Abstract:
There is a method and system for playing a game for at least a first team and a second team. The game may have a ball, at least two sticks capable of selectively retaining the ball, at least one goal, and a playing court. The playing court has various boundaries including a scoring line positioned about twenty five feet from the goal. One of the two teams attempts to score goals with the ball, whereas the other team attempts to prevent said goal from being scored and take possession of the ball. The team with possession of the ball must attempt to score from behind the scoring line using the ball handling sticks. Points of varying amounts can be awarded based on the manner in which the team scored. Preferably, the first team to eleven points wins. However, various point awarding configurations and team scores can be modified as necessary.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 62/213,244 filed on Sep. 2, 2015, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    The field of the embodiments of the present invention relate to a ball based game that may be played indoors and/or outdoors. In particular, the present invention provides for a game that involves the throwing and catching of a ball using a specialized apparatus in attempting to place the ball within a goal to score a varying number of points based on the manner of ball placement within the goal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    Games and sports typically rely on the various athletic and cognitive abilities of players under the guidance of a set of rules governing how the particular game or sport is to be played. In this country and others around the world, various sporting contests have gained wide popularity both for participants and spectators. Through time, a number of these games have undergone various rule changes or ceased to exist completely in light of newer games and sporting events. 
         [0004]    In many conventional gaming and sporting systems, various projectile(s) may be used, such as a ball in the case of football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, etc. on a predetermined playing area or court. However, these different projectiles are each suited for particular uses and the rules of each sport governs that usage. For example, a ball may be thrown, hurled, kicked, or forbid from being touched. Usually, the underlying theme is to have the ball cross a line or be placed in a goal in order to score points for a team or individual. Further, the playing areas may vary for each sport and typically have many different boundary lines, apparatus, dimensions, and the like. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a new game which combines some elements of known games in addition to having novel elements including the particular playing court arrangement, structural features of game components, and the method of play. Such a game can preferably be played both indoors or outdoors and is designed for recreational or competitive play. The present invention and its embodiments meets and exceeds these objectives. 
       Review of Related Technology: 
       [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,814 pertains to a goal for a collapsible, three-dimensional game includes: (a) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops, each of the hoops being openable, closable, and coupleable at a hoop coupling of each hoop, the hoops including at least three post connecting mechanisms; (b) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops; (c) a substantially flexible net affixed to an upper one of the hoops; and (d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms on each post; wherein, when the goal is in an open, erect position: a lower one of the hoops rests on the playing surface, the upper hoop being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lower one of the hoops, the net extending downwardly between the substantially horizontally oriented hoops. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,800 pertains to a basketball shot-making system which can be used indoors or outdoors for increasing the number of possible installation locations and the number of methods of making a shot. A backboard has paired members vertically disposed and in contact with each other along an edge forming a right angle inside corner. A goal having an arcuate hoop for shot-making is horizontally disposed and offset from the backboard. A goal support bracket is positioned therebetween and is in threadable communication with the backboard and in rigid communication with the goal. A rebound action device having a vertical orientation and being in threadable communication with the backboard is adjacent the inside corner right angle zone, the rebound action device further being in rigid communication with a top surface of the goal support bracket for increasing the number of shot-making possibilities. 
         [0008]    The basketball shot-making system can be installed in difficult locations such as indoor corners in older buildings not designed as gymnasium, or outdoors by using a base and support pole. The support pole has angular members in rigid communication with a non-playing surface of the backboard members for maintaining the backboard at the desired offset from the pole. The height of the system above the playing surface can be adjusted by a plurality of threadable collars in communication with the support pole to accommodate the conventional ten foot height as well as any height desired for children under ten years of age or physically challenged children or the like. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,186 pertains to an outdoor game and associated apparatus having a plurality of goals, playing balls with holes drilled therein, and tapered elongate shooting sticks used for projecting the balls toward the goals. The goals are buckets or mesh baskets elevated above ground level by a ring having a standard projecting therefrom which is insertable into the ground. The playing balls are spherical wooden balls having holes drilled therein. One hole runs through the center of the ball and is open on either end, whereas the second hole is drilled substantially normal and off-center to the first hole. The elongate tapered shooting stick is provided with a grip end and a cylindrical tip end which can be inserted in the holes in the playing balls and is used by a player to project the balls toward the goals by use of an underhand throwing motion. 
         [0010]    Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Generally, the present invention and its embodiments provide for a game method and system that can be played indoors and/or outdoors. The game is preferably played by two teams with each team having one or more players. The players use a stick with a ball retainment mechanism, such as a webbed pocket, to throw and catch the ball. The object being to place the ball, by throwing or bouncing, into the goal. The goal, in some embodiments, may be positioned about twenty five feet from a scoring line on a playing court. In some other embodiments, there may be two goals (or more) with each of the two goals located at opposing ends of a playing court. 
         [0012]    In some instances, the team in possession of the ball cannot pass the scoring line with the ball. Alternatively, the team can pass the scoring line with the ball but cannot score unless behind the scoring line. The team that does not have possession of the ball attempts to steal the ball and take possession or otherwise prevent the other team from scoring. The size of the playing court may range from about 20 feet by about 40 feet to about 40 feet by about 80 feet and in some embodiments netting is positioned behind the goal to stop errant shots of the ball. 
         [0013]    Scoring is accomplished in a number of manners with varying point totals prescribed to the differing manners of scoring. If the team in possession of the ball causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area of a goal through the aperture via contact with the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives one point, if the ball enters the ball receiving area of the goal through the aperture without contacting the ball retainment member or rim member, then that team receives two points, and if the team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area of the goal through the aperture by bouncing the ball off the playing surface, then the team receives three points. The first team to score eleven points, or another agreed upon point total, may be deemed to be the winner. Various other scoring modifications may be used in varying game formats. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the present invention there is, a method for playing a game for at least a first team and a second team, the game having a ball, at least two ball handling apparatus, at least one goal, and a playing court, the playing court comprising a substantially rectangular playing surface with a foul line, the method comprising the steps of: placing the goal about twenty five feet from the foul line of the playing court; the first team taking possession of the ball with at least one of the at least two ball handling apparatus, wherein the first team attempts to place the ball in the at least one goal without crossing the foul line, the at least one goal comprising a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member, wherein the rim member contains a polygonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges; the second team attempting to prevent the first team from placing the ball in the at least one goal, wherein the second team is allowed to cross the foul line and be positioned on either side or both sides of the foul line; wherein if the first wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture via contact with the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives one point; wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture without contacting the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives two points; and wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture by bouncing the ball off the playing surface, then the first team receives three points. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment there is a kit for playing a game, the kit having at least two ball handling apparatus, wherein the ball handling apparatus has a shaft portion and a ball receiving portion; at least one goal, wherein the at least one goal comprising a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member, wherein the rim member is hexagonally shaped and contains a hexagonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges; and a ball. 
         [0016]    In yet another embodiment there is a playing court for an indoor and/or outdoor based game, the playing court having a substantially rectangular playing surface having a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary, and a fourth boundary, with a centrally located line extending from a first boundary to a second boundary; at least one goal positioned along the third boundary and/or fourth boundary, wherein the goal comprises a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member, wherein the rim member is hexagonally shaped and contains a hexagonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges. 
         [0017]    In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that can be played indoors and/or outdoors. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that can be played by individuals of varying skill and ability levels. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game used thrown and caught projectiles. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that encompasses a distinct playing court. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that can quickly be set up and taken down. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that requires relatively little equipment. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that provides for various scoring opportunities. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a game that combines skills from differing sporting contests. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a playing court in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate playing court in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a goal of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ball and ball handling apparatus of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0031]    Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is an embodiment of a playing court  100  in accordance with the present invention. The playing court  100  generally may have and be defined by a playing surface  101 , first boundary  102 , second boundary  104 , third boundary  106 , fourth boundary  108 , and scoring line or foul line  110 . In some embodiments, there are boundary markers  112 . The playing court  100  preferably has at least one goal  114 . 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the playing court  100  is generally rectangular in shape and may be about 10 feet by about 20 feet to about 50 feet by about 100 feet and more preferably about 20 feet by about 40 feet. The ratio of the playing court  100  need not be arranged in a 2:1 ratio of boundary lengths and other size, shape, and other court variations may be implemented. The playing court  100  has a playing surface  101  which may be any number of types and variety of playing surfaces that allow for a ball to travel there along. Such surfaces may include both natural and artificial/synthetic surfaces such as grass, dirt, wood, clay, rubber, vinyl, nylon, polyethylene, urethane, and the like or a combination thereof. 
         [0034]    The scoring line or foul line  110  may be positioned at any point of along the length of the playing court  100  and the position of the foul line  110  may influence the difficulty of the game. For example, a foul line  110  may be positioned about twenty five feet from the goal  114 . This means that a player must remain or otherwise be positioned behind this line in order to attempt to score a goal. If the foul line  110  were to be moved closer or further away to the goal  114 , then the difficulty would likely decrease or increase accordingly. 
         [0035]    The goal  114  is shown positioned roughly at a midpoint of the third boundary line  106 . However, the goal  114  may be positioned at any point including outside the defined field of play. The goal  114  may further be located in different positions relative to the shape of the playing court  100 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 2 , there is an alternative arrangement for a playing court  100  in accordance with the present invention. The playing court  100  generally bears similar characteristics as the playing court illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, here there is an extra goal  114  as well as netting  116 . 
         [0037]    The addition of a goal may allow for a more traditional “back and forth” methodology of game play as players/teams gain or lose possession of the ball and attempt to score at the opposing player/team&#39;s goal. In such a configuration, it may be preferable to have the foul line  110  located centrally with respect to the length of the field thereby creating equal halves of the playing court  100 . Further, it is desirable, in this configuration, to have each section (on either side of the foul line) to be in equal dimensions so as not to enable one player/team to have an advantage over the other. 
         [0038]    Additionally, the netting  116  may be utilized to assist in preventing errant shots from leaving the playing court  100  as well as removing the need for a team sponsored or neutral goal keeper, as described further herein below. The netting  116  may generally be comprised of a support  120  and webbing  122 . The netting  116  may be anchored behind the goal and shaped to assist in the retainment of ball shot at the goal. In some embodiments, the webbing  122  may comprise a particular material or have properties that otherwise allow for balls to be “rebounded” back into the field of play after contacting the netting  116 . In other embodiments, the playing court  100  may be fully surrounded by such netting. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is a front view of a goal  114  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The goal  114  may generally have a ball retainment member  118 , a rim member  126  with an aperture  124 , a ball receiving area  128  with a second aperture  132 , a slanted surface  130 , and a base member  134  with a lip  136 . In other embodiments, the goal  114  lacks the base member  134 , slanted surface  130 , and second aperture  132 . 
         [0040]    The goal  114  has a ball receiving area  128  which may be a generally walled structure with an aperture or opening defining a containment area. The walls and base provide support for the structure and the opening allows access for the ball to enter the goal  114 . The ball receiving area  128  may be about 24 inches to about 48 inches in height and is preferably about 30 inches. 
         [0041]    A rim member  126  is capable of being positioned upon the ball receiving area  128 , and may be further coupled thereto with snaps, locks, latches, and the like or some combination thereof. The rim member  126  is generally hexagonal in shape with a hexagonal aperture  124 , although the rim member  126  may be any polygonal shape and could be non-polygonal in shape. In other embodiments, the rim member  126  and the aperture  124  are different shapes. 
         [0042]    The rim member  126  may be sized to have an aperture  124  which is smaller (dimensionally) than the opening or aperture of the ball receiving area  128 . In further embodiments, different rim members may be coupled to the ball receiving area  128  thereby changing the size of the aperture and increasing or decreasing the difficulty of the game play. Further, the rim member  126  may be sloped at an angle with the rear or back portion of the rim member  126  being higher than the front portion of the rim member  126 . This may make the game easier for those less skilled. In some embodiments, it is the rim member  126  that has a fixed angled or sloped shape, whereas in other embodiments the slope of the rim member  126  is capable of being adjusted to customize gameplay. 
         [0043]    The rim member  126  has a ball retainment member  118  attached thereto that borders at least three of the six segments of the hexagonal rim member  126 . The ball retainment member  118  may be about 2 inches to about 12 inches in height and serves to help direct the ball into the aperture  124 . The ball retainment member  118  may be fused to the rim member  126  or alternatively may be removable. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the goal  114  is fitted with a base member  134 . The base member  134  may be weighted or non-weighted to add additional rigidity to the overall structure of the goal  114 . The base member  134  may further have a lip  136  configured to retain a ball used in accordance with the present invention. When an individual or team scores a goal, a slanted surface  130  comprising an interior portion of the ball receiving area  128  may direct the scored ball to a second aperture  132 . The second aperture  132  allows the ball to leave the ball receiving area  128  and reside in the base member  134  where it is retained by the lip  136 . Such structure removes the need for individuals to reach into the goal  114  to attempt to retrieve a scored ball. The lip  136  prevents one from chasing a “loose” ball once it exits the ball receiving area  128  through the second aperture  132 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is a ball handling apparatus  200  and a ball  300  of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    The ball handling apparatus  200  generally has a shaft  202 , ball retainment mechanism  204 , netting,  206 , a first ball receiving area  208 , and a second ball receiving area  210 . The shaft  202  may vary in length from about 20 inches to about 48 inches. The ball retainment mechanism  204  is designed to retain the ball  300  and its dimensions may vary accordingly. There is a first ball receiving area  208  which has dimensions to facilitate catching of the ball  300 . The second ball receiving area  210  is preferably narrower than the first ball receiving area  208  and is dimensionally suited for retainment and hurling of the ball  300 . 
         [0047]    In playing the game described in  FIGS. 1-4 , a conventional face off, such as with lacrosse/hockey/etc., or a coin flip may occur to determined possession of the ball. The playing court is set up in accordance with those shown and described in  FIGS. 1-2  or a variation thereof. 
         [0048]    A first player or team attempts to hurl or otherwise position the ball into the goal using the ball handling apparatus, while a second player or team attempts to prevent a scoring event from occurring. In some embodiments, there is one player per team and a neutral goal keeper to collect errant balls. In other embodiments, there are multiple players per team with a neutral goalkeeper. In yet other embodiments, there is no neutral goalkeeper and the number of players may vary. 
         [0049]    The format may vary and a player/team may only get one shot attempt before possession automatically transfers to the opposing team. Alternatively, one player/team may keep possession until the other team “steals” the ball or the first team/player scores. 
         [0050]    In order to score, a player is preferably behind the foul or scoring line and throws or hurls the ball at the goal. If the ball hits the ball retainment member and subsequently enters the goal, one point is awarded to the team/player who attempted the shot. If the ball enters the goal without hitting the external portion or structures of the goal, then the team is awarded two points. If a team/player manages to bounce the ball off the ground and into the goal on a shot attempt, then three points are to be awarded. In the event of a scoring event occurring, a player/team may attempt to retain possession for a “double or nothing” attempt. Here, a second consecutive goal doubles the point total if they score in the same manner as the first scoring event. If the team/player fails, then they lose the points accumulated on that possession. Variations thereof may entail only being allowed a second attempt on certain scoring events or allowing any type of follow up scoring event in order to receive the enhanced point total. 
         [0051]    In at least one embodiment, the first team/player to score exactly eleven points is deemed to be the winning team/player. If a team exceeds the point total of eleven, or other agreed upon score, then the score is reduced to, for example, seven points. In the event of a tie, where one team reaches the wining point total and the other team matches on a follow up possession, there may be a tie breaking event where the first team/player to score wins the match. 
         [0052]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.