Kin-Ball is one of the modern sports that are safe for everyone to play, including the kids and brings immense amount of fun and excitement just like any other competitive game.
The game was created in Quebec, Canada by a Canadaian University professor Mario Demers, in 1986. The most unique thing about this game is it is not a traditional one-on-one game but 3 teams can compete against each other at a time and only one of them ends up as the winner.
The game has shown substantial progress in terms of popularity in countries like USA, Canada, Malaysia, France, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland which have their national teams and also organize domestic level tournaments to further promote the game in the respective regions.
Object of Playing Kin-ball
The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent in the given time. This sounds simple but it can be tricky as Kin-ball is all about teamwork and a great deal of fitness and stamina is required to move the ball around the court and keep running.
How to Play?
Kin-Ball involves 3 teams in a single game and a one gigantic ball which is to be hit. Each of the team chooses their colour and this colour serves as their identity throughout the game. Every strike involves the attacking team hitting the ball while the defending team stops it from falling on the floor. Points are scored by kicking the ball in such a way that the chosen team ends up missing the ball.
But that’s not all, understanding the point scoring in Kin-Ball is more difficult than any other game. Who gets points on whose turn can be tricky, moreover there are rules to follow in order to avoid losing your turn. Keep reading till the end and find out how professional Kin-ball is played.
General Rules of Kin-ball
- All three teams choose one colour that serves as their identity throughout the game.
- Three sides compete against each other at once.
- Each side has 4 players on the field.
- The team having possession of the ball is called the attacking team.
- The attacking team designates a defending team from the other two teams by calling out their colour.
- Three players hold the ball while the 4th one strikes it.The one who strikes the ball is called striker and he is also the one who calls out the colour.
- If the defending team is able to control the ball before it bounces on the floor, they become an attacking team.
- If the attacking team wins a point in case of a foul committed by the defending team, the attacking team gets the possession back.
- If the striker mistakenly calls out the colour of his own team, a point is awarded to the other two defending teams. In other instances, a point is only awarded to either the attacking or defending side in consequence of a foul.
- The team with the most points at the end of the game is declared winner.
Toss
With the toss of the official dice, it is decided which team will take the ball for the first period of the game.
Time Duration of a Game
Kin-Ball is played in three periods, with each period lasting for 15 minutes. For kids, this time period can be reduced to 7 minutes from 15, and a 1-minute or a longer break is given at the end of each period.
Playing Equipment
The only thing required to play a game of Kin-ball is Kin-ball itself. This ball is normally 48” in size and has a weight of 2.2 lbs.
Playing Field
A standard size King-ball court is 20×20 meters (66 feet × 66 feet).
Fouls in the Game
This may come as a surprise to you but points are only scored when the designated or attacking team commits a foul. You don’t get a point for successfully getting possession of the ball or for controlling it. Here are some common fouls that may win you or your oppositions a point each.
- You have to call out the designated team’s colour before striking the ball. Doing both things simultaneously is considered a foul.
- Hitting the ball twice or hitting it in downward direction.
- Once three players have acquired the ball from your side, the striker has to strike the ball in the next 5 second. Delaying it for more than 5 seconds is a foul. Also, 3 players must acquire the ball for the team in possession, less than 3 players holding it before the strike is also a foul.
- You must hit the ball at least 6 feet in distance or else, it’d be a foul.
Referee’s Role
Referee’s role is very important in Kin-ball as certain fouls and points can be ambiguous at times. So what the referee does is he stands closer to the area of play and ensures that everything is happening according to the rules of the game.
Famous Events
Several men and women Kin-ball tournaments take place each year, some of them are international while some are played at national level in different countries. The most popular ones are:
- Kin-Ball world cup
- KIN-Ball European Championship
- Clubs Championship
Governing Body
The International kin-Ball federation (FIKB/IKBF) sanctions all international events and its membership circle stretches to countries like the USA, Canada, Japan and a few others where the game is considerably popular among kids and adults.