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Ringball

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Ringball is a traditional South African sport that emphasizes skill and fair contact. It is a fast-paced game played by both men and women in separate matches. The sport involves passing a ball through the air to score points. Players aim to throw the ball through a metal ring attached to a goalpost. This game shares similarities with netball and korfball. It is currently played in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, India, and Mauritius. The goal is to establish ringball as a major international sport.

Ringball starting positions
Ringball starting positions

To understand the mechanism of play, one must look at the court and the players. The court is 27 meters long and 18 meters wide. It is divided into three equal sections of 9 meters by 18 meters. Each section is called a goal section or a centre section. A team consists of nine players divided into three specific roles. There are three goal shooters, three centre players, and three defenders. Each player must stay within their assigned section. They cannot step on the lines or move into an adjacent section during play.

Gameplay requires precise movement and quick timing. Players must catch the ball with their hands without it touching any other body part. You cannot move forward or backward while holding the ball. A player is only allowed to hold the ball for a maximum of two seconds. To score, a goal shooter must throw the ball through the ring from above. They must use both hands from below upwards when shooting. This shot must be attempted within five seconds of receiving the ball.

Ringball court layout
Ringball court layout

Rules regarding contact and fouls ensure the game remains fair. Players may try to gain possession of the ball without hitting or snatching it. You are not allowed to push, hold, or obstruct an opponent. If two players from different teams commit a foul at the same time, it is a double fault. In this case, the referee tosses the ball into the air between the two players. They then attempt to gain possession by hitting or catching the ball as it descends. This keeps the flow of the game moving despite disagreements.

The history of ringball spans over a century. The sport stems from basketball and has been played since 1907. In 2007, which marked the 100th year of South African korfball, the name was officially changed to ringball. This change helped define the sport's unique identity. In 2010, the International Ringball Federation (IRF) was formed. This organization works to promote the sport across different nations. The sport continues to grow through organized competition and international interest.

Specific measurements define the equipment used in a match. The goalposts are 3-meter circular steel pipes. At the top, a steel ring with a 450mm diameter is fixed 3 meters from the ground. The ring must be level and should not move when the ball hits it. Teams use a number 5 ball made of leather or synthetic material. This ball has a circumference between 69 and 71 cm and weighs about 450 grams. Younger teams, such as the u/9, u/11, and u/13 groups, use a smaller number 4 ball. Each successful goal or penalty goal earns the team two points.

A standard match consists of two halves of 25 minutes each. There is a three-minute interval between these halves. If a semi-final or final match ends in a tie, extra time is played. This extra time lasts 10 minutes per side without a half-time break. If the score is still tied, the referee tosses the ball in the centre circle. The first team to score a goal from that toss wins the match. This structure ensures a clear winner is always determined through skill and effort.

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File:Ringball_starting_positions.jpg
Ringball_starting_positions.jpg
File:Ringball court layout.jpg
Ringball court layout.jpg
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