THE RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE GAME OF LUIB
Draft: 21 April 2013
Preamble: History, Values, Traditions and Philosophy of the Game of Luib
- The Game of Luib was founded in the town of Luib on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, in 1987, by Richard Calland, Martin Cook, Martin Curlew & Andrew Feeley (“The Founding Fathers of the Game of Luib”).
- The latter, Feeley, became synonymous with the game he co-invented and is now commonly known as, simply, “Luib”. His father, Gordon Feeley, is, therefore, Luib’s father but is not The Father of Luib.
- To be played well, Luib is a game that requires high levels of skill in the kicking, throwing and catching of two different balls, taking full account of their different, distinctive properties.
- Although Luib can often generate competition of great intensity and velocity, it should always be played with warm and comradely spirit befitting of the great friendships of the founding fathers and their associates, and above all, with good humour.
- Unlike many other modern games, Luib quintessentially depends on the personal integrity and morality of the players.
- The game is played with one Rugby Union ball and one Association Football.
- Each participating player begins with five lives.
- The object of the game is to be the last player standing with at least one life still intact, while all the other players have lost all their lives, thereby completing one ‘Nose’ of Luib.
- In general, a ‘Nostril’ of Luib comprises three or more ‘Noses’ of Luib. The player with the highest number of ‘Noses’ wins the ‘Nostril’.
- Players shall keep their own scores and shall regularly call out their ‘state of play’ – ie the number of lives they have remaining.
- There is no limit to the number of players who may compete in one Nose of Luib, provided that proper allowance is made of the form of the particular game of Luib and the prevailing conditions (see Rule 28 below).
- A Nose of Luib begins upon each player calling “Luib”.
- Any of the competing players may begin the Nose of Luib with any one ball.
- A ball is brought into play when a player either throws or kicks a catchable ball towards another player.
- Save for the case of an opponent who is under the age of 16, the ball may be thrown or kicked as hard, or as high, as the player chooses.
- Upon losing your fifth and last life, a player must withdraw immediately from the Nose of Luib.
- There is no referee required for playing a game of Luib as the players are independently responsible for their own scoring and conduct.
- Where any dispute arises, the principle that shall always apply is that the consensus of the participating players shall prevail.
- A player must not run or walk while in a possession of a ball save when an opponent seeks to run or walk away so as increase the distance between him or herself and the player with the ball. In these circumstances the player in possession of a ball may run or walk towards his or her opponent in order to maintain the distance between the players and, if the opponent continues to seek to escape, closing the distance in order to complete a ‘pan’.
- When a player has possession of both balls, he or she is permitted to throw or kick both balls at one opponent if he or she sees fit – indeed, such a practice is customarily regarded as a particularly skillful form of Luib.
- However, unless the said player is under the age of 16, when throwing or kicking one ball, the said player must keep the other ball on his body and in full control of it (ie he or she must not place it on the ground while throwing or kicking the other ball).
How a Life is Lost and How One May be Gained
- A life is lost:
- Failing to catch a catchable ball;
- Failing to make a reasonable attempt to catch a catchable ball;
- When a catchable ball strikes or otherwise touches any part of the body of the player;
- When in possession of both balls, losing control of one ball, or failing to keep the said ball on his or her body, when throwing or kicking the other ball (see Rule 18).
- In the event that a player who is in possession of one ball makes an unsuccessful attempt to catch the other ball, and it is catchable, he or she shall lose a life notwithstanding the fact that he or she is in possession of the first ball.
- However, if in such circumstances the player catches the second ball while retaining full control of the first ball then he or she shall gain a life.
- When in possession of one ball a player may lawfully evade catching a catchable ball, provided that the ball does not touch any part of his or her body, and that the player retains full possession and control of the first ball at all material times.
- However, a player may deliberately drop one ball to the ground that he or she has already successfully caught, in order to catch another catchable ball that has been thrown or kicked towards him or her.
- At the point at which just two players remain in the Nose, each player shall begin with one ball each.
Key Terms & Glossary
- A “Catchable” ball is a ball that could reasonably be caught were a player to make an authentic and reasonable effort to catch the ball.
- A “Pan” attack by one player on another is when one player throws or kicks the ball directly against an opponent from close range.
Different Forms of the Game of Luib
- The Game of Luib may be played in virtually any outdoor environment, and some limited indoor circumstances, including:
- Rural Luib (as in the circumstances of the inaugural Nose of Luib – see Preamble)
- Lawn Luib (played on a manicured grass surface, such as a sports or cricket field)
- Garden Luib (played in an area clearly defined as the garden of a private or public residence which meets the purposes thereof)
- Mountain Luib (played on a slope)
- Gym Luib (played in a gym).
The Ethics of Luib
- As stated above, players shall not run at an opponent when in possession of a ball.
- Furthermore, Luib is not a contact sport. Any attempt to physically limit the capability of an opponent to catch a ball, or reach a ball in order to acquire possession of it ahead of kicking or throwing it to an opponent, is prohibited, including such acts as ‘smothering’.
- However, when a ball is ‘loose’ – ie neither in possession of a player nor in flight towards a player – then players may compete in order to acquire possession of it, including physical contact provided that no violence is deployed.
- Throwing or kicking a ball at an opponent’s head is permitted, within reason, unless the opponent is under the age of 16.