Abstract:
A soccer board game to emulate the action, skill and strategy of a conventional soccer match. The board game includes a game board having markings of a conventional soccer pitch. Cylindrical player pieces are utilized to manipulate a ball piece and impart a sliding or a flipping motion in the ball piece. The players may pass, shoot, or throw the ball in actions to emulate the play of a conventional soccer match.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to board games, and more particularly, to board games for playing futbol/soccer. 
         [0002]    Currently in the art of board games, and games for soccer that rely on the user rolling one or more dice or drawing one or more cards in order to play a game. These aspects make the games rely on chance, and do not instill much strategy to the game. Similarly, these games do not provide much of a skill challenge or action for the players of the game. Consequently, after playing the games a short while, the players may lose interest and abandon playing the games in the future. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for a soccer board game that imparts elements of strategy, player skill, and action to provide an exciting and engaging game. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a board game is disclosed and claimed which includes: a game board having a substantially rectangular surface having indicia representing a marking of a soccer field; a plurality of first team player pieces having a first color; a plurality of second team player pieces having a second color; wherein the first team player pieces and the second team player pieces are formed having a substantially cylindrical hollow body with a closed bottom end surface and an open top end; a goal net; and a ball piece formed as a spherical section having a substantially flat bottom surface and a curved top surface. The board game wherein at least one of the plurality of first team player pieces and at least one of the plurality of second team player pieces includes goalie (or keeper/goal keeper) team piece (or player piece). The goalie team piece may have a base portion extending from a lateral side surface of the substantially cylindrical hollow body. The base portion is adapted to position the goalie team piece in a substantially vertical orientation such that the closed bottom end surface is oriented substantially perpendicular to a playing surface of the substantially rectangular game board. 
         [0005]    In certain embodiments, the plurality of first team player pieces and the plurality of second team player pieces may include an insert received within the substantially cylindrical hollow body. The insert may have at least one surface carrying indicia representing a soccer team. The first and second player pieces may also include a clear insert cover adapted to be received within the substantially cylindrical hollow body. The game board may include a frictional surface and may also be substantially rigid. The game board may also be foldable. In other embodiments of the invention, the top surface of the ball piece may also include an interlocking pattern of hexagonal portions. 
         [0006]    In other aspects of the invention, a method of board game play, may include: providing a game board having a substantially rectangular surface with indicia representing a marking of a soccer field; providing a player piece formed having a substantially cylindrical hollow body, a closed bottom end surface and an open top end; providing a ball piece formed as a spherical section having a substantially flat bottom surface and a curved top surface; positioning the closed bottom end surface against a portion of the ball piece; and applying pressure to the player piece to impart a movement of the ball piece. In some forms the method may include positioning the flat bottom surface of the ball piece in contact with the game board. In other forms, the method may include positioning the curved top surface of the ball in contact with the game board. The method may also include providing a frictional surface to the substantially rectangular surface. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a game board and player pieces according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a player piece body according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a player piece. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a section view of a player along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a goalie play piece. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the goalie play piece and insert. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a goal. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the game board. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of ball play piece. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the ball play piece. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view demonstrating a user operation of the player piece with the ball play. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a side perspective view demonstrating the ball movement after manipulation by the player piece. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a game board and player pieces for playing a dynamic, strategy and skill oriented game for playing soccer. 
         [0022]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , an embodiment of a soccer game board  10  and play pieces  28 ,  25  is shown. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the game board  10  may be a foldable board that opens to allow the user to set up the board for play. The game board  10  is marked with conventional futbol/soccer field markings disposed on a substantially rectangular field of play, represented by the game board  10 . The game board  10  may include a fabric surface or a frictional surface texture. The board may be between about 32 inches and 48 inches in length and between about 16 inches and 24 inches in width. Preferably the board  10  is between about 34¼ inches long and 17¼ inches wide. The game board  10  includes a goal net placement area  12 . The markings include a center mark  20 , and a center line  22 , a penalty area  16 , a goal area  14 , corner markings  18 , and a penalty spot  48 . 
         [0023]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , a goal net  24  is placed in each of the respective goal net placement regions  12  on the game board  10 . The goal net is dimensioned to correspond with the size of the game board  10  and a regulation scale goal net  24 . For example, the goal net may be about 3 inches wide and 2¼ inches in height. A goalie player piece  25  is positioned within the respective goal areas  14  to set up for play. Two or more game participants or players may array their respective player pieces  48  on the game board  10 . A ball game piece  38  is positioned on the center mark  20 . The player pieces  48  and goalie player pieces  25  may be colored to permit the game participants to distinguish between the associated teams corresponding to game play pieces  25 ,  48 . 
         [0024]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , an embodiment of a player game piece  28  is shown. The player game piece  28  is formed a substantially cylindrical shaped hollow body  30  having a closed bottom surface  44 . An insert  32  and body  30  may be colored such that they may carry the colors of a popular soccer team. A surface  36  of the insert may also include emblems or other indicia of a popular soccer team. The player game piece  28  may be formed in any suitable size for manipulation by a player&#39;s finger. In a preferred embodiment, the player piece may have a diameter of about 1⅛ inches, a width of about ⅜ inches, an inside diameter of ⅞ inches. 
         [0025]    A game set may include inserts  32  sorted with which ever flag jersey is desired. A clear cover piece  32  may be inserted within the body  30  to secure flag jerseys insert  32  within the player game piece  28 . The cover piece  32  will also protect the insert  32  from marring, damage, or wear during play. 
         [0026]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 , a goalkeeper game piece  25  is illustrated. The goal keeper game piece  25  is formed in substantially the same manner as the player game piece  28 . The goal keeper  25  has a substantially cylindrical body  26 , an insert disk  34  having a display surface  36 , which may be covered by a clear cover piece or cap  32 . However, the goal keeper game piece is formed with a base member extending from a lateral sidewall of the cylindrical body  26  to support the goalkeeper  25  in a vertical orientation, with the face of the piece oriented substantially perpendicular to the playing surface of the game board  10 . The base member may have a length of about ½ inch and a width of about ¼ inch. 
         [0027]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a soccer ball game piece  38  has a top surface  40  that is formed as generally spherical section, more preferably having a hexagonal patterned surface resembling a surface of a conventional soccer ball. The soccer ball game piece  38  will also have a substantially flat bottom surface  42 . The ball  36  may be suitably sized to correspond with the player pieces  25 ,  28 . In a preferred embodiment, it may be about ⅛ inch in height and have a diameter of about ½ inches. 
         [0028]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the player game pieces  28  and goalie game piece  25  are manipulated by the game participants to impart movement in the soccer ball piece  38  for the purpose of passing, kicking, or otherwise directing the soccer ball piece  38  on the playing surface of the game board  10  during game play. 
         [0029]    To impart movement in the ball  38 , a player may place the bottom surface  44  of the player piece  28  in contact with the upper surface  40  of the soccer ball  40 . The player may then apply a force to the inner bottom surface of the player piece  28 ,  25  with a finger  46 . As the force is applied downwards with the finger  46 , ball game piece will be projected outwardly from beneath the bottom surface  44  of the player piece. With the bottom surface  42  of the soccer ball  38  oriented in contact with the playing surface  10 , the soccer ball  38  will slide along the playing surface  10 . The direction and rate of travel are influenced by the positioning of the player piece  28  on the soccer ball  40  as well as the rate, direction and amount of force applied by the player&#39;s finger  46 . As indicated the soccer ball  38  is designed with a flat surface  42  for keeping the ball  40  on the play board  10  when passing or taking a shot at goal. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, the player in possession of the ball  38  may invert the ball  38  so that the spherical surface  40  is in contact with the playing board surface  10 . In this case, the spherical surface  40  is used for in air passing of the ball  38  or shot to goal  24 . The player would place the bottom surface  44  of the player piece  28  in contact with the flat surface  42  of the ball  38 , and apply a force to the player piece  28 . In this case, the movement imparted to the ball  38  will flip the ball  38  into the air, thus providing the participants emulation of the attributes of a real life soccer match. 
         [0031]    For example, to make a shot to the goal  24 , a shooting player would say the word “set”. The opponent player would then have the opportunity to position his/her player pieces (or team piece)  28  and goal keeper  25  to block the shot on the goal  24 . If the shooter scores a goal, the shooting player is awarded a point, and play would be set up from the half line mark  22  is possession awarded to the opponent team. Game play would proceed according to conventional soccer rules, or the players may opt for variations of the rules according to their situation in the game play. 
         [0032]    Some example game play rules to adapt the game board constraints to emulate a soccer match may include one or more of the following:
       SCORING—Players make a goal shot by first saying “Set”. This allows the other player to set their “GOAL NET” and their “KEEPER” before the opposing player makes their shot.   BUMBALL—When the ball ends up between two opposing team player pieces  28  creates a conflict as to who has possession, simply pick the ball  38  up and drop it in the middle of the conflicting player pieces  28 . The player whose team piece  28  is closest to where the ball  38  comes to rest gets possession of the ball  38 . (“BUMBALL” could be repeated for resolution)   TOUCHES—When a player&#39;s team piece  28  touches the ball more than three times without passing to another team piece  28 , possession of the ball  38  goes to the closest team piece of opposing team.   OFFSIDE—If a first team piece  28  is placed on the game board  10  past an opposing team piece last defender before a goal keeper  25  and the ball  38  is passed to that team piece  28 , it&#39;s an “OFFSIDE” award the ball  38  for a goal kick to player that calls “OFFSIDE”.   FOUL—a foul play is given when a team piece  28  touches an opposing team piece  28 . Possession of the ball  38  is given to the team piece  28  that was fouled by the opposing team piece  28  for direct or indirect free kick.   HANDS—If the ball lands inside a team piece  28 , possession of the ball  38  is awarded to the closest opposing team piece for direct or indirect free kick.   DIRECT FREE KICK—If a “FOUL or HANDS” by an opposing team piece  28  in the opposing team&#39;s half of the play surface  10  towards the defending goal keeper  25  then a “DIRECT FREE KICK” towards the opposing team&#39;s goal  24  is awarded to the team in possession of the ball  38 . (To make play from Foul or Hands opposing team piece  28  has to be one team piece  28  away to allow play)   INDIRECT FREE KICK—If a “FOUL or HANDS” by opposing team piece  28  in the defending half of the field toward the opposing team goal keeper  25  then “INDIRECT FREE KICK” to pass the ball  38  is awarded. (To make play from Foul or Hands opposing team piece has to be one team piece away to allow play)   CORNER KICK—If the ball  38  is moved past an defensive goal line by a defending team piece  28  in its defending half of the field, then a “CORNER KICK” is awarded to the offensive team. (To make play, defending team piece has to be at least one team piece away to allow play)   FREE THROW—If the ball  38  goes off the board  10  from a side line by a team piece then a “FREE THROW” is awarded to the opposing team piece  28 . A “FREE THROW” is made by turning team piece over  28  and placing the ball  38  on top and pushing the team piece to allow ball to free fall from team piece at the side line. Turn the team piece  28  making the play over and continue playing. If the ball  38  did not fall off, then it is a “HANDS” and the ball possession goes to the opposing team piece  28 .   GOAL—This is one point given to a team for scoring by shooting the ball  38  into the goal net  24 . Each time there is a goal scored; both players move their team pieces  28  back to their starting position before play resumes.   GOAL KEEPER ALLOWANCE—The Goal Keeper  25  is not allowed to move beyond penalty box  16  unless passing or throwing out a ball  38 . If caught beyond penalty box and “SET” is asked by opponent only the goalie  25  can be placed.   PENALTY—If a “FOUL or HANDS” by opposing team piece occurs in their penalty area  16  then a “PENALTY” is awarded. A “PENALTY” shot is taken from the penalty spot  48  in goal area with the goal keeper  25  positioned on the goal line and team piece  28  awarded attempts the shot on goal.   PENALTY SHOOT OUT—If there is no goal score during the previously agreed game time, OR if there is a tie-score by the end of game time, a “PENALTY SHOOT OUT” may be played. Each player choose one team piece  28  along with His/Her “Goal Keeper”  25 . Player  1  goes first with three tries to make goal score against the opposing team goal keeper  25 . Player  2  goes after, according to the same. The player with the most goals scored in the shootout wins. If the score ties, continue playing the “PENALTY SHOOT OUT” until a winner is determined.       
 
       Game Play 
       [0047]    The object of the game is to score the most goals/points in a pre-agreed time, such as 10, 20, or 30 minutes. Game play may be conducted according to the following steps:
       Determine and agree on a length of game time.   Decide who has initial possession of the ball, which can be determined by age, height, coin toss, etc.   Whoever has possession first should place 2 team pieces  28  on the center line  22  of the field with the ball  38  at the center mark  20  in center circle and with remaining team pieces  28  in their (defending) half on field.   The opposing team pieces  28  may be placed by the opponent and must stay out the center circle and be positioned in their (defending) half on the field.   The team in possession passes the ball  38  by placing team piece  28  at the edge of ball  38  and press down for it to move.   During play each team piece  28  can touch the ball three times with a pass or shot to goal included.   After the ball  38  is passed the team piece  28  that is closest to the ball  38  claims possession.   A player can only move a team piece  28  into any chosen position after the player with possession moves a team piece  28 . (If player chooses not to move, opponent is without a play.)   Take turns until someone scores.   A player must say “SET” in order to take a shot on goal and for a goal to count as a score. In response to the “SET”, the opponent to set their Goal keeper  25  into position within the penalty area  16 , before making the goal shot.   The player who was scored against, gets ball  38  possession and the players return back to the start position, with the spotting of the ball  38  on center line  22  in center circle  20 .   If no goal is scored in a suggested time, or if there is a tie-score, you have the option to add more time, or go to “Penalty Shoot Out”.       
 
         [0060]    Game Play Variations may be played according to some of the following supplemental rules 
         [0061]    SIX A SIDE—Instead of 10 team pieces and a goal keeper you use 5 team pieces and a goal keeper to play the game. 
         [0062]    PENALTY SHOOT OUT—Each player choose one of their team piece and goalie/keeper. The amount of shot that can be taken is up to the players. Player  1  goes first with a previous agreed number of shots to goal, while player  2  sets their goalie/keeper on the goal line to prevent a goal score. Each player has the same amount of penalty shots. The player with the most goal score wins the game. 
         [0063]    HALF LINE SHOOT OUT—Each player chooses one team piece and their goalie/keeper. The amount of shot that can be taken is up to the players. Player  1  goes first with a previous agreed number of shots to goal from the spot point on the half line in the center circle, while player  2  sets their goalie/keeper on the goal line to prevent a goal score. Each player has the same amount of penalty shots. The player with the most goal score wins the game. 
         [0064]    A game set according to the present invention may include: 28 clear cover pieces; 12 Player Team Pieces in a first color; 12 Player Pieces in a second color; 2 first color Goal Keepers; 2 second color goal keepers; 3 soccer ball pieces; 2 Goal Nets; 1 Score Sheet; 1 Miniature Soccer Field game board; and 4 sets of interchangeable team jersey inserts 
         [0065]    The game board  10 , player pieces  25 ,  28 , and soccer ball  38  of the present invention provides a dynamic, action, strategy, and skill based game for simulating play of a soccer match. In particular it fulfills the need of people that may be physically challenged and unable to participate in an actual soccer match, but wants to enjoy a good soccer game. Besides having a new game, the game set of the present invention can also be used by a coach to demonstrate game plans for a real soccer game in its most realistic form. 
         [0066]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.