Lesson 4 - Broomstick Games
Introduction:
Most magical students know about the widely popular game called Quidditch. But what most people don't realize is that there are more than just one game played on broomsticks. In this lesson we will be covering as many broomstick games as we can before I lose your attention! Please note that some of these games are quite dangerous and should not be attempted at home. So keep that warning in mind as we go through the lesson. So let's get going with our very first broomstick game!
Aingingein-
This broomstick game was created and first played in the country of Ireland. But what does this game involve? Well, let's get a quick look at how this game is played.
Aingingein is played by each contestant taking a ball called a Dom, which was actually a goat's gallbladder, and flying through flaming barrels as quickly as possible. The flaming barrels are raised up to increase the difficulty of the game. However the ball plays quite a big role in the game. After flying through all the flaming barrels avoiding the possible fate of being burned to a crisp, the Dom must be thrown into one final barrel which stops time. The player finishes the course with the fastest time, wins!
It is also widely believed that the legendary wizard named Fingal the Fearless was a champion of this game. But besides the imense amount of courage it takes to play this sport, Aingingein has also become the focus of many old ballads for wizarding folk. So what other kind of games do wizards play on brooms? Well let's move on and find out!
Aingingein is played by each contestant taking a ball called a Dom, which was actually a goat's gallbladder, and flying through flaming barrels as quickly as possible. The flaming barrels are raised up to increase the difficulty of the game. However the ball plays quite a big role in the game. After flying through all the flaming barrels avoiding the possible fate of being burned to a crisp, the Dom must be thrown into one final barrel which stops time. The player finishes the course with the fastest time, wins!
It is also widely believed that the legendary wizard named Fingal the Fearless was a champion of this game. But besides the imense amount of courage it takes to play this sport, Aingingein has also become the focus of many old ballads for wizarding folk. So what other kind of games do wizards play on brooms? Well let's move on and find out!
Creaothceann-
If typing that name didn't give you a headache, then playing it definitely will! In the sport of Creaothceann, players mount their broomsticks and take off flying, all while having cauldrons strapped to their heads! Why do you ask that? Because helmets just won't do!
In actaullity, the cauldrons play a large role in this game that was invented in Scotland all the way back in the middle ages. The players were lined up to begin playing with their cauldrons already strapped to their heads. Then someone would either play a horn or a drum and start the game. At that noise, hundreds of rocks and boulders that were charmed to float begin to fall from the sky. The object of the game is to catch as many of the falling rocks in your cauldron before all the rocks fall to the ground...or you took a rock to the side of the head.
Creaothceann considered the most dangerous broomstick sport known to wizarding kind. It is so dangerous in fact the Ministry of Magic banned the game in 1762. But there are always those crazy people who like danger in their life. So Magnus "Dent-Head" Macdonald tried to bring the back in the 1960's. Regardless of his work, the game is still banned due to it's high number of casulities. So let's move onto something far less dangerous.
In actaullity, the cauldrons play a large role in this game that was invented in Scotland all the way back in the middle ages. The players were lined up to begin playing with their cauldrons already strapped to their heads. Then someone would either play a horn or a drum and start the game. At that noise, hundreds of rocks and boulders that were charmed to float begin to fall from the sky. The object of the game is to catch as many of the falling rocks in your cauldron before all the rocks fall to the ground...or you took a rock to the side of the head.
Creaothceann considered the most dangerous broomstick sport known to wizarding kind. It is so dangerous in fact the Ministry of Magic banned the game in 1762. But there are always those crazy people who like danger in their life. So Magnus "Dent-Head" Macdonald tried to bring the back in the 1960's. Regardless of his work, the game is still banned due to it's high number of casulities. So let's move onto something far less dangerous.
Quodpot-
This sport is much less dangerous in the sense that there isn't any rocks falling from the sky, BUT there is a ball that explodes. So this game is still not to be taken lightly. Most witches and wizards don't play this game...unless they live in North or South America. It turns out it's the most popular game in those two continents beating out Quidditch for the top spot! But what is this game?
Quodpot was created on accident by a man named Abraham Peasegood. He was out and about on his merry way, when one day a magical a magical accident occurred. The man's wand touched a quaffle which led it to explode in Mr. Peasegood's face. Well the man had a sense of humor and he and his friends recreated the event which later led to a new broomstick game.
In the game, each team gets eleven players. The object of the game is to get the exploding ball in the pot on the other side of the field before it explodes. If a team fails to do so, the player in possesion of the ball when it explodes is removed from the game. The team that wins is the one who got the most quod's into the pot. A rather interesting sport if you ask me.
Quodpot was created on accident by a man named Abraham Peasegood. He was out and about on his merry way, when one day a magical a magical accident occurred. The man's wand touched a quaffle which led it to explode in Mr. Peasegood's face. Well the man had a sense of humor and he and his friends recreated the event which later led to a new broomstick game.
In the game, each team gets eleven players. The object of the game is to get the exploding ball in the pot on the other side of the field before it explodes. If a team fails to do so, the player in possesion of the ball when it explodes is removed from the game. The team that wins is the one who got the most quod's into the pot. A rather interesting sport if you ask me.
Shuntbumps-
This next game is reminiscent of the middle ages sport of jousting. The whole purpose of the game is to knock as many players as possible without getting knocked off your broomstick. It's really a simple game, and not very popular. Back in it's hayday, the sport was widely popular in Devon, England. But sadly the sport has declined to merely a sport played by children.
Stichstock-
This German sport was present by the year 1105. The point of the game is quite odd to some people. The object is to puncture an inflated dragon bladder on a twenty feet pole with the end of your broomstick. Now it's not as easy as it sounds. There is a player called "The Bladder Guardian." Intimidating. I know. But this players job is to protect the bladder at all cost, all while being tied to the pole that holds the bladder..The bladder guardian has the hardest job in the whole game. They are however allowed to use their wand to help them defend the bladder.
How do you win this game you ask? Well, the game ends when a player punctures the bladder, the bladder guardian freezes all the players with their magic, or the bladder guardian finally gives up. Once one of these three ways are met, the game is over. Now your probably wondering why this game is not played now days? Well, that's because the game died out in the 14th century. Which I am sure made dragons everywhere very, very happy.
How do you win this game you ask? Well, the game ends when a player punctures the bladder, the bladder guardian freezes all the players with their magic, or the bladder guardian finally gives up. Once one of these three ways are met, the game is over. Now your probably wondering why this game is not played now days? Well, that's because the game died out in the 14th century. Which I am sure made dragons everywhere very, very happy.
Swivenhodge-
Our last broomstick sport is called Swivenhodge. This sport resembles tennis quite a bit. Each player sits on their broomstick backwards and hits an inflated pig's bladder back and forth over a hedge with the tail end of their broomstick. Yes, Wizard's like to include bladders in their games, I too agree that it is quite odd. But I digress. Once a player would miss the bladder the opponent would gain a point. Once a player hit 50 points, the game was over.
Now you'll probably be shocked to find out that this game is still played today. (Much to pig's disguist.) The game was originated in Herefordshire, England, but it's popularity never took off. So the game is very much confined to England, seeing as not many other countries play this sport. But that's about it for broomstick sports!
Now you'll probably be shocked to find out that this game is still played today. (Much to pig's disguist.) The game was originated in Herefordshire, England, but it's popularity never took off. So the game is very much confined to England, seeing as not many other countries play this sport. But that's about it for broomstick sports!
Flying Essentials: Landing
So now you know how to move around on your broomstick. Well, it's time for you to dismount! It's really easy! I promise!
1) Slow your broom to a stop while in the air. (You can do this by shift your weight back to the seat of the broom and by pulling the handle up towards the rider.)
2) While in your stopped state, slowly and gently lower your broom handle towards the ground.
3) Plant your feet firmly on the ground to prevent the broomstick from taking of wildly.
4) Dismount your broomstick by slinging you leg over top of it.
Now that your back on the ground, I hope you are ready to fly on your own! Just follow these simple rules and you'll be a great flyer! Just remember, Perfect Practice Makes You Perfect!
1) Slow your broom to a stop while in the air. (You can do this by shift your weight back to the seat of the broom and by pulling the handle up towards the rider.)
2) While in your stopped state, slowly and gently lower your broom handle towards the ground.
3) Plant your feet firmly on the ground to prevent the broomstick from taking of wildly.
4) Dismount your broomstick by slinging you leg over top of it.
Now that your back on the ground, I hope you are ready to fly on your own! Just follow these simple rules and you'll be a great flyer! Just remember, Perfect Practice Makes You Perfect!