Patent Grant
8388472
This invention relates generally to a new ball game and more particularly to a new action sport that allows for game-play between two players.
Sport games are well known and in fact occupy a great deal of time, interest and energy of youngsters and adults alike. Sport games like Baseball, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis and Basketball are not only played on the professional level, but also on the semi-professional level, school level and recreational level as well. However, each of these games is played on a rather large scale, typically requiring substantial space and several players (and referees) to be played as the originators intended (with the exception of basketball which may be played as one on one).
Presently, there are very few sport games that are originally intended for only two players and that provide a fast paced sport game that is easy to learn and play. One such two player game is Squash, which was originally developed in the 1500s from several other sports. Another such game is Racquetball, which was originally invented around 1952.
What is needed is a fast pace sport game that ensures excitement and unpredictability and that is played in a smaller game space than other sport games, such that the game space may be portable and easy to set up and transport.
A method of playing a game, wherein the game is played by a first and second player in a game space of a sport court having a court top, a court base, two court sides and two court ends, wherein each of the first and second player have goal rods and each of the two court ends includes a goal opening, the method including locating the first and second player and a game ball inside of the game space, such that the first player is on one end of the game space and the second player is on the opposite end of the game space, beginning game play by causing the first player to hit the game ball inside of the game space with the intent of making the game ball enter the second players goal opening, continuing the game play by causing the second player to hit the game ball to prevent the game ball from entering the second players goal opening with the intent of making the game ball enter the first players goal opening and maintaining game play until at least one of the first player and the second player achieves a point by hitting the game ball into the other players goal opening.
A plurality of articles for playing a sport game, the plurality of articles including a game ball, a plurality of goal rods and a sport court having a court top, a court base, two court sides and two court ends which define a game space, wherein, the court top includes open areas on each end of the court top, wherein the open areas are separated by a studded area, the court base is divided into four sections, wherein the four sections include a goal zones separated by neutral zones, each of the two court sides include a flat portion and a studded portion, and each of the two court ends includes a goal opening.
A method of playing a game, wherein the game is played by a first and second player in a game space of a sport court having a court top, a court base, two court sides and two court ends, wherein each of the two court ends includes a goal opening. The method includes locating the first and second player and a game ball inside of the game space, such that the first player is on a first end of the game space and the second player is on a second end of the game space, beginning game play by causing the first player to hit the game ball inside of the game space with the intent of making the game ball enter the second players goal opening, continuing the game play by causing the second player to hit the game ball to prevent the game ball from entering the second players goal opening with the intent of making the game ball enter the first players goal opening and maintaining game play until at least one of the first player and the second player achieves a point by hitting the game ball into the other players goal opening.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:
a is front perspective view of a sport court, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
b is front perspective view of a defender ball and a goal rod, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As disclosed herein with regards to an exemplary embodiment, a new fast paced game sport (referred to hereinafter as “Defender”) is described, where Defender is played by two players using a goal rod 10 (each player has a goal rod 10) and a defender ball 20 on a sport court 100 having a court base 102, two court side walls 104, a court top 106 and two court end walls 108 which define a game space therebetween, each of which is illustrated in
The Playing Court
Referring to
Each of the two court side walls 104 includes a flat wall section 130 and a studded wall section 132, each of which typically have a section height of 4 feet and run the length of the court side walls 104. The studded wall section 132 includes a plurality of studs 134 located approximately about every ten to twenty inches along the length of the court side walls 104. The external portion of the court side walls 104 may include fencing or netting (they may or may not be see through) or some other suitable material to prevent the ball from exiting the sport court 100 via the court side walls 104. In accordance with the present invention, although the studs are preferably 2 inches×4 inches×8 foot wooden studs, they may be constructed of any material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as plastic and/or metal. Each of the two court end walls 108 are preferable 10 feet in width and 8 feet in height and include a goal opening 109 that is centered on the court end wall 108 and that is about 5 feet in width and about 7 feet in height. However, it is contemplated that the goal opening 109 may be any size suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, the goal opening 109 may be smaller to increase the difficulty of the sport game for experienced players or the goal opening 109 may be larger to decrease the difficulty of the sport game for novice players
The court top 106 includes an open area 136 on each end of the sport court 100 and a studded section which is an about 10 foot long section 138 having a plurality of studs 140 located in an area approximately about the middle of the court top 106 positioned approximately about every 20 inches (may be ten to twenty inches) from each other along the length of the section 138. Although, the plurality of studs 140 typically rest across the entire width of the court top 106, it is contemplated that they may only span a portion of the width of the court top 106. A net or other type of containment material is positioned over the court top 106 to prevent the ball 20 from escaping to the outside during game play.
Referring back to
It should be appreciated that the following should be adhered to:
Defender the sport is a two player game, where one player competes against the other player on the sport court 100, where both players are equipped with a goal rod 10. The players begin the game on opposite ends of the sport court 100, wherein one player is located near one of the two court end walls 108 and the other player is located near the other of the two court end walls 108. Each defender game is made up of three matches and each match is made up of three rounds. A defender round begins by placing the defender ball 20 in the face-off circle 126 (which may or may not contain a device for holding the defender ball 20) of the sport court 100 and sounding a face-off whistle sound. Typically, there is a five second countdown between placement of the defender ball 20 and the face-off whistle sound. However, this time may be adjusted as desired. When the face-off whistle sounds, each player must have either a hand or a foot in contact with the goal line 124 associated with their end of the sport court 100. The object of the defender game is for a player to successfully locate the defender ball 20 into the goal opening 109 associated with the other player. Each time a defender ball 20 enters the goal opening 109 of one of the players, the other player receives a point. A defender round is won when a player scores 11 points against their opponent. A defender match is won when a player is the first to win three rounds. A defender game is won when a player is the first to win three matches.
A serve is when (after a goal is scored on that player or that player was awarded a serve due to a penalty on the other player) a player makes the defender ball 20 cross any part of the centerline 122 without incurring any penalties. When a player scores a goal, that player then gets to attempt a serve on the other player, where the defender ball 20 must be served from behind the goal zone line 120 associated with the serving player. When serving, the serving player must have their feet completely inside the goal zone associated with the serving player (the goal zone line 120 is considered crossed when more than half the defender ball 20 is over the goal zone line 120). Additionally, on a serve, the defender ball 20 must be located substantially on the court base 102. Failure to abide by any of the elements directly above results in a “False Serve Penalty.” It should be appreciated that if the defender ball 20 is bouncing higher than about approximately 4 inches, then the defender ball 20 is not considered to be on the court base 102. In order for a serve attempt to be considered a serve, a part of the defender ball 20 must cross the centerline 122.
When the defender ball 20 is being served, the opposing player can only go as far on the court base 102 as the centerline 122. If the player crosses the centerline 122 before the defender ball 20, then there will be an Encroachment Penalty. A fault is attempted serve in which the defender ball 20 crosses a player's goal zone line 120, but does not cross the centerline 122. If a player has two faults in a row, it will result in a False Serve Penalty. Accordingly, the serving player has only one fault opportunity and only has two attempts at serving the defender ball 20. If the serve is not successful on the second attempt, then it is considered a False Serve Penalty. Additionally, if the player attempts to serve and the defender ball 20 goes past the serving player's goal zone line and scores in the serving player's goal before it passes the centerline 122, it is considered a goal for the other player.
Gameplay
Game-play is considered to include all play (i.e. immediately after the beginning of a face-off (The moment the whistle is sounded) or immediately after a serve (the moment the player strikes their ball when serving), etc. . . . ), excluding time-outs, challenges and times in-between serves. At the beginning of a game on a face-off, each player must have an appendage (at least one hand or foot touching) be in contact with their respective goal line 124. This appendage must only be touching their respective goal line 124 and no other part of the sport court 100. When the players are set, the face-off begins after a five second countdown (however, could be more or less than five seconds), upon which a face-off whistle will sound. At the sound of the face-off whistle, both players are free to release contact with their respective goal line 124, at which point the players are in game-play. If a player does not have contact with their respective goal line when the whistle sounds, it will result in a False Start Penalty.
It should be appreciated that a player may not be in contact with (or outside of) the outside of the sport court 100 while making contact with the defender ball 20 during game-play. It should also be appreciated that during game-play a player cannot encroach upon or enter the other player's goal zone, including but not limited to stepping over the other player's goal zone line 120 or touching any part of the sport court 100 or defender ball 20 that is located inside of the other player's goal zone. If a player does encroach upon or enter the other player's goal zone, an Encroachment Penalty will result. It should be appreciated that if a player swings the goal rod 10 and the goal rod 10 “enters” the other player's goal zone but does not touch anything (i.e. wall, floor, ball or other player) then this is not considered an encroachment and thus no Encroachment Penalty results. However, if a player swings the goal rod 10 and the goal rod 10 “enters” the other player's goal zone and contact's something in that goal zone (i.e. wall, floor, ball or other player) then this is considered an encroachment and thus an Encroachment Penalty results.
A goal is officially scored when the defender ball 20 passes through the other player's goal opening 109 and/or makes contact with anything outside of the sport court 100. It should be appreciated that a player may kick the defender ball 20 only if it's in defense of their goal, wherein defense is defined as the defender ball 20 having motion towards that player's goal, and that motion is caused by the other player, or is the result of game-play. (What is defined as “the result of game-play” in this context is up to the discretion of the referees). For example, a player cannot deliberately cause the forward motion of the defender ball 20 towards their own goal for the purpose of kicking the defender ball 20. It should also be appreciated that this type of kick is only considered as an attempt at a goal, not just shuffling the defender ball 20 around. Players are allowed to maneuver or shuffle the defender ball 20 around with their feet. An Illegal Kick Penalty occurs if a player kicks a defender ball 20 that is moving away from their goal, directly causes the motion of a defender ball 20 towards their goal and then kicks it, or if a defender ball 20 is being “shuffled” by the players, and it enters a goal as a result, so long as it wasn't the goal of the person who caused the goal.
It should be appreciated that in one embodiment once the game is started game play continues until a goal is scored, a time-out is called or a penalty is called. If a goal is scored, then game play may begin thereafter. If a time-out or a penalty is called, then the matter is resolved and game play may begin thereafter. It should be appreciated that the referees may be responsible for keeping the games playing based on the game rules and a referee handbook. It should also be appreciated the referees (led by the head referee) may modify rules as desired to suit specific end purposes (i.e. for disabled players, novice players, etc.).
Penalties
The following list of penalties may be applicable to the game-play of defender and include three levels of severity symbolized by a yellow flag, a red flag and a black flag.
For the following penalties, a yellow flag will be thrown into the sport court 100 in the direction of where the penalty occurred to signify a penalty call by the referee:
For the following penalties, a red flag will be thrown into the sport court 100 in the direction of where the penalty occurred to signify a penalty call by the referee and can be combined with other penalties if desired:
For the following penalties, a black flag will be thrown into the sport court 100 in the direction of where the penalty occurred to signify a penalty call by the referee and can be combined with other penalties if desired:
The following list of time-outs are available during game-play:
It should be appreciated that after any time-out is called, the referees have the final say on resuming the game. In the case of a Player Time Out, that player signifies his/her intention to the referees for a time-in. A time-in is when the game-play is started after an emergency time-out or an official time-out is called with a player having possession of the ball. The referees then can start the game by verbally announcing a time-in. The referees must let the players know when they have 30 seconds remaining and 5 seconds remaining until the time-in. At the end of the two minutes, the referees must initiate the game with a verbal “Time In.” “Time Outs” and “Time Ins” must be verbally enacted by the players and referees alike. Moreover, for an In-Game time-in, the defender ball 20 does not have to start on the ground, as it would with a serve and as soon as the game has been started by a time-in, the 6 second Delay of Game Penalty countdown begins. Also, a player has the option to “decline” a penalty that was enacted on the opposing player. This must be verbally announced after a goal is scored and/or before the next serve is initiated. If a penalty is declined, that penalty and its effects are not enacted. Play resumes to where it would have been. The penalties that can be declined are the Encroachment and Illegal Kick Penalties.
Challenge
It should be appreciated that players may have the option to “challenge” a ruling of the referees. This challenge must be made verbally in a manner sufficient enough for the referees to hear and must be made after game-play had stopped, but before the next serve is made. Upon receiving a challenge, the referees must then call an Official Time Out to discuss the ruling/play. A challenge is decided by a majority vote of the referees. If a majority of referees vote to overturn a ruling/play, then the ruling/play can be overturned. However, if there is a no majority vote (such as a tie), then the ruling in the court stands. If not enough referees saw the play to come to a proper consensus, then the ruling in the court must be upheld. In order for a challenged play to be overturned, a minimum of two referee votes must be counted.
If a player challenges a ruling/play and the ruling/play in the court is upheld, the challenging player loses their time-out. If that player's time-out has already been used, then they lose 1 point. If the ruling is overturned, there is no penalty. Moreover, if a ruling/play is challenged, then the referees must discuss and vote whether or not to keep the ruling/play on the court or overturn it. If the ruling/play is overturned, then the player who would have had the defender ball 20 (or who had it) at the time the penalty was called, gets to serve. If it is unclear who has the right to the defender ball 20, then a face-off resumes play. It should be appreciated that once a flag has been thrown (indicating a penalty), then the remaining referees must not throw additional flags if they can help it. This is to limit the knowledge (in regards to whether that person should challenge the ruling/play) the player will get by seeing how the other referees determined the play. Furthermore, a player can call a “False Ruling” (between the time game-play stops and the next serve) against a referee if they think the referee is calling the game, helping a player, hurting a player, or making any unfair calls. If a player calls a False Ruling, the remaining referees must discuss and take a vote as to whether the False Ruling should be upheld. If the referee in question is charged with a False Ruling, the ruling/play is overturned (if there was a ruling/play in question) and the referee in question may be removed from the game immediately. The referees and/or Defender Board is then responsible for further action.
It should be appreciated that the “Defender Board” refers to a board of people that oversee Defender sport games and tournaments. This “Defender Board” may be established to discuss new rules, host tournaments, and oversee procedures in the sport game and may act as a commission.
If for any reason, a player feels like the result of a tournament did not come out fairly, that player has the option to protest the tournament. (That player must have played in a tournament to be able to do so). This being the case, the Defender Board must discuss the happenings of the tournament and the grievances put forth by the protester. The head of the Defender Board has a vote that counts as 1½ when a vote is needed. If a tournament has been ruled to be unfair, and the Defender Board votes in favor of the protester, then the tournament (in whole or in part) will take place where the protested acts took place (this can include any part of the tournament). Play would continue from just before the protested act had occurred. Statistics and standing would be redone from where the new game starts.
Referee Guidelines
It should be appreciated that if at any time a penalty, action, loophole, distraction, unspecified rule, or overlooked discrepancy arises, the referees will discuss and vote upon a ruling. That ruling is then honored. (It is up to the discretion of the referees to decide on how to start the game once something has been worked out). In tournament play there should be a minimum of two referees. In a Tournament, a “Head Referee” must be appointed and the Head Referee's vote will count as 1½ when a referee's vote is needed. If at any time a referee's input is needed or asked for, yet that referee did not see enough of the play in question, they are not obligated to yield input. In this case, they would simply not have a vote. During a tournament, all referees should carry two yellow flags, and one red flag on their person. The Head Referee should carry one black flag in addition to two yellow flags and one red flag. A flag must be thrown at the time the referee witnesses the penalty and should be thrown in the direction of where the penalty occurs. This indicates that a penalty has occurred. A whistle should also be blown at the time the referee witnesses the penalty. This whistle will indicate game-play to be stopped. It should be appreciated that game-play is officially ended at the time the penalty occurred, not when the whistle was blown or the flag was thrown. A whistle should be blown and accompanied by a flag toss with the exception of declinable penalties (i.e. Encroachment and Illegal Kick Penalties). In that case, the declinable penalty is indicated after the game-play ends.
It should also be appreciated that a ‘warning’ can be given to a player if they have come close to violating the Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. However, no warnings may be issued for the other penalties. Furthermore, during a game or tournament, two (more or less) areas may be designated for the referees to make calls. A referee can be placed in the goal or at any location around the court as long as that referee has the viewpoint to make accurate calls. Additionally, referee zones can be designated behind the goals on both sides of the court (This area is located typically four feet back from the back of a goal).
In accordance with the present invention, a referee handbook may be provided and may be used to complement the rules. This referee handbook may include the following information:
If at any time a player calls a Time Out, but does not have one, or calls for a Time Out during Game-play, a referee should not acknowledge the request. This is done so that the player isn't unfairly informed they don't have a Time Out or cannot call a time out at that time. It is the player's responsibility to keep track of this information. This way, by failing to remember, the player runs the risk of getting a Delay of Game Penalty.
Challenges:
When a player is granted a Challenge, all the referees present for the play should discuss and vote on a ruling. The referees should remove themselves from the court and enter into an area of privacy where they can discuss the play in question. The Head Referee, whether they had a vote in the discussion or not, should be the referee that announces the determination to the players.
Penalties:
Yellow Flag Penalties
Encroachment Penalty: Loss of Point/Face Off
False Serve Penalty: Loss of Serve
False Start Penalty: Opponent's Serve
Out-of-Bounds Block Penalty: Opponent's Point
Illegal Kick Penalty: Opponent's Serve
Delay of Game: Opponent's Serve
Release of Goal Rod: Opponent's Serve
Illegal Hold: Opponent's Serve
Illegal Contact: Loss of Point/Opponent's Serve
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Loss of Point/Opponent's Serve
Ejection: Disqualification/Removal from Game
The following are some examples of scenarios that may occur and are explained in relation to penalties and challenges:
Scenario 1—Encroachment Penalty
In this scenario, at least two situations may occur. One situation may involve player A placing the defender ball 20 in their goal zone after being scored upon and serves the defender ball 20 (attempts to score on the opponent). While player A is serving the defender ball 20, player B, in an attempt to block, steps over the centerline 122 and onto player A's side of the sport court 100. An Encroachment Penalty results because a player should be behind the centerline 122 when their opponent is serving. The resulting action would be that player B losses one point (unless player A declines) and game-play would continue after a face-off (i.e. an event in which the players can release contact with their Goal Line after the Face-Off Whistle sound).
Another situation may involve that during game-play, player A and player B hit the defender ball 20 back and forth until the defender ball 20 rolls into player A's goal zone. As this happens, player B reaches in and hits the ball 20 into player A's goal. Because player B touched something within player A's goal zone, in this case the ball 20, an Encroachment Penalty results. In this case (unless player A declines), the point would not score, player B would lose a point, and game-play would resume with a face-off.
Scenario 2—False Serve Penalty
In this scenario, at least two situations may occur. One situation may involve player A attempting a serve. As player A swings to strike the ball 20, he barely grazes the ball 20, sending the ball 20 slowly rolling out of his goal zone and into the neutral zone. Out of reaction, player A reaches out and attempts to hit the ball 20 again and successfully hits the ball 20. The moment the ball 20 crosses the centerline 122 after being hit in the neutral zone, a false serve penalty would result. This is because in order for a serve to count (be valid), the ball 20 should be hit from the server's goal zone and then cross the centerline 122. The hit that directly causes the ball 20 to cross the centerline 122 is the hit that is in question. Player B would get the serve as a result.
Another situation may involve when player A is scored upon. If player A grabs the ball 20 from the goal, tosses the ball 20 into the air and then serves the ball 20 into player B's goal, this would result in a False Serve Penalty because the ball 20 was not on the court base 102 for the serve. In this case, the goal would not count and player B would get the serve.
Scenario 3—Out of Bounds Penalty
In this scenario, player A serves the ball 20 across the sport court 100. As the ball 20 travels across the sport court 100, the ball 20 hits player B knocking him off balance and sending him backward into his goal (outside the sport court 100). Player A then hits the rebounding ball 20 back towards player B's goal, where player B blocks the ball 20 and then jumps back into his goal zone. The act of blocking the ball 20 would result in an Out of Bounds Penalty because a player should not touch the ball 20 while any part of their body is outside the sport court 100.
Scenario 4—Challenge
In this scenario, both player A and player B await the five second countdown for a face-off. Each player has their foot on the goal line as the five seconds pass and the face-off whistle sounds. As the players go for the ball 20, a penalty whistle sounds indicating a False Start Penalty on player A. Player A does not believe that she left the goal line early and thus does not believe that call is valid. Player A challenges the call by verbally indicating this to the referees. The referees then discuss and vote on a ruling. If it is determined that player A did leave early (i.e. did not have her foot on the goal line as the whistle sounded), then the penalty stands. Player B would then get to serve. And because a challenge was used, if player A had a time-out, then it would be taken away, if not, player A would lose a point. On the other hand, if it is determined that player A did not leave the goal line early (i.e. she did have her foot on the goal line as the whistle sounded), then the play (face-off) would be done over and the call on the sport court 100 would be overturned.
It should be appreciated that if the players choose to use goal rods 10 (as opposed to using only their appendages (hands and/or feet), that they may hit the defender ball 20 with the goals rods 10 and their hands and/or feet. Additionally, it should be appreciated that although the size of the defender ball 20 is preferably the size of a soccer or volley ball, the defender ball 20 may be any size suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, the defender ball 20 may be smaller or larger to increase or decrease the difficulty of the game.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/273,261, filed Aug. 3, 2009 and entitled “Defender the Sport” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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