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Home » Intramural Sports » Sport Rules » Horseshoes

1. All students, faculty or staff can participate provided they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Intramural Sports Handbook.  All participants must present their valid U of A ID.
2. Players must check in with supervisor prior to scheduled match time to avoid a forfeit fine.
3. Matches will be best 2 out of 3 games. The games are 21 points. The third game, if needed, will be played to 11.
4. The winner of a coin toss decides whether to pitch or follow. The loser of each game may pitch first, if desired.
5. In singles competition, the individuals must pitch both shoes before the opponent pitches.
6. In doubles competition, a member of each team goes to each pit. Team members will pitch to each other, alternating teams. Teams will exchange pits after each game.
7. Contestants cannot walk to the opposite pit or be informed of the position of shoes prior to the completion of an inning.
8. A contestant cannot touch his/her own or opponent’s shoe or shoes until the winner of the points has been agreed upon by the contestants, or a decision has been rendered by a supervisor. Penalty: All shoes pitched by offender in the inning which the complaint is made will be declared foul.
9. Any shoes pitched while the pitcher’s foot extends on or over the foul line shall be declared foul and removed from the pit. Pitchers must remain behind the foul line until the shoe has left his/her hand.
10. Pitchers must stand in the designated pitching platform at one side or the other of the stake.
11. If a shoe breaks on impact, the pitcher is entitled to pitch another shoe in its place.
12. Foul shoes shall be removed from the pit at the request of the opponent. Foul shoes cannot score points.
13. Scoring:
    1. Shoes must be within six inches of the stake. The closest shoe(s) will qualify for points.
    2. Ringers must encircle the stake far enough to allow the touching of both heel chaulks simultaneously with a straight edge and permit the clearance of the stake.
    3. Only one player/team may score points in an inning.
    4. In the case that all shoes are equal in scoring distance or fouls, the team that began pitching the last inning will begin pitching again.
14. Points:
    1. Closest shoe to the stake = 1 point
    2. Two shoes closer than opponents = 2 points
    3. One ringer = 3 points
    4. Two ringers = 6 points
    5. One ringer and closest shoe = 4 points
    6. Two ringers to opponent’s one = 3 points
15. Time limits for matches will be posted on the information sheet or tournament bracket. If teams are tied at the end of the time limit, a sudden death pitch-off will occur. The first team scoring more points than the other will be declared the winner of that game.

All games will be played at the intramural fields located on Razorback Road next to the tennis center. For weather postponements and other information, call Rec Check at 575-4950

Page last updated: 11/9/2005 11:31