rules & regulations

A Rubber Band Fight is three (3) two minute rounds either  1v1 or 2v2 (tag team and simultaneous). A 2v2 matchup follows  mixed rules; rounds 1 & 3 are tag-team one in one out, with round 2 being simultaneous 2v2 competition. ALL matches end in either a points victory or when an opposing player quits the match. A fight can end in a points draw, which results in the SUDDEN STING round. 

Fighters can pop, flick, sling & swing the rubber band at their opponent to both score points by landing a hit on the torso (front and back), legs, and feet. Hands  are NOT scored for points. Players may target the ears of an opponent as well, as they are outside of the face area that is protected by the safety shield. Groin or buttocks are fair game, but it is discouraged. It is the players responsibility to protect those areas.  FIGHTERS MUST CONTROL THEIR RUBBER BAND.  If a fighter drops or loses their rubber band they are fair game until the referee sees a stop in action to allow the affected fighter to retrieve theirs. 

Matches are scored on an 10 point Must System. Judges will score the match based on number of clean strikes, number of rear strikes (which are legal other than the back  of the head) and fighter control and aggression. a match CAN end in a tie, whereas the Sudden Sting format applies. Defense is also on the scorecard; judges can award as many as 2 points for skillful defense.

If a match is scored a draw after three (3) rounds then the Sudden Sting format is used to determine the winner.  Each opponent in the 1v1 match stand face to face 3ft apart and take turns delivering unblocked (fighters hands must be behind their back with fingers interlaced) shots at their opponent in rotating format until one opponent scores Five (5) points by striking an opponents ear, torsoe or any part of the body; the match is over if any fighter lands a shot anywhere on the body that causes his opponent to quit. 

**In a 2v2 match teams choose which fighter to represent them and the same rules apply.

TO DEFEND AGAINST AN OPPONENTS STRIKES:

DUCK - YES

DODGE - YES

DIVE - YES

SPIN - YES

GRAB THEIR BAND - NO

BLOCK WITH PHYSICAL CONTACT - NO

STEP OUT OF THE MATCH AREA - NO

Rubber Band Fighting / Rubber Band Fight is open to anyone over the age of 18 who sign a liability waiver and completes the orientation session.  There are Men, Women, Doubles & Mixed Doubles Divisions.  Two Men can challenge two women or vice/versa in a match as long as both teams agree.  

Uniforms vary by gender. Male fighters may only wear shorts that fall above the knee; no shirt, socks, wraps or pads are allowed. Female fighters may wear a bathing suits  or athletic tank top with shorts that fall anywhere above the knee or wear a bathing suit bottom; arms and legs must be uncovered.  ALL fighters must wear one of the pre-approved pair of fingerless gloves  and a safety shield. The purpose of the gloves is to protect the hands which ensures the consistency of the matches. The pre-approved standard face shield is also required to protect fighters from eye and face injury. REMEMBER, the ears are fair game. If during a match a fighter is affected by an accidental strike to the face area that compromises the shield the referee will immediately stop action and allow the affected fighter to fix their shield. An outside official will also be standing by with an emergency stoppage horn in the event the referee does not immediately notice the shield off the face. 

All matches are played using ONLY the supplied and pre-approved bands, which are 36" long and 1" wide. No bands other than those approved are allowed, no exceptions.  NO altering, doctoring or manipulation of the approved bands is allowed. If a band breaks during a match, the referee will stop the match ONLY AT A BREAK IN ACTION and replace the broken band(s). **If a band breaks while an opponent is on an uninterrupted assault the fighter(s) who have a broken band MUST defend themselves until the referee stops action. Until that time, everyone is fair game.   

Direct contact via fist, foot or any part of the body to an opponent is strictly forbidden. An accidental contact blow is still a penalty and the referee reserves the right to administer a warning or a 1 (one) point deduction. ANY malicious INTENT is automatic disqualification and subject to ban. The rubber band is the instrument of fair play.