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.

Field and Equipment

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 hovêbzâl tag̃a. A goal, one dosha tall and wide and half a dosha deep, is placed in each of the diamonds, half a dosha from the edge of the field. The field is surrounded by a wall which is 12 doqoni (1.34m) tall.

All players other than the hovêbzâ use a stick to interact with the ball, the sticks are 8 doqoni long, on one of the ends the stick forms a triangular net area, 1 doqon wide and 2 doqoni tall. The ball has a diameter of 6 paqoni (8.4cm) and is made out of a small metal core covered by a thick layer of rubber. Some players wear faceguards to protect themselves from possible impacts with the ball or a bat, but they are not mandatory. The hovêbzâ typically wears protective gear on his forearms, legs, groin and face.

Gameplay

Overview

Two teams of four players (one of whom is the hovêbzâ) 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, or try to injure the other players.

The hovêbzâ 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 hovêbzâl tag̃a

The game is divided into sets, which end after one of the teams scores 9 points with at least a two point lead, or after the score reaches 10-9.

Serving

Before the first set a die is rolled to determine which team will serve. The ball is given to the hovêbzâ, 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 hovêbzâ they are required to serve with their stick.

Dead Ball

If a ball stops when on the yêksâyil it is declared a dead ball, 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.