Speedball (sport)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article deals with one of the various sports known as speedball, in this case a game based on Association football (soccer) and European team handball. For details of other games known as speedball, see: Speedball (disambiguation).
Speedball is a quick, fast paced sport that is simple to teach and combines many aspects of other sports. The goal of the game is throw, kick, smash, or head the ball (ideally a volleyball) into a hockey or indoor soccer goal. It is played with two teams of four, each with one goalkeeper in a basketball court.
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[edit] History
Speedball was created by Elmer Mitchell of the University of Michigan in 1921. Mitchell was a physical education professor and sought to develop a game that was not restrictive to the rules of any one sport. He also created the sport to involve more students, especially those who were not as athletic. Today, it is played in many American high school gym classes.
[edit] Rules
The game commences when a referee tosses the ball in the air at the centre of the court for a "jump ball". Players can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds before they either shoot, pass, or drop the ball to their feet and play soccer with it. A player can also "air dribble" the ball three times while running. The ball must go above the head of the player. Once the ball hits the floor, the normal rules of soccer apply. The only way to convert it back to European handball is to kick the ball in the air to another player, or pass it back to your goalkeeper who can pick it up. No player on either team is allowed in the "crease" (goalie box) except for a goalkeeper.
[edit] Playing Area
Speedball is ideally played in an indoor basketball court with a volleyball. A soccer ball works fine too. Also, any place that is big enough can be used. There are eleven players on the ground but there can be up to twenty players on a team. The game can be played on a soccer field or the real speedball field which is 100 yards long and 53 yards 1 foot wide.
[edit] Goalkeepers
Keepers are normal players inside of the "crease". Keepers must stay within the crease to remain invincible. Should the keeper leave his or her protective womb, there are no limitations on what harm may be incurred.
