The Official APFA Rules of Pillow Fighting

The APFA (American Pillow Fighters Association) Rules of Pillow Fighting Written and Illustrated By: Austin Smith Copyright ©2016, 2019 This book was Printed under the authority of and on behalf of the American Pillow Fighters Association by Dragon Co. Copyright ©2016 - Dragon Publishing Revisions ©2019 All Rights Reserved The contents of this book may not be reprinted in part or in whole for any reason without the express permission of the author Printed in the USA Distributed jointly by APFA and Dragon Co. For more information visit: www.Dragoncompany.org

Table of Contents: I III IV 1 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11

– Copyright – Table of Contents – Alphabetical Index – Quick Rules – Complete Rules – Equipment – Pillow Specifcations – Pillow Diagram – Arena Specifcations – Arena Diagram – Number of People – Designating Pillows – Starting Positions – Referee (Starting Position) – Starting Position Diagram – Beginning (Round or Match) – Beginning (Initiative) – Match – Match Violations – Grapple Diagram – Round Ending – Strike Diagram – Points – Knock Diagram – Out of Bounds Diagram – Throw Diagram – Referee – Referee Point Counting – Referee Diagram – Speaking (During a Match) – Ruptured Pillow – Forfeit – Disqualifcation – Disqualifcation Appeal – Appeal – Initiative – Ending – Time Limit – Rounds (Ending) – Notes Area

Alphabetical Index

10 – Appeal 6 – Grapple Diagram 5, 4, 3 – Arena 10 – Initiative 4 – Arena Diagram 7 – Knock 4 – Arena Specifcation 7 – Knock Diagram 5 – Beginning (Initiative) 6 – Match 5 – Beginning (Round or Match) 6 – Match Violations 3 – Complete Rules 4 – Number of People 7 - Defortify 8 – Out of Bounds Diagram 4 – Designating Pillows 3 – Pillow Specifcations 7 – Disarm 3 – Pillow Diagram 9, 6 – Disqualifcation 7 – Points 9 – Disqualifcation Appeal 1 – Quick Rules 10 – Ending 9, 8, 5 – Referee 3 – Equipment 9 – Referee Diagram 9 – Forfeit 8 – Referee Point Counting

5 – Referee (Starting Position) 5, 7, 10 – Round 7 – Round Ending 10 – Rounds (Ending) 9 – Ruptured Pillow 9 – Speaking (During a Match) 5 – Starting Position Diagram 5 – Starting Positions 7 – Strike 7 – Strike Diagram 8 - Throw 8 – Throw Diagram 10 – Time Limit

Quick Rules This frst section is for quick reference or teaching of the game, more extensive rules and clarifcations can be found past them in this book.

Equipment: ● 1-2 pillows for each player ● A 10’x4’ foor mat that can be marked with designating lines.

People – 2 Players, 1 Referee Designating Pillows – Each player in a match must have at least one pillow. This pillow is designated the “offensive” pillow. They may choose to have a second “defensive” pillow in their other hand. The pillows must be clearly differentiateable in some way by the referee.

The players must choose an “offensive” and “defensive” hand. Each hand may only hold the corresponding pillow for the entire match.

Players who choose to have a defensive pillow likewise must have defensive pillow throughout the entire match.

Starting Positions – Each of the two players will begin in the 2’x1’ starting area on opposite sides of the mat. Until the round starts each player must have their pillow(s) in their hands at their side(s).

Beginning – A round is begun by the referee blowing a whistle. Once the whistle is blown the players may move their arms however they wish.

If the frst round, players may then move about freely within the mat area (10’x4’). If the round is after the frst, one player will have gained initiative. The initiative period is ten seconds after the whistle is blown where the player with initiative is allowed the frst move (beyond raising their pillows). Once the player with initiative has begun to move or the 10 seconds has elapsed, both players may move about the mat as normal.

Match – After the whistle blows both players are allowed to move around freely on the mat. They may not step off the mat or strike a player with any object that is not a pillow.

Hands may not be used for any purpose other than holding pillows.

Players may strike each other with offensive pillows and defect strikes with both offensive and defensive pillows; they may not strike with defensive pillows.

If, at any point, a player loses their offensive pillow (either by being disarmed, dropping it, or throwing it), is knocked down, or leaves the mat the round will end and players will stop, retrieve their pillows, and return to starting positions awaiting the referee to blow the whistle.

Another round will then begin unless a player has won the match.

Points are tallied as follows: ●

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Strike – 1 point – Any contact of an offensive pillow to the body of the opposing player.

Knock – 2 points – When a player causes their opponent to be off of their feet at any point.

Disarm – 2 points – When a player uses their offensive pillow to remove their opponent’s offensive pillow from their grip.

Defortify – 1 point - When an opponent’s defensive pillow is removed from their grip.

Out of Bounds – If a player moves off of the mat the round will immediately end, and their opponent will score 1 point.

Throw – When a player throws their offensive pillow. Doing this will immediately end the round. If it results in a strike the player will gain 2 points, if it results in a knock the player will gain 3 points, if it leads to neither their opponent will gain 1 point.

Initiative – In any round past the frst a player will have initiative when the round begins. Initiative is a 10 second period where that player is allowed to move frst.

After the player moves (even within the period) or the 10 seconds elapses the round will proceed as normal. Initiative is determined by how the last round ended.

A player gains the initiative if they: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Were knocked down Were pushed out of the arena Successfully disarmed their opponent Were the initiator of a successful throw Were the recipient of an unsuccessful throw Successfully retained control of their offensive pillow if their opponent let go for any reason (other than a throw)

Ending – The game ends immediately after one player scores 20 points (or on the 20th round, with the player with the highest score winning). At this point the referee will blow the whistle and announce the winner.

Complete Rules Equipment: ● 2 distinct pillows (separable by color or some other easily measure characteristic) for each player (one will be designated “offensive” and the other “defensive”). ● A 10’x4’ foor mat (or area) that can be marked with designating lines. ● A whistle for the referee All pillows must be sewn either standard or fanged, with no additional seams, buttons, or decorations. And they must be traditional style pillows, not rolls, bolsters, or supports.

The material of the pillow and any case used must be cotton, polyester, or a blend of the two.

The fller material of the pillow must be polyester (preferred) or feather (traditional) for all offcial matches. Other materials such as: down, cotton, wool, and synthetics other than polyester may be used in unoffcial matches, or those where it is agreed upon by all contestants.

The use of memory foam (or any form of foam) is permitted if it is used in defensive pillows only.

Materials such as: microbead, gel, water, latex, buckwheat, and any other objects are ineligible to be used as fller and may not be inside a pillow during a match. Any objects found in a pillow that are determined to be able to harm or injure an opponent will will be punishable with disqualifcation.

For offensive pillows the material the pillow is made from must be between 600-1200”2 in surface area and the total weight with stuffng and case cannot exceed 4.5lbs.

For defensive pillows the material the pillow is sewn from cannot exceed 1500”2 in surface area and the total weight with stuffng and case cannot exceed 6lbs. No straps or handles may be added to the pillow, especially those that would allow for a better grip.

The area of the arena in which a match will take place must be 10’x4’ and present no advantage to either side. A mat is recommended to reduce potential injury if one of the players falls, but any fat and relatively smooth surface will do.

This area must be markable enough to allow for the arena lines to be placed in a way that the players and referee understand where they are.

Mat (or arena): The arena is a marked off area of 10’x4’. Inside this area there are lines marking a 1’ border around the edge, overlapping in the corer to making a 1 square foot area in each. And a line marking across the center at 5’.

People – 2 Players, 1 Referee Designating Pillows: Each player in a match must have at least one pillow. This pillow is designated the “offensive” pillow.

They may choose to have a second “defensive” pillow in their other hand.

The pillows must be clearly differentiateable in some way by the referee.

Before a match the players must choose an “offensive” and “defensive” hand. Each hand may only hold the corresponding pillow for the entire match.

Players who choose to have a defensive pillow likewise must have defensive pillow throughout the entire match.

Starting Positions: Players – Each of the two players will begin in the 2’x1’ starting area on opposite sides of the mat. A player may not move out of this area until the round has started. Until the round starts each player must have their pillow(s) in their hands at their side(s).

Referee – The Referee stands at the point of a 10’ equilateral triangle originating from the mat. Or at a point exactly 8.660254037’ from the centerline edge of the mat.

Beginning: A round is begun by the referee blowing a whistle. Once the whistle is blown the players may move their arms up and position their pillows however they wish.

If the round is the frst of a match, players may then move about freely within the mat area (10’x4’).

If the round is after the frst, one player will have gained initiative. The initiative period is ten seconds after the whistle is blown (counted down by a clock or the referee) where the player with initiative is allowed the frst move (beyond raising their pillows). Once the player with initiative has begun to move or the 10 seconds has elapsed, both players may move about the mat as normal.

(A player who lacks the initiative does not have to wait until the full 10 seconds has elapsed before moving if the other player moves. Once the player with initiative has begun to move the second player can move as they wish).

Match : After the whistle blows and/or the initiative period elapses, both players are allowed to move around freely on the mat.

They may not step off the mat or strike a player with any object that is not a pillow.

When moving around the mat, a player may jump and remove both feet from the mat (as long as they don’t hit the other player in doing so) but they may not kneel or crawl in such a way as to allow both of their feet to not be sole-down on the mat. Doing so will result in the round ending and the player losing a point.

Intentionally striking a player with a non-pillow object will result in an immediate disqualifcation, and the match will end.

Players may not use their hands for any purpose other than holding pillows (subject to disqualifcation at the discretion of the referee).

A player may not tackle or grapple with their opponent; in such instances the instigator will be disqualifed.

Players may strike each other with offensive pillows and defect strikes with both offensive and defensive pillows; they may not strike with defensive pillows.

If, at any point, a player loses their offensive pillow (either by being disarmed, dropping it, or throwing it), is knocked down, or leaves the mat, the round will end and players will stop, retrieve their pillows, and return to starting positions awaiting the referee to blow the whistle. Another round will then begin unless a player has won the match.

Points are tallied as follows: ● Strike – 1 point – A strike is any contact of an offensive pillow to the body of the opposing player. ●

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Knock – 2 points – A knock is when a player causes their opponent to be off of their feet at any point.

Disarm – 2 points – A disarm is when a player uses their offensive pillow to remove their opponent’s offensive pillow from their grip.

Defortify – 1 point - A defortify is when a player uses their offensive pillow to remove their opponent’s defensive pillow from their grip. (or if a player simply drops their defensive pillow their opponent will gain 1 point) Out of Bounds – If a player moves off of the mat the round will immediately end, and their opponent will score 1 point.

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Throw – A throw is when a player throws their offensive pillow.

Doing this will immediately end the round. If it results in a strike the player will gain 2 points, if it results in a knock the player will gain 3 points, if it leads to neither their opponent will gain 1 point.

Referee – As the game progresses, the referee will be keeping track of the points awarded to either player.

They will have both of their arms extended outward from their bodies, fsts closed, palms facing forward. As they players accumulate points the referee will keep tally of the points on the hand corresponding to that side of the mat by holding out their fngers. Once fve is reached they will close their hand and start again, keeping score in their head until 20 points is reached or the game ends for some other reason (forfeit or disqualifcation).

With each point tallied the referee must blow their whistle. A sustained blow on the whistle will signify the end of a round or the match. A single blow also signifes the start of a round or match.

Speaking – Players may not speak to the referee in a way that can be heard only by the two of them while a match is taking place. A player may not intentionally leave the mat to talk to a referee during a match unless they are attempting to forfeit.

Ruptured pillow – If a pillow is ruptured at any time during the game the referee will signal an end to the current round with a continuous blow on their whistle. At that point, a replacement pillow with nearly identical properties to the destroyed item will attempt to be found.

If one can be found in short order, the match may continue with the next round beginning with no initiative. If one cannot be found the match may be postponed until one is, or declared void and restarted with a pillow of different characteristics if both players agree.

Forfeit – If at any point during a match a player no longer wishes to continue they may drop their pillow(s) and either kneel on both knees or walk off of the mat. At this point the referee will signal the end of the round with a continuous blow of the whistle and the match will end.

If a player continues to strike a player attempting to forfeit after the motion has been completed they will be disqualifed. A player who forfeits loses the match. A player who does not forfeit wins unless they were disqualifed, at which point the round becomes void. A player may also forfeit when a round is not actively taking place by walking off the mat toward the referee and announcing their intentions.

Disqualifcation – If a player is determined to be doing something requiring disqualifcation, the referee will signal an end to the current round with a continuous blow of the whistle. They will then announce the player that has been disqualifed and give their reasoning. At this point the match will end.

A player can appeal for a second referee to view any footage of the match (if it was taken) and give a verdict. If the second referee determines that

no offense was committed, a second match may take place and the frst is declared void, otherwise the player who committed no offense wins the match.

Appeal – it is the responsibly of the referee to keep score during in the match, though games may be recorded and any player who feels treated unfairly can ask the referee to review the tape and reconsider their decision.

If the referee does not change their decision the player can get the tape reviewed by another referee (if one is available) for a change in decision up to two times. Both players may do this.

The end result of the match will be the combined vote of the 6 referees.

If there is no consensus the match will then be declared void with no one the victor.

Initiative – In any round past the frst, a player will likely have initiative when the round begins. Initiative is a 10 second period where that player is allowed to move frst. After the player moves (even within the period) or the 10 seconds elapses the round will proceed as normal. Initiative is determined by how the last round ended.

A player gains the initiative if they: ● Were knocked down ● Were pushed out of the arena ● Successfully disarmed their opponent ● Were the initiator of a successful throw ● Were the recipient of an unsuccessful throw ● Successfully retained control of their offensive pillow if their opponent let go for any reason (other than a throw) ● Remained with their feet sole-down on the mat when their opponent kneeled or crawled Ending – The game ends immediately after one player scores 20 points. At this point the referee will blow a sustained blow on the whistle and announce the winner. (See referee section for detail about how to appeal a referees decision).

Optionally, a time limit for the game can be decided on beforehand.

When the time limit is up the current round will end and the player with the most points will win. If there is a tie, another round will begin and the frst player to score a point will win and the game will end.

The timer will only count when players are actively in rounds (after the whistle is blown) but if there is a delay of more than 10 minutes in between rounds for any reason the match will be declared void.

Rounds – If a game reaches 20 rounds and a player has not won, the game will end and the player with the most points will win. If there is a tie in points at the start of the 20th round the frst player to score a point will win and the game will end.

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Have you ever wondered if you were pillowfghting correctly Have you ever attempted to settle something in a friendly manner but thought your opponent wasn’t working within the spirit of the game Well, fear not! The American Pillow Fighters Association (APFA) is here with the second edition of its world standard Rules of Pillow Fighting.

Inside you will fnd the exact specifcations of the necessary equipment and play area as well as sections instructing both players and referees on how to correctly and fairly compete in this fascinating and wonderful sport.

It is the mission of the American Pillow Fighters Association to bring our fabulous game succinctly and safely to people across the world. We hope the pamphlet comes in handy and that you have fun!

Product of the USA Digital Version $4.99

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