Bouncing Ball Game Method

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a court game with a resilient ball is disclosed which includes a court divided into sections for opposing players having dividing lines and foul lines. At the end of each section there is a vertical plate or panel having a plurality of holes or goals each covered by a net. The object of the game is to bounce the ball into a goal at the opposite end. The goals are placed and shaped so as to require different degrees of skill for scoring and are assigned correspondingly different score points.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of skill and has particular relationship to such games played with a ball or balls in a court.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a game of skill in which people of substantially all ages, within reason, can take part, and which shall afford entertainment, help to develop coordination, and contribute to physical fitnesses.

Games of this general type, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art, such as tennis and basketball, require a large court and, in the case of tennis, elaborate and costly equipment. It is an object of this invention to provide a game which shall require apparatus of relatively low cost and whose court shall be of relatively small dimensions so that the game can be played in the game room of an ordinary home or the like or a number of games can be played on a playground, in a recreation hall or athletic facility.

It is also an object of this invention to provide such a game which shall impose, on the participating players, demands of skill of such wide variety that those who once participate in the game will continue to be interested in it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention a game is provided which is played with rubber balls or the like on a court that can readily be installed or marked off in the game room of an ordinary home or in multiples on a playground or in a recreation hall or athletic facility. Typically the court may be rectangular about 20 feet long and 6 feet wide. At each end of the court there is goal means which includes a plurality of goals or openings. The object of the game is for each player to bounce the ball through the openings of the opposite goal means and to defend his goal means so that the opposing player is prevented from bouncing his ball through an opening on his side. The openings are disposed, and may be shaped, so as to present different degrees of difficulty in bouncing a ball through them. Typically, the openings are in different positions, and some are circular while others are rectangular. The openings may also be of different dimensions; that is, different diameters or different lengths and/or widths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a better understanding of this invention, both as to its organization and as to its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of game apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in isometric of goal means in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of goal means in accordance with a modification of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental view in top elevation showing how the side panels of the goal means shown in FIG. 2 are fastened to the main panel; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of game apparatus in accordance with a modification of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 includes a court 11. The court 11 has a midcourt or foul line 13 and boundary lines 15 and 17 which divide the court into two substantially equal sections for opposing players. Each section has a backcourt line 19 and 21 to define the area in which each player must remain during a game.

At each end of the court 11 there is goal means 25 and 27. Each goal means 25 and 27 is formed of a vertical plate or panel 29 of a material such as a phenolic condensation product, a sturdy plastic or even metal. The panel is stiffened at the top by molding 31 of a metal such as aluminum and is provided at the bottom with an antifriction strip 33 of a material such as rubber. Suction cups 35 may also be provided at the bottom to hold the panel 29 securely in a vertical position. The panel 29 has a plurality of circular openings 37, 39 and 41 and a rectangular opening 43. A circular strip 45 of generally angle section is secured around the periphery of each opening 37 through 41. The strip 45 firmly clamps the edge of a closed net 47 which extends to the rear of the panel 29. The opening 45 is framed by linear strips 49 and 51 of generally angular section which clamp the edge of a closed net 53 to the panel; this net 53 also extending to the rear of the panel 29.

The panel 29 is provided with grooved strips 61 and 63 along its vertical dimensions. Side panels 65 and 67 are secured by removable pins 69 in each of the grooves 71 of the strips 61 and 63. The side panels 65 and 67 typically are of the same material as the panel 29 and are provided with stiffening molding 73 at the top and antifriction strips 75 (and/or suction cups, not shown) at the bottom.

Typically the overall length of the court 11 may be about 20 feet and its overall width may be about 6 feet. The playing area may be about 17 feet long and about 6 feet wide between foul lines 15 and 17, with the distance between the centerline 13 and each backcourt line 19 and 21 about 51/2 feet. Typically the game may be played with an inflatable rubber ball about 41/2 inches to 5 inches in diameter. Typically the circular goal holes 37, 39, 41 have a diameter of about 16 inches and the rectangular hole 43 is 20 inches by 14 inches. The holes 37 and 41 may each be assigned 1 scoring point, the hole 39, 2 points, and rectangular hole 41, 3 points.

The goal means 81 shown in FIG. 3 is similar to the goal means 25, 27 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the goal holes 83, 85, 87 and 89 are all circular. The scoring is indicated below the goal holes 83 through 89.

FIG. 5 shows a court 91 which may serve both for two singles games or for a form of doubles. The court 91 is about twice the width of the court 11. Its markings include a common center foul line 93. The goal means 95 and 97 include separate sets of holes and nets 99 and 101 for separate singles games. Where doubles is to be played the common centerline 93 may be ignored but the common midcourt foul line 100 must be observed, and the goal means 95 and 97 may be replaced by a single set of holes and nets (not shown) at each end.

Singles is played in a court 11 as shown in FIG. 1 or either of the courts of FIG. 5. Each of the players defends the goal 25 or 27 on his side of the court. Each player starts holding a ball. The following typical procedure is followed:

To play Foxball, follow these six simple steps:

Step 1. the two players, each with a rubber ball in hand, assume positions at opposite ends of the court, behind the midcourt line 13 (FIG. 1) and in front of the backcourt line 19 or 21. Each player bounces the ball once and catches it to acknowledge he is "ready to play."

Step 2. after both players have completed the act of bouncing and catching their ball, play is "in" and each player may begin by attempting to bounce the ball somewhere in the opposite part of the court 11 and into one of the nets 47 or 53 for a score. The ball may bounce more than once on the court 11, or may be bounced from an opposing player, for a score.

Step 3. should one player score and the other miss, the game continues as long as one "live" ball remains within the playing court 11. Should the missed ball remain behind the backcourt line 19 or 21, a player (on the side of the line) is permitted to go behind the backcourt line to retrieve the ball. As long as a live ball is still in the court, a player may recover an out of bounds ball as long as he keeps one foot in bounds.

Step 4. the players may continue to play as long as there is at least one live ball in the court. Play continues until either both balls go into the nets for scores or go out of bounds. There must be a live ball in the court for play to be "in." When either both balls are scored in the nets, or one is scored in a net and the other ball goes out of bounds, or both balls go out of bounds, play is "out" and the players must repeat Step 1 for play to be considered "in" once again.

Step 5. when one of the players scores 4 points and both balls are "dead" (out of play), the players change courts.

Step 6. the first player to score 8 points wins the game. However, he must have a 2-point advantage or lead as in tennis. For example, should the score be 7 to 7 and one of the players scores a 1-point shot to give him the lead of 8 to 7, he must continue to play until he achieves a 2-point lead. The score continues to mount until one or the other player gains a 2-point advantage. The score could wind up 12 to 10 or higher before this occurs.

The following are fouls:

1. Blocking the ball by moving the legs or feet (blocking by stationary legs and feet permissible);

2. Blocking the ball behind the backcourt line 19 or 21;

3. Stepping over the midcourt line or touching the opponent's side of the court;

4. Touching the opponent with any portion of the body;

When a foul occurs, the offender must step off the court and the offended player is permitted one foul shot at any of the four nets on the opposite side which all become 1-point score value during a foul shot. A player who is fouled while having two balls in his possession may resume play with two balls after taking his foul shot.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, many modifications thereof are feasible. This invention then is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the spirit of the prior art.

Claims

I claim:

1. The method of playing a game with at least two flexible balls simultaneously and a court subdivided into opposite areas for opposing players, said court having goal means at each end of said court, there being at least two opposing players, one on each side of said court, each said player holding one of said balls at the start of said game, each said goal means having at least one restricted opening therein, the said method comprising the bouncing by each player at will of said ball held by him while directing the said last-named ball into the opening at the end of the court opposite said last-named player and the blocking of the ball bounced by the other opposing player from entering the opening on the blocking player's side of the court.