Degor Rules

Rules and Regulations for Traditional Doe-Gor

BIGSA is pleased to issue the following Rules and Regulations for conduct of Doe-Gor tournaments in its traditional style, and shall apply to every tournament organized in any part of the Kingdom:

Article I: Dimension of playfield

  1. The dimension of the playfield should be 35 meters long and 6 meters wide excluding the space for spectators on either side.
  2. The distance between the two TSEYs (Poles) shall be 30 meters.
  3. The BAATSHAM shall be marked at 4 meters from each TSEY towards the other TSEY.
  4. The TSEY shall be made of a wooden piece and the size shall be 2.5 cm in diameter at the top and 15 cm high to be embedded into the ground.
  5. The distance between the TSEY and flag poles on each side shall not be less than 2.5 meters.

Article II: Material for and size of Doe-Gor

  1. Other than stone, no other material shall be allowed for making a Doe-Gor.
  2. The size and weight of Doe-Gor shall be left up to an individual player’s choice and capacity to throw.

Article III: Composition of teams

  1. Each team shall be led by a Team captain who will be the focal person for communication by the Thrimpon/Barpon (Umpire).
  2. The number of players allowed in a team can vary from 6 to 11 players of which 1 player will remain as substitute if the number of players in a team is 8 or less and 2 players will remain as substitutes if the number of players in a team is 9 or more.
  3. BIGSA shall determine and notify the number of players required in a team from time to time or the organizer shall determine from tournament to tournament after assessing the general situation.
  4. All members of participating teams of a match on a particular day shall arrive the reporting area specified beforehand well before the reporting time for a roll call but not enter the playfield failing which 2 points can be deducted as penalty.
  5. If any substitute player is not able to report for the roll call, the team captain shall inform the organizer in writing well before the roll call.
  6. One seeded player shall be allowed if the number of players in a team is 8 or less and 2 seeded players shall be allowed if the number of players is 9 or more.
  7. Substitution of players shall be done with the permission of the Thrimpon on duty only.

Article IV: Roll Call

  1. Each participating team shall ensure that the minimum number of players required to participate in a tournament match are present during the roll call, failing which the concerned team shall be disqualified as no LAGTHEB shall be allowed.
  2. In case of absence of any player due to emergency situation, the team captain shall submit the information in writing to the Tournament Director at least a day before the scheduled match.
  3. Any proposal for inclusion of a substitute player shall be decided by the tournament committee.
  4. In case of substitution being allowed, a seeded player can be allowed for substitution of another seeded player only.

Article V: Start of the match

  1. The competing teams shall enter the playing field only at the time specified by the organizer or the Thrimpon.
  2. A toss of coin shall decide which team will get to choose the TSEY end and consequently the TSEY end from which the match will be started.
  3. Once the ends have been chosen by toss at the beginning of the match, the ends chosen shall remain for the entire duration of the match.

Article VI: Score keeping

  1. The team captains shall identify one player each from their respective teams who in turn shall be appointed by the Thrimpon as scorers who shall between them determine the points scored by each team at every round.
  2. No other player shall interfere in scoring of points.
  3. There shall be a score keeper to keep the written record of the score and points scored by individual players as well as the team as a whole.

Article VII: Counting of points

  1. A Doe-Gor which covers the TSEY fully shall get 2 points.
  2. A Doe-Gor which is within a radial distance of THOGANG from the TSEY shall get 1 point provided there is no Doe-Gor belonging to the opponent team within the same distance. Otherwise, whosoever’s Doe-Gor is closest to the TSEY will get 1 point.
  3. Traditionally, THO, which is the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger of any player, is used to measure distance of the Doe-Gor from the TSEY. However, to avoid any dispute arising out of varying measurement techniques between individual players, a stick measuring 20 cm, which is roughly equivalent to a THOGANG, shall be used to measure the distance from the edge of the Tsey to the Doe-Gor.
  4. If there are 2 Doe-Gors, one on top of the other, fully covering the TSEY but belonging to 2 different players of competing teams, the one touching the TSEY or the one at the bottom shall get 2 points.
  5. If 2 Doe-Gors, one each from opponent players or opposing teams, cover or touch the TSEY equally, the point shall be nullified and no team will get any point.
  6. In case of Byep-Khaley or where a Doe-Gor belonging to one player covers the Tsey and another Doe-Gor belonging to an opponent player partially covers this Doe-Gor and partially touches the ground, the Doe-Gor which covers or touches the Tsey shall get 2 points.
  7. If a Doe-Gor breaks while hitting the ground on the throw or gets broken when hit by a Doe-Gor whether thrown by a team mate or an opponent player, the owner of the broken Doe-Gor shall reserve the right to choose which broken piece irrespective of the size, whether the bigger or smaller one, shall be considered for counting the point except that he shall have to continue to use the same piece of Doe-Gor for 3 successive rounds of the match.
  8. Any point not able to be decided by the 2 scorers shall be referred to the Thrimpon whose decision shall be final and binding.

Article VIII: The game

  1. A match shall be decided based on the best of 3 games (KUU) system.
  2. A game (KUU) shall be won by a team which manages to score 25 points first.
  3. The format of the tournament can be on league or knockout basis.

Article IX: Draw of fixture

  1. A fixture for the tournament depicting the date and time of matches to be played by the participating teams shall be drawn in the presence of all team captains.
  2. The team captains shall be reminded of the Rules and Regulations and the need for strict adherence to it by all players during the whole period of the tournament.
  3. The team captains shall sign an undertaking to adhere to the players’ Code of Conduct during the entire tournament.

Article X: General code of conduct

  1. Every payer shall wear full national dress during the play.
  2. Smoking and drinking is strictly prohibited in play area.
  3. No player under influence of any kind of intoxication shall be allowed to participate in the match.
  4. Every player shall adhere to the code of conduct prescribed by BIGSA/organizer.
  5. Every player shall sign a Code of Conduct form prescribed by BIGSA/organizer before participating in the match/tournament.

Article XI: Safety

  1. Every player shall accord highest priority to one’s own and others’ safety during the play.
  2. A player shall release his Doe-Gor only after all players from both sides are outside the flag poles or in the safe area.
  3. If an opponent player tries to remain inside the play area so as to distract the player throwing the Doe-Gor, he/she shall be penalized by deducting one point from the team’s score.
  4. Any player who becomes a serious safety threat to others shall be barred from the match.
  5. Any player who hits other players or spectators repeatedly can be banned for life.

Article XII: Settlement of disputes

  1. Any dispute requiring a decision beyond the powers of the Thrimpon shall be referred to a dispute settlement committee.
  2. A dispute settlement committee shall be constituted for every tournament prior to start of the tournament.

Article XIII: Players’ Code of Conduct

  1. Respect the game of Doe-Gor as part of our rich tradition and unique cultural heritage;
  2. Respect and uphold the rules and regulations of the game at all times;
  3. Treat officials, other players and spectators with respect and dignity;
  4. Show true spirit of sportsmanship on and off the ground;
  5. Refrain from any unsportsmanlike behavior such as using foul language, disrespect to the game, officials, players and spectators;
  6. Refrain from drinking and smoking in the public arena; and
  7. Foster patriotism, team spirit and mutual respect.
© - Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association - ® : 2013