Rules

1 A team shall comprise either 1 or 2 people playing at a time. Unlimited substitutions are allowed during a match. Different people may represent the same team in different matches.

2 Each match shall comprise 2 halves of 4 minutes each way, as timed by the referee. The referee may add additional time at his discretion to allow for substitutions, stoppages and deliberate time wasting.

3 If a knock-out match ends in a draw, extra time of 2 minutes each way shall be played. If the scores are level at the end of extra-time, a further ‘sudden death’ period shall be played and the next team to score shall be the winner.

4 The referee shall start each half of a match (and also each period of extra time and sudden death) by dropping the ball into the middle of the table.

5 The ball on the table is declared dead if it comes to a stop and cannot be reached by any player figure. Nudging, tilting and shaking of the table are strictly prohibited. The referee shall restart play by dropping the ball into the middle of the table.

6 A stopped or pinned ball (pinned means trapped against the wall or the surface) must be released within 5 seconds. Failure to do so will result in a free shot being awarded to the opposing team from their midfield.

7 If the ball leaves the table, the player responsible for it doing so concedes possession to the opposing team, who restart play with the ball at the feet of their goalkeeper. Any dispute as to which team is responsible for the ball leaving the table shall be settled by the referee.

8 No distracting an opponent in any way. Any deliberate distraction will result in a free shot being awarded to the opposing team from one of their strikers.

9 Strictly no spinning! Deliberate spinning will result in a free shot being awarded to the opposing team from one of their strikers.

10 If a team fails to turn up for a scheduled match, they will be deemed to have lost that match 10-0.

11 All decisions of the referee shall be final.

12 Play nicely and enjoy yourselves!

13 Not more than one Hill Dickinson team may play in the knock-out stages. If Switzerland or South Korea qualify as well as Brazil, the third placed team with the best record (from any of the 8 groups) shall take their place in the Round of 16. If Switzerland and South Korea both qualify, the third placed team with the best record shall take Switzerland's place and the third placed team with the second-best record shall take South Korea's place.