AU2016100068A4

AU2016100068A4 - A sports game, which is a version of dodgeball, and method of playing which provides point scoring-system and balanced participation of players

Info

Publication number: AU2016100068A4
Application number: AU2016100068A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marijana Marinic
Original assignee: Marinic Marijana Ms
Current assignee: Marinic Marijana Ms
Priority date: 2016-01-26
Filing date: 2016-01-26
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-26

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of playing a sports game, akin to Dodgeball, on a rectangular playing court divided in two equal fields. The players are organised in infield players and outfield players. The objective of said teams is to score points by hitting the opposing infield player with a ball providing the ball falls on the ground after that, or by infield players catching a ball thrown from either infield or outfield players of the opposing team providing the ball doesn't hit the ground first, or by opposing infield players crossing the lines of their field except while retrieving said game ball from out of bounds or when the said game is paused. Marijana Marinic 23 Canea Crescent Allambie Heights, NSW 2100 Australia Application for Innovation Patent A sports game, which is a version of dodgeball, and method of playing which provides point scoring-system and balanced participation of players Drawings Outfield Infield Infield Outfield Team A Team B L Team B Team A N* ** * Fig.1 Starting Position of Players on the Fields

Description

Editorial Note 2016100068 There are two pages of description only Marijana Marinic 23 Canea Crescent Allambie Heights, NSW 2100 Australia Application for Innovation Patent A sports game, which is a version of dodgeball, and method of playing which provides point scoring system and balanced participation of players Background The game of Dodgeball has been played and enjoyed worldwide for over a century. Different versions are used in Physical Education classes in schools, and also as recreation in parks and beaches. It's often children's favourite activity. It's strange that there is no such club or organisation in Australia where children can just go and play Dodgeball, while other sports have been oversupplied. An official version of dodgeball, just called Dodgeball, has recently started to be popular all over the world as well as in Australia, mainly played by adults. This version of dodgeball is played with five or more balls and it can be chaotic and confusing for children, and that's probably the reason why there are no such clubs for children. There is another popular version of dodgeball, called "Volkerball" in Germany, and just "Dodgeball" in Japan, although it's very different to the official Dodgeball. It's played with one ball and has simple rules where the main objective of the game is elimination of opposing players by hitting them with the ball. This version has a potential of becoming an organized team sport and out-of-school recreation for kids, but it needs some adjustments that would make the sport appeal to parents as well as kids. Every known version of dodgeball, so far, involves elimination of players after being hit by the ball thrown from the opposing team. This sometimes results in some children being embarrassed what may diminish their confidence and level of happiness and deter parents from involving them in such classes. To avoid this, and to keep the kids active and happy in fitness classes, a new method for playing dodgeball is needed. The present invention assures the game to be dynamic, fun, fair and balanced, introducing the features that would keep children equally engaged while having workout and fun in friendly and social atmosphere.

Description The present invention of a new version of dodgeball can be played co-ed or by all males or all females, and is played with two teams. Each team desirably has ten to twelve players, but absolute minimum of two players per team is required. The game can be played indoors or outdoors at a court size of about 18x9m divided by a centreline parallel to the width of the court. Each team is divided into two groups (for example 3+6 players). Smaller group of each team stays just outside the field at the opposite sides of the court and they are called outfield players, while the rest of the two teams, the infield players, stay in their field, not crossing the centreline, so that each team has the opposing team players behind them as well as in front of them. (Fig. 1) The game is played with only one ball, throwing it at the opposing players or passing it to the teammates across the opposing team. The teammates can then do the same. Instead of elimination of players, present invention introduces a point system to the game. A point is awarded to the team whose player manages to hit an opposing player, insuring the ball falls to the ground after that. Also a team is awarded a point if a player manages to catch a ball thrown at them, insuring the ball doesn't fall to the ground after that. If a player crosses any of the field's lines, the opposing team also wins a point. Present invention introduces a process of swapping. The swap is conducted between outfield players and the same amount of infield players after a certain amount of points (4-5 for example), and the next swap after as many points and so on. That way all players get to be outfield and infield approximately for the same period of time. They all have equal chance to catch the ball or to hit. Embarrassment of "being out" is eliminated as well as waiting for a chance to play again. The objective of the present invention is to provide methods for playing a game that provides physical exercise without psychological stress. The game is generally played without direct contact between the players which contributes to low rate of the players' injuries. The motives for the invention are the limited options of sports activities for children and popularisation of dodgeball in Australia.

Claims

1. A method of playing a sports game between two teams on a rectangular playing court divided in two equal fields, wherein the players of the said teams are organised in such a way that each of the said teams occupies one of the said fields where a group of each team stays in belonging field and they are called infield players, while the rest of players from each of said teams are positioned outside of the opposing team's field and they are called outfield players, providing that each of the said group of infield players is positioned between the infield and outfield players of the opposing team. (Fig.1)

2. The method of Claim 1 providing the objective of said teams is to score points in either of three ways, (a) first one being by hitting the opposing infield player with a ball providing the said ball falls on the ground after that, (b) second one being by infield players catching a ball thrown from either infield or outfield players of the opposing team providing the said ball doesn't hit the ground first, (c) third one being by opposing infield players crossing the lines of their field except while retrieving said game ball from out of bounds or when the said game is paused.

3. The method of Claim 1 providing there is no immediate elimination of any single infield player if the said player has been directly hit by the ball thrown from the opposing team.

4. The method of Claim 1 providing that there is no immediate elimination of any single infield player if a ball thrown from the said player is caught by the opposing team.

5. The method of Claim 1 providing that points scored in said game are counted and after a number of points predetermined by said teams are awarded to any of said teams, the game is paused for swapping process wherein infield and outfield players swap places providing they stay in the same team as before and continue the game in the said method providing the said process of swapping repeats after said predetermined number of points until the end of said game, providing the game is finished after a set predetermined amount of time. (Fig. 2)