Would you like to learn how to play Quidditch? Whether you're an aspiring bludger, beater, or seeker, you'll need to know the rules to play the game. Don your robes and read on to learn how to play Quidditch.
Tips
Governing Body: International Quidditch Association
2009 Quidditch World Cup: October 25 at Middlebuty College
Harvard now has a team started by Alana Biden, Joe Biden's neicehttp://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1212981
Brooms Up! A Day with UMass Quidditch
This video by Dan Howard describes the origins of Quidditch at UMass Amherst, and gives a general overview of the rules and gameplay of college Quidditch. Although the game is played on the ground, rather than in the air, brooms are used, and there is a golden snitch that is worth a final 30 points.
Introduction
Quidditch was a game introduced in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. While not a varsity sport on the level of football or basketball, Quidditch has been adopted by a number of schools as an intramural or inter-school club sport. The game started at Middlebury College in 2005, and is now played at schools such as Princeton, Amherst, and Columbia.http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/ Approximately 160 schools have Quidditch teams.http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/1127quidditch1127.html
Step 1: Quidditch Field
The Quidditch field is generally a large open area on campus, with goals created out of 3 PVC pipes topped with hula hoops. The actual playing area might be considered to be the entire campus, as the snitch is not restricted to the green, but can run on and off the playing field at will.http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/1127quidditch1127.html
Step 2: Quidditch Positions
According to the international Quidditch Association, Quidditch teams consist of 10 to 14 players. A team requires a minimum of three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker. There is also a snitch, who is independent of either team. All players (excluding the snitch) must have a broom between their legs at all times. One hand needs to stay on the broom, leaving only one hand free to throw or to catch.http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Beaters: Throw bludgers (usually large rubber balls) at the beaters on the opposing team.http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Chasers: Try to throw the quaffle (usually a deflated volleyball) through one of the opponent's three hoops. http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Keepers: Try to stop the quaffle from going through one of the three hoops.http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Snitch: An independent player dressed in yellow, who has a tennis ball in a tube sock tucked into their shorts.http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Seeker: Chases the snitch, with the goal of grabbing the sock (similar to flag football)http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
Step 3: Quidditch Points
- Every quaffle thrown through an opponent's hoop earns 10 pointshttp://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Capturing the snitch earns 50 points and ends the gamehttp://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
- Referees can call fouls, and eject players from the game with red "wands" which function similarly to red cards in soccerhttp://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/03/29/seven_game_sweep/?page=2
