Speedball Unit Plan

HISTORY

In 1920, Elmer D. Mitchell of the University of Michigan, developed the rules for speedball. He wanted to create a rigorous, dynamic game that could be played in the fall that got away from the usual football and soccer drills in his P.E and Exercise Science classes. Speedball combines skills used in football, soccer, and basketball. It was originally created as a men-only sport, but new rules allowed women to play as speedball grew in popularity. To date, no official governing body oversees the game of speedball.

SPEEDBALL RULES

Speedball is played between two teams, each with 11 players on either side of a football, soccer, field hockey field, or in a large indoor gym. Officially, the game is played with four, 12-minute quarters with a 10-minute rest time between quarters. Duration regulations may obviously change due to normal class time constraints. The game may be played with an official “Speedball Ball” or any soccer ball. Regardless of what field of play or ball is used, the field must have the following markers:

  1. Halfway Line: divides the two sides of the field; ensures the kicking and receiving teams remain on their respective sides during kickoff.
  2. Restraining Line: FIVE yards from and parallel to the halfway line; ensures that the receiving team stays behind their restraining line until the ball is contacted.
  3. End Zone/Penalty Area: At each end of the field, extending the entire width of the field. This area serves to: score points and enforce personal/contact fouls.
  4. Penalty Kick Marker: The FRONT end of the endzone (10 yards from back of endzone). The placement spot of a penalty kick.
  5. “Uprights”: An area 6 yd wide in the back of the endzone( 6 yd x “a reasonable height” indoors) where a field goal, drop kick, or penalty kick may be scored. The goalkeeper defends this area.

There are SIX different positions in speedball. ELEVEN total players can fill them.

  1. Center Forward: May move ball across the entire field
  2. Left and Right Wings: May move ball in opposing team’s territory
  3. Left and Right Inners: Assist the wings in any way they can
  4. Left, Right and Center Halfbacks: Defend against inners’, wings’, and forwards’ incoming attacks
  5. Left and Right Fullback: Assist the halfbacks and defend the goalkeeper
  6. Goalkeeper: defend area between goalposts

SCORING IN SPEEDBALL

There are a total of FIVE different ways to score in speedball:

  1. Field Goal: The ball is kicked or legally played with any body part and passes between the goalposts and under the crossbar. This ball MUST be played OUTSIDE the penalty area. It is worth THREE POINTS!!
  2. Drop Kick: The ball passes OVER the crossbar after being drop-kicked from the field outside the endzone. This is worth TWO points!!
  3. Touchdown: An offensive player outside the endzone passes to another offensive player anywhere in the endzone. This is worth ONE point.
  4. Penalty Kick: An offensive player kicks the ball between the uprights and under the crossbar. This is worth ONE POINT!!
  5. End Goal: An offensive player in the endzone legally causes the ball to pass over the end line but not between the goalposts. This is worth ONE POINT!!

STARTING A GAME

The team kicking off must place the ball in the middle of the center line and line up on the halfway line. They DO NOT MOVE until the ball is kicked. The receiving team must remain BEHIND THE RESTRAINING LINE until the ball is put into play by one of their teammates. The ball itself must travel the length of its own circumference and touch another player before the kicker touches the ball again. The receiving team can lift the ball with their feet to another player. The goals switch at halftime. The scoring team kicks off again after they score.

GAMEPLAY

  • Players can move the ball by dribbling, kicking, or passing the ball. Players MUST “kick up” the ball into their hands before using their hands to pass it. The ball may be “kicked up” three different ways:
  1. “Monkey Paw”: Grabbing the ball with two feet, jumping up and bringing your feet to your chest, and catching the ball.
  2. “Kick Up off Toe”: Roll the ball onto your toes, lift up leg, and catch the ball as it comes off your foot.
  3. May be directed towards teammate
  4. Kick Up off the Wall: Roll the ball onto your toes, kick the ball off of a nearby wall, and catch it.
  5. May be directed towards teammate
  6. Done when playing INDOORS
  • Any “fly ball” may be caught or intercepted by anyone
  • Once the ball is caught, that player CANNOT MOVE…
  • UNLESS they perform an “Overhead Dribble”:
  • You toss the ball up in the air over the head of an opponent and catch it when it comes back down. Only ONE of these is permitted per player before they have to pass it
  • A touchdown CANNOT be scored on an overhead dribble
  • Any one or two-handed pass may be used to move the ball once that player has legally “kicked-up” the ball