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Hard Surface Court
Starting out it is important to play on a hard surface court. This helps new players develop a basic understanding of how to move the ball. Once this has been achieved players can be moved over to a field.
How many Players
Games seem to flow well with 3 vs 3. If you have an odd number of players. Appoint someone as an official or ball retriever to keep the teams even.
Objective of the Game
To reduce the other teams Life Total to Zero ( 0 ) or remove all players from the game.
Player Stats
Players stats can be varied according to the experience level of the players. More experienced players might want to increase the numbers in order to have the game last longer.
Team Life : 5 - 10
Player Health : 5 - 10
Player Armor : 3 - 5
How a Life Point is Lost
To make a goal the ball needs to go into the goal behind the goalie. Much like Soccer, Hockey, or Lacrosse.
How a Health or Armor Point is Lost
When a player is struck by the ball or with a blade they take 1 point of damage. This damage reduces their Armor total first and then their Health.
*If a player accidental touches the ball they can choose to give the other team control of the ball instead of losing an Armor or Health. In order to do give them control of the ball you must first have control, then forfeit it.
Tie Breaker
A tie game is to be decided by a shoot out from the attack zone. Each team picks one representative to shoot. The players then take turns shooting from their own Attack Zone trying to make a goal on the other player. If they step into the Combat Zone at any time, they forfeit the shoot out.
Shoot outs are played on a round basis. Each player shoots once then a round is called.
*This may accrue from time to time when players are in a time constraint. Check to see that the totals are indeed even. Commonly players will be at variant health and armor totals and this can cause one team to technically be better off then the other. Even if Team Life totals are the same.
Who Goes first?
Option 1. In order to decide who goes first each team sends a representative into the combat zone. The Ball is placed on the ground in the middle of the field each player puts their sword on opposite sides. ( Like in Hockey ) A decided member announces start and the two representatives try to get the ball back to their attack zone. Once the ball has crossed the attack zone line. The Duel is over and the ball goes to that side.
Option 2. In order to decide who goes first each team sends a representative into the combat zone. An official is appointed to start, stop, and call the duel. The two combatants come forward and clack swords then take a step back. When the Official says begin. The two move forward and attempt to strike one another on the outside of the body using the flat of the sword. Once a player is struck the Official will stop the Duel. The player who was not struck has the choice of starting or not starting with the ball. Damage taken in this Duel count against the players.
In the Moderate rules striking other players with the sword is introduced. These blows are to be with the flat of the sword to the side of the body. Any Jab or stabbing blows are not to be counted and result in penalties. Hard strikes meant to harm or hurt another player result in exclusion from the game.
If both players were struck and the official or players can not determine who won the Duel, the Duel may continue until a clear victor is determined. Remember though that each strike counts as damage to the players.
Court Setup
The Standard Court is 30 feet wide by 60 feet long
The Goal is set at 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall. The court is set up into six zones. A Defense Zone an Attack Zone & a Combat Zone for each side of the court. Each of these zones are about 10 feet long by about 30 feet wide. The combat zone can flex if your court is longer then 60 fee, keep the defense zone and attack zone at 10 feet each and add whatever extra distance to the combat zone.
Shown below is the league tournament court.
How to Play
Players use the Rune Sword to control the ball. The ball is bounced or dribbled much like in basketball. This is why a basic basketball is used for the game. The motion of dribbling the ball is the same as if you were using your hand, but with a sword. Same principles of physics apply, when the ball reaches the top of its bounce lightly tap it to send it back to the ground with enough force to have it bounce back up. Repeat.
This is the basic control of the ball. Although, other forms can be used. The ball can be picked up and thrown with the flat* of the sword like in Lacrosse or moved around on the ground like in Hockey.
*It is important to note that you should not strike the ball with the flat of the sword or attempt to block an attack with the flat of the sword. This is the most common misconception of the game. This is allowed, although more often then not blocking or attacking with the flat of the sword will result in a broken sword.
Players then put both hands on the lower handle and swing the sword like a baseball bat to hit the ball when it is at the top of its bounce. Aiming for the middle of the ball. If you strike lower on the ball the ball will go to high. So always try to hit the middle or higher on the ball so it stays in play. Make sure to strike the ball with the swords edge of the blade, not the flat*.
*It is important to note that you should not strike the ball with the flat of the sword or attempt to block an attack with the flat of the sword. This is the most common misconception of the game. This is allowed, although, more often then not blocking or attacking with the flat of the sword will result in a broken sword.
Want to Know More?
Our full Rule Book is available for download on Amazon Kindle. Or for purchase as a paperback book. Please click the link below to go to Amazon.com to get your copy!
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