

3. Two-hand Catch:
   1. If a receiving player, in an attempt to catch a cup dislodged from a bamboo pole by the frisbee, contacts the cup with both hands simultaneously, the cup shall be scored as not caught.

   2. The receiving player may touch the cup with both hands if not done simultaneously.

   3. If two receivers touch the cup simultaneously, the cup shall be scored as not caught.

4. Trapping:
   1. If a receiving player, in an attempt to catch a cup dislodged from a bamboo pole by the frisbee, traps the cup with his or her hand against any portion of his or her body or his or her partner’s body, the cup shall be scored as not caught.

   2. If a cup lands upon any portion of a receiving player’s body other than an open palm, and remains stationary, the cup shall be counted as not caught, as any attempt to pick up the cup will result in a trap.

5. Grounding:
   1. If the frisbee touches the ground prior to striking a bamboo pole or passing between the bamboo poles, no points are awarded to the throwing team.

   2. If a cup is dislodged and legally caught by the receiving team, that cup will be scored.

6. Disputes are to be resolved by mutual agreement. If no agreement can be reached between the teams, the disagreement shall be referred to onlookers for a decision. If a consensus cannot be reached by that method, the frisbee shall be returned to the thrower for a re-throw.