Visten Football

## History

The sport of Visten Football was invented in a war-torn Vistaain in 1643, by Kelterev Faigle. The sport became increasingly popular in the capital of Canterville. It was played by various towns and schools, but each had their own variations of the rules. In 1674, the Vistaain Government of Football (which still exists today) was established to make sure a single set of rules were being used across all leagues. They agreed the sport would be named Spakeltrev, meaning ‘game of Kelterev’ in Vistaainian and came up with a common set of rules. The name Visten Football is used in English, but Spakeltrev is the traditional name. Some Vistaainian speakers have started using ‘football’ to refer to the game, but Spakeltrev when referring to the game more broadly. Like how we would say football or footy, but the name Aussie Rules helps specify which type of football you are talking about. As traveling across the country was not easy, many city-wide tournaments were established with the Super Vistaain Cup occurring every five years. To qualify, you had to win your city’s major league at least once in the 5 years leading up to the cup. Often teams would qualify but couldn't afford the journey. The game spread to Pifvancia (piv-ankia) in the 1690’s when the Pifvancian government created leagues in the major cities to popularize the game. When the Antionesse Empire conquered the North of Ebraka, they brought the game with them, popularizing it in Braencivia (Bron-sivvy-ya) and Skontilla (Skont-tee-ya). The game was also brought to Northartica when some Northarticans went to Vistaain and wanted to start playing Visten Football back home. In 1742, the first ever tournament was set up between different countries; the Spakeltrev Nations Cup. It occurred every 10 years until 1892, when it was agreed to change it to every 5 years, and from 1947, every 3 years. This sport absolutely conquered the continent of Ebraka until the arrival of Europeans, who brought soccer, cricket, and rugby. In the 1920’s, the Yglevenian national team (Ygleven was known as Antomerica back then) toured South America and popularised the sport. Today, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have some of the world’s strongest national teams and biggest leagues. The game’s popularity in Latin America also saw it spread to Spain, who introduced the game to France and Portugal. While the game is nowhere near as popular as soccer in Europe and South America, it is still one of the major sports. Today, Visten Football is the second most popular sport in Ebraka, behind soccer (known as European Football in Ebraka).

## Rules

### Playing Field

The game is played on a rectangle grass field which is 110m long and 60m wide. The field has a centreline and a centre circle, 55m out in the middle, with a centre circle. The field has two 'attacking zones', which are 40x20m boxes that extend out from the goals. Within the AZ's, there are 'safe zones', which are 9 meters long and 4 meters wide.

The attacking zones only affect scoring, with goals scored within the AZ worth 6 points and goals scored outside it (known as a strike) worth 8 points.

The safe zones are there to prevent teams from goalkeeping with multiple players, the rule also prevents goalkeeping entirely, which makes games higher scoring. Nobody from either side is allowed to step in the safe zone whilst the ball is in the AZ. Doing so would result in a free kick to the defending team or a penalty to the attacking team. The defending team can step in as long as they have the ball, which would result in a corner Players are allowed to enter their arms or legs into the safe zone, as long as they don't hit the ground. If the ball hits the ground in the safe zone, it is counted as out of bounds, and will be either a corner or goal kick. Like basketball, the ball must hit the ground to be out of bounds. Even if the ball bounces into the goals, if it hits the SZ, it is out of bounds. There is a goal umpire down each end whose job it is to make sure players don't step in.

Each end of the ground has a goal, which have the same dimensions as rugby goals. The higher crossbar makes goals more common. The goals are 5.6m wide, with a crossbar 3m high. Each stadium's goalposts are different but the uprights usually extend at least 7m high.

### Players/Positions

Each team has 12 players on the field. The number of substitutes on the bench allowed differs between competitions, but it is usually 5. Unlike netball, the positioning is not strict, and coaches can put as many players in any area of the ground as they want and players can move themselves around the ground wherever they want. You can be in the defending zone when the game starts but run up to get close to the ball when it is in the middle. There are unlimited substitutions. When a player breaks a rule intentionally or attacks another someone else they will get a yellow card as a warning, a black card, meaning they are sent off but can be replaced with another player, or a red card, meaning they are sent off and their team goes down one player. Two yellow cards equal a black card.

### Time

Each game has 4 quarters of 20 minutes plus added time. Rather than a clock which counts down and pauses for every stoppage, the clock counts up, with the stoppage time added on top. The teams swap sides at the end of each quarter. The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins. If scores are level after the fourth quarter, an extra round will be played. Rather than extra time, an extra round begins as soon as the fourth quarter finishes, and the ball is brought back to the middle without any form of break. Teams do not swap sides, and three additional minutes are played. If either team can take a lead of two or more points, the game is over. If the extra round finishes, and scores are level or one team is up by just a point, the game finishes as a draw. If the game needs an outcome (knockout tournament, finals fixture), there will be two additional “quarters” of 10 minutes after the extra round. If there is still no winner after that, there will be a free kick shootout, which is like a penalty shootout in soccer, but instead of penalties, each team will get five free kicks directly in front outside of the box. The play ends once the ball goes out of bounds, a score is made, or the other team gets possession. Teams can score in a shootout any way possible (over, goal or strike) but can only have six players on the field for each play. There are no rules on which players can be involved, as long as they are on the team.

### Equipment

The game is played with a round ball that is equivalent in size to a size 4 soccer ball. Size 3 & 2 balls are used at junior levels. Most leagues use leather balls but some use rubber balls (notably Skintesborg, Kennazhyi, and local & junior competitions in Vistaain).

### Game

Each quarter begins with a ruck, where the referee throws the ball up in the centre circle. The two jumpers compete for the ball. The jumpers will try and tap the ball to a teammate, but it can be intercepted. Once a player has possession of the ball, they can keep possession by:

* Running with the ball. There are no limits for how far you can run with it, as long as you bounce it for every 10 metres you run.
* Handpassing. Handpassing can be done with either an open or clenched fist. Handpasses (or handballs) are the most common way to move the ball as there are no restrictions on where you can handpass.
* Throwing. You can throw the ball, but like rugby, it must go backwards or sideways. A forwards throw will result in a free kick to the opposition. Throws are usually used for getting the ball free out of tackles.
* Kicking the ball. You can kick the ball, but your kick must either score or be caught by a teammate. If your kick fails to do either, the opposition receives a free kick from where it landed. If you have a free kick, you are allowed to kick the ball without consequence. If you play on or play the advantage, you will lose that chance to kick

The opposition may try to get the ball back by:

* Intercepting a pass.
* Tackling an opposition player. If the opposition player is unable to get the ball free from a tackle, you will receive a free kick. Unlike Aussie Rules, if the player had no prior opportunity or made a genuine attempt to free the ball, too bad. A good tackle is one that locks the ball up. If your tackle is around the neck or head, tripping the opposing player, pushing or shoving the opponent, slinging them around or intentionally aggressive or violent the opponent receives a free kick.

Boundaries

If the full ball crosses the boundary line on the side of the ground, the team who did not last touch the ball will be awarded a free kick from where it went out. Like basketball, the ball must hit the ground to be out, teams can jump over the line to keep the ball in play, although if someone with possession steps over the line, it is out of bounds. If it goes out on the end, the attacking team would be awarded a corner (if the defending team touched it last), which is like a corner in soccer, where a player kicks the ball off the ground from the corner flag. The defending team would be awarded a goal kick (if the attacking team touched it last) which is a free kick taken from the defending goals.

### Kicking

I have explained kicking rules throughout other sections, but this paragraph is dedicated to understanding the rules of kicking the ball.

If you have possession of the ball, you may drop it on to your boot and kick it (punt kick) or drop it on to the ground and kick it on the bounce (drop kick). Punt and drop kicks (air kicks) must either score or be caught by a teammate otherwise a free kick is awarded to the other team. Kicks off the ground (soccer kicks) also must meet these requirements. When a kick fails to meet the requirements, the free kick is awarded from where it landed or where was caught by the opponent. If it goes out of bounds, the kick is irrelevant, and it will be a free kick/goal kick/corner depending on where it went out. You can kick the ball in the air with a punt or drop kick for a teammate to tap in, header or mid-air kick into the goals. As long as the ball does not hit the ground before it ends up scoring, it will count. You can kick the ball, and it can take a deflection off a defender, but as long as the defender does not get possession and the ball does not hit the ground, the score counts. If a kick bounces but ends up in the goal, the score is not counted, because it hit the ground, making it an opposition free. Exceptions apply if:

* The player is taking a free kick (free kick literally means you're free to kick it), however, if they play on the ball must be caught again.
* It is a corner kick

### Free Kicks

Free kicks are literally what they are called. They are awarded when a foul is committed, an opposition kick fails to score/be caught, the ball goes over the boundary on the side or anything else mentioned against the rules. Usually, kicks must be caught, or they must score, but when you get a free kick, you can kick it anywhere and if no one catches it or it does not score, there is no consequence. You may also handpass or throw from a free kick. You have 15 seconds to take a free kick and no opposition player is allowed within 8 metres of you. During those 15 seconds, the clock will keep counting, so you can use all your time to run down the clock. You are allowed to get a run up, up to 10 metres. If the siren sounds to end the quarter/game, you may take the free kick as long as your 15 seconds is not up (read next paragraph). If a free kick is conceded within the attacking zone, a penalty is awarded. The team which received the penalty nominates one player to score a goal off the ground from 10m out, and the conceding team nominates one player to 'goalkeep' the penalty, for which they are allowed to enter the safe zone. You are allowed to attempt to score in the top goal or bottom goal, and like usual a goal is 6 and an over is 1. There is a 30-second time limit for a penalty and it may be taken after the siren. If a penalty is scored, it will be a ruck or a goal kick depending on whether it was a goal or over. If a penalty is saved or missed, the game stops and will resume with a goal kick

#### Advantage & Play On

If a free kick is awarded but if the team who it would be given to is in a better position than where they would be if the free kick were paid, advantage is called. If the foul was worthy of a card, the card will be shown to the player after the next stoppage in play.

When you have a free kick, you are allowed to play on. When you play on, anyone can tackle you again. You must play on by tapping the ball on your foot or kicking it up to yourself. Exceptions count if your walking backwards 10m to get a run up.

### Playing After the Siren

When the siren sounds for any quarter, the player with possession is allowed to make one last shot. Play ends if:

* Their shot (it can be a kick or a handpass) hits the ground or crosses the boundary line
* Their shot scores (the points will be awarded)
* The player decides not to have a shot
* Any other player (from either side) gets possession of the ball

Play does not end if:

* The player with the ball decides to keep running with it. They can keep running with it and keep bouncing it, as long as they don't pass it. (as long as they don't pass to anyone it's fine)
* The shot takes a deflection
* The shot is tapped, punched or kicked in mid-air by anyone. (Often this results in 'volleyball' like situations with one team trying to keep the ball off the ground without catching the ball so they can punch it it in and score and the other trying to catch the ball or get it to hit the ground)

### Scoring

As said before, the goals are like rugby goals. Here are all the ways you can score:

* Over- Scoring in the upper goal. 1 point.
* Goal- Scoring in the bottom goal from inside the attacking zone. 6 points.
* Strike- Scoring in the bottom goal from outside the attacking zone. 8 points. The player taking the shot must be outside the box. If it takes a deflection off anyone, it counts as a strike, if it is tapped in or kicked in by a teammate, it will count as a goal for 6, but if it is tapped in intentionally by an opponent, it will still count as a strike. This is to prevent opposition players from trying to only concede the goal when up by 7 or 8 points.

It does not matter how the ball goes in. It does not matter which player it touched last, etc. If the ball ends up in the goal, it ends up in the goal. If it hits the post, it hits the post. Read the ‘kicking’ paragraph to learn more about the rules on kicking it up for a teammate to tap in.

#### After a Score

* Goa or Strike- All players return to their starting positions and play resumes with a ball up
* Over- The conceding team receives a goal kick

### Video Review

The video review is only used in professional leagues, and some pro-leagues still do not use it, but it is becoming increasingly popular. Whenever the referee is unsure about a decision, they must make a call and then look at the replay. If the replay has conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the field, the decision is overturned, if not, the on-field call remains. There are also people in charge of the review system (usually located at the headquarters of the league). If they think the referee has made the wrong call, they can ask for the ref to have a look, but the final decision, after looking at the replay, is always down to the ref. Video review can be used for any decision made on the field but is usually only used for important decisions like scoring or penalties.

## Biggest Leagues and Tournaments

Here are all the professional Visten Football leagues in the world, ranked by size. Bigger leagues have more fans, more clubs, higher attendances, generate more money, etc.

### Domestic Leagues

There have been propositions to set up new domestic leagues in areas where the game has potential.

* There is a push for either the LDEM to expand into the US and Canada or for an entirely new North American league to be created.
* The NSL has been pushing for years to set up a competition in Hildachen. Hildachen already has many amateur leagues that get high attendances, and the NSL argue that it is a great opportunity to grow the sport, and promote another Northartica-Hildachen rivalry. Their only problem has been getting a licence to operate a foreign business in Hildachen. The Hildachenian government has strict regulations on businesses from the DDP operating in the country.
* Many people have suggested South Africa as a potential place to grow the game, but nothing has been mentioned or addressed by any national governing body of Visten Football
* Some people suggest that the VFLE should expand to Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia and Ireland. They say that the VFLE should get to the point where the game is popular enough for each country to run a separate league, but some argue that all the international travel would suck money out of the game, and kill the game in Europe. One of the biggest arguments for the expansion is how many pro players have come out of Germany and Ireland. Both those countries have successful national teams, but no national league.

Some professional leagues have to potential to grow soon.

* The Visten Super Cup NH has been the butt of many jokes due to the low crowds at games and unsuccessfulness of the league, but attendances have been on the climb lately.
* The LDEM definitely could expand soon. Visten Football (Ebrakobol in Spanish) is more popular in Mexico than you would think, but it's quite overshadowed by Association Football (Soccer)
* A lot of Slavakan countries have economies which are weak, but rising, with predictions that Amma Rione, Belurvia and Tyrketsnia could be classified as developed countries by 2030. What does this have to do with Visten Football? Well, with a larger economy, people have larger salaries, and more people can afford tickets to games & live streaming services.
* The AFVB has a huge opportunity at the moment to capitalise on the struggles of the Brasileirão, where people cannot afford to go to games. If they can lower ticket prices, more people will be able to go to games. Even if they sell tickets at a loss, some argue they would make up for it in merchandise & popularity and they will thank themselves in 20 years.

On the other hand, some leagues are not as stable

* The Pro League Venezuela was on the same level as the SPL about 10 years ago, but they have been almost destroyed by the Venezuelan Economic Crisis. The league has gone from 12 teams to just 6, and attendances have gone down by 80%
* The MaxeBet league, despite being quite healthy, with good crowds, TV ratings, making a lot of money, etc., could be completely replaced soon. The MaxeBet league was established in 1994, the year after the Grangavo regime fell. Instead of getting local teams who had been playing the game for decades, or picking up where the Maxe Nvar Premier League left off, 20 random teams were created based in the major cities. Many Ilburnians have started boycotting games until the traditional clubs based in Ilburn return to professional Football.