Pennsylvania State University

Speedball Handbook

By: Timothy Fink

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

History of Speedball

The game of speedball was developed by E.D. Mitchell at the University of Michigan in the early 1920's because of the need for a vigorous team game that could be played outdoors in the fall and that combined many of the elements found in other rather well-known sports. Many of the students in the mid-west had been introduced to basketball in public schools and they did not like soccer because of the restrictions regarding the use of hands on the ball. Touch football, while a popular game, had certain limitations in that many players on the team did not get to handle the ball regularly. Speedball eliminated many of these objections by providing a game that permitted all the players to participate in all aspects of the game. The game has developed rapidly and is now a widely played sport in physical education and intramural programs throughout the country.

Speedball has a coincidental resemblance to Gaelic football. Speedball is mostly played as part of a high school's P.E. curriculum. However, there are no well-known professional or amateur leagues. There are two variations: the outdoor game and the indoor game. The game was invented because of the need for a vigorous team game that could be played outdoors in the fall and that combined many of the elements found in other rather well-known sports. Many of the students in the Pacific Northwest had been introduced to basketball in public schools and they did not like soccer because of the restrictions regarding the use of hands on the ball. Touch football, while a popular game, had certain limitations in that many players on the team did not get to handle the ball regularly. Speedball eliminated many of these objections by providing a game that permitted all the players to participate in all aspects of the game. The game has developed rapidly and is now a widely played sport in physical education and intramural programs throughout the country.

Equipment

Speedballs Any ball can be used, preferably a soft, edged ball that is the same size as a soccer ball or volleyball. The ball is going to be used for throwing, catching, kicking, etc. Preferably foam balls used in the game of dodgeball are a great alternative.

Soccer Balls These can be used for lead-up activities and drills so that the students can work on dribbling, passing (inside and outside of foot), juggling, and other soccer related moves.

Goalie Net A goalie net can be used as the goal when playing speedball for younger aged students. However, most students prefer a larger shooting net which can be introduced with larger cones this encourages more use of shooting and goalie involvement.

Pennies Since there is high activity time with speedball; pennies are efficient ways for the teams to differentiate their opponents while the game is being played.

Cones Boundary markers are very important in Speedball so that the students know the boundaries. They are also vital for drills and activities.

Table Tennis These blockers are useful in a gymnasium setting so that multiple games can be Blockers played simultaneously. In a gymnasium, having a divider may be difficult for teachers to keep an eye on all the students.

Hula-hoops Used for various purposes in different activities and drills to hold the balls in place while instruction is taking place.

Tape Can be used to illustrate height of goals, targets on walls, and to clarify boundaries if blockers cannot be used.

Rules and Regulations

Object of the Game

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.

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.

Scoring

There are 3 ways of scoring in speedball:

·  Field Goal: Ground ball kicked under the cross bar and between the uprights. Scores 3 points.

·  Drop Kick: Over the cross bar from outside the penalty area. Scores 2 points.

·  Touchdown: Ball passed from the field of play to a teammate behind the goal line. Scores 1 point.

Starting the Game

·  A jump ball, like in basketball, is used to begin play at the start of the game.

·  After a score the defensive team gets the ball at half field for a kick off just like soccer.

·  Play is initiated by a kick-off at mid field from the center circle of the kicking team's

restraining line. The ball must be kicked to or beyond the receiving team's restraining

line. The player who kicked off may not touch the ball until it has been played by another

player.

Playing Privileges

·  Ground Ball: A ground ball is one that is stationary, rolling or bouncing. While a ground ball, it cannot be played with the hands or any part of the arms, but must be kicked or bounced off the body.

·  Aerial or fly ball: The ball may be caught, or otherwise played with the hands, whenever it is clearly a "fly ball", or one that has been raised into the air directly from a kick by one or both feet. A fly ball that has been caught may be held, passed, punted, drop-kicked or played as an overhead dribble.

·  Dribbling the ball: A player may dribble the ball with his/her feet at will. A player may use one overhead dribble in advancing the ball without the aid of his/her teammates ~ he/she may throw the ball in any direction and run and catch it before it strikes the ground.

·  Goaltender: The same rules of ground, aerial/fly and dribbling the ball apply to the goaltender as the other players. There is no limit to the number of goaltenders a team has.

Playing the Ball:

·  A player when catching the ball from a kick or pass may take one step in any direction

from the point at which he-she caught the ball. (Optional)

·  A player already in motion when catching the ball may use 2 steps to come to a stop or

get rid of the ball. Violations of this rule are called carrying.

·  A player who is called for carrying leaves the ball where the violation was called. The

nearest member of the other may play the ball as a punt or a pass. A player may not hold

the ball for more than 5 sec.

·  If the ball is held for more than 3 seconds a turnover occurs and the ball is given the

defense at the spot with play beginning very quickly.

·  Players are not allowed to pull, hit, or punch the ball out of the opponent's hands.

·  A player may pass the ball in the air with the intention of catching it him or herself 1

time. This is an air dribble.

·  Players are not permitted to dive to play the ball.

·  Offensive players are not allowed to charge into a player, or a turnover occurs.

·  Soccer rules apply when the ball is on the ground.

Defending the Opponent

·  Defensive players are allowed to use their body to obstruct an opponent either with or

without the ball. (Similar to person-to-person defense in basketball)

·  Soccer rules apply when the ball is on the ground.

·  Using the arms or legs to push, hold, trip or hit, however, is a violation.

·  Players may use any part of their body to stop, hit, catch or throw the ball.

Out of Bounds

·  A throw-in is awarded when the ball out-of-bounds along a sideline and the ball was an

aerial ball.

·  If the ball goes out-of-bounds along the sideline and it was a ground ball then it must be

kicked-in.

·  The defense must be 5 feet away when the ball is thrown or kicked in.

·  If the ball goes over the goal line and does not score it shall be put in play at the spot

where it crossed the goal line by a punt, drop kick, or place kick (Goalie Only)

Goalie Play

·  Only the goalie, while inside the penalty area, may pick up a ground ball with their hands.

·  If the ball goes over the goal line and does not score it shall be put in play at the spot where it crossed the goal line by a punt, drop kick, or place kicked by the goalie.

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

·  For fouls outside the penalty area - free kick on the spot. The ball may be kicked or lifted with all opponents starting 5-yards away.

·  For fouls inside the penalty area by the defense - a penalty kick awarded to opponent using a place kick and taken on the penalty kick mark. Only the goalie may guard the goal. All other players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked. After the ball is kicked it becomes a live ball and play continues.

·  Double foul - a drop ball at the spot of the infraction. All other players must be 5-yards away.

·  Tie-ball - a drop ball on the spot. All other players must be 5-yards away.

Terminology

·  Aerial ball - is one that has been raised into the air directly from a kick by one or both foot and includes the punt, dropkick, and kick-up, or a thrown ball which has not touched the ground.

·  Air Dribble - a play in which a player tosses the ball into the air to themselves. (limit of one per player possession)

·  Attackers - the members of the team in possession of the ball who are attempting to score.

·  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 and arms unless they are being held against the body.

·  Boxing-up - 2 players guarding the same opponent (illegal play).

·  Clearing - a throw or kick by the goalkeeper after they have stopped a ball in the area of the goal line.

·  Cross - a ball kicked from one side of the field to the other side.

·  End Line (Goal Line) - boundary marking the ends of the field and past which the ball must pass to score.

·  Dead Ball - times when a ball cannot be played. (Examples: out-of-bounds ball, after a goal or score, after a foul, during a timeout, tie balls)

·  Defenders - members of the team which are attempting to gain possession of the ball.

·  Double fouls - infringement of the rules committed at the same time by opposing players

·  Dribble - a succession of kicks forward in which the player keeps control of the ball and advances it.

·  Drop ball - a ball held by the referee and allowed to fall directly to the ground between two opponents. The ball is in play when it touches the ground. A goal may be scored directly from a drop ball.

·  Drop kick - when a caught ball is dropped to the ground and the player kicks it as it bounces off the ground.

·  Field Goal - a two-point score that occurs when the ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar.

·  Foul - an infringement of the rules of the game for which a free kick or penalty kick is awarded the opponents.

·  Ground ball - a ball that is rolling, bouncing, or stationary on the ground. Although in the air, a ground ball remains a ground ball until it is played into the air from a direct kick or a kick-up.

·  Kick-up - a means of converting a ground ball into an aerial ball. The ball may roll up a player's foot or leg to be caught or can be given an upward impetus with one or both feet. To be legal the ball must be in the air, free from personal contact, before it can be caught.

·  Penalty area - a 10' area directly in front of the goal line. Only the goalkeeper may use their hands in this area.

·  Penalty kick - a direct free kick from the penalty kick mark. It is awarded to the offense for fouls committed by the defense in the penalty area.

·  Pivot - a play in which a player who is holding the ball steps once, or more than once, in any direction with the same foot. The pivot foot must keep the initial contact with the ground.

·  Place kick - a play in which the player, with or without the preliminary steps, kicks a stationary ball. The ball may be lifted into the air or kept on the ground.

·  Punt - a play in which a player drops a caught ball and meets the descending ball with the foot before it touches the ground.

·  Save - a shot at the goal, which is stopped by the goalkeeper.

·  Tie Ball - when 2 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.