Rules of Stones

2025 Edition

I. The Course

• The game is played on a course with five distinct stretches, each featuring:

  • A throwing base

  • Clearly marked in-bounds/out-of-bounds zones

  • A landing zone at the end

• Stretches may contain natural or artificial obstacles: fire, vegetation, logs, water, etc.

• Playing surfaces may include dirt, gravel, sand, grass, pine needles, and more

• Stretch length: 15–75 feet recommended

• Stretches should progress naturally from one to the next

• The course includes a separate play zone called The X:

  • 2–7 ft diameter

  • Surrounded by out-of-bounds

  • Accessible from at least two stretches (including 4 and/or 5)

II. Game Play

A. Number of Players and Equipment

• The rules are written based on 2v2 standard play. 1v1, and 4v4 are also acceptable formats.

• Each player has:

  • (1) 90mm stone

  • (2) 100mm stones

  • (1) 110mm stone

• In team play, players may share a set or use their own

• Each player throws 2 stones per round

• In 1v1, each player throws all 4 stones per round

• In 4v4, each player throws 1 stone per round

• Stones with chips or breaks larger than a quarter are not legal

• Broken stones or marks: the largest piece is used for scoring that round only

B. The Basic Round

• A player throws the Mark (50mm ball) from the base of the first stretch

• Must go more than 1 meter and stay in bounds

• If it doesn’t, the same player throws again

• If the second attempt fails or the first lands in water, the other team takes over

• Once the Mark is in bounds and established:

  • The same team throws a stone

  • If it lands in bounds, their stone is "established"

  • If not, they keep throwing until one stays in bounds

  • Once established, the other team throws one at a time until they get closer or run out

  • Teammates alternate throws and choose stone size per turn

• The team that is not closest keeps throwing until out of stones or takes the lead

• Round ends after all 8 stones are thrown

C. Stones In Bounds

• A stone is considered in bounds if any part of it is within the marked boundary, unless course rules specify otherwise

D. Legal Stone Contact

• Stones may legally contact:

  • The Mark

  • Other stones

  • Natural or artificial course features

  • Out-of-bounds obstacles

  • Spectators or creatures (if unintentional)

• If the Mark is knocked out of bounds:

  • Round is canceled

  • All stones are collected

  • A new round starts, and the other team throws the Mark

• If the Mark is knocked behind the throwing line, it’s out of bounds

• Stones can be knocked in or out of bounds during the round

• Stones out of bounds can re-enter bounds via impact

E. Interference by Participants, Refs, or Spectators

• If a stationary stone is moved:

  • Return it to its original position

• If a moving stone hits a non-player:

  • Rethrow is granted

  • If the round is significantly affected, replay the round

• If a moving stone hits a player:

  • That team forfeits a stone

  • Rethrow is granted

  • If the round is significantly affected, replay with one less stone for that team

• If a player interferes with a resting stone:

  • That team forfeits a stone

  • Round may be replayed with penalty

F. Water Hazards

• Mark thrown into water = immediate forfeiture to opponent

• Stone thrown into water:

  • Teammate must discard one stone (if they still have one)

  • Player who threw the water ball throws next

• Mark knocked into water = round canceled

• Stone knocked out of water into play = in bounds

G. Throwing Opponent’s Stone or Out of Turn

• If a player throws the opponent’s stone:

  • They forfeit a stone OR

  • Opponent may choose to keep the result

Out-of-Turn Throw:

• Declared dead once released

• If the layout is affected, referee resets field or replays the round

H. Determining Proximity to the Mark

• Referee uses naked eye for initial call

• Players may check, but ref’s call stands unless challenged

• One challenge per team per game (resets in OT)

  • Successful challenge = another challenge granted

  • Failed challenge = no further challenges

• After the final stone, any stone may be measured

I. Scoring a Round

• Closest stone earns 1 point, plus 1 per additional stone closer than the opponent’s nearest

• All 4 closer = 6 points (4 + 2 bonus)

• Round is "closed" when score is confirmed

  • No one may move stones before closure

  • If they do, interference rules apply

• Tie (equal closest stones) = 0 points

J. Continuing the Game

• Place the Spot at the final resting position of the Mark

• Thrower must have one foot on the Spot

  • No body part closer to the Mark than the Spot

  • Violation = loss of stone; disrupted stones replaced

• Mark throw alternates between teams and players

Intentional Mark Out-of-Bounds (2x):

• Opponent chooses to:

  • Take over Mark throw

  • Force continuation until Mark lands legally

Mark Knocked Off a Landing Twice:

• Both teams move back 5 ft

• Second Spot placed 5 ft behind original

K. Moving Through the Course

• All Mark throws must progress forward

• A stretch may be skipped (except for its landing)

• Stones in bounds anywhere on the course are valid

L. Playing the Landings

• A landing must be played before progressing

• Mark may land on it via throw or deflection

• Mark thrown or knocked past the landing = out of bounds

• Mark knocked backward off a landing = in play if it’s still past previous spot

• After a landing is played once, next round starts from where Mark last landed

M. The X

• Cannot be used on first throw of the game

• X is played if the Mark and at least one stone end on the X

• Mark knocked off X = round canceled

• Scoring on the X = same as standard, but points are doubled

• Mark knocked back onto course = play continues, no double points

• Mark can be thrown:

  • To the current stretch

  • To the previous stretch

• After X is played, resume forward progress to next unplayed landing

N. End of Game

• Game ends after the final landing is played

• Team must win by 2 points

O. Overtime Rules

• Triggered if tied or within 1 point at final landing

• Referee conducts a coin toss

  • Team with last lead gets to call it

  • Winner chooses:

    • Start stretch OR

    • Mark throw

• Overtime plays like regular rounds

• First team to gain 2-point lead wins

P. Postponement

• Games may only be postponed due to:

  • Lightning

  • Hurricane-force winds

• Refusal to play = forfeit

III. Tournament Rules

A. Format

• Tournament games follow all official rules

B. Referee Rulings

• Ref’s call stands unless challenged during the round

• One challenge per team (resets in OT)

C. Shot Clock

• 35 seconds per throw

  • Ref warns at 10 seconds

• 3 timeouts per match (1 minute each)

  • Cannot use timeouts consecutively

  • Timeout resets shot clock to 35 seconds

• Violations:

  • Shot clock expired = forfeit that throw

  • Excessive or back-to-back timeouts = penalty

E. Misconduct

Verbal (malicious):

• 1st offense: warning

• 2nd: lose a stone

• 3rd: ejection

Physical:

• 1st: lose a stone

• 2nd: ejection

• Severe: immediate ejection

Fan Advice Prohibited:

• Fans may not coach while team is on clock

• 1st offense: warning

• Repeat: removal from venue

• Rule must be communicated to all attendees

F. Offsides & Foot Violations

Foot Placement:

• Foot must fully cover the Spot circle

• Cannot cross the front edge

• Violations = throw forfeited

Forward Fall Rule:

• If a player’s body crosses the Spot line before their stone comes to rest, throw is illegal

• Referees may use video if needed

G. Distinct Colors

• Each team must use visually distinct stone colors

• No light/dark shades of the same hue allowed