History of the Game s1

Speedball INTRODUCTION Speedball is played by two teams. Although 11 players constitute a regulation team, the game can be played with fewer members on each team. A wide variety of techniques are employed in speedball, including kicking and dribbling the ball with the feet as in soccer, catching and throwing the ball as in basketball, and punting and passing the ball as in football. In as much as speedball combines the elements of basketball, soccer, and touch football, in general the soccer rules apply when the ball is on the ground, basketball rules apply to aerial or fly balls, and football rules usually apply in the forward passing of the ball and in scoring.

HISTORY OF THE GAME  Founder: E.D. Mitchell (University of Michigan, early 1920's)  Developed a vigorous team game that could be played outdoors in the fall & spring  Combined elements of Basketball, Touch Football, & Soccer  Eliminated & modified rules to allow more success for all participants regardless of athletic ability o Soccer (eliminated the restrictions regarding the use of hands on the ball) o Football (allows all participants to handle the ball and play anywhere on the field) o Basketball (allows for more players to participate using a large outdoor field) HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED The object of the game is for the team in possession of the ball to advance the ball down the field toward the opponent's goal line and attempt to score. The opponents of the team in possession of the ball try to intercept and obtain possession of the ball in order to move it toward the goal line in an attempt to score. Time Factors:  Four quarters (12 minutes)  Halftime (10 minutes)

Starting Play: Kick-off  Each team lines up on their own half of the field  The ball is placed in the center of the field for the team making the kick-off  The center forward on the kick-off team kicks the ball forward either diagonally forward or straight ahead  The ball may be lifted by the foot to a teammate provided it travels forward  After a score, the team that was scored on re-starts play using a kick-off Out of Bounds:  Touch line: "throw in" is taken by the opponent at the spot where the ball went out of play. (Other players must by 5-yards away)  Goal line: opponents may punt, drop kick, place kick, or throw the ball from where it went out. (Other players must by 5-yards away)  Out-of-bounds by 2 opponents: "drop ball" at the spot nearest where the ball went out of play. (Other players must by 5-yards away) Scoring: Points may be scored as follows: 1) Field goal: A field goal is scored when a ball that has been kicked or legally played with any part of the body passes between the goal posts and under the crossbar. A field goal count for 2 points 2) Dropkick: A dropkick is made when the ball passes over the crossbar after having been dropkicked from the field of play outside the penalty area. A dropkick counts for 3 points. 3) Touchdown: A touchdown is scored when an offensive player passes the ball to a teammate who catches it behind the opponents goal line. A touchdown counts for 1 point. 4) Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is scored when the player awarded the try, kicks the ball between the goal posts and under the crossbar. A penalty kick counts 1 point. Scoring:  Field Goal (2 points): the ball is kicked between and under the goalposts.  Drop Kick (2 points): a drop kicked ball that passes over the crossbar.  Touchdown (2 points): a player throws the ball from outside the penalty area to a teammate who catches it behind the opponent's goal line  Penalty Kick (1 point): a place kick taken on the penalty kick mark (awarded when the defense fouls in their own penalty area)  Note: Scoring may be modified to encourage the development of specific skills or team play Beginning the Game The kickoff must travel the length of the ball and may be lifted by the foot to a teammate. It may not be touched by the kicker until another player has touched it. Goals are changed at halftime. Following a score the team that did not score kick off. Aerial or Fly Ball A ball that has been kicked into the air is referred to as a fly ball or an aerial ball. A fly ball that has been caught may be passed from one player to another as in basketball or moved by a forward pass as in football. It can continue to be played in this manner until it again touches the ground becoming a ground ball. A player catching a fly ball is allowed to take one step in making a pass if the ball is caught while the player is standing still, or two steps of the player caught the ball while running. Ground Ball A ball that is in contact with the ground is called a ground ball, whether it is stationary, rolling, or bouncing. The ball remains a ground ball, even though it may bounce into the air, until it is lifted into the air by a direct kick. A ground ball can be kicked, headed, or played by any part of the body except the hands and arms.

Dribbling the Ball A player may dribble a ground ball with the feet with a succession of short kicks. A player may use on overhead dribble (air dribble); that is, after catching the ball, the player may toss it into the air and catch it again. The player may toss it in any direction and run and catch it before it strikes the ground. Any number of steps may be taken before catching the ball after tossing it. Only one overhead dribble is permitted before passing to another player. A touchdown cannot be score by an overhead dribble. Goal Keeper The main work of the goal keeper is to keep the ball from going through the goal. The goal keeper is the only player on the floor that can pick the ball up using their hands. Illegal Play Although defensive play is allowed in speedball, blocking and tackling as in football are illegal. A player must attempt to score the ball legally and without undue body contact or roughness. Fouls:  Tripping, pushing, holding, or in any way touching an opponent.  Unnecessary roughness.  Delaying the game.  Traveling - moving the feet with the ball in your hands (same as in basketball).  Touching a ground ball with hands or arms.  Throwing for a touchdown from within the penalty area.  Boxing-up - 2 players guarding the same opponent.  Obstructing - preventing, by personal contact, the progress of a player. Penalties: Fouls outside the penalty area: "free kick"  At the spot of the infraction  Ball may be kicked or lifted to self  Other players must by 5-yards away Defensive Fouls inside the penalty area: "penalty kick"  Place kick taken on the penalty kick mark  Only the goalie may guard the goal  All other players are outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked, after which it becomes a live ball and play continues Double foul: "drop ball"  Referee drops the ball between two opponents at the spot of the infraction  Other players must by 5-yards away

Tie Ball A tie ball is called when two opposing players catch the ball simultaneously, hold the ball without gaining possession, or commit a double foul or when the officials are in doubt as to which side last touched the ball before it went out of bounds. In case of a tie ball, the official puts the ball into play by a jump ball as in basketball. All players must be back five feet from the spot of the jump ball until one of the jumpers has touched it. Out of Bounds When a player causes the ball to go out of bounces over the sidelines, it is put into play with a pass by a player of the opposing team. Penalty Kick A placekick is used in making a penalty kick. A penalty kick is awarded as the result of a foul. The defensive players may be behind the goal or on the field so long as no one is within 5 feet of the kicker. Free Kick The free kick is awarded in the following cases: 1) For an individual or personal foul committed on the field outside the penalty area. 2) For a personal foul behind the goal line committed by the attacking team. When a free kick is awarded, the ball is placed at the spot where the foul was committed. The ball may be kicked in any direction and must travel at least the length of the ball. No opposing player may approach within 5 feet of the kicker. The ball must be kicked, but it may be turned into an aerial ball. FUNDAMENTALS TECHNIGUES AND SKILLS Dribbling with the feet Dribbling with the feet is used in moving the ball toward an opponent's goal line, most often in a situation where it is not advisable to kick up or kick to a teammate. In dribbling the ball it is extremely important that the player keep control of the ball at all times, which means that it must not be kicked with force. In most cases, the inside surface of the foot should be used for best control, although experienced players may use the outside of the foot along the area of the little toe. Ordinarily, for best control the ball should be kicked from an even run about every third step.

Passing Many types of basketball passes may be used. Any kind of one or two hand throw is acceptable depending on the particular situation. The baseball type pass is used extensively in speedball because of the wide playing field available. A player with the ball may pivot as in basketball if one foot is stabilized. This sometimes helps in finding a teammate open to receive a pass. Overhead dribble/Air Dribble Only one overhead dribble is allowed. The overhead dribble is made by tossing the ball into the air and running to catch it before it strikes the ground. There is no restriction on the number of steps that may be taken after tossing the ball and before catching it again. The overhead dribble is particularly useful when a closely guarded player tosses the ball over the head of the opponent in order to get free. Place-kicking The object is to kick the ball past the goal keeper, between the goal posts and under the crossbar. The goal keeper is the only player on the opposing team who is permitted to defend against the placekick. Drop-kicking For the best control of the ball in drop-kicking, hold the ball just above the knees, flex at the waist, drop the ball to the ground, and kick it just as it bounces; take one step with he left foot and kick the ball with the right foot, or vice versa. Punting Punting in speedball is used to advance the ball toward the opponent's goal line as quickly as possible. Techniques of punting in speedball are similar to those in football. The ball should be kicked with the upper surface of the instep. Take one step forward with the left foot, drop the ball from extended arms, and kick the ball with the right foot. The ball should be dropped as the foot starts its upward swing. If the player kicks with the left foot, the reverse technique should be used. Catching The ball should be caught with the entire hand, because many passes are vigorously thrown. After the catch, the ball should be held with the fingers. In as much as catching a speedball is similar to catching a basketball, the same technique should be practice in perfecting this skill. Blocking Any part of the body, except the hand and arms, may be used to stop or slow the ball. Trapping In trapping the ball with the foot, the player extends the leg forward toward the ball with the heel 4 to 5 inches above the ground and the toe pointing upward. The sole of the foot is presented to the ball as it approaches. When the ball comes within reach of the foot, press down and trop the ball between the sole of the foot and the ground. In trapping the ball with the right leg, the player slightly advances the left leg diagonally forward and outward and flexes the right leg as though intending the kneel.

Kick up In many situations in the game of speedball a ground ball may be played more advantageously by converting it into an aerial or fly ball. A player may convert a ground ball into an aerial or fly ball by kicking it into the air. Kick up with two feet With the ball held firmly between the insides of the feet and ankles, the player jumps into the air, lifting the ball upward. When the ball is released by the ankles and feet, the player catches it before it touches the ground. Because the kick up is one of the easiest ways to pick up a ground ball, players should practice and develop considerable skill in its use. Kick up with one foot The play can be made on a rolling ball by flipping the ball into the air with the foot and catching it after it leaves the foot but before it touches the ground. As the rolling ball approaches, the player should extend the leg forward with the pointed toe touching the ground. As the ball rolls into the instep of the foot, the player flips the ball into the air and catches it. The one foot kick up can be made on a stationary ball by placing the foot on top of the ball and drawing it backward to start the ball rolling toward the player. Then toe is quickly place under the ball so that is will roll into the instep. When it rolls onto the instep, the player quickly flips the ball into the air and catches it before it touches the ground. The kick up technique on both a rolling ball and stationary ball can also be used to lift the ball to a teammate. STRATEGIES OF THE GAME Offensive Play In moving the ball down the field, the forward line should be spread and the players should attempt to keep in front of the ball. As the ball approaches the goal line the wing would go across the end line to receive a forward pass. The halfbacks should be ready to guard against the opposing team if the ball is intercepted and lost. In as much as the kick off need not travel more than the circumference of the ball, the best strategy often is to keep control of the ball by dribbling it along the ground or converting it into an aerial ball or to gain possession of the ball by a kick up or by using a short control pass. Defensive Play One on one defense is most often used in the game of speedball. Fullbacks, guards, and halfbacks guard the opposing forwards. The goal keeper may leave position to assist in stopping a touchdown play when necessary.

Terminology 1. Aerial ball: ball that has been raised into the air directly from a kick by one or both foot (includes a punt, dropkick, and kick-up, or a thrown ball which has not touched the ground) 2. Air Dribble: a player tosses the ball into the air to themselves (limit of one per player possession) 3. Attackers: offensive team members (those in possession of the ball) who are attempting to score 4. Blocking the ball: intercepting the progress of the ball with any part of the body (A ground ball may not be blocked with the hands / arms) 5. Boxing-up: 2 players guard the same opponent (illegal play). 6. Clearing: throw or kick by the goalkeeper after stopping the ball in the penalty area 7. Cross: kicking the ball from one side of the field to the other 8. End Line (Goal Line): boundary line marking the ends of the field 9. Dead Ball: when play is stopped (Examples: out-of-bounds ball, after a score, fouls, during timeouts, tie balls) 10. Defenders: members of the defensive team attempting to gain possession of the ball from the offensive attackers 11. Double fouls: violations of the rules committed at the same time by opposing players 12. Dribble: succession of kicks where the player keeps control of the ball 13. Drop ball: the ball is held by the referee who lets it fall directly to the ground between two opponents, play begins when it touches the ground, goals may be scored directly from a drop ball 14. Drop kick: a caught ball is dropped to the ground and the player kicks it as it bounces off the ground 15. Field Goal: score that occurs when the ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar 16. Foul: violation of the rules for which a free kick or penalty kick is awarded the opponents 17. Ground ball: ball that has last touched the ground (may be rolling, bouncing, or stationary on the ground), the ball remains a ground ball until it is played into the air from a foot 18. Hand Ball: violation when a ground ball is blocked with the hands or arms 19. Kick-up: converting a ground ball into an aerial ball by lifting or kicking with one or both feet, where the ball must be in the air, free from personal contact, before it is caught 20. Penalty area: 10' area directly in front of the goal line (only the goalkeeper may use their hands in this area) 21. Penalty kick: direct free kick from the penalty kick mark, awarded to the offense for fouls committed by the defense in the penalty area 22. Pivot: play in which a player holding the ball steps once or more, in any direction with the same foot while keeping the pivot foot in contact with the ground 23. Place kick: play in which the player, with or without the preliminary steps, kicks a stationary ball 24. Punt: player drops a caught ball and meets the descending ball with the foot before it touches the ground 25. Save: shots at the goal, which are stopped by the goalkeeper 26. Tie Ball: two or more opposing players catch the ball at the same time or when it cannot be determined which player last touched the ball (play is resumed with a drop ball) 27. Touch line: boundary line on each side of the field 28. Throw In: player restarts play by throwing the ball into the field after it has crossed a boundary line, can be made by any player, has no restrictions on legal technique 29. Trapping: stopping the ball's flight by securing it under the foot, between both foot, or between the front of the legs and the ground

Speedball Court

Speedball Player Positions