Quidditch World Cup 2011

So as we all know Im a HUGE Harry Potter nerd.  I love everything about the books and when Quidditch became an actual sport I went CRAZY. 


Let me tell you a little bit about how Quidditch a game played on flying booms in a book came to life. 

So there are three circular goals are placed on either side of the “pitch”. All players are required to carry a broom between their legs at all times. A volleyball serves as the quaffle, and dodgeballs serve as the bludgers.

While the Snitch is a magical object within Harry Potter, in “Muggle” ( non-magical folk)  Quidditch the Snitch is simply a tennis ball contained in a sock tucked in the waistband of the snitch runner. The snitch runner is a neutral player affiliated with neither team dressed in all gold or yellow, sometimes adorned with wings. After release, the snitch runner (and thereby the snitch itself) is allowed to roam an area beyond the playing field.

The game begins with the quaffle and bludgers placed in the center of the field and all players in line with their respective goalposts. After the snitch has been set off, the referee yells 'brooms up!' to start the action.

The positions are as follows in Muggle Quidditch

Chasers are responsible for passing the Quaffle and scoring points by throwing the Quaffle through one of the opponent's goals. Three chasers from a team may be in play at one time. When a Bludger hits a Chaser in possession of the Quaffle, he or she must drop the Quaffle and run back to his or her own goalpost to simulate recovery time.

Keepers are the goal protectors and must try to block attempts to score by the opposing team's Chasers. One keeper from a team may be in play at a time.

Beaters attempt to hit the opposing team's players with Bludgers and attempt to block the Bludgers from hitting their team's players. Two Beaters on a team may be in play at a time. – When a player gets hit by a bludger ( the dodge ball he or she must stop and run back and touch their goalpoasts)

Seekers attempt to catch the Golden Snitch set into play during the game. Seekers are able to search for the snitch the entire game, often throughout the college campus.

The game is a full contact sport sort of like rugby. Anything goes. 




So the world cup this year took place on Randells Island. It was the largest one yet. 100 teams from 5 different countries with an estimated 30,000 people. It was AMAZING. There were 9 games going on at one time over the course of two days November 12-13. One of the main reasons I went was to support my friend who plays for Hofstra. They managed to go 3-1 and were knocked out in the semi finals by a horrible call. 

Here is a short teaser video made by the IQA - International Quidditch Association  




And also a video of how the game is played!