NEWS
Throwball is an exciting non-contact sport that is played by two teams of seven players on a rectangular court with a net across the middle. The game shares its roots with volleyball and whilst, on the surface, it may look similar, there are some fundamental differences. Like volleyball, it is played on a court that is split into two with a net in the middle but the playing surface of the court is much larger than a regular volleyball court.
The other fundamental difference is that there is no ‘volleying’ in Throwball. As the name would suggest, instead of parrying balls, they are thrown into the opposition area who then must prevent a point being scored by catching it and immediately returning it. It’s a thrilling, dynamic sport that is full of action from the first minute which is why as a sport it continues to grow in popularity around the world.
Throwball is played around the world but it is in the Indian subcontinent that it is most popular and its overseas hubs of popularity tend to be where there are sizeable Indian communities. It is thought to have originated in England, descended from a popular game played by women and then exported to India via the YMCA who brought it to Chennai in the 1940s. The first rules for Throwball were written by Harry Crowe Buck of the YMCA in 1955 and the sport gradually grew in popularity over the next few years, with being formed in 1985.
The object of the game of Throwball is for one team to defeat their opponents by scoring more points than them in each set, each set being won by the first to 15 points. Win two sets and the game is won. Players in Throwball attempt to defeat their opponents by throwing the ball into the opposition half, hoping that the other team will fail to return it, scoring them a point.
As a team game, players have to work in unison together and must have a good understanding of each other's game as well as having clear channels of communication. This ensures that there are no confusions over who is going for the ball, potentially giving their opposition a point.
Players need no special equipment apart from a shorts and a team jersey with their designated number on the back. The ball used should be an official Throwball, which is very similar to a volleyball but is slightly larger. The playing court too is larger than a volleyball court, measuring 12.2m by 18.3m and with a net height of 2.2.
Throwball is scored like volleyball and uses rally scoring. That means only the team serving can score a point and does so when the opponent faults. Faults can include:
Throwball matches consist of three sets, with each set being won by the team who is the first to score 15 points. The first team to win two sets is declared the winner. Due to the fast paced nature of the game of Throwball, teams are required to display a great deal of teamwork and fitness to be successful in beating their opposition.
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