Battle Ball

The game consists of a field bracketed on each end with a net four feet long and three feet high.  The ends of the net are held up by eight-foot poles at each end topped by vertical hoops.  The rules of the game are that the ball can be propelled by hands, feet, or any other body part.  Goals are scored when the ball makes it into the net or through one of the hoops.  A net goal is worth 1 point and a hoop goal is worth 2 points.  The game ends when one team scores 35 points or when one hour passes.  The ball can be passed either by hand or foot.  No tackling is allowed, but moderate jostling is permitted.  The ball must be kept within the boundaries of the playing field, which is 25 yards across and 50 yards long.  The game consists of four 15-minute quarters with five-minute breaks between. There are two guardians of the game who monitor the players for foul play. If the guardians see a player being too rough, he can call a penalty which means that team loses 2 points. If the behavior persists, the guardians can impose incremental point deductions (e.g. first infraction = minus 2 points, second infraction = minus 3 points, and so on). They can also bench a player for bad conduct. The benching can last from five minutes to the remainder of the game.

History

It isn't known when Battle Ball began to be played on Octisafell, but the formal leagues have all been formed in the past 200 years.

Execution

Monitored by two guardians of the game
Four 15-minute periods
Three 5-minute breaks

Components and tools

Playing field 50 yards by 25 yards
1 ball 14 inches in diameter. The ball consists of a bladder filled with air and covered in leather.
2 nets 4 feet long and 3 feet high
4 eight-foot poles topped by vertical hoops 3 feet in diameter

Participants

6 players on two teams
2 guardians of the game

Observance

Informal games among friends
Junior Leagues - villages / schools
Semi-professional Leagues - towns / cities / organizations
Professional League - large cities / regions