How is beach flags judged?

Course: 15 m for Nippers (all ages) and Masters, 20 m for Juniors and Seniors (approximate). There are always fewer batons than competitors. Anyone without a baton after a run-through is eliminated.

Start position: competitors lie face down at least 1.5 m apart, toes on the line, heels together, hands one on top of the other, elbows out at 90°, hips and stomach on the sand, head up. They may level and compress the sand and dig their toes in, but may not scoop sand, dig or build mounds.

Start sequence: "Competitors ready", then "Heads down" (chin on hands), then the Starter's whistle. The Starter must be out of sight when putting the whistle in their mouth.

Eliminations at the start: lifting or moving after "Heads down" and before the whistle is a break, and the first competitor to break is eliminated (those who follow are not). Repeatedly delaying the start also means elimination. If an official or the equipment caused the break, it is expunged. After an elimination, competitors and batons are realigned with no re-draw.

During the run-through

• Competitors may use their body and shoulder to take a position in front, but deliberate impedance (using hands, arms, feet or legs) means elimination. If two competitors impede, the first to do so goes.
• Picking up two batons means disqualification from the event.
• No more than one elimination per run-through in quarter-finals, semis and finals (up to three in early rounds or with the snake/line system).
• A lost baton or a tie on one baton is settled by a run-off between those involved.
• Infringements don't carry over from one run-through to the next.

Elimination vs disqualification: an eliminated competitor keeps their placing. A disqualified one loses all standing in the event.

Protests: a protest against an elimination is verbal, within 2 minutes or before the next run-through (whichever is first). The Chief Referee decides it straight away and there is no appeal.