Comp. Marching Distance

[Kilroy]

For competitions is there a standard distance from the start line to the middle of the playing area or some other point?

If so what is that distance and where is it measured to?

Thanks,

kilroy

[Bob]

Hi Kilroy,

I am going to move this to the PB forum. I have an answer .. But I know there are many folks that don't even look in the Beer Tent (Yes it is true!), so this type of duscussion should have a better audience over 'there'.. :D

Bob

[Bob]

OK - housekeeping done... now..

I can tell you what our (BCPipers) rules are in this case.. From the BCPipers rules (2.7.1 - available in a PDF from the web site):

...Competition Circle shall be a diameter of 24 feet...... Adujudicators Circle shall be a diameter of 42 feet.. shall have the same centre point... ...Starting line for the Pipe Band shall be 45 feet from the centre..

I think(?) this was based on RSPBA standards?

Cheers,
Bob

[Patrick Dean]

I concur with Bob. We work on between 13 and 15 paces (depending on the length of stride) which equates to around 45 feet from the start line to the center of the circle.

Bob's quotation of the rule book carries more weight than my rough measurement though. :thumb:

[Kilroy]

Thanks for the information so far.

Anyone know about any other associations? EUSPBA, WUSPBA, RSPBA, etc?

kilroy

[AWPIPER]

Kilroy,
I looked thru every inch of EUSPBA rules and could not find one mention of the circle size or measure from line to circle....I know there has to be one....Just can't find it on their site. :shrug:
Mark

[Drew McPheeters]

No official specification in WUSPBA contest rules. Maybe a topic to discuss at the next AGM

[Brian Morgan]

I agree with Mark for the Euspba, There is no clear guidline! Every games you attend has a different circle! :wow: Some games like the ones we attended yesterday don't even have a circle painted.(Rockland County) That's how it goes on this side of the world. Maybe we are backwards? :D

Brian Morgan
Tulach Ard PB
www.tulachard.org (http://www.tulachard.org)

[AWPIPER]

Rockland had TWO circles going at the same time....not a bad idea....EXCEPT they were too close to each other.The field layout ...VERY POOR ....Geared to the Irish dancers....the pipers and drummers (Like Usual) are kept away from the remainder of the (Human)population. :shrug:
I don't think the drummers drool that much. :eek:
It was fun watching the pipers and drummers slide down the hill in ghillies though. :thumb: One drummer from our band did a PERFECT 360 with a drum on. :hatoff:
Mark

[Drew McPheeters]

Originally posted by Bob:
...Competition Circle shall be a diameter of 24 feet...... Adujudicators Circle shall be a diameter of 42 feet.. shall have the same centre point...A couple of questions on these numbers, and how they are used.

24 feet seems small for a large (15+ pipers, 5+ sides) band. Is the band required to fit withing the circle completely?

What is the adjudicators circle? Do the judges have to stay outside this circle? That's 18 feet minimum. Seems a long way away to stand, especially for a drum judge.

[Bob]

Hi Drew,

Fitting into the target circle is not always done (in fact it might be a bit uncommon) - the bands usually try, but don't stress too much about it.. Larger bands are often too large, and even without that excuse, often smaller bands miss too. (offset I mean)

The judges circle is simply to keep the judges that minimum distance from the band during competition.

[Carole Hackett]

This information is not in the EUSPBA rulebook, however it is in a publication entitiled "Piping & Drumming Handbook" which is mailed to all sanctioned games with their sanctioning materials. This booklet is essentially a 'bible' for running piping & drumming competitions - now if only we could get all the games organizers to read it...

Anyway, according to that book,

"the center of the competition circle should be approximately 45 feet from the start line. The inner circle should be approximately 24 feet in diameter, and the outer circle approximately 44 feet in diameter (judges muist maintain a distance of ten feet from competing bands)."

Carole Hackett
Executive Secretary, EUSPBA

[Matt Buckley_dup1]

Originally posted by AWPIPER:

Rockland had TWO circles going at the same time....not a bad idea....EXCEPT they were too close to each other.I agree. The circles were very close, and the overflow noise was deafening. Catamount did fairly well in Grade V, placing 4th out of 15 bands. But we were marked down for an early E,
which none of us heard, and none of us believe was played. Given the amazing noise coming from both circles AND all the bands warming up, I've come to believe that the early E may have come from somewhere other than our band.

[Andrew H]

In the MWPBA, the size requirements as laid out in the Rules and Regulations are:

Inner band circle: 25' diameter
Outer judges circle: 40' diameter
Spectator ropes: 60' diameter
Starting line to center of circles: 45'

(these rules can be found at mwpba.org in the rules section of the main menu)

Cheers,
Andrew H
admin@mwpba.org

[Drew McPheeters]

Whoops, should have checked my math. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif

Judges circle = 42 feet in diameter
Band circle = 24 in diameter

18 feet difference in diamater, but the judges are 9 feet away.

[Brian Morgan]

Carole,

Is the handbook that is sent out filled with rules for holding a sanctioned contest, or just suggestions? I hate to pick on my own association but it seems as though the EUSPBA games are the worst when it comes to circles. Everywhere we go the circles if any are different? Either that or the starting points are always different. I can remember one time when we had to march in so far that we didn't get to turn in until the jigs in our selection. :shrug: I know you volunteers work very hard so keep up the good work :thumb:

Brian Morgan
Tulach Ard PB
www.tulachard.org (http://www.tulachard.org)

[Carole Hackett]

&gt;Is the handbook that is sent out filled with rules for holding a sanctioned contest, or just suggestions?&lt;

Brian,

The handbook is offered as a guide - there are no set rules regarding the diameter of the circle or the marching distance.

Again, if only ALL of the games organizers would read these publications there wouldn't be so many problems at some of these games. The handbook is a great 'how to' run a piping &amp; drumming contest.

&gt;I know you volunteers work very hard so keep up the good work&lt;

Thank you!

Carole
:wave:

[AWPIPER]

Carole,
First Thank you for the answer...I sent Gordo a email requesting the info but he is away at Balmoral teaching and Bernadette did not want to answer that question.
&gt;&gt;Again, if only ALL of the games organizers would read these publications there wouldn't be so many problems at some of these games.&lt;&lt;
Just a thought here....Post the book on the website for easier access?
Mark