Ever wondered why people are running around in circles at the Metawampee Lawn? What exactly are those people doing? Is it just ‘a run around with a stick’ game?
Quidditch is a highly evolving sport, mostly on college campuses. According to the International Quidditch Association, there are five positions in this game: chaser, beater, keeper, seeker and snitch. Each team has seven players, which includes three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker. Players in the game can hit other players in the upper body, which means no hits below the waist or grabbing of the neck.
The total amount of players needed for a normal game is 15. Each position has a different role. For example, the ‘chaser’ tries to grab the ‘quaffle,’ which is a volleyball, and toss it into one of the three hoops on the opposing side. Each shot made is worth ten points. The keeper is like a goalie in a soccer game. This position tries to stop enemy chasers from scoring into the allied hoops. A keeper can also act as a chaser. The ‘beater’ tries to hit enemy players with dodge balls, also known as ‘bludgers.’ If a player is hit by a bludger, that player must run back to the hoops and tap it. The ‘seeker’ tries to catch the ‘snitch,’ who is a person running away from both of the seekers. The snitch has a sock with a ball in it sticking out of their pants. In order to end the game, the seeker must grab the sock without it touching the ground.
Once the game ends, whoever caught the snitch receives 30 points. The team with the most points wins. In the case of a tie, there is a sudden death round. The first team that gets a quaffle into a hoop or that catches the snitch wins.
In order to start the game, all the players identify what position they are by raising their hands when their position is called. Once all the positions are known, all players must bow their heads and close their eyes. When the snitch runs to a reasonable position, the referee says, “Brooms up!” which signifies the start of the game.
The meetings are normally at the Metawampee Lawn, which is by the Campus Center and Student Union. Practices and drills are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Scrimmages for casual players happen on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.
“Quidditch is a great sport, a great way to meet people,” Chris Chan, president of the Quidditch team, said. “It’s a unique sport and tons of fun.”
“Quidditch is a deeper metaphor of life,” said player Robert Vortherms.
Another Quidditch player, Amanda Grace, also said “You don’t have to like Harry Potter to enjoy it.”
Reggie Kwok can be reached at [email protected].
