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Measuring Equipment
The list of
equipment that you may be
required to use in the course of
a tournament is quite
comprehensive:
-
Long measure:
For distances up to 20
metres
-
Ordinary tape
measure: For distances that
do not require pinpoint
accuracy and whose
difference can be
ascertained without doubt.
For example, a ‘quick’
measure that shows a
difference of say 5 mm needs
no closer scrutiny. Care
should be taken to avoid
falling foul of ‘error of
parallax’.
-
Folding
Measure: Preferred
internationally by Umpires
for its accuracy and
visibility, this measure is
a segmented 'ruler' with a
metal slide at one end.
-
Callipers:
For distances, which are too
close to allow for the use
of a telescopic measure.
-
Feeler
strips: As used by motor
mechanics, a set of feeler
strips/gauges are sometimes
necessary to measure
distances of only a few
thousandths of a millimetre
(ie when two boules are
almost touching the Jack and
the difference
in the gap
can not be visibly gauged
without doubt.
-
Other Items
needed: Small spike for
marking positions of boules/jack,
whistle, pen, notepad,
rulebook, cloth for
drying/cleaning tape and
possibly a kneepad, torch
and boule chocks.
Measuring
As an umpire, one
of the tasks that you will be
called on to perform (in fact
the main task) is the
measurement of the point.
Players should be encouraged to
attempt to ascertain the
position of the point, before
calling on an umpire.
Many times
umpires have been called to a
game to discover more than 10 mm
difference between the boules
being measured. On a busy day,
this “overuse” of the umpire can
disrupt the smooth running of a
competition when there are teams
forced to wait for a genuine
ruling.
Article 26
In this article
of the FIPJP Regulations it
states,
“the measuring of a point is the
responsibility of the player who
played the last boule or one of
his/her team mates. Opponents
still have the right to
re-measure the point after one
of these players. Whatever
positions the boules hold, and
at whatever stage the end may
be, the Umpire may be called to
adjudicate and his/her decision
is final ”.
Quite often,
neither team has any measuring
equipment. This brings into
effect, the second part of the
paragraph, which reads:
“Measuring
must be done with appropriate
equipment, which each team must
possess ”.
Estimation of distance -
Throwing the jack
The only correct
method of measuring is with
appropriate measuring equipment.
Most players
however, will ‘step out’ the
distance prior to playing a
boule to estimate the validity
of the throw. There are
differing views as to the
correct way to step out the
distance from the circle to the
Jack. Some argue that you should
start with the back of the heel
on the front of the circle.
Others will say that the toe
should be level with the front
of the circle, thus ensuring a
more accurate toe-to-toe
measurement.
It does not
really matter how one steps out
the distance as it is after all,
an estimation.
Additionally, it
must be remembered that it is
forbidden to measure a point
with one’s feet. This will often
lead to the accidental movement
of boules on the ground,
followed by quite irrational
behaviour of the affected party.
Players who do
not observe these rules may be
penalised by using one or more
of the sanctions as defined in
Article 10 (warning,
disqualification of the boule
played or about to be played,
exclusion of the guilty player
for one end, exclusion of the
guilty player for the game,
disqualification of the guilty
team, disqualification of both
teams in the case of complicity)
if, after receiving a warning
from the Umpire, they continue
to do so.
Before you Measure
-
If you are called
to measure a close point there
are a few basic procedures that
you should follow:
-
First of all,
you should assess the layout
and if possible, make a
mental estimation as to the
boule that is holding the
point.
-
Mark the
positions of both the Jack
and the boules to be
measured.
-
Note in your
notepad the positions of the
boule and the jack for
reference.
-
Ascertain
whether there are any
unplayed boules remaining.
If not, it may be possible
to remove any obstacle
boules or boules that are
obviously ‘out of the
count’. If either of the
teams has boules remaining,
obstacle boules may be
removed after having their
positions marked and
replaced immediately after
measuring.
-
Decide on the
most appropriate equipment
to be used (tape, callipers
etc).
-
Measure the
point and inform the players
of your decision.
-
Replace any
moved boule to its original
position.
Note: You may if
you wish, direct players to
stand a reasonable distance away
whilst you are measuring.
Players should remain silent and
abstain from commenting or
moving about and casting
shadows, which may distract you
from your task. Any
noncompliance with your
directions and/or requests may
be dealt with by any
disciplinary action as deemed
appropriate, according to the
nature of the misdemeanour.
'Over-damaging' of the terrain when marking the
positions of the boules and/or
Jack should be avoided where
possible. On occasion, it may be
necessary to use
wedges to ‘choc’ a boule or the jack, protecting it against movement.
Remember that the
condition of the terrain must be
restored on completion of
measuring to allow the game to
continue without advantage to
any team or player.
After Measuring
Do not allow
yourself to be drawn into a
debate with any player or
players with regards to your
ruling. Be firm and decisive
then walk away.
It is acceptable
(in fact advisable) to leave the
marks that indicate the position
of boule or jack, but these must
not be so prominent as to
constitute an obstruction should
the boule or jack be moved
validly by another boule.
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