Vidžařa

Vidžara (Hapšâw'l: six sticks), also spelled as vijarha is a sport originating from Tokšahalna, created by Yimin'l Têrâtâ and Hišl'l Gin, who came up with the rules during their time in the Higher School of Tokšahalna in 75 PC, it has since garnered some fans, mostly among other students at the school. The game is played by two teams of 4 players.

A guidebook containing the rules and regulations for Vidžařa was published in 76 PC by the Vidžařa Player Group (Vidžařal hoKêrân'l haKikši - VhKhK), a group made up of the original creators of the game, as well as some of it's earliest fans. It received an update in 83 PC.

In 83 PC Řiselan'l Rên declared Vidžařa the official sport of Tokšahalna, since then efforts have been made to popularize the sport in the city, including building several playing fields and radio coverage of matches. The sport is currently the 3rd most popular sport on Hapšâw, after Archery and Cyals.

Field and Equipment

Field

The vidžařa field is formed out of a hexagon with sides which are 12 doshi (21.5m) long. An inner area referred to as yêksâl tag̃a (active field) sits in the middle of the field, with the halfway point of the walls acting as borders. The area outside of the yêksâl is known as yêksâyil tag̃a. At the opposite ends of the yêksâl two diamond shaped fields (each 3 doshi long) are drawn, these are known as kêmâtâl tag̃a. A goal, one dosha tall and wide and half a dosha deep, is placed in each of the diamonds, one dosha from the edge of the field. The field is surrounded by a wall which is 12 doqoni (1.34m) tall. Vidžařa is typically played on a concrete or wood surface.

Referees are situated outside of the field, usually around the 4 corners on the sides. The outside is often elevated, which gives the referees a better view of the area. A bell is typically installed by the field, the bell is struck by referees to signal the start/end of a set (one long ring), a goal (one short ring), a serve (two short rings), or a foul, dead ball, or other issue resulting in the stopping of a game (one short ring followed by a long ring).

Stick and ball

Players which are not the kêmâtâ carry a stick with which they strike the ball. The stick's range between 7-9 doqoni long (0.77-0.99cm) and bend at 90° at one end, with a 1.5 doqoni long segment after the bend. A tightly strung net, typically made of catgut, runs between the two segments, ending 3 doqoni after the bend, to prevent snapping or curving the sticks often have a metal rod embedded inside. The other end of the stick typically has a loop attached, where players might, and often do, attach charms.

The ball has a diameter of 6 paqoni (8.4cm). It is made of a metal core, surrounded by a layer of rubber, and wrapped in leather.

Uniforms

Originally players did not wear uniforms due to the game being played exclusively at an amateur level, in modern day teams often have ones made. The VhKhK guidebook specifies that the game is to be played in a sleeveless or short sleeved pullover shirts, as well as short pants and thick shoes, preferably made of leather. Some players choose to wear protective gear such as helmets or mouth-guards but it is not mandatory. The kêmâtâ is expected to wear padding on his shins, arms, and groin, as well as gloves. Teams will often write the players' initials on their backs, to help onlookers distinguish between them.

Gameplay

Overview

Two teams of four players (one of whom is the kêmâtâ) try to hit the ball into the opposing teams goal, using their sticks to maneuver the ball between themselves. Using other body parts to propel the ball is not allowed, although the ball is allowed to bounce off of the players bodies. The players can also bounce the ball off of the walls of the field. Players are not allowed to strike the ball when on the yêksâyil tag̃a, but can block it. During gameplay players are not allowed to push or shove other players, grab the other players clothes, sticks or body, or try to injure the other players.

The kêmâtâ does not use a stick and is allowed to grab the ball with his hands and propel it with his body. He is confined to the kêmâtâl tag̃a unless he is serving a foul.

The game is divided into sets, which end after one of the teams scores 9 points with at least a two point lead, or 10 points (with no 2 point lead needed).

Serving

Before the first set a die is rolled to determine which team will serve. The ball is given to the kêmâtâ, who throws it outside of his field. During later sets the losing team starts.

Fouls

If a player strikes the ball while on the yêksâyil or attacks his opponent the opposing team is awarded a foul, wherein one of the players serves from the middle of the field. If the player is not the kêmâtâ they are required to serve with their stick.

Dead Ball

If a ball stops when on the yêksâyil it is declared a dead ball (giksiwaw), the team which last touched the ball is considered at fault and the opposing team is granted a serve.

Scoring

After each set the scores of the losing team is subtracted from the score of the winning team, the result is then divided by two (rounding down) and added to the winning teams match score. The game ends after either team reaches 6 match points. If a set ends in a score of 10-9 the winning team is awarded 1 match point.

Ace

An ace is a serve which enters the opposing teams goal. If an ace is successfully performed one match point is added to the team during the set, on top of scoring one set point. If an ace makes a team reach 6 match points the set ends prematurely.