Matanage

Matanage is a Japanese sport, somewhat akin to dodgeball. The name means 'throw again' in Japanese: 'Mata,' for'again,' and 'nage' for 'throw.' This game is a popular pastime of members of the Unification Church.

Rules

Two teams line up on opposite sides of a designated field (about 50 feet). One team throws off to the other to put the ball into play. The team that throws in the first game can be decided by Janken or any other decided measure. From there, the winning team can throw to the losing team.

The most fundamental rule of matanage is the manner in which the ball is thrown. It must be thrown from between the legs, launching the ball underhand. Also, the team that is throwing the ball can not move their feet.Once the ball is in the air, the team catching it can advance closer to the throwing team. If the ball is not caught, everyone that moved is out. Teammates must immediately stop moving once the ball has been caught. Each team must try to hit people on the opposing team with the ball, except with throwing in the manner listed above. The team that is catching the ball does NOT want to dodge the ball, but catch it. When the ball is thrown and it is within the reach of members of the opposing team, people who could have caught the ball are out. If a person is hit by the ball, they are out. However, if the ball is not within the reach of any member of the opposing team, the thrower is out. If anyone moves and the ball is not caught, the person moving is out. The ball is thrown back and forth between the two teams until all members of a team are out.

Terms

Hang-Time: When the thrower calls "Hang-time", the thrower must throw the ball up high enough so it can stay up in the air for three seconds. If the ball hits the ground under three seconds then only the thrower is out. Once the ball is in the air for more than three seconds, the opposing team must catch the ball. However, the thrower can only initiate a hang time throw under two conditions: 1. The thrower is the only player left on his team, 2. The closest opponent is at least 25 feet (half of an average matanage playing field) away.

Pop: A pop is when a receiving team manages to contact the ball in a manner to keep it airborne without catching it. This allows the receiving team to continue advancing towards the opponent. The ball must be eventually caught, otherwise all who have moved will be out. The most common way to pop the ball is by either using a forehand bump or set (as used in volleyball). Popping is, however, a very controversial rule in matanage. Usually depending on the region it is played in, this rule may have restrictions, variations, or not exist at all. For example, the first throw of the game is usually not allowed to be popped intentionally. Along with this there is always the possibility of popping any throw perpetually (by popping your own pop). This is sometimes allowed, but the other team may intervene by moving and trying to catch the ball while it is being popped. Finally, it is contoversial over whether or not a pop can be used offensively. For example, hitting an airborne ball that has been thrown to you at an opponent.

Resurrection: The teammates of people out of play can catch the ball with their hands crossed and hold it in that manner until it is clear they have not cheated by supporting the ball with any other part of their body. This makes all the people who were out of play on the side of the catcher back in play. The players who have been resurrected come into play standing on the same parallel that they were on when the game started.