WO2009008995A1

WO2009008995A1 - Athletic game

Info

Publication number: WO2009008995A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/008245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom M. Cleary
Original assignee: Cleary Tom M
Priority date: 2007-07-06
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2009-01-15

Abstract

The athletic game is played by a relatively few players, e.g., one or two players on each of two teams. The playing field (10) is preferably square, but the two opposing goals (12, 14) are placed diagonally opposite one another, resulting in a rhomboid configuration for the field (10). The goals (12, 14) are movable, pivoting upon a vertical axis displaced rearwardly of the mouth of the goal. The relatively wide lateral span of the field (10) defined by its diagonal width, along with the angularly positionable goals (12, 14), adds considerable challenge to kicking the ball through the goal (12, 14) to score. The rules of play add further challenge to the game, e.g., one rule requires players to designate their stronger or more preferred leg and foot for kicking the ball, and to use only that leg and foot during the game until the rules permit otherwise.

Description

ATHLETIC GAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to games and sports, and particularly to an athletic game played on a field with a ball and movable opposing goals, the apparatus for playing the game, and the method for playing the game.

BACKGROUND ART

A large number of athletic games have been developed in the past, wherein the object is to move a ball or other object through or across a goal that is guarded by an opposing player or team. Examples range from American football to soccer, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, and even basketball. Nearly all such games have a relatively large playing field or court, and a relatively large number of players per team. Relatively few competitive games have been developed that include relatively few players, perhaps only one player per side, to test their skills against one another in a "one-on-one" (or perhaps "two-on-two") competition.

Conventional ball games permit players to use their more skilled arm, hand, leg or foot to manipulate the ball to score points or goals, and do not require that players use their less skilled appendage when scoring points or goals for substantial periods of time during the contest. Consequently, such ball games do not necessarily result in testing or developing overall athletic skills or ability. Further, the location of goals on the field of play is normally fixed throughout the duration of play, so that each player or team is always striving to score in, or to defend, the same goal, except when the rules provide that the teams switch goals. Thus, the shooting angle is always the same from any given point on the field, with only the background, footing, wind direction, and other weather-related or topological features changing.

Thus, an athletic game solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The athletic game provides a challenging athletic activity for a relatively small number of players, e.g., one or two players on each of two teams. The object of the game is to kick a ball through the opponent's goal, thereby scoring points. The game offers a novel field configuration, movable goals, and interesting rules of play. The playing field is preferably a square configuration, but the two opposing goals are placed diagonally opposite one another, resulting in a rhomboid configuration for the playing field. The goals are movable, pivoting upon a vertical axis displaced rearwardly of the mouth of the goal. The relatively wide lateral span of the field defined by the diagonal width of the field, along with the angularly positionable goals, adds considerable challenge to kicking the ball through the goal to gain a score.

The rules of play add further challenge to the game, as noted above. One rule requires players to designate their stronger or more preferred leg and foot for kicking the ball, and to use only that leg and foot during the game until the rules permit otherwise. Failure to do so results in a penalty against the guilty player. These and other rules result in a game in which the apparent advantage and score may vary back and forth during the course of play, with the outcome often not being certain until the actual end of the game. The rules of play also serve to equalize players of different skill levels, at least to a certain degree, by means of the more favored or less favored kicking leg and foot rule.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a playing field for an athletic game according to the present invention, illustrating various features thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary movable or repositionable goal for use in the athletic game of the present invention, illustrating adjustable positioning of the goal.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the movable goal of Fig. 2, illustrating the variable apparent goal width defined by the angular repositioning of the goal.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a game ball for use in the athletic game according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the basic steps in the method of play of an athletic game according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is an athletic game wherein the players attempt to kick a ball through either of two opposite goals placed at opposite ends of the playing field. Fig. 1 of the drawings provides an illustration of the playing field layout of the present game. The playing field 10 has a substantially square configuration, with four sides of equal length to one another and square comers. The sides are nominally on the order of sixty feet long, or about twenty meters. These dimensions are approximate, and may be adjusted as desired. Mutually opposed first and second goals 12 and 14 are provided. However, rather than positioning the goals along opposite sides or ends of the playing field, as in conventional goal type games, the two goals 12 and 14 are positioned in diagonally opposite corners 16 and 18 of the field 10. This results in a longer distance between the two goals 12 and 14 than would be the case if they were placed opposite one another along opposite sides of the field 10.

The field 10 is divided into two right triangular halves by a midfield line 20, which extends diagonally between the two opposite midfield corners 22 and 24. Each half is further divided by a ball handling limit line 26 and 28 disposed generally medially between the respective goal corner 16 and 18 and the midfield line 20 and parallel to the midfield line 20. Each of the ball handling limit lines 26 and 28 includes a kickoff point 30 and 32 disposed generally medially thereon. The function of these various field markings 20 through 32 is explained further below.

Figs. 2 and 3 provide perspective and top plan views of one of the two goals 12 and 14. The two goals 12 and 14 are identical to one another, so a single goal is illustrated in each of the Figs. 2 and 3. The goals 12 and 14 are preferably on the order of six to eight feet wide, or approximately two to two and one-half meters, and stand about sixteen feet (five meters) high. These dimensions may be adjusted as desired. Each goal 12, 14 is pivotally mounted atop a vertical post or axis 34. Each goal 12, 14 selectively pivots about its respective vertical axis 34 during the course of the game. This changes the apparent width of the goal mouth, depending upon the orientation of the goals 12, 14 and the location of the game ball upon the field 10, adding further challenge to the game. The goal mounting post or axis 34 may be driven by conventional mechanisms, e.g., an electric motor and gear, a chain drive, etc., with the operation being automated by a conventional timer, or the two goals 12, 14 may be turned by hand during the course of the game. Alternatively, the goals 12 and 14 may have upper pivots, e.g., by providing a stationary "gooseneck" pole (or other structure) extending from the surface behind the goal to a pivot at its upper end, connecting to the center of the upper crossmember 80 of each goal.

A lower crossmember 36 has a medial point 38 secured to the vertical pivot post or axis 34, and extends horizontally thereacross. The lower crossmember 36 has a first end 40 and an opposite second end 42, with first and second lateral members 44 and 46 extending forwardly from the first and second ends 40 and 42 of the lower crossmember 36. Each of the lateral members 44 and 46 has a forward end, respectively 48 and 50, i.e., the end opposite the lower crossmember 36, with upwardly extending first and second vertical lateral posts, respectively 52 and 54, having respective lower ends 56, 58 attached to the forward ends 48 and 50 of the two lateral members 44 and 46. Diagonal lateral brace members, respectively 60 and 62, may be installed between the respective ends 40, 42 of the lower crossmember 36 and the respective vertical lateral posts 52, 54.

Each of the two vertical lateral posts 52, 54 has a lower portion 64 and 66, an upper portion 68 and 70, and an upper end 72 and 74. A medial goal mouth crossmember 76 is installed medially between the two vertical lateral posts 52 and 54, with the lower portion 64, 66 of each vertical lateral post 52, 54 and the medial goal mouth crossmember 76 defining a lower goal mouth opening 78. An upper goal mouth crossmember 80 is installed across the upper ends 72, 74 of the two vertical lateral posts 52, 54, with the upper portions 68 and 70 of the two vertical lateral posts 52 and 54, the medial goal mouth crossmember 76, and the upper goal mouth crossmember 80 defining an upper goal mouth opening 82. Netting 84 may be installed across the sides and back of the goals 12 and 14, and across the upper goal mouth opening 82 thereof, as desired.

The above-described goal configuration may be simplified, if so desired. The vertical frame comprising the lower and upper goal mouth openings 78 and 82 and consisting of the two vertical lateral posts 52 and 54 and the medial and upper goal mouth crossmembers 76 and 80 is supported by a single bar (not shown) extending from the midpoint of the medial goal mouth crossmember 76 to the goal pivot post or axis 34. This structure may not be as rigid as the goal configuration illustrated in Fig. 2, but may be constructed to have satisfactory strength and rigidity by using sufficiently sturdy materials.

Fig. 3 illustrates pivotal repositioning of the goals 12, 14, and the resulting change in the apparent width of the goal mouth openings 78 and 82 when the goals 12, 14 are pivoted from one position to another. In Fig. 3, the goal 12, 14 is illustrated in a medial position in solid lines, turned to the left as goal 12a, 14a, and turned to the right as goal 12b, 14b in broken lines. A ball directed along or parallel to the path of vector 86 is normal to the goal mouth openings when the goal is in the left position shown as 12a, 14a in Fig. 3, thereby maximizing the width of the goal mouth openings as shown by the goal mouth opening span 88a. However, if the goal 12, 14 is pivoted to the right, as shown by the goal position 12b, 14b in Fig. 3, the ball vector 86 is at an angle to the goal mouth openings, and "sees" only the narrower width of the goal mouth opening span 88b. Thus, a kick made parallel to the path or vector 86 must be made somewhat more accurately when the goals 12 and 14 are oriented as shown by the outline 12b, 14b than when the goals are turned to the position shown by the outline 12a, 14a. This adds considerable challenge to the game.

Fig. 4 provides a perspective view of an exemplary game ball 90 which may be used to play the present athletic game. The game ball 90 has the general configuration of a rugby ball, i.e., a prolate spheroid having a first end 92 and an opposite second end 94. The ball 90 is preferably about the size of a Number 1 rugby ball, but may be larger or smaller, if desired. The outer covering 96 may be leather, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. The first end 92 has a somewhat blunt point, but the second end 94 is preferably flattened, as shown in Fig. 4. This allows the ball 90 to be placed on end on the playing surface without a separate tee or other support. Alternatively, a conventional rugby ball may be used, with a tee or other support being used to support the ball on end when required.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the basic steps and rules in the method of play of the athletic game. Players must designate a favored or advantage leg and foot for kicking the ball, and use that leg and foot for kicking the ball at designated times during the game, while using the other leg and foot at other times. This designation step is carried out before the game begins, as indicated in the first step 100 of Fig. 5. The designated advantage leg and foot of each player may be marked by a specifically colored shoe, sock, garter, or some other means of readily identifying the leg and foot selected as the advantage leg and foot by each player.

It should be noted here that there is no requirement that players actually designate their stronger leg and foot as the advantage side. They may designate the weaker or less skilled leg and foot as the advantage side, if they so desire. This may be advantageous in situations where a weaker or less skilled player is playing against a stronger or more skilled player who is likely to score first. In such a situation, the weaker player is required to use his disadvantage side leg and foot for kicking, and may gain some advantage by designating this stronger side as being the disadvantaged side.

The first step 100 also notes that the players choose whether to kick off or to select an angular position for the goals. The designation of an initially kicking player is done on a random basis, e.g., by flipping a coin to determine the selected offensive player for the kickoff to start the game, with the other player (or team, if more than one player is provided on a team) defending his goal during the kickoff. However, the defending player is given the option of positioning the angle of the two goals as he desires, during the kickoff and for the first period following. For example, if the defending player knows from previous experience that the kicking player tends to be more accurate with kicks toward the right side, the defending player may elect to angle the goals toward the left during the initial play period in order to increase the difficulty for the kicking player. Preferably, the player or team selecting the orientation of the goals is limited to setting the goals initially to the left or to the right. This results in the goals being progressively set at three different orientations during each major period of play, e.g., left, center, right, if the initial setting was to the left, with the same orientations being repeated for each major period (half, etc.).

Alternatively, the rules may allow the player or team orienting the goals to set the goals initially in a centered orientation, depending upon the number of different orientations provided by the mechanism, the number of periods of play and length of the game, etc. As another alternative, the rules governing the selections prior to the beginning of the game may allow the player winning the initial coin toss (or other selection means) to choose to defend his goal, or to adjust the angle of the two goals, and allow the other player to kick off.

The general object of the game is for the kicking player to attempt to kick the game ball through the goal of the opponent, and for the opponent to prevent a successful kick by the kicking player. Kicks may be performed in a variety of ways, with the points awarded depending upon the type of kick and the area of the goal through which the ball passes if the kick is successful. Control of the ball passes back and forth between the two players or teams, after the initial (or subsequent) kickoff. The winner of the game is the player who has accrued the greatest number of points at the end of the game, with the end of the game preferably being determined in accordance with a predetermined elapsed period of time (e.g., one-half hour, etc.).

The game time is preferably divided into an even number of periods (e.g., two halves), with players exchanging sides at the end of each period. The angle of the goals is also changed periodically, e.g., every five minutes of playing time, or other selected time period, generally as indicated by the second step 102 in Fig. 5. This is preferably announced by a bell, siren, horn, or other audible warning, in order to announce to players who may not be watching the goal at the moment the pivotal repositioning of the goals occurs. Time is kept by a designated timekeeper, who may be a separate person or the same person as the referee or one of the referees of the game.

A differing number of points may be awarded to successfully kicking players, depending upon the type of kick performed and the area of the goal through which the ball passes. Preferably, any type of kick (e.g., free kick, punt, drop-and-bounce, etc.) that passes through the lower goal mouth opening 78 of the goal 12 or 14 is awarded four points. This is the maximum number of points that may be scored on a kick because of the greater difficulty in kicking the ball through the lower portion of the goal due to the greater ability of the defending player to block the kick. This four-point kick is indicated by the third step 104 of Fig. 5.

A successful kick through the upper goal mouth opening 82 of the goals 12 and 14 may result in one, two, or three points, depending upon the type of kick. For example, three points may be awarded for a penalty kick or free kick, i.e., a kick in which the ball is placed on end (on its blunt end 94, or alternatively using a tee, etc.) and is kicked from a stationary point on the field. Such a three point kick is indicated generally by the fourth step 106 of Fig. 5. It will be noted that, while such a penalty kick or free kick is easier to kick accurately than other types of kicks, the point value awarded is higher than other types of kicks that pass through the upper goal mouth opening 82. This circumstance only occurs as the result of a penalty upon or error made by the opposing player, with the kicking player receiving a considerable potential advantage as a result of the opposing player's error and resulting penalty or free kick, as the rules and circumstances dictate.

In some circumstances, e.g., a kick that exceeds the height of the upper goal mouth crossmember 80 of the goals 12 and 14, the other player may receive such a free kick into a guarded goal, with the defending player being permitted to stand in front of his goal to defend the goal. This step in the play of the game is indicated by the fifth step 108 at the bottom of Fig. 5.

Penalty kicks may be assessed against the offending player for such errors as: kicking by using the wrong leg and foot, e.g., the advantage leg and foot, when use of the other, less favored leg and foot is required; an offside, as explained further below; touching the ball after a rebound when the ball rebounds back into a player's own territory, as explained further below; etc. A series of such penalties are indicated by the sixth step 110, to the left center of Fig. 5. Whenever such a penalty is assessed, the unpenalized player or team is permitted a penalty kick (i.e., a place kick of the stationary ball placed on end) into the opponent's unguarded goal, with the offending or penalized player being required to stand behind his goal and not being allowed to attempt to block the kick. Moreover, the advantage leg and foot is changed between the two players, if the penalized player was kicking with his advantaged leg and foot. This penalty result step is shown as the seventh step 112 in Fig. 5.

Moreover, the referee may determine the penalty as being inadvertent or deliberate. Preferably, players are limited to the commission of only a single deliberate foul resulting in a penalty, during the entire game. If in the opinion of the referee a foul resulting in a penalty was a deliberate action by a player, that player is issued a "yellow card" (or other means of noting the deliberate infraction) for the first deliberate penalty foul. A second deliberate foul resulting in a penalty results in ejection from the game for the offending player. It will be seen that deliberately committing a foul that results in a penalty is a very serious offense in the present game.

With the exception of the above-described placekicks as a result of a penalty upon or error by one of the players or teams, the points awarded for kicks through the upper goal mouth opening 82 correspond with the difficulty of the kick. For example, it is more difficult to kick the ball through the upper portion of the goal when the ball has been dropped and bounced from the ground, than when the ball has just been released from the hands. This is particularly true of the non-spherical ball, which is preferably used in play of the game. Accordingly, two points are awarded for a "drop-bounce" type kick, in which the ball is dropped from the hands, bounces from the ground, and is then kicked while in the air, when the ball then passes through the upper goal mouth opening, as indicated by the eighth step 114 of the flow chart of Fig. 5. The score is reduced to only a single point if the ball caroms off of a wall of the playing arena. A standard punt in which the ball is held in the hands and dropped to be kicked in mid-air is an easier kick to kick accurately, with only a single point being awarded for a successful kick through the upper goal mouth opening. This step is indicated as the ninth step 116 of Fig. 5.

Any such "handled" kicks, in which the player manipulates the ball with his hand or hands, are required to be accomplished from a point behind that player's ball handling limit line 26 or 28, as shown on the field layout 10 of Fig. 1. For example, a player defending the upper left goal 12 of Fig. 1 must make any "handled" kicks toward the opposite goal 14 from the area between his goal 12 and his ball handling limit line 26. That player may still play the ball out to the midfield line 20, but is not allowed to handle the ball with his hands between his ball handling limit line 26 and the midfield line 20.

Players do not necessarily use their advantaged or disadvantaged leg and foot for kicking continually throughout the game. When the game starts, both players are free to use either side for kicking, as desired. However, the first player to score gains further advantage, at least theoretically. This is due to the rule that requires the first scoring player to use his advantaged side for kicking the ball, while the other player must use his disadvantaged or alternate side. This rule is indicated generally by the tenth step 118 to the right center of the flow chart of Fig. 5. This requirement is why a player may elect to designate his weaker side as the advantaged side, in order to be kicking with his strongest and/or most skilled leg and foot after the other player gains a lead in the game. However, it should be noted that the designation of the advantage leg and foot is completely at the option of each player of the game, before the game starts. The advantaged and alternate leg and foot use is switched between the two players when the initially non-scoring player finally scores, with the advantaged and alternate leg and foot use switching back and forth between the two players as the players score during the game.

Another rule of the game generally requires players to remain on their own half of the field during play, with some exceptions. This rule is indicated generally by the eleventh step 120 along the left side of the flowchart of Fig. 5. In general, each player must remain to his side of the midfield line 20 (shown in Fig. 1). However, an exception is permitted if a player kicks the ball across the midfield line and the ball bounces back across the midfield line onto the kicking player's side. Consider the field as being divided diagonally into side A with goal A and side B with goal B, with player A defending side A and kicking toward goal B, and player B defending side B and kicking toward goal A. If player A kicks the ball onto side B of the field and the ball then bounces back onto side A, then player B may follow the ball across the centerline 20 of the field 10 (Fig. 1) onto his opposite side A and attempt to kick the ball into the side A goal. Player A is not allowed to touch the ball in this situation, until player B has first touched the ball.

Player B may attempt to take advantage of this situation in one of two ways: (1) by attempting a "quick kick" to catch player A off guard; or (2) by electing to take a free kick, with player A being permitted to guard his goal A. Again, player A is not allowed to touch the ball if player B has not yet touched the ball, thus allowing player B time to set up his free kick and player A time to position himself in front of his goal. A score from a quick kick under these circumstances is worth four points (if passing through the lower goal opening 78 of the goal 12, 14 of Fig. 2) or one point (if passing through the upper goal opening 82 of the goal 12, 14). A free kick under these circumstances is worth four points (if passing through the lower goal opening), or three points (if passing through the upper goal opening).

In some circumstances, player A may find that it is advantageous to handle the ball anyway and incur a penalty, which gives player B a penalty kick. For example, if the ball has rolled to a point which is quite close to player A's goal A, then player A may touch the ball before player B in order to incur a penalty against player A and penalty kick for player B, with the point of the penalty kick being farther from player A's goal A than was the case before player A touched the ball. It should be noted, however, that this would be considered a deliberate foul, resulting in a "yellow card" against the offending player. A total of two such "yellow card" deliberate fouls on the part of a player, results in the ejection of that player from the game. Thus, the situation would have to be desperate for the offending player to commit a first such violation, with no circumstances justifying the commission of a second such deliberate foul. A player continuing to the opposite side of the field counter to the above rules is considered to be offside and would draw a penalty.

The athletic game continues as described above, with each player or team attempting to gain a scoring advantage by kicking the ball through the opposing player's or team's goal. The duration of the game is preferably determined by a time limit, e.g., two periods of fifteen minutes each, or other time period(s) as desired. In the event that the game is tied at the end of the standard playing period, the winner may be determined by a tiebreaker, e.g., alternating free kicks, etc., somewhat along the lines of tiebreaking means used in the game of soccer. Alternatively, the end of the game may be determined by one player or team reaching a predetermined score, or perhaps a total score of both players and teams, or other agreed standard. This rule for determining the end of the game is indicated generally by the twelfth step 122 of the flow chart of Fig. 5.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An athletic game apparatus, comprising: a substantially square playing field having diagonally opposite goal corners and diagonally opposite midfield corners; a goal disposed in each of the diagonally opposite goal corners; and a game ball.

2. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a midfield line extending between each of the diagonally opposite midfield corners; first and second ball handling limit lines disposed parallel to the midfield line and generally medially between the midfield line and the corresponding goal corner; and a kickoff point disposed medially along each of the ball handling limit lines.

3. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each goal is pivotally mounted upon a vertical axis and selectively pivotal during the course of the game.

4. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each goal further comprises: a pivotally mounted, substantially horizontal lower crossmember having mutually opposed first and second ends; a lateral member extending horizontally forward from each of the ends of the lower crossmember; a lateral post extending vertically upward from each of the lateral members opposite the lower crossmember, each of the lateral posts having a lower end, a lower portion, an upper end, and an upper portion; a medial goal mouth crossmember disposed medially between each of the lateral posts, the lower portion of each of the lateral posts and the medial goal mouth crossmember defining a lower goal mouth opening; and an upper goal mouth crossmember disposed between the upper ends of the lateral posts, the upper portion of the lateral posts, the medial goal mouth crossmember, and the upper goal mouth crossmember defining an upper goal opening.

5. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game ball comprises a prolate spheroid having a generally pointed first end and a substantially flattened second end opposite the first end.

6. A method of playing an athletic game using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning first and second goals at diagonally opposite comers of a substantially square playing field;

(b) designating one leg and corresponding foot of each player as the advantage leg and foot of that player;

(c) designating an initially kicking player and an initially defending player;

(d) attempting to kick a game ball through one of the goals by the kicking player, the defending player attempting to prevent the kicked ball from passing through the goal;

(e) scoring points by kicking the ball through either of the goals; and

(f) determining a winning player according to the greatest number of points scored by the players.

7. An athletic game apparatus, comprising: a playing field; a first goal and a second goal disposed upon the playing field, the goals being disposed opposite each other, each of the goals being pivotally mounted upon a vertical axis and selectively pivotal during the course of the game; and a game ball.

8. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the playing field further comprises a substantially square playing field having diagonally opposite goal corners and diagonally opposite midfield corners, each of the goals being disposed in a corresponding one of the diagonally opposite goal corners.

9. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 8, further including: a midfield line extending between each of the diagonally opposite midfield corners; first and second ball handling limit lines disposed parallel to the midfield line and generally medially between the midfield line and the corresponding goal corner; and a kickoff point disposed medially along each of the ball handling limit lines.

10. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each goal further comprises: a pivotally mounted, substantially horizontal lower crossmember having mutually opposed first and second ends; a lateral member extending horizontally forward from each of the ends of the lower crossmember; a lateral post extending vertically upward from each of the lateral members opposite the lower crossmember, each of the lateral posts having a lower end, a lower portion, an upper end, and an upper portion; a medial goal mouth crossmember disposed medially between the lateral posts, the lower portion of each of the lateral posts and the medial goal mouth crossmember defining a lower goal mouth opening; and an upper goal mouth crossmember disposed between the upper ends of the lateral posts, the upper portion of each of the lateral posts, the medial goal mouth crossmember, and the upper goal mouth crossmember defining an upper goal opening.

11. The athletic game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the game ball comprises a prolate spheroid having a generally pointed first end and a substantially flattened second end opposite the first end.

12. A method of playing an athletic game using the apparatus of claim 7, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning first and second goals at diagonally opposite corners of a substantially square playing field;

(b) attempting to kick a game ball through one of the goals by the kicking player, the defending player attempting to prevent the kicked ball from passing through the goal;

(c) scoring points by kicking the ball through either of the goals; and

(d) determining a winning player according to the greatest number of points scored by the players.

13. A method of playing an athletic game, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning first and second goals at diagonally opposite comers of a substantially square playing field;

(b) designating an initially kicking player and an initially defending player;

(c) attempting to kick a game ball through one of the goals by the kicking player, the defending player attempting to prevent the kicked ball from passing through the goal;

(d) scoring points by kicking the ball through either of the goals; and

(e) determining a winning player according to the greatest number of points scored by the players.

14. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 13, further including the steps of:

(a) designating a first choosing player and a second player before the start of the game;

(b) having the first choosing player select from the options of angularly positioning the goals as desired and kicking off; (c) designating the second player as receiving the option not selected by the first choosing player.

15. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 13, further including the steps of:

(a) dividing each goal into an upper zone and a lower zone;

(b) awarding a greater number of points for a ball kicked through the lower zone of a goal, than for a ball kicked through the upper zone of a goal; and

(c) awarding a free kick against a player who kicks the ball above the height of the upper zone of a goal.

16. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 13, further including the steps of:

(a) dividing each goal into an upper zone and a lower zone;

(b) awarding a first quantity of points for a free kick that passes through the upper zone of the goal;

(c) awarding a second quantity of points for a drop-bounce kick which passes through the upper zone of the goal; and

(d) awarding a third quantity of points for a punt kick that passes through the upper zone of the goal.

17. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 13, further including the step of periodically pivoting both goals about a vertical axis, thereby realigning the goals relative to the playing field.

18. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 13, further including the steps of:

(a) designating one leg and corresponding foot of each player as an advantage leg and foot of that player;

(b) requiring the player who scores first to use his advantaged leg and foot for all kicks from that point in the game until the player who does not score first, scores;

(c) requiring the player who does not score first to kick with his disadvantaged leg and foot until that player scores; and

(d) requiring the first scoring player to switch from advantaged leg and foot kicking to disadvantaged leg and foot kicking, and the player who does not score first to switch from disadvantaged leg and foot kicking to advantaged leg and foot kicking, when the player who does not score first scores.

19. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 18, further including the steps of:

(a) penalizing a player who kicks the ball using other than the required leg and foot;

(b) requiring the penalized player to switch from advantaged leg and foot kicking to disadvantaged leg and foot kicking, and the unpenalized player to switch from disadvantaged leg and foot kicking to advantaged leg and foot kicking, when a player is penalized.

20. The method of playing an athletic game according to claim 18, further including the steps of:

(a) penalizing a player who violates a rule of the game; and