Ring Hockey is a sport chiefly played at the university level, such as at the
Androcas University of Higher Mysteries. It is played on an open field, typically enclosed by two barriers (the 'Rings') with three spaces at each end (the 'goals'). It is played on foot by two teams, typically designated Red Team and Blue Team, wielding sticks while they attempt to hit balls in the goal.
There are three balls in Ring Hockey - one White and two Black. The ultimate aim is not simply to hit the balls into the goal, but to hit the White ball into one or both of the Black balls in such a way that the Black ball goes into one of the teams' goals, much like a cross between field hockey and billiards. However it is played in real time with both teams attempting this feat.
Although one cannot score points simply by hitting a black ball, it is legal to hit a black ball as long as it does not go into a goal (or else the team who hit it in loses a point.) Likewise, if a white ball goes into a goal the team who hit it in loses a point. When a black ball goes into a goal after being struck by the white ball or the other black ball after it has been struck with the white ball (a 'combination shot') then the team who owns the goal scores a point regardless of who struck the white ball.
A single point is scored for a direct shot of the white ball into the black ball into the goal, but combination shots score 2 points. A play involving striking the white ball once and getting both black balls into goals - while rare - scores an additional point. A bank shot also scores an additional point. Since getting both black balls into the goal in one play is typically also a combination shot, this scores 4 points, except in the rare case of a 'double combination' with a clever bank shot, which scores 6 points due to the bonus for bank shots.
It is played in three sets of 5 minutes each, with a 10 minute break between the first and second sets and a 5 minute break between the second and third. After the end of the third set, if the score is tied, the game goes into extra sets of 3 minutes each.
There are some additonal rules regarding penalties, fouls, and free shots, but for the most part teams just devolve into beating each other with the sticks when this comes up.
A ring hockey field:
History
Ring Hockey evolved out of similar ball and stick games, although it is unknown exactly which game is the precursor. Historians suspect the ancient game of Oola Ball may have had an influence, although it was played with hoops and balls and not sticks. The introduction of the stick may have derived from polo, because despite the lack of a direct record where Ring Hockey came from, historians agree that it is a relatively new invention. An occasional brave scholar will ask one of the older
dragons about it, but they are typically met with "I'm sorry, I don't really follow sports."
Despite the similarities to billiards and in particular, pocket billiards, this seems to be some kind of convergent evolution that made the games similar. The balls, by necessity of the different materials the games are played on, are made of different materials, but are approximately the same size with Ring Hockey balls being slightly larger.
Field and Equipment
A regulation field is 75' wide and 95' long, though five feet from each edge is reserved to form the inner ring and allow space for the goals, leading to a 65' by 85' playing area where the players contest one another. There are three balls - one white, two black. They are made of leather and rubber and must be 3.5" in diameter. The sticks are 20" to 35" long with a curved toe and wooden, but straps, grips, and banding of fabric, wool, or leather are allowed. Stick length is mostly dependent on the player's height, though some players prefer slightly longer or shorter sticks depending on their role and strategy.
Players and Judges
There are two Judges who are on neither team, the High Judge and the Junior Judge. They serve to make calls on plays on the field, particularly stopping play if a foul has occurred. They may also be necessary to break up fights that can sometimes arise from the physical nature of the game. While physically striking another player is illegal, it happens fairly frequently in the game, supposedly largely by accident. If there is a disupte between the Judges on a call on the play, the High Judge gets the last say.
Each Ring Hockey team has five players. The Frontline and the Backline. The Backline is comprised of the Center and the Wingmen (Right Wingman and Wrong Wingman, also called Wrongman), while the frontline consists of the Carom on the left and the Cushion on the right. While there are no particular rules about what actions any position must take, it is typical that the backline Wingmen pass to the Center who has the Carom and Cushion steal and position the black balls while the Center makes a shot with the white.
Course of Play
There are three 5 minute sets, with a 10 minute break between the first and second set and a 5 minute break between the second and third sets. Before a set begins, players must get to their positions. When a set begins, the judges place the three balls on the center line, and blow the whistle. At this point, players are allowed to move from their positions. There are no restrictions on how many balls a player can attempt to control at once, the only rules are that they must only touch the balls with their sticks and they are not allowed to touch opponents with their sticks or bodies. They
may touch another player's stick with their stick, but not with the intention of knocking it out of their hand.
From there play consists of attempting to steal, control, and set up the balls so that a shot can be made.
Making a Shot
When a team has aligned what they thing is a viable shot on one of their goals, any player on that team may strike the white ball into one or more of the black balls. Using the inner ring to bank shots is also not only allowed, but a frequent strategy. If the black ball goes into a goal after being struck by the white ball or the other black ball, a shot is made and points are scored. After that, the Junior Judge stops play, the Judges replace the balls, and they call play again.
Scoring
If a black ball goes into a goal after being struck by the white ball, whichever team controls that goal scores 1 point. If the black ball goes into the goal after being struck by the other black ball, whichever team controls that goal scores 2 points for the combination shot. If either the black ball that went into the goal OR the ball that struck it first hit the inner ring, an additional point is scored for a bank shot.
If the white ball goes into a goal, the team of the player who struck it last
loses a point. Likewise, if a black ball goes into a goal without being struck by the white ball or one of the black balls first, the team of the player who struck it last loses a point.
Timing
When time for the Set is called, players must not strike or impede the balls, but if the balls are in motion any play or score they make still counts.
Penalties
There are a number of penalties for fouls - striking or impeding balls after time has been called, striking an opponent, touching a ball with anything other than your stick, etc. If such occurs, one of the Judges will stop play. The opponents of the offending team get a 'free shot'. The white ball is placed in front of the Center's starting position, and the black ball is placed on the center of the center line. One player, typically the Center, is allowed to strike the white ball once, to attempt to get it to hit the black ball and go into a goal. For this penalty shot only, play resumes as soon as the white ball strikes the inner ring. (It is extremely difficult to perform a bank shot in this situation anyway, due to the geometry involved, no matter how much English you can put on it.)
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