Competitions
TYPES AND CHARACTER OF COMPETITIONS
The division of the Novuss competitions are as follows:
- individual competitions (single games) between men and between women.
In individual competitions, the results are evaluated for each participant individually; - double games (of pairs), between men, women and mixed pairs.
The results of the double game are assessed for a pair; - team games – between men, women and in mixed teams.
In team competitions – the results of the individual games make up the total points of the team.
The Regulation of the Competition may regulate a different procedure of scoring (e.g., the sum of the team points is made up of the results in single and double games).
The type, order, course and character of the Novuss game competition is governed by the Regulations of the Competition.
Single games
Two participants compete in a single game facing each other on each side of the table.
The number of game sets is determined by the Regulations of the Competition. After each set, when any of the participants wins the set, the sides of the table are switched.
The winner of the set is the participant, who is the first to pocket all his/her game discs.
If the participant, who has the right to strike first, pockets all eight game discs with the first series of strokes, his/her series of strokes is terminated and the opponent is awarded the right to strike. If also the opponent pockets all the game discs within the first series of strokes, the set is played repeatedly by switching the sides of the table and the right of the first stroke. The game is continued this way, until one of the participants wins the set. Within the next set, the right of the first stroke remains the same as provided in the protocol. If both participants pocket all eight game discs with the first series of strokes, but one of them commits a violation during the last stroke, he/she loses the right to strike and has lost the set
Note: Termination of the series of strokes is not a loss of the right to strike. The participant is not stroking, because he/she no longer has any game discs on the table. If the participant commits a violation after terminating the series of strokes (for example, moves a game disc, while passing the puck), he/she is penalized and loses his/her right to strike. The participant has the right to make the next stroke after the opponent first looses the stroke.
If the participant pockets also the opponent’s game disc along with his/her last game disc, the set is played repeatedly. The right of the first stroke does not change, nor does the side of the table. If the participant earns a penalty disc in such case, he/she is awarded a loss in the set.
If both participants have their remaining game discs only in the middle circle or the back zone of their own side, and each of them misses the game discs for three times, the set is terminated and restarted. The right of the first stroke does not change.
Double games
In double games two pairs compete. The partners are facing each other. At the beginning of the set, each participant places his/her partner’s game discs. The right of the first stroke always remains on one side of the table, but the participants change clockwise after each set, unless both pairs complete their set with the first series of strokes. In such case the set is played repeatedly. The participants remain in the same positions, but the first stroke passes to the participant, who was the last one to make the stroke. The participants also make the strikes in a clockwise direction.
It is up to the participants themselves to determine the participant, who will have the right to strike first. When the sides of the table are selected, the participants have taken their places at the table and the pair, who has the right to strike first have announced, who will be the first to strike, the opponents have the right to switch sides. In the decisive odd set (if the game is played till victory), the participants, who do not have the right to strike first are allowed to switch places again.
In double games each participant strives to pocket not only his/her own, but also his/her partner’s game discs.
All single game rules are applied to the double game, except when the participant hits the opponent’s game disc with a direct stroke in their back zone. In double game, only a penalty disc is placed for such a violation.
In the double game a penalized strike must not be used to hit the opponent’s game disc into the middle circle.
In a double game for a violation the partner is penalized, who has the right to strike or will have the right to strike, if at the moment of the violation the right to strike belongs to the opponent.
The penalty disc can only be placed, if in the opposing side of the penalized participant, the game discs have been moved.
If the participant, who has the right to strike first (the first participant), pockets all 16 game discs (his/her own and the ones of the partner) within the first series of strokes, only one participant of the opponent pair (the second participant) is entitled to stroke. If he/she does not pocket all 16 game discs (his/her own and the ones of the partner) within the first series of strokes, they have lost the set. If the first participant does not pocket all 16 game discs (his/her own and the ones of the partner) within the first series of strokes, but the second participant pockets all 16 game discs (his/her own and the ones of the partner) within the first series of strokes, they have won the set. The third and fourth participant (the second participant of each pair) do not have the right to strike.
After a stroke made, if required, one of the game participants passes the puck.
As long as the participant having the right to strike does not place the puck on the table for making the stroke, his/her partner may give instructions (tasks) about the position of the game discs, the type of the stroke, the direction in which the game discs should be after the stroke, without specifying the position, from which the stroke should be made. The participant making the stroke must not speak. No instructions may be given, after the puck is placed on the table for making the stroke. The time limit for providing instructions and making the stroke is 30 seconds.
The Regulations of the Competition may stipulate other arrangements for communication between the partners of double games.
Team games
The order of the competition is determined by the Regulation of the Team Championship.
Teas of women, men and mixed teams compete separately in the Team Championship or in accordance with the Regulations of the Competition.
The composition of the team (the number of regulars and reserve participants) is governed by the Regulations of the Team Championship.
When completing the protocol in team competitions, first the first round of games must be recorded. The order of participants for the first round is submitted to the Referee by the team representatives. The Referee must ensure that the team composition is not disclosed to the opposing team. In the second round, the regulars can be substituted with reserve participants. Changes in team composition, if any, must be announced prior to the submission of the final result of each round to the Senior Referee. In the third round these participants can be replaced by the regulars or other reserve participants, and one replacement participant within a single match may replace one participant (one number), and the replaced participant then can play only in his/her former position (with the previous number).
All single game rules apply to the team game.