Quidditch Rules

Overview

Quidditch is a game played between two teams, of whom ALL participants are on unicycles. The aim is it score points by placing a ball (The Quaffle) into one of three goals (each team have three goals each), or by catching a small bouncing ball (The Golden Snitch) to score 150 points and end the game.

Teams

Each team is made up of seven players.

1 Keeper - Remains in the scoring zone and defends the goal.

1 Seeker - This player has free range of the playing field. It is this players job to catch the Golden Snitch (See Below). Seekers must be on their unicycle when they catch the Golden Snitch but can fall off afterwards.

3 Chasers - Chasers try to score points by placing the Quaffle (see below) through one of the goals. Only one Chaser is allowed into the scoring area at one time. The Quaffle may be caught, carried, thrown or snatched. If the Chaser falls of the unicycle, the Quaffle must be dropped.

2 Beaters - These players attempt to prevent goals by deflecting the Quaffle or the opponents Chasers unicycles with Bludgers (see below). These also protect their Chasers from their opponents Quaffles.

The balls, goals and referee

The Quaffle - An odd shaped ball

The Bludgers - Large balls, such as basket balls, soccer balls etc.

The Golden Snitch - A small, high bouncing ball.

Goals - The unicycle Quiditch goals are basket ball hoops, boxes etc, placed at arms reach apart and at around head height

The Referee - Alongside the main referee who calls for fouls etc, one or two Snitch referees are required (their use is explained later).

The Game

The Start - Probably the least dignified way to start a game. When the main referee blows the whistle, the Quaffle and the Bludgers (but NOT the Golden Snitch) are released by the referees, and the players then must make a bee-line for their respective balls (see above).

Play - Play then occurs in the following way
1) The Chasers attempt to score points by placing Quaffle into the goal protected by their opponents Keeper
2) The Beaters throw the Bludgers to prevent goals, stop collection of the Golden Snitch (see later) and anything else they deem tactically appropriate (as long as it is allowed by the rules).
3) The Seekers just stay out of the way as best they can until the Golden Snitch is released (which is at the referees discretion). Upon the release of the Golden Snitch, the Seekers must try to collect it. Watch out for the Beaters, as they will be after you!

The End - The game ends upon the successful collection of the Golden Snitch by one of the Seekers

Scoring

Placing the Quaffle legally into the the Opponents goal scores 10 points
Catching the Golden Snitch scores 150 points and ends the game.

Fouls

Fouls include, but are not limited to:

Stooging - More than one Chaser or Beater been in the scoring area at one time (but you can have one of each).
Snitchnip - A player other than the Seeker touching the Golden Snitch.
Flaking - A Keeper stopping the Quaffle whilst not on their unicycle.
Blagging - Any player holding another player to slow/hinder them.
Cobbing - Excessive violence towards another player.
Anything else the match referee deems appropriate.

Upon the calling of a foul, a penalty throw shall be taken from any point on the scoring line with only the Keeper the oppose the taker. If no goal is scored, play continues.

General

Upon the scoring of a goal, all Beaters and Chasers must leave the scoring area and the Quaffle is put back into play by the Keeper
No pushing or shoving
The Snitch Referee decides when to release the Golden Snitch.
Referees or spectators may re-start the Golden Snitch bouncing if necessary.
No Bludgers aimed at heads (or the referee).
Play stops when the referee blows the whistle.
The referees word is final.
And most importantly..........have fun!

How to make a Quaffle

The Quiditch Pitch

Thanks to Sarah Miller

Rules written by Sarah Miller Oct 2001, revised April 2002

First international game played at UNICON XI, August 2002