Spalding's Athletic Library, 1931

English Quoiting Association 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

ENGLISH QUOITING ASSOCIATION RULES

1. The ground or rink, which shall be level and suitably enclosed (roped or railed), shall consist of two beds or ends of good clay of medium stiffness and of sufficient consistency to hold the quoits. The Beds shall not be less than 4 feet square or more than 4 feet 6 inches square and 8 inches in depth, with an iron hub or pin firmly fitted in wood or other hard sub­stance in the center of the bed at a distance of eighteen yards, situated parallel to each other. The Hubs shall be immovable, and shall be about one and one-half inches in thickness, with the exception of about six inches from the top, which shall taper upwards, measuring not more than three-quarters of an inch across the top, which shall be level with the clay, with a small hole punched in the center for measuring.

2. The Game is decided by shots or points, a player counting one point for either of his quoits, or two points for his two quoits, if nearer to the center of the hub than either of his opponent's quoits, providing such quoits have been fairly deliv­ered upon the bed within two feet of the hub. A quoit shall count one only and shall count, no matter in what position it lies. In the event of a hub being broken in half the play at the said end shall be void. A split hub is not considered broken in half.

3. The Quoits may be of any weight, unless otherwise stipu­lated, but they shall not exceed 8 1/2 inches in diameter, and there shall be a clear and circular hole of at least four inches in diameter, in quoits weighing 10 pounds per pair and upwards. In quoits of lesser weight the size of the hole shall be proportionate.

4. Footboards about 6 feet long and 2 feet wide, with cross-boards about one foot wide. one inch thick, tapered to not more than one-half inch thick, shall be laid down level. The front of the crossboards shall as near as possible be level with the hub. The player shall toe the line and deliver the quoit at the first step, but may follow on. A player may stand on either side of the hub, but not more than four feet away.

5. Each player shall not throw more than two quoits alter­nately from each end, the order of play to be determined by tossing at the first end, after which the winner at the preceding end shall play first. In the event of a void or dead end, the player who scored at the preceding end shall play first.

6. The interval between the throwing of each quoit shall not exceed two minutes, unless good reasons are forthcoming to induce the referee to grant an extension of time. A player may withhold his second quoit, but at the request of his opponent shall declare his intention of throwing or not. Either player desirous of changing his quoits during a match shall be allowed five minutes to change them.

7. Measurement shall be by calipers, from the center of the hub to the nearest part of the quoit. All clay or decided quoits impeding measurement shall be removed. In the event of the hub being covered by a quoit and preventing measurement for other shots, the referee, upon being appealed to, shall remove the same, or, if unable to do so, shall decide the shots. In the event of a quoit being broken whilst lying upon the bed, the largest part of the said broken quoit shall be counted as if not broken.

8. Each player shall appoint a lighter, whom he may change during a match. The lighters shall direct and measure as quickly as possible, and shall not do anything likely to annoy, or inter­fere with the lighting or playing of cither side. Five minutes will be allowed the lighters in which to measure disputed quoits, and if not decided within that time the referee shall decide the play. No measurement shall be made until the end is finished.

9. Should either of the players, lighters or cleaners disturb a quoit in dispute and cause the same to move perceptibly, the shot or shots, if affected, shall be decided in favor of the side adversely affected by such disturbance. A quoit holding the clay lightly and likely to fall shall be retained in its position by means of clay, provided play at that end is finished.

NOTE - Adversely affected means that in the event of a player, lighter, or cleaner moving his opponent's quoit or quoits (in dispute) away from the hub, the opponent shall claim the shot or shots affected, but should a player, lighter, or cleaner move his own quoit or quoits (in dispute) away from the hub and still lays the shot or shots, the same shall count as if not moved, or should either move their opponent's quoit or quoits nearer the hub, the same shall count as if not moved.