GB2316885A - A board game - Google Patents

Abstract

A board game comprises a playing board which is divided into a plurality of areas, two sets of playing pieces, each set comprising two or more subsets of playing pieces, a piece representing a ball, and rules providing for the movement of the playing pieces about the board such that the playing pieces of each of the subsets of a set are constrained to move between the areas of the board in a manner different to those of each of the other subsets of the set. The ball piece is movable between the areas of the board in accordance with the movement of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece. The ball may be transferred between two playing pieces (60, 64) when one (64) of the two playing pieces is moved to an area (62) occupied by the other (60) of the two playing pieces, the ball piece either being collected by one playing piece (64) from the other playing piece (60) or deposited by one playing piece on the other playing piece. Two players, each using one of the respective sets of playing pieces, aim to move the ball piece into an area of the playing board representing scoring zones for the respective set of playing pieces. The game simulates Rugby Union, American Football or other similar games.

Description

A BOARD GAME This invention relates to a board game, in particular to a board game in which playing pieces are moved about a playing board in order to manoeuvre a ball into a scoring zone.

The term "ball" herein connotes an object used in sports, of varying size, shape and composition according to the sport, that can be passed between players on either playing side, or such like.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a board game comprising: a playing board which is divided into a plurality of areas; two sets of playing pieces, each set comprising two or more subsets of playing pieces; a piece representing a ball; and rules providing for the movement of the playing pieces about the board such that the playing pieces of each of the subsets of a set are constrained to move between the areas of the board in a manner different to those of each of the other subsets of the set, said ball piece being moveable between the areas of the board in accordance with the movement of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece, and wherein the ball piece may be transferred between two playing pieces when one of said two playing pieces is moved to an area occupied by the other of said two playing pieces, said ball piece either being collected by said one playing piece from said other playing piece or deposited by said one playing piece on said other playing piece; whereby two players, each using one of the respective sets of playing pieces, aims to move the ball piece into an area of the playing board representing scoring areas for the respective set of playing pieces.

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to two embodiments thereof and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a board and initial playing piece positions for a first embodiment of the board game according to the present invention.

Figure 2(a) is a plan view of one form of playing piece suitable for use in the board game according to the present invention.

Figure 2(b) is a three-quarter view corresponding to the plan view shown in Figure 2(a).

Figure 3 shows one form of markings on the surface of playing pieces to assist identification of the playing pieces of each of the three subsets of a set of playing pieces suitable for use in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4(a) shows a ball piece suitable for use with one form of the board game according to the present invention.

Figure 4(b) shows a ball piece suitable for use with another form of the board game according to the present invention.

Figure 4(c) shows a ball piece suitable for use with yet another form of the board game according to the present invention.

Figures 5(a)-(c) show the manner in which particular subsets of playing pieces are moved according to a preferred set of rules of the board game according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows one manner in which the ball piece of the board game according to the present invention may be passed between two playing pieces.

Figure 7 shows another manner in which the ball piece of the board game according to the present invention may be passed between two playing pieces.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of one possible arrangement of a board and initial playing piece positions for a second embodiment of the board game according to the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates one form of markings on the surface of playing pieces to assist identification of the playing pieces in each of the three subsets of a set of playing pieces suitable for use in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 10(a)-(c) show the manner in which particular subsets of playing pieces are moved according to a preferred set of rules of the board game according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 shows one form of marker piece used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows one form of a pack of playing cards that may be used in the second embodiment of the preset invention.

The board game described herein is for two players who, using playing pieces, move a ball piece about a board and into a scoring zone. The board game may simulate any team game, such as rugby union, American football, soccer, hockey or ice hockey. Important features of the game are that the ball may be carried by, i.e. moves with a playing piece, and the manner by which the ball may be passed from piece to piece.

The board game is described with reference to two preferred embodiments. In the first embodiment, the board game is a rugby union board game, and in the second embodiment, the board game is an American football board game.

Referring first in particular to Figure 1, the board game of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a playing board 10. The playing board is divided into a plurality of areas. The playing field 12 of the playing board 10 is contained within lines 14, 16, 18 and 20. In this embodiment of the present invention, the playing field is rectangular so as to represent a rugby pitch.

The playing field 12 is divided into two halves 22A and 22B by a half-way line 24. Each half 22A, 22B of the playing field 12 contains a scoring zone 26A, 26B respectively. Each scoring zone 26A, 26B is separated from the remainder of the half by a try-line 28A, 28B respectively. Goal-posts may be drawn within each scoring zone to distinguish these zones more clearly from the remainder of the playing field 12.

The remainder of the playing field is sub-divided into a plurality of areas 30.

These areas may be arranged in a regular array of rows and columns. The playing board shown in Figure 1 comprises ten areas in the length direction and nine areas in the width direction. The areas shown in Figure 1 are circular, but they may be square or any other shape.

A playing piece is now described with reference to Figure 2. Each playing piece 40 is substantially plate-like, for example disc-shaped, with a thickness t. A hole 42 of diameter d is situated in the centre of the playing piece. The cross-sectional area of the playing piece is roughly equal to the surface area of each area 30.

The board game comprises two sets of playing pieces 44 and 46. Figure 1 shows the two sets of playing pieces 44 and 46 arranged on the playing board at the start of the game according to this first embodiment. The two sets of playing pieces make up the two opposing teams for the game. Each team is divided into two or more subsets of playing pieces. In this first embodiment, there are three such subsets of playing pieces. The first subset comprises three "Forward Props" (P), the second subset comprises four "Centre Locks" (C) and the third subset comprises five "Fullbacks" (F). Each subset may be distinguished from the other subsets of that team by markings on the surface of the playing piece, such as those shown in Figure 3. Differences in the colour and/or shape of the playing pieces that make up these subsets may also be used to distinguish pieces of one subset from pieces of another subset.

Figures 4(a)-(c) show a variety of pieces that may represent the ball in various embodiments of the board game according to the present invention. The ball piece 50 illustrated in Figure 4(a) comprises a first portion 52 and a second portion 54. The first portion 52 is shaped to represent a rugby ball. The second portion is cylindrical with a diameter roughly equal to the diameter d of the hole 42 in each of the playing pieces and a height roughly equal to the thickness t of the playing pieces, such that when the ball piece 50 is placed in the hole 42 of a playing piece 40, only the first portion 52 is visible. When the ball piece is placed in the hole 42 of a playing piece, that playing piece is deemed to be in possession of the ball piece.

The ball piece shown in Figure 4(a) is suitable for use in the first and second embodiments of the board game of the present invention. However, the shape of the first portion 52 of the ball piece may vary depending on the game being represented by the board game; Figures 4(b) and 4(c) show ball pieces that may be used in a soccer board game and an ice hockey board game respectively. The board game may be sold with a plurality of such ball pieces.

Rules provide for the movement of the playing pieces about the board. Each of the subsets of playing pieces of each set is constrained to move between the areas of the board in a manner different to that of each of the other subsets of the set. The constraints imposed on the movements of each of the subsets of playing pieces are not limited, and may be varied depending on the specific team game being represented by the board game according to the present invention.

The rules for movement of the playing pieces in this first embodiment of the present invention are summarised in Table 1 and are described further below with reference to Figure 5.

In this first embodiment, Figure 5(a) shows the movement of a Forward Prop (P) playing piece. A Forward Prop (P) can move one area at a time either (i) sideways along a row of areas, (ii) forwards along a diagonal of areas or (iii) forwards along a column of areas. A Forward Prop (P) cannot move backwards.

Figure 5(b) shows the movement of a Centre Lock (C) playing piece, A Centre Lock (C) can move either one or two areas at a time either (i) sideways along a row of areas or (ii) forwards along a diagonal of areas. A Centre Lock (C) cannot change direction during a move and cannot move backwards.

Figure 5(c) shows the movement of a Fullback (F) playing piece. A Fullback (F) can move either one, two or three areas at a time either (i) sideways along a row of areas or (ii) forwards along a column of areas. A Fullback (F) cannot change direction during a move and cannot move backwards.

Markings may be made on the surface of the playing pieces in each of the subsets of the set to remind players of the constraints on the movement of the respective playing pieces. For example, in Figure 3, groups of chevrons are drawn on the periphery of the playing pieces, the number of chevrons in each group representing the maximum number of areas that may be traversed at a time by that particular playing piece.

The rules of the first embodiment of the present invention provide for the ball piece to be moved between the areas of the board in accordance with the movement of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece and for passing the ball from piece to piece.

The rules of the first embodiment of the present invention also provide for a number of manoeuvres during the board game, the procedure of the board game according to this first embodiment is described below: Duration of the Game Unless otherwise agreed upon, the duration comprises a fixed period of time.

Startina the Game In this first embodiment of the present invention, the two players arrange their sets of playing pieces as shown in Figure 1. Having chosen who is to start the game, that person places the ball piece inside the hole in one of the Centre Lock (C) playing pieces. That playing piece, and therefore that team, is deemed to be in possession of the ball.

Movina Playing Pieces Beginning with the set of playing pieces in possession of the ball, the two players take it in turn to move his/her playing pieces. The piece that is moved does not have to be the playing piece in possession of the ball. Before starting the game the players decide how many playing pieces may be moved during one "turn", for example, only one playing piece may be moved during each turn.

Passing the Ball Figures 6 and 7 show the two ways in which the ball may be passed between two playing pieces. In this first embodiment, the ball can be passed between two playing pieces as long as the receiving playing piece is either behind or level with the playing piece in possession of the ball, as in the game of rugby.

(1) Collecting the Ball With reference to Figure 6, playing piece 60 is in possession of the ball and occupies area 62. Playing piece 64 is moved from an adjacent area 66 to area 62 and placed over playing piece 60. The ball is passed from playing piece 60 to playing piece 64. Playing piece 64 moves on to the adjacent area 68 with the ball, irrespective of the number of areas traversed by that playing piece in reaching area 66 and the rules providing for the movement of that playing piece.

(2) Depositing the Ball With reference to Figure 7, playing piece 70 is in possession of the ball and occupies area 72. Playing piece 74 occupies an adjacent area 76. Playing piece 70 is moved from area 72 to area 76 and is placed over playing piece 74. The ball is passed from playing piece 70 to playing piece 74. Playing piece 70 moves on to another adjacent area 78 without the ball, leaving the ball in the possession of playing piece 74. Playing piece 70 moves on to the adjacent area 78 with the ball, irrespective of the number of areas traversed by that playing piece in reaching area 76 and the rules providing for the movement of that playing piece.

Removing a Plaving Piece of the Opposing Team from the Game This is achieved by moving a playing piece of one team to an area already occupied by a playing piece of the opposing team. The playing piece from the opposing team is removed from the playing board.

Gaining Possession of the Ball This is achieved in a similar manner to taking a playing piece of the opposing team, except that the playing piece from the opposing team is in possession of the ball. A playing piece from one team is moved to an area already occupied by a playing piece from the opposing team. The playing piece from the opposing team is removed from the playing board, and the ball is transferred to the playing piece that has moved on to that area.

Scoring Points In this first embodiment of the present invention, points may be scored in two distinct manners: (1) Scoring a Try A team scores a try when a playing piece of that team is in possession of the ball and is moved over a try-line into a scoring zone. Team 44 scores tries in scoring zone 26A and team 46 scores tries in scoring zone 26B. Points, e.g.

five points, are awarded to a team for each try scored by that team.

(2) Removing a Playing Piece of the Opposing Team from the Game A team also scores when it removes a playing piece from the opposing team from the game. It is preferred that the score for this is lower than the score for a try, e.g. one point.

Any team conceding a try during the game recommences the game as described above.

The winner of the game is the player whose team has scored the most number of points at the end of the game.

The board game of the present invention will now be described with reference to the second preferred embodiment, in which the board game is an American football board game.

Referring first in particular to Figure 8, the board game of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a playing board 100. The playing board is divided into a plurality of areas. The playing field 102 of the playing board 100 is contained within by-line 104, side-line 106, by-line 108 and side-line 110. In this embodiment of the present invention, the playing field is also rectangular so as to represent an American football pitch.

The playing field 102 is divided into two halves 112A and 112B by a half-way line 114. Each half 112A, 112B of the playing field 102 contains a scoring zone 116A, 116B respectively. Each scoring zone 116A, 116B is separated from the remainder of the half by a goal-line 1 1 8A, 11 8B respectively. Goal-posts may be drawn within each scoring zone to distinguish these zones more clearly from the remainder of the playing field 102.

The remainder of the playing field is sub-divided into a plurality of areas 120.

These areas may be arranged in a regular array of rows and columns. The playing board shown in Figure 8 comprises fourteen areas in the length direction and nine areas in the width direction. Each row of areas 120, or row 122, is separated from the neighbouring row by a line 124 traversing the width of the pitch. These lines 124 represent the yardage lines on the American football playing pitch. The rows are numbered, in the illustrated embodiment from 1 to 14, as shown at 126. The areas shown in Figure 8 are circular, but they may be square or any other shape.

The shape of the playing piece of this second embodiment of the present invention may be the same as that used the first embodiment, as described above with reference to Figures 2.

The board game comprises two sets of playing pieces 128 and 130. Figure 8 shows the two sets of playing pieces 128 and 130 arranged on the playing board at the start of the board game according to this second embodiment.

The two sets of playing pieces make up the two opposing teams for the game.

Team 128 scores touchdowns in scoring zone 11 6A and team 130 scores touchdowns in scoring zone 116B.

In this embodiment, as well as the first, each team is divided into three subsets of playing pieces. The first subset comprises five "Linemen" (L), the second subset comprises three "Backs" (B) (one of which is denoted as a "Quarterback" (QB)) and the third subset comprises two "Wide Receivers" (WR). Each subset may be distinguished from the other subsets of that team by markings on the surface of the playing piece, such as those shown in Figure 9. Differences in the colour and/or shape of the playing pieces that make up these subsets may also be used to distinguish pieces of one subset from pieces of another subset.

As described above with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention, rules provide for the movement of the playing pieces about the board. Each of the subsets of playing pieces of each set is constrained to move between the areas of the board in a manner different to that of each of the other subsets of the set.

The rules for movement of the playing pieces in this second embodiment of the present invention are summarised in Table 2 and are described further below with reference to Figure 10.

In this second embodiment, Figure 10(a) shows the movement of a Lineman (L) playing piece. A Lineman (L) can move one area at a time either (i) sideways along a row of areas, or (ii) forwards along a diagonal of areas. A Lineman (L) cannot move backwards.

Figure 10(b) shows the movement of a Back (B) playing piece. A Back (B) can move either one or two areas at a time either (i) sideways along a row of areas or (ii) forwards along a column of areas, and may also move one area backwards along a column of areas. A Back (B) cannot change direction during a move.

Figure 10(c) shows the movement of a Wide Receiver (WR) playing piece. A Wide Receiver ('AIR) can move either one, two or three areas at a time forwards along a diagonal of areas, or may move one area at a time backwards along a diagonal of areas. A Wide Receiver (WR) cannot change direction during a move.

As described above with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention, markings may be made on the surface of the playing pieces in each of the subsets of the set to remind players of the constraints on the movement of the respective playing pieces. For example, in Figure 9, groups of chevrons are drawn on the periphery of the playing pieces, the number of chevrons in each group representing the maximum number of areas that may be traversed at a time by that particular playing piece.

The rules of the second embodiment of the present invention provide for the ball piece to be moveable between the areas of the board in accordance with the movement of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece and for passing the ball from piece to piece.

The rules of the second embodiment of the present invention also provide for a number of manoeuvres during the board game. The procedure of the board game according to this second embodiment is described below: Duration of the Game Unless otherwise agreed upon, the duration comprises a fixed period of time.

The game progresses in a series of movements of playing pieces, referred to as "downs".

Startling the Game The two players decide which set of playing pieces, and therefore which team, is to begin in possession of the ball.

In this second embodiment of the present invention, team 128, initially in possession of the ball, adopts an "offense" arrangement of playing pieces and team 130 adopts a "defense" arrangement of playing pieces at the start of the "down". One example of such an arrangement is shown in Figure 8.

The playing pieces are first arranged about the yardage line, identified in Figure 8 by reference numeral 132, between rows "5" and "6", referred to as a "scrimmage" line. A marker piece may be used to indicate the scrimmage line 132 more clearly. The marker piece 140, shown in more detail in Figure 11, is slidable along the edge 142 of the playing board 100 such that the tip 144 of the marker piece 140 points to the scrimmage line 132.

The Linemen (L) of team 128 are arranged centrally on areas in a row between the scrimmage line 132 and line 108, i.e. on any one of rows "1" to "4" or the scoring zone 116A. Such rows are referred to as rows "behind" the scrimmage line 132.

The Quarterback (QB) of team 128 is placed on the area immediately behind the area occupied by the centre-most Lineman (L) of team 128. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, if the Linemen (L) of team 128 are placed on a row "4", the Quarterback of team 128 is placed on the area in row "3" that is immediately behind the centre-most Lineman (L).

Each of the remaining Backs (B) of team 128 may be arranged on any area in a row that is behind the area occupied by the Quarterback (QB) of team 128. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, the Backs of team 128 are arranged on areas in row "2" The Wide Receivers (WR)of team 128 may be placed on any unoccupied area behind the scrimmage line 132.

Linemen (L) of team 130 are arranged centrally on areas in a row between scrimmage line 132 and line 104, i.e. on any one of rows "6" to "14" or the scoring zone 116B. Such rows are referred to as rows "in front of" the scrimmage line 132.

The Backs (B), Quarterback (QB) and Wide Receivers (WB) of team 130 may be arranged on any unoccupied area between line 134 and line 136 on the playing board 100 that is in front of the row occupied by the Linemen (L) of team 130. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, if the Lineman (L) of team 130 are arranged on row "6", the Backs (B), Quarterback (QB) and Wide Receivers (WB) of team 130 may be arranged on any unoccupied area between line 134 and line 136 in rows "7" to "14" or the scoring zone 116A.

To commence the "down", the ball piece is placed in the possession of, i.e.

inside the hole in, the centre-most Lineman (L) of team 128, and then moved immediately to the hole in the Quarterback (QB) playing piece. This represents the "snap" of the ball at the beginning of a down in American football.

Alternatively, the ball may be placed initially in the possession of, i.e in the hole in, the Quarterback (QB) playing piece.

Moving Playing Pieces Beginning with the set of playing pieces not in possession of the ball piece, i.e.

team 130, the two players take it in turn to move his/her playing pieces. The piece that is moved does not have to be the playing piece in possession of the ball. Before starting the game the players decide how many playing pieces may be moved during one "turn", for example, only one playing piece may be moved during each turn.

Passing the Ball The rules for passing the ball as described in the first embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 6 and 7 also apply to this second embodiment, i.e. the ball may be transferred between two playing pieces when one of the two playing pieces is moved to an area occupied by the other one of the two playing pieces, the ball piece either being collected by one playing piece from the other playing piece or deposited by one playing piece on the other playing piece. In this second embodiment of the present invention, however, the ball can also be passed between two playing pieces when the receiving playing piece is in front of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece. For example, the Quarterback (QB) playing piece may move forwards on to the area occupied by a Back (B) to deposit the ball on the Back (B) playing piece.

Throwing the Ball In addition, in this second embodiment of the present invention, the ball piece is additionally moveable between two playing pieces when they are in a predetermined relationship to each other. One of these two playing pieces may be specifically designated for this movement of the ball when in possession of the ball. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the ball piece may be "thrown" once by the Quarterback (QB) of the team in possession of the ball piece at the beginning of the down, with the rules of the second embodiment of the present invention restricting the manner in which the ball is thrown, as described hereafter.

The board game may further include a pack of playing cards 150, as shown in Figure 12. There are ten such playing cards 150 in the pack. The same illustration or marking is displayed on the reverse side 152 of each playing card. A number in the range from three to twelve is displayed on the face 154 of each playing card 150, the respective number being different on each respective playing card 150. This number represents the number of rows of areas that may be traversed by the ball piece during the throw. The pack of cards is placed face down.

At the beginning of the down, the player moving the offense team 128 selects a playing card 150 of his choice from the pack. The player moving the offense team 128 does not show the number displayed on the face 154 of the playing card to the other player.

Alternatively, the player moving the offense team 128 may write a number in the range from three to twelve on a piece of paper, or such like, to produce later as a record of his choice.

In order to throw the ball, the offense team must have a Wide Receiver (WR) playing piece occupying an area contained in a row that is the same number of rows ahead of the row containing the area occupied by the Quarterback. For example, if the player has selected a playing card with the number 7 and the Quarterback occupies an area in row "3" (as denoted by markings 126), the ball may only be thrown to a Wide Receiver (WR) occupying an area in row "10".

When either the Quarterback (QB) or at least one of the two Wide Receivers (WR) of the offense team 128 have been moved such that the ball piece may be thrown by the Quarterback (QB) to that one of the Wide Receivers (WR), referred to as an "available" Wide Receiver, the player moving the offense team 128, if he wishes to throw the ball in his next move, must indicate his intention to throw the ball to the other player. This indication of his intentions brings an end to the turn of the player moving the offense team 128. A single piece of the defense team 130 may then be moved before the ball is thrown.

The player moving the offense team 128 thereafter shows his/her preselected number to the other player, and transfers the ball piece to an available Wide Receiver, i.e. the ball is "caught" by the available Wide Receiver, and the player moving the offense team 128 begins his/her next turn.

Removing a Playing Piece of the Opposing Team from the Game This is achieved by moving a playing piece of one team to an area already occupied by a playing piece of the opposing team. The playing piece from the opposing team is removed from the playing board. In this second embodiment of the present invention: (i) A Wide Receiver (WR) playing piece from the offense team may not be removed from the game before the ball piece 50 has been caught by a playing piece from a throw by the Quarterback (QB), (ii) If the ball piece 50 has not crossed the scrimmage line 132, a playing piece may not be removed from the game if it is in front of the scrimmage line, and (iii) If the ball piece has crossed the scrimmage line, a playing piece may not be removed from the game if it occupies an area in a row in front of the row containing the area occupied by the playing piece in possession of the ball piece 50. For example, if the ball piece is in the possession of a playing piece of the offense team in row "7", playing pieces may not be removed from scoring area 1 16B or from any one of rows "8" to "14" inclusive.

Gaining Possession of the Ball from the Opposing Team (1) From a Playing Piece in Possession of the Ball This is achieved in a similar manner to taking a playing piece of the opposing team, except that the playing piece from the opposing team is in possession of the ball. A playing piece from one team is moved to an area already occupied by a playing pie

(2) Intercepting the Ball When the player moving the playing pieces of the offense team has indicated that the ball will be thrown, the other player may select whether to try to intercept the ball piece. This is achieved in a similar manner to gaining possession of the ball form a playing piece in possession of the ball. A playing piece from the defense team is moved to an area already occupied by a Wide Receiver playing piece from the offense team. If the ball piece is thrown to the Wide Receiver upon which the playing piece from the defense team has been placed, the ball piece is deemed to have been intercepted by the playing piece of the defensive team, and the ball piece is now deemed to be in possession of the defense team 130. The player moving the playing pieces of the offense team 128 forfeits his/her next turn. However, if the ball piece is thrown to an available Wide Receiver other than that upon which the playing piece of the defensive team has been moved, a "foul tackle" is deemed to have occurred.

When a team has gained possession of the. ball piece from the opposing team by either of the above two methods, areas that were previously in front of the ball piece are deemed to be behind the ball piece, and areas that were previously behind the bail piece are deemed to be in front of the ball piece.

Therefore, if, for example, the ball piece has been intercepted by a playing piece occupying an area in row "10", playing pieces may only be removed from area in rows "10" to "14" inclusive, or from scoring area 116B.

The End of a Down A down may be brought to an end by the player moving the playing pieces of the team in possession of the ball piece by, for example, declaring "new down", or such like. A new down will commence, with the scrimmage line being the line 122 adjacent to and "in front of" the area occupied by the playing piece in possession of the ball piece when the "new down" was called.

For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, if "new down" was called with a playing piece of team 128 in possession of the ball occupying an area in row "9", the scrimmage line for the new down will be line 160.

At the start of the new down, the playing pieces of both teams are arranged as described above with reference to Figure 8 for the start of the game, with the playing pieces of the team in possession of the ball piece at the end of the previous down being arranged in an "offense" arrangement, and the playing pieces of the other team being arranged in a "defense" arrangement.

Scoring Points In this second embodiment of the present invention, points may be scored in four distinct manners: (1) Scoring a Touchdown A team scores a touchdown when either a playing piece of that team is in possession of the ball and is moved over a goal-line into a scoring zone, or if a Wide Receiver (WR), occupying an area in the scoring zone, catches the ball piece 50 from a throw by the Quarterback. Points, e.g. six points, are awarded to a team for each touchdown scored by that team.

(2) Removing a Playing Piece of the Opposing Team from the Game A team also scores when it removes a playing piece from the opposing team from the game. It is preferred that the score for this is lower than the score for a touchdown, e.g. one point.

(3) Scoring a Safety The defense team scores a safety when (i) it gains possession of the ball piece 50 from a playing piece in possession of the ball piece that occupies an area situated in the scoring zone of the defense team, e.g. in Figure 8, team 130 gains possession of the ball piece from a playing piece of team 128 in possession of the ball piece 50 and occupying an area in the scoring zone 116B, or (ii) forces the playing piece in possession of the ball over the by-line bordering the scoring zone of the defense team, e.g. in Figure 8, defense team 130 forces a playing piece of team 128 in possession of the ball piece 50 over by-line 108.

It is preferred that the score for a safety is lower than the score for a touchdown but higher than that for removing an opposing player's piece, e.g.

two points.

(4) Making a Foul Tackle The defense team concedes points to the offense team if it makes a foul tackle. It is also preferred that the number of points conceded by making a foul tackle is lower than the score for a touchdown but higher than that for removing an opposing player's piece, e.g. two points.

Any team conceding a touchdown during the game recommences the game as described above.

Turnovers A turnover is awarded if any one team, for example team 128, remains in possession of the ball for three consecutive downs without scoring a touchdown. At the beginning of the next down, team 130 becomes the "offense" team and team 128 becomes the "defense" team. A turnover is also awarded if any one team, for example team 128, remains in possession of the ball for two consecutive downs and has not moved the ball forwards at least four consecutive rows of areas from the scrimmage line 132 by the end of the second down.

The winner of the game is the player whose team has scored the most number of points at the end of the game.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

The playing field can take any shape or size. For example, in an Australian Rules board game based on the present invention, the playing field may be roughly oval rather than rectangular. The number of areas of the playing field may be varied.

The width and position of the scoring zones may also be varied so as to make it more or less difficult to score. The number of scoring zones may also be varied, for example, there may be two scoring zones per team. The scoring zones may also be surrounded by areas 30 of the playing field.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there may be only one scoring zone on the board, with the aim of one team being to score in the scoring zone whilst the aim of the opposing team is to defend the scoring zone and/or to gain possession of the ball. Players take it in turns to defend the scoring zone. The winner is either the player who scores in the least number of moves, or, if neither team score, the player who gains possession of the ball in the least number of moves.

Any number of playing pieces may be used, and the number of subsets of playing pieces may be varied. The number of playing pieces in each subset of playing pieces is also not restricted. For example, in a hockey board game based on the present invention, there may be five subsets of playing pieces, comprising one "goalkeeper", two "full-backs", three "half-backs", two "insidehalves" and three "forwards". The rules regarding the movement of the playing pieces may also be varied.

Additional rules may also be introduced to make the board game according to the present invention represent a specific team game more closely. For example, in a Rugby League board game according to the present invention a rule may be introduced wherein, after a fixed number of moves have been made by the team in possession of the ball piece without that team scoring, the ball piece is "tumed-over" to the playing piece of the other team that is the least number of areas from the ball piece at that time.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, electronic apparatus may be provided for playing the board game described above. This electronic apparatus may comprise a computer with a visual display unit and a keyboard and/or mouse. The rules of the board game are contained within a program.

The playing board, sets of playing pieces and ball piece are displayed on the VDU. The two players may input desired movements of the playing pieces in accordance with the rules using the keyboard and/or mouse. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus may have control of the movements of one of the sets of playing pieces.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

TABLE 1

b II PLAYING PIECE MOVEMENT OF PLAYING PIECE FORWARD PROP (P) Along a row, column or diagonal extending from the Forward Prop's position, one area at a time. A Forward Prop cannot move backwards CENTRE LOCK (C) Along a row or diagonal extending from Centre Lock's position, one or two areas at a time. A Centre Lock cannot move backwards FULLBACK (F) Along a row or column extending from the Fullback's position, one, two or three areas at a time. A Fullback cannot move backwards TABLE 2

PLAYING PIECE MOVEMENT OF PLAYING PIECE l LINEMAN (L) Along a row or diagonal extending from the Lineman's position, one area at a time. A Lineman cannot move backwards BACK (B) Along a row or forwards along a column extending from the Back's position, one or two areas at a time, or backwards along a column extending from the Back's position, one area at a time.

WIDE RECEIVER (war) Forwards along a diagonal extending from the Wide Receiver's position, one, two or three areas at a time, or backwards along a diagonal extending from the Wide Receiver's position, one area at a time.

Claims (11)

1. A board game comprising: a playing board which is divided into a plurality of areas; two sets of playing pieces, each set comprising two or more subsets of playing pieces; a piece representing a ball; and rules providing for the movement of the playing pieces about the board such that the playing pieces of each of the subsets of a set are constrained to move between the areas of the board in a manner different to those of each of the other subsets of the set, said ball piece being movable between the areas of the board in accordance with the movement of the playing piece in possession of the ball piece, and wherein the ball may be transferred between two playing pieces when one of said two playing pieces is moved to an area occupied by the other of said two playing pieces, said ball piece either being collected by said one playing piece from said other playing piece or deposited by said one playing piece on said other playing piece; whereby two players, each using one of the respective sets of playing pieces, aims to move the ball piece into an area of the playing board representing scoring zones for the respective set of playing pieces.

2. A board game as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ball piece is additionally moveable between two playing pieces when they are in a predetermined relationship to each other.

3. A board game as claimed in Claim 2, wherein one of said two playing pieces is designated specifically for that movement of the ball piece when in possession of the ball piece.

4. A board game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a playing piece from one set of playing pieces may be removed from the playing board when a playing piece from the other set of playing pieces is moved to the area of the playing board occupied by said playing piece from said one set of playing pieces.

5 A board game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each set of playing pieces comprises three subsets of playing pieces.

6. A board game as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rules provide for the movement of the playing pieces substantially as described in Table 1 of the accompanying description.

7. A board game as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rules provide for the movement of the playing pieces substantially as described in Table 2 of the accompanying description.

8. A board game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each playing piece is substantially plate-like with a hole in the centre of the playing piece, said ball piece having a portion shaped so as to fit inside said hole.

9. A board game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are two scoring zones, one scoring zone for each set of playing pieces.

10. A board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 5 to 7 of the application.

11. A board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 and 10 of the application.