Universal Dependencies - English - GUM

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How to Play Muggle Quidditch

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In the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling the main wizarding sport is Quidditch.

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However you don't have to have magical powers to play.

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There are many different ways of playing Quidditch, but the most commonly used set of rules are those given by the International Quidditch Association (which can be found here).

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In the past Muggle Quidditch has mainly been played at colleges in the US, but over the last few years there has been a dramatic rise in the number of community teams.

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Quidditch has also spread outside of America and is now played on 5 continents.

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Steps

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Gather all needed materials and players (see Things You'll Need section below).

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Know that all players can play while riding a broom.

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Brooms can be a hindrance however, so feel free to not use brooms.

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Place the quaffle and three bludgers in the middle of the field.

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Ideally the quaffle and bludgers should be slightly deflated so that they are easier to throw and catch.

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Start the game.

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Both teams start from the edges and attempt to obtain the quaffle and bludgers.

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Follow your duty depending what type of player you are:

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Chasers try to score by throwing the quaffle into one of the three goal hoops.

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Each score is worth 10 points.

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Beaters try to peg players with their bludger.

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If a player is pegged they have to stop what they're doing and pay a penalty; i.e. (drop the quaffle in the case of a chaser) and run back to and touch their goal post or alternatively sit down for 10 seconds.

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Keepers guard the goal posts at each end and attempt to block chasers' attempts at scoring.

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If Keeper is close to their hoops they are safe from being hit by bludgers.

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Seekers try to tackle the snitch (a person) or obtain an object attached to the snitch such as a sock or flag.

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You can establish you own rules as to how a player catches the snitch.

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A common way to play is to make the snitch a person, and give the snitch a head start to run and hide in defined boundaries.

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Then the seekers search for the snitch, and attempt to tag the player.

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Other methods, such as the method adopted in 2005, makes the snitch a tennis ball in a sock, hanging out of the running shorts of the snitch runner.

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Regardless of method, the winning seeker wins 30 points for his or her team, unlike the books, in which the snitch is worth 150 points.

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The creators of Muggle Quidditch thought that it was worth too many points so changed the value of the snitch for muggle Quidditch.

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The snitch, generally a track runner, runs around (usually the boundaries) trying to evade the seekers.

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The referee should ensure that rules are being followed.

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They also keep track of the score.

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Play the game!

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The object of the game is to score the most points and the game ends when the seeker snatches the snitch.

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Feel free to alter the game rules.

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See the Tips section for suggestions.

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Video

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How to Play a Real-Life Game of Quidditch

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You don't need flying broomsticks or magic balls to play this version of the game - it's tailor-made for muggles like us.

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This video shows a more realistic approach to playing Quidditch.

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Tips

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Alternatively the snitch can be a small yellow ball (tennis balls work great) that is hidden before the game starts by a bystander or referee.

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Establish boundaries and have the seekers look for the snitch.

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Beaters can try hitting the bludgers around in the air with a shortened hockey sticks or a short bat.

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They could also use regular-length hockey sticks to hit bludgers (perhaps wiffle balls) on the ground.

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The simplest way is to just peg players by throwing dodge balls.

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It may be easier to play without brooms (but also less fun!).

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Remember that the snitch runner, if you choose to use one, is not an actual player in the game, therefore, not bound by any of the rules.

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If desired, the snitch is able to do whatever he or she wants to avoid capture.

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See How to Be a Snitch in Quidditch for more information.

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You can play water quidditch in a pool.

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Almost all the same rules apply.

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Have someone throw something (the snitch) on a line into the pool at regular intervals.

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They can even use fake snitches.

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You can buy authentic looking brooms to make the game more realistic.

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There is a very large Quidditch community, have a look at the IQA website to find teams near you.

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One variation is Quarter Snitch Quidditch.

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Find a quarter or another small coin.

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Have both of the teams turn around and have the referee throw it into the grass or pitch while the teams aren't looking.

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Play while the seekers look for the snitch.

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Another variation is where the referee places the snitch somewhere in the field (in this case it's a small ball).

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The seeker has to find the snitch blindfolded, relying only on the coach's instructions, while the game is still on.

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Warnings

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Stay hydrated and exercise wisely.

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A ball flying in the air can hurt.

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If you're playing quidditch you're probably just having fun so play nicely.

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Things You'll Need

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15 players

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14 brooms

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Field (or big backyard)

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3 goal hoops per team

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Referee (optional)

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Color coded shirts or capes for houses, black for referee

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3 Bludgers (dodge balls, water balloons, wiffle balls etc.)

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1 Quaffle (volleyball, Frisbee, soccer ball, etc.)

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1 Snitch (person)

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Each team is composed of:

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3 Chasers

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2 Beaters

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1 Keeper

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1 Seeker