Tchoukball

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Tchoukball
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Tchoukball

Tchoukball is an indoor team sport developed in the 1970s by Swiss biologist Dr. Hermann Brandt, who believed that "The objective of human physical activities is not to make champions, but make a contribution to building a harmonious society." His aim was to develop a team sport which did not involve the horrific injuries which he viewed as plaguing other sports.

The sport is played on an indoor court measuring forty metres by twenty metres. At each end there is a 'frame' (a device similar to a trampoline off which the ball bounces) which measures one square metre and a semi-circular 'D' measuring three metres out from the frame in all directions. Each team can score on both ends on the field, and comprises twelve players, of which nine may be on the court at any one time. In order to score a point, the ball must be thrown by an attacking player, hit the frame and bounce outside the 'D' without being caught by the defending team. Physical contact is prohibited, and defenders may not attempt to intercept the attacking team's passes. Players may take three steps with the ball, hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds, and teams may not pass the ball more than three times before shooting at the frame.

Tchoukball has come to be an international sport, played in Taiwan, Great Britain, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, United States, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. It is governed by the Federation Internationale de Tchoukball (FITB, founded in 1971). Taiwan hosted the 2004 World Championships and won both the women's and junior championships, with the Swiss men winning the men's championship. The 2006 European Championships were held in Switzerland, with Great Britain taking both the Men's and Under-18's titles, while the hosts won the Ladies event.

Its peculiarities made it really popular among physical education teachers, but this fame did not completely spread out of the school environment. Some pupils do not enjoy the fact that contacts and interceptions are forbidden; but they are also sometimes discouraged because of the use of unadapted equipment, which does limit the possibilities and the enjoyment of tchoukball.

Contents

[edit] History

Tchoukball was born thanks to the research of Dr Hermann Brandt, who was witnessing numerous serious injuries among athletes, resulting from sports prone to aggression and contacts. According to him, sports are not only supposed to form champions, but to contribute to the creation to a better and more humane society (Brandt, H., “Etude scientifique des sports d’équipe”, Ed. Roulet, Geneva, 1971). Hence the invention of tchoukball, which is somehow a mix of handball (as it is played with hands), volleyball (as the defending team must prevent the ball from falling) and squash (since there is a bounce). This sport can be played by anyone at his respective level, irrespectively of his sex, age or physical abilities.

[edit] Basic rules

Two teams of 7 players each (men or women) compete to score points

  • A player scores a point when he bounced the ball onto any of the two trampolines and that it touches the ground outside the semi-circle facing the trampoline.
  • If a player of the attacking team misses the frame, or if the ball touches the ground outside the field before or after the bounce, then it grants a point to the defending team.
  • Each team can score a point on any of the two trampolines.

Basic rules [modifier]

  • 1 field of 16x32m and a ball (almost similar to a handball)
  • 2 teams of 7 players (male or female)

[edit] Playing the game

  • The player can take 3 steps and is not allowed to bounce the ball on the ground between these steps.
  • The attacking team cannot make more than 3 passes before shooting
  • When the reception of a pass is missed (i.e. the ball touches the ground), the other team gets the ball possession
  • The defending team cannot hamper the attacking one
  • Touching the ball with one’s feet or legs is forbidden

[edit] Beach tchoukball, a popular option

Born on Brazilian beaches, beach tchoukball is a branch that the International Tchoukball Federation (FITB) is also trying to develop a lot, as it has an important growth potential. It is indeed both very attractive and convenient, as it can be played in different environments: sand, but also grass.

The first Beach Tchoukball World Championships took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2005. Nine nations competed: Switzerland, Taiwan, Canada, Brazil, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, France, Great Britain. Altogether, around 20.000 people attended the different competitions, which were all won by Taiwan, by the women (beating Canada in the finals), men (also defeating Canada in the decisive game), girls and boys.

[edit] The international Tchoukball Federation (FITB)

The FITB, founded in 1971, is based in Geneva. It now comprises 13 member associations and 22 affiliated associations (that means it has relations with 35 countries). In spite of limited financial and human resources, it is developing numerous contacts throughout the world. It supports and advises national associations and individuals willing to implant tchoukball in new areas. For instance, tchoukball was recently integrated in the school program of some regions of Senegal.

The international, continental and world tournaments of tchoukball and beach tchoukball are an excellent way to make tchoukball more famous, and the FITB is now trying to enhance the television broadcasting of these competitions, which also creates an additional motivation for the players. Ultimately, the FITB is aiming at being integrated in the 2009 World Games, which will take place in Kaohsiung (Taiwan).

[edit] Associations and other links

Other sites:

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