User:Kadu-c/Bload Bowl

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"Bload Bowl" is a sport created in French Polynesia. It's a mix of all team sports, with a vocabulary and technics borrowed mainly from 3 sports: water polo, basket-ball and american football. Important detail: this sport is mixed.

It is played in a not very deep swimming pool (it is allowed to walk on the bottom of the swimming pool contrary to water-polo). 2 teams of 2 to 15 players play a game in 10 points. The goal is to put the Ball on the opposite side of the swimming pool (it’s called a touchdown). Contacts are allowed, but not violence. Despite of the easy appearance of the game, we have quite complex rules to cope with various situations.

1 History
2 Rules
3 Players
4 Future development
5 Learn more about Bload Bowl

[edit] History

This sport was created in Tahiti by a group of students in 1993, from the heroic-fantasy board game Blood Bowl. Adapted for playing in a swimming pool, the game, become a sport, only kept few similarities (its crazy spirit and a special vocabulary) with its source of inspiration.

After spending few years practising this sport between friends, Bload Bowl attracted new players. In 1999, its natural development (more than 200 players) and our desire to make everybody discover this sport lead to the creation of an association: the "Hamuta Bload Bowl Stars" or "HBBS". “Hamuta” emphasizes the Polynesian origin of this concept, and the orthograph “Blood” has been modified in “Bload” to allow a copyright declaration.

Until 2000, we played with a small number of players. The games only took place in private swimming pools belonging to our friends. The first games in public swimming pools were only played in September 2002, at the frequency of one game per month.

Since the universitary year 2000-2001, Bload Bowl is officialy known as an universitary sport in French Polynesia. Bload Bowl is online since September 2003 with the website http://www.bloadbowl.com (only in French at present), the most visited sport website in French Polynesia. With more than 240 members in the forum, it’s also one of the most active website.

Nowadays, the Hamuta Bload Bowl Stars association has 80 members and made nearly 700 persons discover Bload Bowl in French Polynesia.

[edit] Rules

Here are the official Bload Bowl rules:

Article 1 : Bload Bowl

Bload Bowl is a sport whose name is copyrighted. It can be played officially among the Hamuta Bload Bowl Stars or any other association linked to it.

Article 2 : Field and Ball.

2.1Bload Bowl is played in a swimming pool, whom length must be between 6 and 20 meters, width between 4 and 15 meters and depth between 1 and 3 meters. At least 30% out of the swimming pool area must have a depth equal or less than 1.60 meters. At least 30% out of the swimming pool area must have a depth equal or more than 1.40 meters.

2.2An area of 2 meters width must be set around the swimming pool to allow referees to watch the action. Access to this area is restricted for the spectators.

2.3The Ball must have a diameter between 19 and 23 centimeters and a weight between 130 and 170 grammes. It must be coloured, with pictures of cartoons.

Article 3 : Security

3.1Each official game must be played with the presence of a first-aid worker.

3.2Organisers must be sure that there’s a phone near the swimming pool.

Article 4 : Teams

Teams have a number of players between 2 and 15.

Article 5 : Goal of the game

The winning team is the first one to score 10 points, with at least a difference of 2 points with the opposing team.

Article 6 : The game

6.1The player with the highest status and his/her team set up on the less deep side of the swimming pool. The Ball is given to the other team.

6.2Teams change side every 2 points scored.

Article 7: Touchdown

7.1One point is scored when a Touchdown is scored.

7.2The Touchdown is confirmed when a player puts the Ball against the opposite wall or Curb. Referees can refuse a Touchdown if the Ball is not clearly put by the player (for instance Touchdowns scored with fingers extremities, Touchdowns scored under the water, and if the Ball was not held during at least 1/10 second).

Article 8: Dunk

One point is also scored when a player puts the Ball on the top of the Curb and if the Ball bounces inside the swimming pool. If the Ball bounces outside the swimming pool, it’s a throw-in. However, if a player, without leaving the swimming pool, manages to catch the Ball before it goes outside, the Dunk is confirmed.

Article 9: Fouls

9.1These fouls are considered as major fouls:

-hits

-bites

-arm keys, leg keys...

-holding an opponent’s swimming suit

-holding or pushing an opponent’s neck

-strangulations

-holding an opponent without the Ball under the water. Every players in a melee where the Ball is, is considered as ball carriers.

-throwing an opponent outside the swimming pool.

-pushing an opponent’s vertebral column.

-holding the hair, ears, fingers, neck, toes, genital parts.

-introducing one or several fingers in an opponent’s natural hole.

It’s also forbidden for the players to leave the swimming pool without a good reason. It’s up to the referee to consider that reason as a major foul or not.

Any intention to hurt an opponent, or play dangerously, even involuntarily and even not stated in the rules, can be considered as a major foul by the referee.

9.2Sanctions

Major fouls always allow a new kick-off for the victim’s team, except if the referee gave a penalty point instead. According to the referee, major fouls can be sanctionned by temporarily or definitive sent off and/or a penalty point.

9.3These fouls are considered as minor fouls:

-scratches

-insults

-spits

-others (kisses, caresses, tickles...)

If the game is stopped after a minor foul, the referee chooses the team who gets the kick-off. Minor fouls are not sanctionned, except if they are considered as deliberate or critic during the action by the referee. The referee can considered a minor foul as a major one if this foul is repeated.

9.4Each player can stop the game shouting “Stop !” or “Foul !” to point a foul. Nevertheless, the referee can punish a player who has stopped the game without a good reason, particularly if the foul had an important consequence on the action.

Article 10: Throw-ins

10.1A throw-in occurs when:

-the Ball hits an item outside or on the top of the swimming pool.

-the Ball hits the ground outside the swimming pool.

-a player is holding the Ball in one of his/her hands and his/her elbow hits the ground outside the swimming pool.

-a player with the ball hits the ground ouside the swimming pool with a part of his/her body located under his/her belt. However a player can touch the ground outside the swimming pool with his/her free hand or with the upper part of his/her body.

10.2Each throw-in allows a kick-off for the opposing team.

Article 11: Kick-off

11.1A Kick-off occurs at the beginning of the game and after these events: Touchdown, Foul or Throw-in.

11.2Before the kick-off no player can move farther than 3 meters from his/her starting Curb.

11.3The team with the Ball chooses a Quaterback among its players. The Quaterback must keep the Ball in his/her hands, which must be visible, and one of his/her foot must be in contact with his/her starting Curb until play begins.

11.4The Quaterback pronounces these ritual words to start the play: “Ready to Fight ?”. The opposite captain can ask for 30 extra seconds for coaching purpose. Then play starts when the Quaterback says clearly this ritual word: “Fight !”.

11.5The referee can exceptionally decide to make the kick-off placing the Ball in the middle of the swimming pool, for instance when he doesn’t know exactely who made a foul in a melee or simultaneous fouls. In this case, every players must have their feet in contact with their starting Curb. The referee throws the Ball in the middle of the swimming pool, and players can move towards it as soon as it has touched the water.

Article 12: Disputes

12.1In case of dispute, the final decision is always taken by the main referee. The assistant referees (if any) have just an advice role.

12.2If there’s no referee, the final decision is always taken by the Senseïs in the swimming pool. If there’s no Senseï, it’s the oldest Star who takes the final decision, or Ex-Star, or Veteran.

12.3If no one agrees despite of the article 12.2, the dispute can be presented to the HBBS directors.

Article 13: Items allowed in the swimming pool

13.1Suits allowed are:

-swimsuit or shorts for men.

-swimsuit with one piece for women, eventually shorts.

-caps or armbands.

-eventually a gum shield.

-elastics for long hair players.

Scuba diving suits are allowed if water temperature is less than 22°C and if the referee agrees.

13.2Apart the suits worn by the players, the only item allowed in the swimming pool is the Ball. Every accessories such as earings, rings, watches, swimming glasses... are forbidden.

Article 14: Rules modifications

The HBBS can modify the rules for special games. However the referees and the 2 team captains must be informed before the beginning of the game if there are any modifications.

[edit] Players

Each new player is given a Bload Bowl nickname which reflects his/her skills or his/her behaviour.

Furthermore, every players have a Status, which depends of his/her level and his/her seniority. There are 5 Status in Bload Bowl:

-"Pons": This Status is given to the worst players, in reference of the most famous one among them. They perform incredible actions such as passing the Ball to an opponent, hurting a team-mate or scoring in their own end-zone...

-"Rookies": New players always begin with this Status. They have played less than 20 games.

-"Emerging Stars": This Status is given to particularly promising Rookies who haven't played enough games to have a higher Status.

-"Veterans": They are experimented players who have already played more than 20 games or for more than 2 seasons.

-"Stars": The Stars are the 5 best players still playing Bload Bowl. When they play together, they make the Dream Team.

-"Ex-Stars": They used to be exceptionnal players but have had to drop Bload Bowl, or have fallen to a lesser level.

-"Senseis": They are the Bload Bowl masters. They have been involved in a radical way in the game conception or evolution. They are or used to be exceptional players. The Status of Senseï is inalienable and there are only 3 Senseïs in the world.

Every players also have a "Position". These Positions are quite similar to American Football ones:

-"Thrower": his/her task is to make accurate passes to his/her team-mates. He/she must be tall but also agile to avoid opponents rushing him/her ! Pure Throwers tend to disappear in the modern game letting their spot to more versatile players.

-"Catcher": Regular visitor of end-zone Curbs, the Catcher must be able to sneak quickly in the opposing defense. His/her abilities: stealth, agility and particularly talented to catch the Ball.

-"Blocker": Key of the defense, he must also open gaps on attack. Good Blockers also know how to steal the Ball to their opponents. They must be massive, tough and don’t fear physical contact.

-"Blitzer": He/she is usually the team captain and he/she often has the Ball at the kick-off. He/she must cope with all the situations, find good opportunities and must be polyvalent: throwing the Ball or rushing.

-"Basic": Named before “Basic Player”. Although he/she has an unattractive name, a good Basic is very polyvalent and he/she knows how to adapt his/her play according to his/her team and the situation. He/she is humble but can be decisive at every positions.

Bload Bowl is surely one of the most egalitary sport: every sizes are necesary, the only condition is to feel fine in the water: the smallest ones can snake into the defenses or swim under the water, the biggest ones can open a way for the Catchers, etc... The sport is mixed, and a lot of girls have already proved that they were clearly better than their male partners. A good team is always mixed and composed of various sizes.

The HBBS is definitely convinced that Bload Bowl can be a good way of socialisation, showing that everybody have a place in the society, the smallest one as the tallest one, the weakest one as the strongest one.

Bload Bowl also goes beyond its status of sport. It has indeed its own language and philosophy. There’s even a little dictionnary, available on the Bload Bowl official website, which allows newbies to discover all technical terms used in this original universe: see the Dictionnary (only in French at present).

[edit] Future development

Bload Bowl is still considered as a young sport. There are lots of enthousiastic players in French Polynesia who help making Bload Bowl an international sport.

Several exhibition games have already been played all over the world (mainly in France) and many League projects begin to emerge.

The main difficulties for its development are the access to swimming pools (private or public ones) and of course because it is a new sport which is still young and unknown by many people.