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| Quidditch Made Easy |
| Quidditch is actually a remarkably easy game to master the basics of, and once you've done that, you can begin to start developing your own techniques in order to improve your play. It's the most popular wizard sport; highly exciting and very varied, in every game you watch or play in, you are almost certain to learn something new. The Basics There are seven players in a quidditch team: three chasers, two beaters, one keeper and a seeker. The chasers, beaters, and keeper all play together; a chaser's job is to pass a ball called a quaffle between them, and shoot through the enemy goalpost. A keeper must try and stop this from happening by catching the ball as the chaser shoots. The beaters play with two smaller balls called bludgers, who shoot round the pitch trying to hit players; armed with bats to hit the bludgers, the beaters try to steer the bludgers away from their team and into enemy players. The seeker plays separately from the other players, and their job is to capture a tiny golden ball, called the snitch. Catching this earns the team 150 points, and ends the match. Tactics Chasers: To keep possession of the quaffle, here are some tips: 1)dodging and feinting. Try various manoeuvres to dodge any bludger that may come your way or the opposing chasers. Never fly in a straight line. This is too easy to predict, and makes it very easy for your opponent to block you, so try flying more or less all over the place so long as you keep in the general direction of the goalposts. 2)Support. When you do not have the quaffle but someone on your team does, fly near and slightly ahead of them in a space, so that if they get into trouble they can pass to you. Do not go into obscure or crowded areas; chances are you won't get the quaffle this way. If you are in this position and they pass to you, there is an increased probability of the quaffle being intercepted, as is the case if you fly far from them. Do not crowd them if their path is clear though, you may confuse them and you won't be in a good position if they get into trouble. 3) If the other team has the quaffle. The chasers on your team must work together on this one; everyone should pick a player to mark, including the one with the quaffle - and stay with this player. Hopefully the chaser marking the player with the quaffle will block and mark them enough so that they pass - and when this happens it's your chance to intercept. Beaters 1) You don't have to aim directly at the player with the quaffle. If it looks like they are about to pass to another player, try aiming your bludger at the player on the receiving end of the quaffle, so that they have to dodge, giving the chasers a chance to move in for the quaffle. Speed and timing are of an essence to get this right. 2) Try to avoid aiming both bludgers at one person very hard and deliberately - the referee may take this as a foul and give the other team a penalty. Do not aim at the keeper unless a chaser is within the shooting area. Keeper 1) The best advice I can offer is to keep your eye on the ball at all times. In time you will learn to judge where the chaser is going to place the ball and move into that area - but watch out for feinting. 2) If the chaser makes a slow shot, take your time - you have plenty. If you rush to grab it you may miss and it could go in, but if you pace yourself, giving yourself enough time to get into position and catch the quaffle well you will do much better. The quaffle often gives the illusion that its coming fast, but remember not to rush it at any stage. Seeker 1) The best seekers do not allow themselves to be distracted. Circle slowly around the pitch keeping your eyes opened for a hint of gold. You must be prepared to suddenly shoot forward if you see it. 2) Keep your eyes on the other seeker as well, watch their movements, because a sudden dive could give away that they've seen the snitch, and if you notice quickly enough to retrieve it yourself. However, saying this, do not tail them too closely - beware of feinting if they actually see the snitch and want to throw you off course. It's always best if you've seen it for yourself before making the dive, though this may not always be possible. Finally, please keep in mind that these are basic tactics. As you grow in strength as a quidditch player, whatever your position, you will learn for yourself - and that is always the best way. The advice I have given must be thought of as a foundation for you to build upon in order to grow better. |
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