Spalding's Athletic Library, 1931

Caledonian Rules

PLEASE NOTE: The rules posted on this page pertain to a historical version of quoits which differs significantly from the modern game commonly played today.  As an aid to research, rules in this text that are unusual or that contradict those of modern-day Quoits

are highlighted below in red text.  For the current, Official Rules of Standard American Quoits, refer to this link:

Official USQA Rules for Modern-Day American Quoits

SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY

Quoits and Horseshoe Pitching

Lawn Bowls

Also the Italian Game of "Boccie" and Rules for Shuffleboard

No. 86R

.

American Sports Publishing Company

45 Rose Street, New York, New York.

Copyright 1931

58 pages

CALEDONIAN RULES

1. All playing to be on stiff clay ends which must not be less than two feet in diameter, nor less than six inches deep.

2. The distance to be eighteen yards from center to center of mott (head of pin). The players to stand at a distance not exceeding three feet at right angles with the pin.

3. All quoits to be circular in shape and uniform in thickness. The outside diameter must not exceed ten inches. The rim of no quoit to exceed two and one-half inches and no quoit to be less than four inches in the bore. Each player to choose his own weight of quoits.

4. The pin to be driven into the ground at an angle of forty-five degrees till the mott is level with the clay and is not to be touched on any account before measurement.

5. The removal of clay from quoits before measurement is allowable provided the quoit is not moved by so doing.

6. All measurements to be made with calipers or compasses and to reach from center of pin to the nearest part of quoit. If a quoit or quoits interferes with a measurement, it or they may be removed provided its removal does not interfere with the pin or quoits.

7. Should any motter in removing clay or quoits interfere with the quoits to his opponents' disadvantage, the umpire to declare the ends null and void and his opponent to have the privilege of the lead.

8. No players to be allowed to measure shots unless he mott for himself; should the motters fail to agree, the umpire to decide and his decision to be final. No quoit to count when the distance exceeds twenty inches from center of pin.

9. Should a quoit be broken during a game the measure to be taken from the nearest portion of the quoit to the center of the pin and the player allowed another pair of quoits to finish the game.

10. The player is allowed to follow his quoit after delivering it and to see how his opponent's quoits lie.

11. Each player to have a motter if he desires one.

12. An umpire to be appointed whose decision shall be final.

13. The lead to be decided by a toss and the winner of each end to lead at the next; playing alternately.

14. When a number of players are to participate in a match the players shall draw for their opponents by lot. Two sets of figures to be used and the players drawing corresponding numbers to play together.

15. When there is more than one rink they are to be numbered before drawing and the players to take their places according to the numbers drawn. The umpire to have power to change this article if he thinks it necessary, and the players or player not complying with his decision, he shall have power to rule them out of the game.

16. When there is an odd number of players, the one drawing the blank is called the "bye." He lays off until all have played and draws in the next round. But no one shall be a "bye" more than once in a match.

17. When a match ends in three players to decide, two play off and the "bye" then plays the winner; should the "bye" then win that settles the match. But if the first winner of the round is successful, then the "bye" and the first loser play off for second and third place.

18. When a match ends with four players and a third prize is given, the two players that are beaten shall play for it.

19. Talking to players except by the motter and all improper language is strictly prohibited.