Fireball (Sport)

The Theocrats are known for their love of sports and competition. Out of all the sports they practice, Fireball remains one of, if not the, most popular. In fact, it is one of the oldest continuously practised sport in Aeterna.

History

Fireball is a game that is uniquely Solari in nature. Though it is theoretically playable without participants capable of flight, it's true form requires at least half the team to be capable of some sort of flight, as well as the innate ability to cast fire magic of some sort. The origin of the game is not well recorded in history, but many believe it originated as way for young Solari to practice acrobatic flight. It was originally played with only Solari participants, but groundlings were eventually introduced to the game. Groundling participants were often slaves, but freedmen (liberti) and human nobles (equestrians) eventually started playing the game as well. In the past, the game was more dangerous, as strikers wielded batons or some other blunt weapon, resulting in frequent injury. However, though this practice still exists, the baton has been frequently replaced by a harmless "weapon" such as a tied wad of hay or thin branches that would at worst cause small cuts.

Execution

Each team is composed of minimum 4, max 10 players evenly divided among ground and air. Typically, each team has 5 players. 3 aerial, 2 ground. The ball is made of a compressed hay or some other flammable material that is treated to slightly resist fire. It is played on an arena that must be at least 20 meters long, and 10 meters wide. There is a "dead zone" bisecting the center that's 3-4 meters wide. The ground members are divided between the two halves of the arena and may not cross the dead zone, while the fliers may do what they wish. The referee tosses the ball up between one of the two sets of ground players to start a round. The scoring ring is a 2m diameter ring located on a pole in the middle of the dead zone. Rules:

The striker may ONLY attack those who are holding the ball by hitting them with his weapon. Upon being touched, one must immediately drop the ball.

The striker may NOT grapple.

Ball passes only count when the ball is ignited.

Passes only count if the ball crosses the dead zone

Fliers may freely cross the dead zone.

Ball passes only count when the receiver catches the ball with either hand.

Ball passes still count even if the opponent team intercept the ball.

Scoring is only possible by a flying team member, and only after the ball has been passed to every other team member.

Ball passes still count after the goal is scored.

When a ball is completely burned, a pause is made as the referee comes to throw another one.

Defender cannot defend in the deadzone (if he does, it counts as a score)

Each match is 3 rounds, with each round lasting until 3 goals are scored. 15 minute break is taken between each round. The game also ends if there are no more balls available, whichever comes first.

Teams may substitute players at any time during the game but only when the ball is on the ground.

Components and tools

Participants may use fire-resistant gloves if needed. Strikers generally use a non-lethal flexible weapon no longer than 1 meter in length (a thin stick, for example).