Shockball
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The game of Shockball has evolved over time, passing from a primitive form to a more elaborate one.
The modern version is played by four players in three roles: one guard, two wingers, and a center. Although it could be quite a violent sport, fouls are not tolerated.
Teams are composed of eleven players who can be divided in three lines of subs.
The play takes place in a confined space, and scoring is done by throwing a ball into a hole in the wall. Depending on the distance from the hole (aka "Pit"), from one to four points may be awarded.
The team with the highest score at the end of eight periods is the winner. Ties are possible.
Contents
Shockball Rules of the CSL
The Idea
The general idea could hardly be simpler. The two teams want to do two things:
- Get the ball into the opposing team's pit as much as possible (offense);
- Stop the opposing team from doing the same thing (defense).
As soon as one team has the ball, that team is on the offense and the other team is on the defense. The offense tries to position players to take a clear shot (throw the ball into the pit). The defense players position themselves to block these shots.
The Court
An official shockball court, is a 30m long and 15m wide rectangle divided into three equal parts by two lines: two extremes and a middle one.
The central portion is divided in half by another line, while the extreme ones have a big dot painted on the middle point.
On each end of the court, there is a padded wall with a hole in it, which has been dubbed by the fans; "The Pit". The pit has a diameter of 60cm and is placed to a height of 4.5 metres.
The Ball
The official ball is made of technology not dissimilar to lightsabers. Nova Crystals power the ball, giving it the ability to travel faster then the original bantha-skin balls. The presence of the crystals also lend a glow to the ball, creating a tracer-like tail behind the ball, allowing the spectators to more easily view the flight path of the ball. One other phenomenon that the crystals bestow to the ball has been termed the "repulsor" ability. This refers to the balls actually rebounding from the side glass walls, the ceiling and the court surface itself. Special designs had to be implemented for "the pit" so that the balls would not rebound from this section of the court. Due to the nova crystals contained within them, shockballs are both expensive and hard to come by. The ball has a circumference of 62cm, a diameter of 20cm and weight 800 grams.
The Team
A shockball game include two teams comprised of four players per team. Each team can have up to eleven players, but only four players per team are allowed on the court at one time.
The team's manager determines what players go in at the start of every period. Players who aren't on the field at the start of every period are called reserves (nicknamed "The Bench"). Reserve players enter the game through a process called substitution. Substitutions can only occur when play stops, such as after a shot attempt, a successful shock attempt or when the referee calls a violation. Substitutions are not free. Every team's head coach must give an official "substitution list" to the referees prior to the match. Each list will indicate the substitution order for every position on the field. Every period could have a different order. Every team must enlist two substitutions for every position on every period. If a designated substitute is already on the field, occupying another position, or cannot play due to excessive fatigue, the next substitute is automatically chosen. If all designated substitutes are on the field, or cannot play, the player on the field must remain there until his second substitute is free, or until he is declared unable to play by the referee. On the latter case, a standard drone will replace him until the end of the period. The second substitute, once on the field, can not be removed, no matter what. Only exception is if he is unconscious or badly hurt and deemed as unable to play by the referee. In this case the player leaves the field and his position will be covered by a standard drone until the end of the period. The second substitute is usually called "lamb" as in sacrificial lamb, because he has no chance to escape his usually bad fate. The starter is called "lion" and the substitute "fox", because he is often less powerful than the starter, but usually has some tricks in the hat.
Each player on a team is categorized by position. There are four positions on a shockball team:
- Guard:
This player is typically the best defender on the team. The guard is sometimes called "the shutter", which indicates the key role that the guard plays on stopping other team's actions. The guard has to stay on the third farther from opposing pit when an action start.
- Wing:
There are two wings on the court for every team: one to the left side and one to the right side. These players are usually the best passers and they will manage the pass play. Every wing has to stay on his half of midfielc when an action start.
- Center:
Traditionally, the center is the toughest player on the team. The center's role is to establish a position near the pit to allow himself an easy shot. The center has to stay on the third nearer to opposing pit when an action start.
Uniform
Players on the same team wear matching uniforms. Traditionally, home teams wear light-colored uniforms, while visiting teams wear dark-colored ones. On the chest and between the shoulders of every player there must be a two digit unique number that clearly identify the player. A shockball uniform is made by some paddings weared under a whole figure suit. One hand (recieving hand) wear "the Glove", while the other is covered with a simple grip glove (throwing hand).
The Glove
Tradtionally, shockball was played with a stun gun, whereby players could "shock" their opponents. After the first two seasons of the original CSL, the directors noted the lack of melee combat. This was something that the fans were demanding more of. Listening to their fans, the CSL did away with the stun gun and introduced - "The Glove". The Glove outstretches the hand a little and has the finger linked together to help catch the ball. On the center of the palm, there is "the sting": a circular sensor that gives an electrical shock if it reach contact with an opposer's suit. While non-lethal, the shock will temporarily disorientate the opponent. The intorduction of the glove has seen more intense matches and heart pounding action.
Scoring
The ultimate objective of shockball is to outscore your opponent. In shockball, players score points by throwing the ball into the pit, an act known as shooting. Different points are awarded to players based on where they are when they shoot the ball. Here is a breakdown of scoring:
- 1 point - Awarded to players who successfully shoot the ball through the pit from within the nearer third of the field.
- 2 points - Awarded to players who successfully shoot the ball through the pit from anywhere inside the midfield part.
- 4 point - Awarded to players who successfully shoot the ball through the pit from within the farther third of the field.
When a player is shooting a foul shot, the remaining players on the court must stand into midfield until all shoots were made. Foul shooting is made from the circle on the middle and each shot is worthing 1 point.
The Match
A Shockball match is made by 8 periods, each 10 minutes long. A 5-minute time out occur between each period. After the 4th period's end (half time), a longer time out occur: 15 minutes. Before any match, the referee toss a coin to determine wether team would start on offense. The other team will start on defense. The play start with the attacking guard throwing in from under his team's pit. The ball bearer can make whatever he wants with the ball and go where he want. Attempting a pass or a shot, every move is allowed: the ball can rebound on the floor or the glass sides freely. As pit walls are padded, the ball cannot rebound, so the action ends and restarts with a throw-in for the opposite team. Only one player at a time is allowed to defend against the ball bearer. Defensive player can try to steal the ball, intercept the pass or the throw, or try to shock the ball bearer. A shock attempt usually start as a tackle action, while the defender try to touch the attacker suit with his sting. If succesful the attacker is stunned by an electrical charge.
Fouls
- ASSAULT - When a defender try to intentionally hit for damage. Only simple "tackle and shock" is allowed. 4 free shots.
- DOUBLE COVER - Only one defender can cover the ball bearer. 2 free shots.
- SELFPASS - The ball bearer cannot pass the ball to himself, taking advantage from rebounds. If the ball rebounds over an opposer's body is not considered selfpass. 2 free shots.
