FORTBALL sport
A lighter type of football has been invented, so even the non-athletic people can play it.
Fortball is Non-contact, Safe, Fun, Dynamic, Inclusive, Medium-intensity ball game.
what you need for the game of fortball
1. Indoor or outdoor flat surface (including grass) that is about 10x18m in size.
2. Field marker (rope or tape) that creates rectangular border that is about 8x16m in size, divided by a centerline in 2 equal squares. Centerline should be a bit longer than the parallel border lines.
3. 2-4 targets (cones or prisms or cylinders) in the center of each square. Targets are about 0.3-0.5m tall, and at a distance of about 0.7-1m in between each other.
4. One soft volleyball ball or beach neoprene ball. (Alternatively it can be played with two balls – see variations.)
5. Two teams of minimum 4 and maximum 10 players in each team.
6. Follow the Fortball rules and method…
fortball rules and method
1. Fortball is played with only one ball, between two teams.
2. One inner player of each team is positioned next to the targets in one half-field. The rest of the players are positioned outside the fields in such a way that each inner player is surrounded by the opponents from 4 sides – as if “under siege”.
3. Aim of the game is to win points by knocking down the opponents’ targets with the ball. 1 point is awarded if at least one of the opponents’ targets is knocked down.
4. Inner players defend their targets from being hit, but they can also attack the opponents’ targets. If they knock down any of their own targets, their team loses a point.
5. When a point is won, the team that lost the point gets possession of the ball, and their inner player swaps places with one of their outer players. This can be done in a rotational manner, so every player gets a chance to play from each position.
6. There is no crossing lines – all players only move within their zone. Players can’t touch the ball if it’s not within their zone.
7. Players can use any part of their body to control the ball, but they can only use their feet when passing the ball to their team-mates or shooting at the targets. (Stopping the ball with hands is O.K., whether inner or outer players.)
8. Players have to play fast and get rid of the ball within 5 seconds of possession – either to shoot at the target or to pass the ball across the field to another player.
9. Inner players are doing most of the running. They can demand a swap at any time – providing the ball is in possession of their team.
10. Game is finished when one of the teams reaches the score of 15. There has to be 2 points difference.
11. Teams swap fields for the second game.
11. A match is finished when 2 games have been won by a team.
12. When the score is 1:1 in games, the deciding third game needs to be played. For fairness, the teams swap fields when about mid game. The third game can be set to be shorter (e.g. up to score 6).
benefits OF fortBALL
1. Attractive to young people as it is very dynamic and exciting.
2. Attractive to older people as it is safe, non-contact and non- exhausting.
3. Rewarding as every kick is a chance to score a point. Many points, many misses, lots of laughter…
4. Fun to watch by by-standers.
5. Ideal for social gatherings as it is small in size but can accommodate 8-20 people playing together.
6. Medium intensity sport – improves fitness and prolongs life.
7. This is the story of a queen/king defending their fortress while “under siege”. Perfect for a “medieval” tournament…
fortball rules variations
1. The winning score can be set at another number rather than 15 for a game (e.g 10).
2. When a point is scored by any of the teams, both teams may do the rotation of inner and outter players (instead of only the team that won the point).
3. The game can be played on time. The team that has the highest score at the end of the pre-set time – wins.
4. The “5 seconds rule” can be set to other number, e.g. 8. That means the player with the ball has to get rid of it within 8 seconds.
5. The fields size can be adjusted to be bigger or smaller, depending on the skills of most of the players.
6. The game can be played with 2 balls. In that case 2 inner players are needed in each team. The game starts with each inner player in possession of a ball and passing to an outside player. The same happens after every point scored (and rotation done). Only one ball can be in possession of one player at one time. Two balls can be in possession of one team at one time.
Fortball is one of the sports patented under the name:
“Central Target Zone System” at IP Australia