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ARTICLE I – PURPOSE

The National Loboton Association (NLA) serves as the governing body for Loboton
competition. The purpose of these rules is to promote fair competition, sportsmanship, consistency, and the growth of Loboton at all levels of play.

ARTICLE I – PURPOSE

The National Loboton Association (NLA) serves as the governing body for Loboton
competition. The purpose of these rules is to promote fair competition, sportsmanship, consistency, and the growth of Loboton at all levels of play.

ARTICLE II – LOBOTON SINGLES
Section 1 – Teams

• A Loboton Singles team shall consist of two (2) or three (3) players.
• All players begin the game with an equal number of balls, except for the designated starting feeder, who receives one additional ball to begin play.
• The tournament director, league administrator, or competition authority may establish the starting ball count before competition.

Section 2 – Two-Player Team Format
When a team consists of two players:

• The feed must be directed into a designated half of the court.
• The designated half shall be determined by the tournament director, league administrator, or competition authority prior to the start of competition.
• The designated half may include:
       o Forehand side
       o Backhand side
       o Right half
       o Left half
• The designated feed area shall remain in effect for the duration of the game unless otherwise announced by the competition authority.
• After the feed lands in the designated area, the point shall be played normally.
• After the first point, aggressive feeds remain legal provided they are directed into the designated area.

Section 3 – Starting Play

• The designated starting feeder initiates play with a friendly feed.
• The feed must be delivered:
        o From behind the baseline
        o Between the doubles sidelines
• The feed may not be:
        o An overhead feed
        o A drop-shot feed

Section 4 – Rotation

• The feeder plays a point against an opposing player.
• When the point ends:
       o The losing player leaves the court.
       o The next teammate in rotation immediately enters and feeds the next          ball.
       o The winning player remains on court.
• After the first point, all legal feeds, including aggressive feeds ("mean feed"), are permitted.

Section 5 – Ball Ownership

• When a player loses a point, the team forfeits one ball.

Section 6 – Lets

• There are no lets.
• Any ball touching the net and landing in play remains live.

Section 7 – Winning the Game

• The first team to lose all balls loses the game.

Section 8 – McKinley Rule
When a player wins a point while positioned at the net:

• The next teammate in line may act as a backup defender on the following point.
• The backup player may only play a ball that has passed the original net player.
• The original net player remains the primary defender.

ARTICLE III – LOBOTON DOUBLES
Section 1 – Teams

• Teams may consist of three to six players

Section 2 – Starting Ball Allocation

• Each team starts with 10 balls or two to four balls each.
• The total number of balls should be the same for each team.
• The starting feeder begins with three balls.

Section 3 – Starting Play

• The starting feeder delivers a friendly feed.
• The feeder immediately joins the point.

Section 4 – Rotation
After each point:

• The losing player exits or losing team exits if 4 to 6 players on a team.
• The next teammate enters and feeds.
• The winning side remains on court.

Section 5 – Feeding Rules
All feeds must:

• Originate from behind the baseline.
• Be delivered between the doubles sidelines.
• Feeds may not:
       o Be overhead feeds.
       o Be drop-shot feeds.
• After the opening point, aggressive feeds are permitted.

Section 6 – Double Feed Penalty
If two balls are accidentally fed simultaneously:

• The feeding team loses both balls.
• The point is automatically awarded to the receiving team.

Section 7 – Lets

• There are no lets.
• Any ball touching the net and landing in play remains live.

Section 8 – Winning

• The first team to lose all balls loses the game.

ARTICLE IV – LOBOTON DOUBLES (3V3 CONTINUOUS FORMAT)
Section 1 – Teams

• Three (3) players per team.

Section 2 – Court Positions
At all times:

• Two players are active on the court.
• One player waits on the sideline.

Section 3 – Ball Supply

• Each team begins with eight to ten balls in its hopper or ball holder.
• One team receives a neutral ball to begin play.

Section 4 – Starting Play

• The player with the neutral ball feeds first.
• The feed must be:
        o Behind the baseline
        o Between the doubles sidelines
• The feed may not be:
        o An overhead feed
        o A drop-shot feed

Section 5 – Rotation
When a point ends:

• The player responsible for losing the point rotates out.
• The waiting teammate immediately enters.
• The entering player feeds the next ball.
• The winning team remains on court.

Section 6 – Aggressive Feeds

• Only the opening feed of the game must be friendly.
• After the opening point, aggressive feeds are permitted.

Section 7 – Lets

• There are no lets.
• Any ball touching the net and landing in play remains live.

Section 8 – Winning 

• The first team to lose all balls from its hopper loses the game.

ARTICLE V – COURT DIMENSIONS
Section 1 – Approved Court Dimensions
Loboton may be played on any rectangular court meeting the following dimensions.

Singles Loboton
Recommended dimensions:

• 78 feet long
• 27 feet wide

Permitted variation:

• Length: 77–79 feet
• Width: 26–28 feet

Doubles Loboton
Recommended dimensions:

• 78 feet long
• 36 feet wide

Permitted variation:

• Length: 77–79 feet
• Width: 35–37 feet

Section 2 – Net Height

• The net shall be approximately three (3) feet high at the center.

Section 3 – Court Markings

• All court boundary lines must be clearly visible before competition begins.
• Tournament directors may utilize existing court lines or temporary court markings approved by the NLA.

Section 4 – Publication of Court Dimensions
The official dimensions of all competition courts shall be published before competition begins.

Tournament directors shall provide:

• Court length
• Court width
• Surface type
• Any approved modifications or non-standard dimensions

Once competition begins, court dimensions shall remain unchanged unless approved by the competition authority and communicated to all participants.

ARTICLE VI – PLAYER CODE OFCONDUCT
Section 1 – Sportsmanship
All participants shall conduct themselves in a manner that promotes fair play, respect, and the positive growth of Loboton.

Players shall:

• Treat opponents, teammates, officials, volunteers, and spectators with respect.
• Accept victories and defeats in a sportsmanlike manner.
• Promote honest competition.
• Follow all published rules and tournament procedures.

Players shall not:

• Use abusive, threatening, harassing, or discriminatory language.
• Engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Intentionally distract opponents.
• Damage equipment or facilities.
• Bring the sport into disrepute through their actions.

Section 2 – Line Calling
Many Loboton matches may be self-officiated.

Players shall:

• Make calls promptly and clearly.
• Give opponents the benefit of the doubt on close calls.
• Correct an incorrect call if they become aware of the mistake.

Players shall not:

• Intentionally make incorrect line calls.
• Repeatedly argue line calls after a decision has been made.
• Attempt to intimidate opponents regarding line calls.

Repeated dishonest line calling may result in disciplinary action.

Section 3 – Spectator Conduct
Spectators shall:

• Refrain from interfering with play.
• Avoid abusive language directed toward players, officials, or spectators.

Tournament directors may remove spectators who disrupt competition.

Section 4 – Social Media Conduct
Players are encouraged to promote Loboton positively.

Players shall not:

• Make knowingly false statements regarding the Association.
• Harass participants online.
• Publish content that damages the integrity of the sport.

Constructive criticism of rules, administration, and competition is permitted.

Section 5 – Conduct Detrimental to Loboton
Any conduct determined by the National Loboton Association to be harmful to the integrity, reputation, safety, growth, or orderly administration of the sport may result in disciplinary action.

Examples include:

• Repeated unsportsmanlike conduct
• Cheating
• Harassment
• Threats or intimidation
• Abuse of officials or volunteers
• Deliberate disruption of competitions
• Actions that damage the reputation of Loboton

This list is not exhaustive.

ARTICLE VII – DISCIPLINE AND SUSPENSION
Section 1 – Grounds for Discipline
Disciplinary action may result from:

• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Intentional cheating
• Repeated dishonest line calling
• Harassment or intimidation
• Threats of violence
• Physical aggression
• Falsification of records
• Conduct detrimental to Loboton
• Violations of NLA rules, policies, or codes of conduct

Section 2 – Penalties
The NLA may impose:

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Probation
• Match forfeiture
• Tournament suspension
• Membership suspension
• Permanent ban

Section 3 – Authority of the National Loboton Association
The National Loboton Association, through its Board of Directors, Tournament Directors, League Administrators, or designated representatives, shall have the authority to impose disciplinary action whenever such action is deemed necessary to protect the integrity, safety, reputation, or orderly administration of Loboton competition.

Disciplinary action may be imposed immediately and may remain in effect until modified or removed by the National Loboton Association. All disciplinary decisions made by the National Loboton Association shall be final.

ARTICLE VIII – JUNIOR DIVISIONS
The National Loboton Association recognizes the following junior divisions:

• 11 & Under
• 13 & Under
• 15 & Under

Age Eligibility
A player's competition age shall be determined by the age division for which they are eligible on the first day of the month in which they have a birthday.

A player shall move into the next age division beginning on the first day of the month in which they reach the higher age.

Examples

• A player turning 12 on July 20 shall compete in the 13 & Under division beginning July 1.
• A player turning 14 on March 15 shall compete in the 15 & Under division beginning March 1.
• A player turning 16 on October 10 shall no longer be eligible for 15 & Under competition beginning October 1.

The NLA may establish additional divisions as participation grows.

ARTICLE IX – AUTHORITY OF THE
NATIONAL LOBOTON ASSOCIATION
The National Loboton Association shall serve as the governing body for sanctioned Loboton competition.

The Association shall have the authority to:

• Establish and modify rules of play.
• Sanction leagues, tournaments, and championships.
• Establish rankings and ratings systems.
• Certify officials and tournament directors.
• Establish membership requirements.
• Investigate rules violations and misconduct.
• Suspend or revoke membership privileges.
• Protect the integrity and reputation of the sport.

Participation in any sanctioned Loboton event constitutes acceptance of all National Loboton Association rules, regulations, policies, and decisions.