Tchoukball
Encyclopedia
Tchoukball t͡ʃuːkbɔːl is an indoor team sport
developed in the 1970s by Swiss
biologist Hermann Brandt, who believed that "The objective of all physical activities is not to make champions, but make a contribution to building a harmonious society". His aim was to develop a team sport which did not involve the horrific injuries which he viewed as plaguing other sports.
The sport is usually played on an indoor court measuring 27 metres by 16 metres. At each end there is a 'frame' (a device similar to a trampoline
off which the ball bounces) which measures one square metre and a semicircular D-shaped forbidden zone measuring three metres in radius. Each team can score on both ends on the field, and comprises twelve players, of which seven may be on the court at any one time. In order to score a point, the ball must be thrown by an attacking player, hit the frame and bounce outside the 'D' without being caught by the defending team. Physical contact is prohibited, and defenders may not attempt to intercept the attacking team's passes. Players may take three steps with the ball, hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds, and teams may not pass the ball more than three times before shooting at the frame.
Tchoukball has come to be an international sport, played in Brazil
, Canada
, China
, the Czech Republic
, Great Britain
, Hong Kong
, India
, Italy
, Japan
, Macau
, Singapore
, Switzerland
, Taiwan
, and the United States
. It is governed by the Féderation Internationale de Tchoukball (FITB, founded in 1971). Taiwan hosted the 2004 World Championships and won both the women's and junior championships, with the Swiss men winning the men's championship. The 2006 European Championships were held in Switzerland, with Great Britain taking both the Men's and Under-18's titles, while the hosts won the Ladies event.
and physical contact. He believed that sports should not only form champions, but also contribute to the creation of a better and more humane society
. Hence the invention of tchoukball, which combines elements of handball (it is played with hands, and the balls used are similar), volleyball (as the defending team must prevent the ball from falling) and squash (since there is a bounce). This sport can be played by anyone at his or her respective level, irrespective of the players sex
, age or physical abilities. Read about the Tchoukball Charter here.
Ball
Depending on the category of players (Men/Women/U18/U15), different sizes of balls are used ranging from a circumference of 54 cm to 60 cm and weighs between 325 grams to 475 grams.
Scoring
Two team
s of 7 players each (men or women) compete to score points with the team with the most points at the end winning the game.
When a team gains a point, control of the ball is transferred to the other team.
Fouls
The non-offending team takes possession of the ball when a foul is committed and has to start the ball where the foul was made by tapping the ball with two hands on the ground before passing.
A foul is made by a player when:
Substitutions
Each side of the court comprises a left winger, right winger and forward pivot, while the centre pivot usually stays near the middle of the court. The wingers are generally in charge of shooting although in some cases the forward pivot can also take the shot. The forward pivots are in charge of coordinating the first line defence while the centre pivot takes charge of the second line defence.
.
The international, continental and world tournaments of tchoukball and beach tchoukball are an excellent way to make tchoukball more famous, and the FITB is now trying to enhance the television broadcasting of these competitions, which also creates an additional motivation for the players. The FITB will be integrated in the 2009 World Games, which will take place in Kaohsiung
(Taiwan
).
Notable movements by regional and local associations
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
developed in the 1970s by Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
biologist Hermann Brandt, who believed that "The objective of all physical activities is not to make champions, but make a contribution to building a harmonious society". His aim was to develop a team sport which did not involve the horrific injuries which he viewed as plaguing other sports.
The sport is usually played on an indoor court measuring 27 metres by 16 metres. At each end there is a 'frame' (a device similar to a trampoline
Trampoline
A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs. People bounce on trampolines for recreational and competitive purposes....
off which the ball bounces) which measures one square metre and a semicircular D-shaped forbidden zone measuring three metres in radius. Each team can score on both ends on the field, and comprises twelve players, of which seven may be on the court at any one time. In order to score a point, the ball must be thrown by an attacking player, hit the frame and bounce outside the 'D' without being caught by the defending team. Physical contact is prohibited, and defenders may not attempt to intercept the attacking team's passes. Players may take three steps with the ball, hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds, and teams may not pass the ball more than three times before shooting at the frame.
Tchoukball has come to be an international sport, played in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is governed by the Féderation Internationale de Tchoukball (FITB, founded in 1971). Taiwan hosted the 2004 World Championships and won both the women's and junior championships, with the Swiss men winning the men's championship. The 2006 European Championships were held in Switzerland, with Great Britain taking both the Men's and Under-18's titles, while the hosts won the Ladies event.
History
Tchoukball was born in Switzerland thanks to the research of Dr. Hermann Brandt, who was concerned by the numerous serious injuries among athletes resulting from sports prone to aggressionAggression
In psychology, as well as other social and behavioral sciences, aggression refers to behavior between members of the same species that is intended to cause humiliation, pain, or harm. Ferguson and Beaver defined aggressive behavior as "Behavior which is intended to increase the social dominance of...
and physical contact. He believed that sports should not only form champions, but also contribute to the creation of a better and more humane society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
. Hence the invention of tchoukball, which combines elements of handball (it is played with hands, and the balls used are similar), volleyball (as the defending team must prevent the ball from falling) and squash (since there is a bounce). This sport can be played by anyone at his or her respective level, irrespective of the players sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
, age or physical abilities. Read about the Tchoukball Charter here.
Basic Rules
Court- The court size is that is generally used is 27x16m. However, there are variations to this such as in beach tchoukball where a court size of 21mx12m is used.
- One rebound frame is placed at each end of the field of play
- In front of each frame, a D shaped semi-circle measuring 3m in radius must be drawn; it defines the limits of the 'forbidden zone'
- The lines of the zones are considered part of the zone itself, e.g. the line marking the semicircle forbidden zone is considered part of the forbidden zone, while the line around the entire court is considered a part of the court
Ball
Depending on the category of players (Men/Women/U18/U15), different sizes of balls are used ranging from a circumference of 54 cm to 60 cm and weighs between 325 grams to 475 grams.
Scoring
Two team
Team
A team comprises a group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team...
s of 7 players each (men or women) compete to score points with the team with the most points at the end winning the game.
When a team gains a point, control of the ball is transferred to the other team.
- In tchoukball, attacking is not limited to one side and either team can score at either side of the court.
- A point is scored when the ball rebounds after hitting any of the 2 frames and touches the ground outside the forbidden zone, any part of the defending player's body below the knees or touches the defending player while he is still in the forbidden zone
- A point is given to the non-attacking team when the attacking team shoots and misses the frame, or the ball rebounds outside the playing area (either out of the court or in the forbidden zone).
- If a shot is caught by the defending team, the defending team can proceed to attack immediately
Fouls
The non-offending team takes possession of the ball when a foul is committed and has to start the ball where the foul was made by tapping the ball with two hands on the ground before passing.
A foul is made by a player when:
- The ball should touches the ground during passing
- He makes any form of interception whether intentionally or not, while the other team is passing or physically blocking another player from catching the ball (obstruction foul)
- He makes more than 3 contacts with the ground while holding the ball (traveling foul)
- He touches the ball with any part of his body below the knees (contact with kneepads is allowed)
- He holds the ball for more than 3 seconds
- He makes a pass that brings the team count of successive passing over 3 (the entry pass when play restarts after a point scored is not counted, deflection of the ball from one player to another is considered a pass)
- He touches any area outside the field of play while holding the ball, or takes his last step outside the field of play before catching the ball
- He shoots at the frame such that the ball hits the metal part of the frame or the bungee cords at the side, causing the ball to not follow the expected trajectory
- He steps inside the forbidden zone while holding the ball (landing foul)
- There are 4 successive shots at the same frame: Assuming the ball is continuously caught, the ball can only be shot at the same frame to a maximum of 3 times, following which the next shot has to be made at the other frame at the opposite end of the playing field. Any other fouls occurring restarts the count.
- He makes the entry pass inside the playing area
- He shoots after a restart before the ball has crossed the median line
Substitutions
- Substitutions should take place in front of the officials table and only after a point is scored
- Substitutes must wait for the player inside the court to completely leave the playing area before they can enter
- Unlimited substitutions during a game are allowed
Positions
Each team comprises the following positions:- 2 right wings
- 2 left wings
- 2 forward pivots
- 1 centre pivot
Each side of the court comprises a left winger, right winger and forward pivot, while the centre pivot usually stays near the middle of the court. The wingers are generally in charge of shooting although in some cases the forward pivot can also take the shot. The forward pivots are in charge of coordinating the first line defence while the centre pivot takes charge of the second line defence.
Playing the game
- The player can take 3 steps and is not allowed to bounce the ball on the ground between these steps.
- The attacking team cannot make more than 3 passes before shooting
- When a pass is dropped or not completed (i.e. the ball touches the ground), the other team gets possession
- The defending team cannot hamper the attacking one
- Touching the ball with one’s feet or legs below the knee is forbidden
International Tchoukball Federation (FITB)
The FITB, founded in 1971, is based in Geneva. It now comprises 13 member associations and 22 affiliated associations (that means it has relations with 35 countries). In spite of limited financial and human resources, it is developing numerous contacts throughout the world. It supports and advises national associations and individuals willing to implant tchoukball in new areas. For instance, tchoukball was recently integrated in the school program of some regions of SenegalSenegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
.
The international, continental and world tournaments of tchoukball and beach tchoukball are an excellent way to make tchoukball more famous, and the FITB is now trying to enhance the television broadcasting of these competitions, which also creates an additional motivation for the players. The FITB will be integrated in the 2009 World Games, which will take place in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
(Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
).
Notable movements by regional and local associations
International Competitions
| Year | Competition | Host Nation | Men Winners | Women Winners | M-18 Men Winners | M-18 Women Winners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | ||||
| 1987 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 1989 | World Game Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 1990 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2000 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2001 | European Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2002 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2003 | European Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2003 | Asian Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2004 | World Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2005 | World Beach Tchoukball Championships | |||||
| 2006 | European Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | ||||
| 2006 | Asian Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2006 | South American Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2008 | Asian Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2008 | European Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | ||||
| 2008 | South American Tchoukball Championships | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2009 | World Games | Not Held | Not Held | |||
| 2010 | Asia-Pacific Tchoukball Championships | |||||
| 2010 | African Tchoukball Championships | Not held | ||||
| 2010 | South American Tchoukball Championships | Not held | Not held | |||
| 2010 | European Tchoukball Championships | Not held | Not held | |||
| 2011 | World Youth Tchoukball Championship | Not held | Not held | |||
| 2011 | World Tchoukball Championship | Not held | Not held |
Associations
- FITB - International Tchoukball Federation - official site
- Tchoukball UK - official site
- United States Tchoukball Association - official site
- Canadian Tchoukball association
- Swiss Tchoukball Federation
- Italy Tchoukball Federation - official site
- Tchoukball Association of Singapore - official site
- Tchoukball association of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Austrian Tchoukball Association
- Asia Pacific Tchoukball Federation - official site
- Belgium Tchoukball Federation - official site
- Tchoukball Association of India Official Website
- Tchoukball Association of India Website
- ParisFirstTchoukBallClub
- Saronno TB Club - First Italian TB Club official site
- Ferrara Tchoukball official site, World Tchoukball Championship 2011 host city
- Spanish Tchoukball Team
Other sites
- Portsmouth Tchoukball Club
- Broadland Tchoukball Club
- Phototchouk : The biggest tchoukball photo database
- Youtchouk!
- VOXSPORTS : Believe it! : Official webcaster for Singapore and local Tchoukball action
- The international beach tchoukball tournament of Geneva
- tchoukball.net, American tchoukball promotional organization
- tchoukballworld.net, Independent site about tchoukball
- International Beach Tchoukball Festival of Rimini
- Maharashtra State Tchoukball Association Official Website
- University of Portsmouth Tchoukball Club
- Bournemouth Beach Tchoukball Tournament
- Southern Tchoukball League
- A beginners introduction to the sport, including Tchoukball rules and tactics