Bossaball

Bossaball is a sport invented in Belgium. It is similar to volleyball, but also includes elements of football (soccer), gymnastics and capoeira. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/dash/wowsports/bossaball.htm World of Weird Sports] ] Each side of the court has an integrated trampoline, allowing players to bounce high enough to spike the ball, and a number of inflatable barriers. [ [http://www.freaksports.net/story01.html Freak Sports article on bossaball] ]

Bossaball clubs exist in various countries including Brazil [ [http://www.estado.com.br/suplementos/viag/2007/01/30/viag-1.93.28.20070130.18.1.xml O Estado de Sao Paulo] ] [ [http://www.praiagrande.sp.gov.br/pgnoticias/noticias/noticia_01.asp?cod=6499 Praia Grande Noticias] ] , Germany [ [http://www.openpr.de/news/209220/Bossaball-Sport-auf-Trampolin-und-Luftkissen-Der-erste-Sportverein-wurde-in-Berlin-gegruendet.html Press Release Network Germany] ] [ [http://www.sportservice-berlin.de/news_frame.htm Sportservice Berlin] ] [ [http://www.lr-online.de/leben/Lebenswelten-Szene;art1035,2050454 Lausitzer rundschau Newspaper] ] , Netherlands [ [http://www.nevobo.nl/ NeVoBo - Dutch Volleyball League] ] [ [http://www.uvx.nl/ UVX - Ultimate Volleyball Xperience] ] , Spain [ [http://www.andalucia.com/sports/bossaball.htm Andalucia.com on bossaball] ] , Portugal [ [http://timeout.sapo.pt/news.asp?id_news=1741 Time Out Magazine Portugal] ] , Romania [ [http://www.iaa.ro/Articole/Stiri/Orangina-bossaball-tour-campanie-de-100.000-de-euro/711.html Orangina-Bossaball tour Romania] ] ,Singapore [ [http://www.sporton.com.sg/default.aspx Singapore Sports Council] ] [ [http://www.youth.sg/content/view/5094/63 Singapore Youth Committee] ] , Kuwait [ [http://www.alwatan.com.kw/Default.aspx?MgDid=648104&pageId=67 Alwatan Newspaper Kuwait] ] [ [http://www.arrouiah.com/files/1215117148173728900.pdf Arrouiah Newspaper Kuwait] ] and Ecuador [ [http://archivo.eluniverso.com/2008/02/13/0001/15/F6B653D535FC4B1DB315CEAADE290B3C.aspx El Universo Newspaper Ecuador] ] [ [http://www.eldiario.com.ec/noticias-manabi-ecuador/68008 bossaball in El Diario Ecuador] ] .

Game play

Each team consists of 3 to 5 players. One player (the attacker) is positioned in the trampoline, the others around him on the inflatables. A player from the serving team (the server) throws or kicks the ball into the air and attempts to hit the ball so it passes over the net on a course such that it will land in the opposing team's court (the serve). The opposing team must use a combination of no more than 8 contacts with the ball to return it to the opponent's side of the net. These contacts can be exercised using any body part (maximum 2 successive contacts with the head or feet, maximum one contact with the hands). During a rally the ball is tossed around while the attacker jumps on the trampoline in order to gain height. The attack begins when one of the rallying players aims the ball's trajectory towards a spot in the air where the attacker can hit it (spike or kick) and returns the ball over the net.

The team with possession of the ball that is trying to attack the ball as described is said to be on offense. The team on defense attempts to prevent the attacker from directing the ball into their court: players at the net jump and reach above the top (and across the plane) of the net in order to block the attacked ball. If the ball is hit around, above, or through the block, the defensive players arranged in the rest of the court attempt to control the ball with a dig (usually a fore-arm pass of a hard-driven ball, or a foot control). After a successful dig, the team transitions to offense.

The game continues in this manner, rallying back and forth, until the ball touches the court within the scoring zones.

Scoring

When the ball contacts the floor (the bottom of the trampoline or the inflatables) within the court boundaries, the team on the opposite side of the net is awarded a score. 3 Points are assigned for scoring on the trampoline. 1 point is assigned for scoring on the inflatable cushions, except for the bossa wall which is the ring around the trampoline. When the ball touches the bossa wall the rally continues.

The team that scored serves for the next point. If the team that scored served in the previous point, the same player serves again. If the team that scored did not serve the previous point, the players of the team rotate their position on the court in a clockwise manner. The game continues, with the first team to score 25 points (and be two points ahead) awarded the set. 3 sets are played in one match.

References

External links

* [http://www.bossaball.com Bossaball.com] - all about bossaball // official website
* [http://news.bossaball.net Bossaball News] - Official Bossaball News Blog
* [http://www.bossaball.net Bossaball.net] - bossaball video clips
* [http://www.bossaball-asia.com Bossaball-asia.com] - all about Bossaball in Asia