Use of the wall

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Comments about this discussion:

Started 29 Jun 04:51

I'd like to propose adding a new rule aspect, as the use of the wall has increasingly led to debates in the German league: To what extent is a player allowed to use the wall to his or her advantage?

To provide more clarity, the following wording could be included in the rulebook:

"The wall must not be used to gain an advantage. A wall play is considered illegal if a player plays the ball while leaning on or holding the wall.
It is also not permitted to push off the wall in order to move into a more favorable position.
Brief support against the wall may be tolerated if it serves solely to prevent a fall."

Comment 29 Jun 10:10

Yes, I agree that this rule can lead to discussion and I'm in favour of including clarifying sentences. I generally agree with the suggestion.

I'm not sure whether all the suggested sentences are necessary, and in my opinion, the following should suffice. I tried to avoid the term "wall play" as it may be ambiguous.

Comment 30 Jun 07:17

The player has to be riding the unicycle freely. He or she may use the stick as support but must not rest on the goal or the wall or something similar. It is not sufficient to release the goal only quickly for the time while the goalkeeper takes part in the game. A short support on the wall to avoid a dismount can be tolerated however if a player gains an advantage over their opposition by pushing off a wall or using a wall to avoid dismounting, it is considered illegal.

A player who is falling off the unicycle may take part in the game until touching the ground. A remounting player
must sit on the seat and have both feet on the pedals before participating in the game
again. If a player who is not riding a unicycle shoots into their own goal, the advantage
rule applies for the attacking team and the goal is valid.


I  think this sentence
Using the wall as support is considered illegal if a player plays the ball while leaning on or holding the wall.

is already covered by

He or she may use the stick as support but must not rest on the goal or the wall or something similar.


We are very strict on walls in Australia. If you use a wall to get an advantage over your opposition (you use it to stay up, or you push off the wall for a sharper turn) then it means that your opposition are a better rider and were fouled by you.

Similar to the rule about not penalising things that do not affect the game. Players are not penalised if they are well away from play. As soon as you have two people going for a ball though, if one pushes off the wall to spin themselves they would be fouled.

Comment 30 Jun 14:53

Thanks Steven for the suggestion!

Now I feel that the addition of "to avoid dismounting" somewhat contradicts the previous sentence. Is this necessary, could we rephrase (I'm myself not entirely convinced)?

... if a player gains an advantage over their opposition by pushing off a wall or using a wall as support, it is considered illegal.

I think the most important aspect is gaining an advantage.