WSSA Announces New Relay Rules
Effective March 12^th, 2011

As part of our continuing effort to improve judging and the competitive experience for stackers, the WSSA is announcing...

Three new rule changes for relay races:

1. The start line is moved back, further away from the table, by 2 feet (0,60 meters). The new start line is set at 7 feet (2.13 meters). (see Figures 1 and 2)
2. Hand tags are no longer required in relay races. Instead, the waiting stacker must remain behind the start line with both feet on the floor until one foot of the returning stacker touches down, on or over the start line. (see Figures 3, 4 and 5)
3. During a Timed 3-6-3 Relay, waiting and returning stackers cannot cross onto or over the centerline in the backcourt. (see Figure 9)

For more detailed information, see the updated WSSA Rule Book (version 6.2).

These new rules will:

1. Simplify the judging of a relay race because judges no longer need to try to watch both feet and hands during hand tags. They only need to watch foot positions.
2. Allow a single video camera to capture both the stacking at the table and the waiting and returning stackers feet at the start line for records verification and online viewing;
3. Add more movement into a relay race by moving the start line back

How do these new rules affect Records?

The WSSA recognizes that competition in the Timed 3-6-3 Relay under the new rules will not be comparable to records set under the old rules. Therefore, all of the current records will be retired. State, Provincial, National and World records set on or after March 12, 2011 will be considered new records set under the new rules.

In addition, The WSSA has also issued new rules for the Sport Stacking Court set-up and Judge and Camera placement:

1. For the Timed 3-6-3 Relay Prelims (see Figure 6 ) and the preliminary matches in the H-T-H Relays (see Figure 7), where only one judge per team is required, we've moved the Judge from a sitting position in front of the table to a standing position on the side of the table (behind the Tournament Display). This allows the judge to watch both the stacking on the table and the foot positions at the start line. (Note that there are no changes in the Judge positions during semi-final and final matches of H-T-H Relays where each team requires a Judge sitting in front of the table and a Line Judge standing at the start line. See Figure 8)
2. For the Timed 3-6-3 Relay Finals (see Figure 9), two judges (Head Judge - sitting, and Line Judge - standing) are still required as before but the camera is now placed in a new position so it can capture both the stacking at the table and the foot positions at the start line. The camera is placed on an angle about 5 feet out and 4 feet over, on a diagonal from the corner of the table on the same side with the StackMat. The view of the camera (see Figure 10) must capture a full view of the Stacker from the top of their head to the top of the table, including the Stacker's face and hands, the surface of the StackMat, table top and Tournament Display. The camera view must also capture a full view of the Waiting Stacker with both feet in contact with the floor. It must also capture the start line, the backcourt centerline and the Returning Stacker as they cross the start line.
3. For the Timed 3-6-3 Relay Finals the entire centerline 19 feet (5.79 m) and start line 11 feet (3.35 m) must be taped on the court and the StackMat must be butted up to the side edge of the table (see Figure 11). This is important for the ability of the camera to capture all the things described above.

• Downloadable PDF version of New Relay Rules