Terrestrial Quidditch

In keeping with the Magic theme, we've been playing Quidditch in PE.

For those of you not familiar with the Harry Potter series--yes, you, sir, and you over there, way back in the corner--it's just you two, is it?--Quidditch is an airborne sport that carries roughly the same weight in the wizarding world as soccer does with the rest of us. There's a quadrennial World Cup and everything; there's even an American sport that we prefer to Quidditch called 'Quodpot'.

In JK Rowling's imagination, there are seven players on a Quidditch team, each mounted on a broomstick. Three Chasers try to score goals by throwing a ball called the Quaffle through one of three high vertical hoops, protected by a single Keeper, at either end of the field. Two Beaters try to hit those Chasers with a hard little ball called a Bludger. And a Seeker tries to earn points by finding a tiny bird-like ball called the Golden Snitch.

We play a version I call Terrestrial Quidditch. Until jetpacks are perfected, we're stuck playing on the ground. The Quaffles must remain in the air, however, and the participants must stay on broomsticks, which slows their running and means the Quaffle and Bludgers must be handled with one hand. If a Quaffle hits the ground, possession changes. There are two hoops strung between trees at either end (thanks to Evan Williams, our Facilities Mastermind). Each team has one Bludger; if the opponent in possession of the Quaffle is hit with it, the other team gets the ball. The Golden Snitch, which can be found by any player, is hidden somewhere on the playing area--on the ground or in a tree.

There were many highlights in our blustery November Quidditch season. Maya, Trent and Nico proved star Keepers. Matthew, Isobel and Kaeli found several Snitches. Jianmarco and Nik were energetic and effective Chasers. And everyone wore themselves out, and looked hilarious, racing and hopping around on broomsticks, like four-year-olds with toy horsey sticks.