Basic Rules

1. Basic points of victory and defeat

• Avoid getting hit by snowballs from the opposing team. 

• Hit your opponents with snowballs as much as possible.

• Capture the opponent's flag.

• Each match last 4 minutes.

2. Team formation

Each team consists of 5 people, ages 14 and up. People can be any gender.

3. The Field

Size of the field is 30 ft wide x 120 ft long.  The centerline divides the field into two halves, one for each team. There is a backline on each side. Defense facilities, called shelters, are key to a game. 

・Shelters

Players can hide behind the shelters that protect from snowballs.  There are two in each territory.  A large center shelter is placed in the center of the court.

・Home base

Each team has a home base. It is the base of the team and the place to put the snowballs at the beginning of the game. The opposing team can not go past the backline where the homebase exists.

・Flags

A flag is set in front of the backline. Captureing the flag of the opposing team results in defeat.

・Centerline

With the centerline as the boundary, the court is divided into two sides, one for each team. Players can enter the opponent’s side of the court, but not go past the backline

4. Rules

• A player who touches an in-play snowball will be "out" and must leave the court. The player cannot return to the game.

• When a player gets hit by a snowball thrown by the opponent OR their own team, they will be considered ‘out’.

• Each team has 35 snowballs per match. Additional snowballs cannot be made during a match.

5. Snowballs

• Snowballs are to be made with the designated snowball press.

• Once a snowball is thrown it is considered spent.

• If a snowball hits the ground, it can’t be reused.

• Snowballs can not be made during the match.

6. Clothing / Uniform

• Teams will all wear the same color jersey, with a different number for each player. Jerseys are provided and reused for each match.

• All players must wear a helmet the covers their ears and goggles to cover their eyes. Full-face helmets are allowed. Sunglasses are not allowed.

7. Disqualification - Players will be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

• Touching a player on the other team

• Using inappropriate or foul language.

• Arguing with a referee

Flow of a Match

Start

The match starts with each team lining up on the back line.  Player can begin with snowballs in their hands.

Head referee blows a whistle and players run onto the field.

If there is a flase start, the player gets 1 warning. If the same player has a 2nd flast start, they are considered ‘out’.

Engage in combat by hiding behind the shelter and attacking.  The shelters are the key to both offense and defense.

The strategic use of the snowballs is also key to how you win the game.

Referees will observe the match and call out a player’s number when they are hit. The player that is called out must move off the field and can not help their team once they’re out.

End of a match

 A match is won when a team eliminates all of the opponents or when they capture the opponent's flag. If it is not settled in 4 minutes, the team that hits more opponents wins the set.

Tie Breaker

If the flag is not captured and the same number of team members remain at the end of the match, a Tie Breaker will occur. For the Tie Breaker, a target will be placed on the center shelter. Each player from one team will throw a snowball from behind their baseline to try to hit the target.

Scoring

 Eliminate all opponents: Winning team gets 10 points, losing team gets 0 points

Capture the other team’s flag: Winning team gets 10 points, losing team gets 0 points

After time runs out: Calculate points by counting players remaining on the court, 1 point per player. If the count is even, a tie breaker is played.

In a tie breaker, a team gets one point for each player that hits the target.