As more and more kubb tournaments fill the calendar, so do the differences in rules and formats. Every tournament director can decide which ones to use. Some will strictly follow the U.S. National Kubb Championship rules while others will establish a variation of some kind.
One big variation recently emerging is whether there will be lines or stakes. On occasion you’ll see both, but usually they are mutually exclusive. In the World Kubb Championship and in some European tournaments both are used. The Great Lakes Kubb Championship has experimented with both formats: lines only and lines with stakes. Having the two at a tournament can be interesting—you have the best of both worlds, especially if you expect a lot of beginners who can learn better from the layout. It’s easier for them to understand each concept better. And it sure does make the pitches look distinctive and sharp!
What exactly are lines and stakes? Lines denote the boundaries of the pitch typically by a thinly applied coat of spray paint. Sometimes lines are actual ropes tied to stakes. However, this setup is not allowed in most tournaments as it restricts play. Stakes are pins (usually wood but they could be some other material), stuck in the ground to make the boundaries of the pitch. The four corner stakes denote the sidelines and baselines while the midfield stakes mark the centerline.
Most tournaments in the United States and around the world use stakes. Usually, when stakes are used, they cannot be removed at any time during the game. However, in Belgium and Germany, the center stakes may be removed on the spot temporarily if they will interfere with blasting.
It is important to know which layout is being used at your upcoming tournament because it will make a difference how you prepare. Do you use the stake to your advantage, both in drilling and raising kubbs? Are you more successful drilling without the stake because you like to cut the kubbs from different angles without worrying about an obstacle? What is the diameter of the stake? It can vary from a half inch to an inch or more—especially when using screwdrivers with big heads. More than any other rule, this aspect can make a huge difference in how you play.
There are many pros and cons to consider for lines versus stakes which you’ll find in the pro/con comparisons below:
Lines
Pros
- Easier to decide 50 percent (or 100 percent) in.
- Allows inkastares more freedom to cut in from the outside without restriction.
- Allows more kubbs to be raised in when the stake would have otherwise prevented it.
- Eliminates the possibility of tripping or toe injuries (for barefoot players).
- Allows blasters the freedom of throwing batons without the interference of a center stake.
- Eliminates the risk of the baton hitting a corner stake upon the thrower’s release.
- Makes it easier to notice foot faults.
- Allows the option of kubb placement at the corner instead of a baton length away.
Cons
- Takes a long time to lay out, especially when care is needed to make lines thin and straight.
- Can fade or get eradicated by scuffing feet and inkasted kubbs.
- Spray paint can get expensive when laying out a lot of pitches.
- Can only be used once per tournament (aren’t mobile).
- More difficult for some inkastares to drill into the midfield corner without a fixed wall.
- A disadvantage to defenders who can’t hide the kubbs behind the stake and thereby reducing the effectiveness of the blaster.
- If not applied properly, lines might be overly wide and/or crooked.
- Spray paint will put toxic fumes in the air and may cause damage to grass.
Stakes
Pros
- Easy and quick to set up, especially when there are many pitches.
- Easy to replace with new ones if they become broken.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Can be reused over and over again.
- Provide inkastares a target to with which the kubbs can bounce or roll against.
- An advantage to defenders who can raise kubbs so they are protected at certain angles from a baton blast.
- Precise markings when laid out properly.
- Allows baton action to ricochet and knock more kubbs down than would have otherwise occurred.
Cons
- Can be ambiguous for determining 50 percent (or 100 percent) in.
- Restricts kubbs from being cut in from the outside when drilling.
- Restricts kubbs from being raised in when they would have been otherwise.
- Makes calling foot faults more difficult.
- Increases the possibility of tripping or toe injuries (for barefoot players).
- Restricts angles in which a baton can be thrown to connect with a pile of field kubbs.
- Increases “luck” over “skill” when batons ricochet around.
- Can’t be used on some surfaces like indoor flooring and cement.
If you are a tournament director, decide what works best for you. If you are a player, you’ll have to adjust back and forth between the two formats and hone your skills to adapt. Which format do you prefer? Tell us in the comments.
13 Comments
Painted lines with 100% in is my preferred method. I view stakes as an obstruction and safety concern but even when I don’t use painted lines for a quick setup, I always use the 100% in rule.
I realize all of this stuff is debatable, but I wouldn’t put the following into a Pro column for stakes – Provide inkastares a target to with which the kubbs can bounce or roll against. An advantage to defenders who can raise kubbs so they are protected at certain angles from a baton blast. Precise markings when laid out properly (the center pins move a lot during play and precision isn’t that great). Allows baton action to ricochet and knock more kubbs down than would have otherwise occurred (or deflect from a made shot). Also, on the cons, pins are a trip hazard and players have broken toes on pins (including myself).
Option of pulling the middle stake would be awesome. I will say I use the stake for drilling and have gotten lucky using the stake while blasting. I like the option of pulling the stake either for blasting and or drilling.
I agree with you that the center pins should be allowed to be pulled.
For our area and when we play, the stakes are easiest to set up. You know, when that impromptu game happens. However, it can get testy when judging a kubb in or out; especially using 50% Thus, we have gone to 100%, and it has made decisions easier. With paint, I think this should be used for tournaments. It just makes it easier to see if a kubb is in or out. As for painted lines being narrow; it doesn’t matter what the width is, as we use the inside edge of the painted line as the pitch boundary.
I agree that paint can’t be used everywhere and works best at tournaments where the venue allows it. I don’t see a problem with wider lines especially when it improves visibility. Using a precise edge is more important than the width of the line. Also, I agree that 100% rule with stakes has worked better than 50% with stakes for adjudication of the kubb being in bounds when raised.
I discovered another Con of the painted lines this weekend while watching the Rockford Kubb Tournament stream on my TV (Thanks for the stream Kubb:On!). As a spectator you cannot see the lines well, if at all. It threw my perspective of the field off and made it difficult for me to tell where the kubbs were landing, and what was in or out. For me, the viewer experience with stakes is much better compared to painted lines.
Perhaps when taking video of a kubb match with lines, a much higher view point is needed to properly see them. I think we need a sky cam.
Yes, especially when the camera is facing the sun you can’t see the lines at all. So a blimp or drone view should fix the issue. I expect Kubbon.com to have that sorted out by the Ohio Chanmpionship on May 20th.
Kyle and I have talked about a drone. I also think a 360º camera would be great. Need to sell more shirts first 😉
Drone and lines would be sweet. May need multiple drones though, best I see for time is 27 minute flight time. :p A lot more t-shirts. Team Palmer Park will be using Kubb On shirts for our team jersey’s this weekend. Christy is going to ask you about getting one.
I’ve talked to her about it, and we’re very flattered you guys are using our shirts. Thanks for the support!
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