Hungerball Soccer
The new sport of Hungerball Soccer was created by Andu & Toma Iordache from New Zealand in February 2015. The name is inspired by the Hunger Games theme and the desire to promote a 'hunger' for the ball.
Hungerball Soccer is fast-paced being played in a specially designed multi-goal circular cage with each player defending own goal and attacking at once, one ball, no hands. A number of individual and team games can be played.
Hungerball soccer is usually played in an inflatable arena with six equally-distanced internal mini-goals. Newer designs include other multi-goal arenas (e.g. 4 or 8 goals) with similar play dynamics for soccer as well as for other team sports played with each player defending own goal, such as in Hungerball Hockey.
3 years since its inception, Hungerball has already been played in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, UK, and Venezuela, with more locations constantly being added.
Ways to Play and Rules for Hungerball Soccer*
There are currently two main types of Hungerball Soccer games: Competition and Social.
During competition games, there are two ways to play:
- There is a fixed time period (e.g. 10 or 15 min). The person who has the highest number of goals scored, minus goals conceded wins.
- It is played as an elimination challenge. Upon conceding two or three goals, the player is eliminated until there is only one left, who is then the winner.
During social games, players in large groups use a fast rotation system whereby whoever concedes is replaced by someone in a line waiting to get on the pitch.
Singles – 1v1 x 6 (Hunger Games meets Soccer)
- Dice throw decides which of the 6 players starts from the centre.
- Other players to remain in their goals, can come out once the ball is touched.
- One ball, no hands.
- Players can score in any of the other five goals.
- One point added for each goal scored, one point taken off for goal conceded.
- Own goal counts as goal conceded (only).
- Player who concedes a goal resumes play
- Handball sanctioned with penalty shot to empty goal of guilty player from goal of player who last touched ball prior to hand ball.
- Similarly, fault sanctioned with penalty shot into empty goal of guilty player by faulted player.
- Body checking and slide tackles are faults
Team challenges
- 2v2 x3 – two goals per team – similar to games for individuals.
- 3v3 – each team defends 3 goals, highest score wins
Hungerball Soccer variations
- Hungerball Panna - points are given for scoring goals (e.g. 1 point), nutmegging another player (e.g.1 point), or both at once (e.g 3 points)
- Turbo Hungerball – A team of 2 playing against a team of 4 or one against 5 others
Equipment required for Hungerball Soccer
- Circular arena/cage (inflatable, metal, glass, plexiglass, wood), with six mini-goals, fully enclosed with netting around and at the top
- Light soccer ball = giant tennis ball is the recommended ball to avoid injuries from close range shots
*The ways to play, rules, format and equipment for HUNGERBALL Soccer competitions are governed globally by the HUNGERBALL International Federation (HIF). The above apply to the standard 6-goal Hungerball arena.
Link: www.hungerball.com
Other Hungerball Sports
- Hungerball Hockey
- Hungerball Endgame - is played in a multi-goal arena similar to that used for Hungerball Soccer. Hungerball Endgame is a full-body experience, where both hands and feet (no or soft shoes) are being used to kick/slap/hit a giant (16-18 inch) bouncy ball.
Holding or grabbing the ball is not permitted, neither is pushing (body slamming) or hitting one's body with one's hand/foot (sanctioned with free shot into empty net). Each player blocks a goal and attacks at the same time and it can be played individually (all v all) or in small teams (2v2, 3v3, 4v4).
As with the other Hungerball adaptations, the Hungerball Endgame can be played socially using ins-and-outs rotations. Winners are determined through fixed-duration competitions where each goal scored and conceded are counted, or through elimination challenges (last man/team standing)
Equipment Required: Hungerball arena (inflatable, metal, or plexiglass structure) with 4, 6 or 8 goals Giant light rubber bouncy ball (16-18 inch)
Note
Related Pages
- Other New Sports, including Hungerball Hockey
- Hungerball Soccer is one of the highest rating new sports
- Complete list of unusual sports
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