Sportows

Sportows is a non-contact team sport played between two eight-person teams on a rectangular field. The objective is to score points by advancing the ball into the opponent’s end zone and grounding it on a scoring plate, or by shooting the ball through a raised hoop located within the end zone. The game emphasizes speed, passing accuracy, and strategic positioning, with rules designed to minimize physical contact.

Play unfolds in four quarters, typically 15 minutes each, with a halftime interval and stoppage clocks for certain breaks. The ball can be advanced by running, passing, or kicking. Possession changes hands on turnovers and after scoring plays. The ball must be advanced within the allotted time limits, and substitutions are rolling and unrestricted. Points are awarded for different methods: grounding the ball in the end zone yields two points, while successfully shooting the ball through a raised hoop yields three points. The sport includes standard fouls and penalties to govern contact, positioning, and fair play.

Equipment and field specifications are standardized. The field is about 105 meters long and 65 meters wide, with end zones approximately 15 meters deep. The ball is a synthetic leather sphere similar in size to a handball. Players wear lightweight footwear and optional protective gear, with mouthguards recommended. A hoop is mounted above each end zone, typically around 2.8 to 3.0 meters high, and is a primary scoring apparatus alongside grounding plays.

Governing body and competition: Sportows is administered by the Sportows International Federation (SIF). National associations organize domestic leagues, while the Sportows World Cup and continental championships provide major international competition. An indoor variant, Sportows Arena, is played on a modified court with adjusted rules and timing.

History and development: Sportows originated in the early 1990s in Verdantia, where athletes combined elements of handball and field sports. The first official rules were published in the mid-1990s, and the sport expanded to national leagues and international events over the following decades.