Triball

Basics

Contrary to popular belief, triball is played with only one ball. It is called triball because three teams play at the same time (not two as in most other sports), and the field is triangular.

In the center of the field, there is a transparent plexiglass cylinder. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the cylinder as often as possible.

There are 14 people on the field: four players per team plus two referees.

Field

The field has the shape of an equilateral triangle with a side length of 25 m.

The cylinder (diameter 1 m, height 2 m, open on the top) is located at the centroid of the triangle.

Around the cylinder, there is a circle with a radius of 5 m marking the cylinder zone, which must not be entered by the players.

The corners of the triangle are called the home zones. That's where the players stand at the beginning of the game, and every time the referees call for a time-out.

Colors

In order to distinguish the three teams, there is a certain color code. The home team plays with yellow sleeves and shorts. The sleeves and shorts of the two other teams are blue and red, respectively. The ball (with a diameter of 80 cm about the size of a basketball) is checkered in white and black.

Length of the game

A game consists of three thirds of 15 minutes each, with a 5-minute break between the thirds. The clock is stopped every time the referees whistle (be it for a wide shot, a blind shot or a home ball).

If the game is undecided after the regular time, and a decision is necessary because the K.O. system is used, home balls are shot until one game has scored better than the other(s).

Rules

The game starts with a home ball. The red team has the first shot in the first third, the yellow team in the second, and the blue team in the third. All teams are in their respective home zones. The team that has the ball throws it against or near the cylinder. Only then can the player leave their home zones.

The ball may touched (and shot) with any part of the body except the palms. Usually players use their feet, fists and heads.

Home ball

When a team scores (by shooting the ball into the cylinder), it gets a home ball.

When the ball lands in the cylinder zone and does not leave it, the team that got the first shot in that third gets a home ball. The same happens when the ball leaves the field (out).

Blind shot

If a player catches the ball with her/his hands, the player gets a blind shot. That means the player must try to shoot (throw) the ball into the cylinder blindfoldedly. All other players are in their home zones.

If the ball lands inside the cylinder, the team that had the blind shot gets two points. If the blind shot fails, the two other teams get one point each.

Wide shot

In case of a foul, the team of the player who has been fouled gets a wide shot. That means all teams go back to their home zones, and one player shoots the ball into the cylinder from there. If s/he succeeds, her/his team gets a point. Otherwise the game continues as usual.

If a player touches the ball with her/his hand without catching it, the two other teams get one wide shot each.

Scoring

When the ball lands inside the cylinder, the team that shot it there gets a point. Simple diversion does not count, and it's up to the referees to decide.

Points are counted separately for all three thirds. This is necessary because the team(s) with the highest score in a third receive(s) an extra point. As there are three thirds in a match, a team can get up to three extra points.

The team(s) with the highest score at the end of the game (all three thirds combined without the extra points) gets even more extra points:

• 3 points if it is the only team with such a high score
• 2 points if there are two with the same score
• 1 point if all three teams have the same score

There are two scoring systems: the K.O. system and the league system. In the K.O. system, the extra points are simply added to the score. In the league system, the extra points are counted separately. It is these points that count for the league standings, not the actual score.

Both scoring systems are used in the Yuunli Triball Major League.