A day as a quadball player: How Harry Potter became a sport!

A day as a quadball player: How Harry Potter became a sport!

The magic of Quidditch, as we know it from the world of Harry Potter, has morphed into an exciting full-contact sport in the real world - quadball. On a lively day of training for the “Deluminators Dresden”, TAG24 reporter Benjamin Schön experienced first hand what it means to slip into the role of a Quidditch player. Established internationally since 2005, the game has grown in popularity and has evolved from a niche sport into a real spectacle played in many countries.

The Deluminators' training sessions began with a classic warm-up: running and stretching were on the agenda. The challenge of throwing a volleyball, known in the Quidditch world as a quaffle, through one of three goal rings awaited Schön, who acted as chaser on the field. “It was difficult for me to catch the ball at first,” he admitted, but with valuable tips from Captain Heln he was able to hone his skills and finally score a goal in the training game. Each successful hit earns 10 points, which makes the competition even more exciting.

Rules of the game and positions

What makes quadball particularly exciting is not just the concentrated action, but also the clear positions and roles that each player assumes. Each team consists of 7 mixed-gender players: 3 chasers, 1 keeper, 2 beaters and 1 seeker. The positions are indicated by the color of the headbands on the head. While chasers and keepers play with the quaffle, beaters use bludgers - i.e. dodgeballs - to throw off opposing players. A player who is hit must leave the game and make one lap to his own goal before he can take part in the action again. Quadball is a real contact sport, and tackling is permitted as part of the rules when an opponent has possession of the ball.

Things get particularly exciting when the Seekers come into play. They chase the Snitch, a small tennis ball in a sock carried by a neutral "Snitch Runner." Whoever catches the snitch not only gets the victory for their team, but also 30 points to their own account. “Catching the snitch is an art all its own,” describes Schön, who at the same time praises the technique and tactical play required to be successful in quadball.

Safety aspects and regulations

Safety is the top priority in full contact sports. The official rules definitively prohibit any contact to the head or from behind. These safety precautions are particularly important to minimize the risk of injury and have been implemented in several versions of the regulations clearly defined. The German Quadball Federation (DQB) uses the international standards of the International Quadball Association (IQA) and encourages all players to familiarize themselves with the rules as revisions are pending.

Overall, it can be said that quadball not only brings a touch of magic to the sports world, but also promotes community. In Dresden, where the Deluminators are active, this unique mix of sport and team spirit is particularly valued. Anyone who dares to mount the broom and take to the field will find out that behind the colorful hustle and bustle of quadball there is also a lot of sweat, training and passion.