Powerball

**Powerball** is an event played in several incarnations of the television series *Gladiators*. In this event, two contenders simultaneously face three Gladiators on a field with the contenders trying to score by putting balls into scoring baskets while the Gladiators try to prevent this.

## Rules

The Powerball field has five scoring pods, four near the outer corners and one in the centre. At both ends are baskets containing sponge balls of two different colours. On the whistle, the contenders must select their appropriately colored ball and must attempt to place it in one of the five scoring pods by dodging or outrunning the Gladiators. The Gladiators must attempt to stop the contenders from scoring by either tackling or pushing the contenders outside of the field. The event lasts 60 seconds and contenders receive two points for a score in one of the outer baskets and three points for getting a centre basket. Both contenders had 45–60 seconds to place as many balls in one of the five baskets to score points. However, in order for this to happen, they must pass through three Gladiators and try not to get tackled by them, as they try to stop them from scoring. Should a ball touch the floor, it is deemed as 'dead' and will not count as a score should it be put in a pod. Contenders may not pick up a ball from the same side in consecutive attempts and are not allowed to pick up dead balls. Should a contender be pushed out of bounds, then the ball they are holding will be deemed dead. Contenders may not make any aggressive move towards the Gladiators, but are allowed to attempt to throw the ball into the basket. The Gladiators are not allowed to intentionally target just one contender and must spread their team so that both contenders are marked. Gladiators may not perform dangerous high tackles or tackles round a contender's neck, nor may they deliberately knock over the scoring pods. Powerball has seen more injuries than any other event in Gladiators.

## International differences

Different amounts of points are awarded in some territories for scoring, and some territories have had different time limits. In Sweden, this event went under the name 'Attackbollen', translated as *The Attack Ball*. In Finland it was called Taistelupallo, translated as *Battle Ball*. In Australia and America, there is a 'contender safety zone' that spans from the box, containing replacement balls and the edge of the actual Powerball field. Gladiators may not tackle contenders in this area.

## Event history

### America

* Years active: 1989–1996, 2008–2009

Powerball first aired during the initial season of American Gladiators, in which the event lasted 45 seconds. The scoring pods were small which meant that contenders would generally be unable to score by throwing the balls at the baskets. Initially, the event was played on a semi circle field with the ball baskets in the center and scoring pods round the edge of the semi circle. 15 points were awarded for each score. From the second half of series 1, the field was changed into what would become its traditional format of a rectangular course with 5 scoring pods. A contender safety zone was incorporated into the space between the balls baskets and the edges of the Powerball field. Scoring results were changed with contenders receiving between 1 and 3 points for scoring in an outer basket and between 2 and 5 points for a score in the central basket dependent on the season and round. Overtly aggressive tackles by Gladiators would result with them being sent off, unreplaced as opposed to receiving a warning from the referee. During the second half of season 1, *all* tackles were prohibited, and from the quarterfinals of that season until the beginning of Season 2, Gladiators were disqualified if they tackled a contender. This resulted in much higher scoring and one match during the quarterfinals where one Gladiator was forced to defend against both contenders after the other two had been disqualified for tackling. In subsequent seasons, only the first Gladiator to be called for a high tackle was disqualified. Subsequent high tackles would result in penalty points to the Contender fouled. During Season 4, a variant of the game was played, known as Super Powerball. For the 2008 revival, the game was expanded to 60 seconds, with the Powerball field being enclosed by barriers, removing the 'out of bounds' zone. The contender safety zone, while present, was not enforced strictly. Several Gladiators were given warnings about encroaching into the safety zone, but none were disqualified. 2 points were awarded for an outer basket score and 3 for a central score. The scoring pods themselves were enlarged which allowed contenders to try to score by throwing the balls. Additionally, Gladiators were forced to play a zone defense scheme, but this rule, like the safety zone rule, was not enforced strictly. In the second series of the revival, the scoring pods were made smaller to reduce the chance of contenders scoring by throwing. Only 1 point would be awarded for an outer basket score and 2 for the central basket.

### United Kingdom

* Years active: 1993–1999, 2008–2009, 2023-

Despite being a staple event in America for some years, Powerball did not debut until the second series of the British run, quickly becoming a staple of the British series. The Gladiators teams would enter the arena to certain themes – 'We Are Family' by Sister Sledge for the women, and 'The Boys Are Back in Town' by Thin Lizzy for the men. From Series 5, the male team entered the arena to a re-recording of 'The Boys Are Back in Town', sung by the Gladiators themselves. From Series 6, contenders were allowed to wear chest guards, similar to the ones used in Gauntlet, in order to reduce the risk of injuries. From Series 7, the rules were changed, with only two Gladiators now facing the contenders. The Gladiators now had an assigned contender and could not tackle the other without risking disqualification. The entrance themes were changed too, with the female team entering to 'Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves' by Eurythmics and the male team entering to 'Let's Get Ready To Rumble' by Ant & Dec. For the 2008 revival, contenders would receive 5 points for a score in the central basket. The baskets themselves being much larger compared to the previous series, allowing contenders to throw the balls in. The Gladiators no longer walk onto the Powerball pitch with a theme playing. Two of the Gladiators ould be pre-assigned contenders with the third guarding the middle. In the second revival series, the holes on the scoring pods were made smaller and the playing field bigger. The third Gladiator is also allowed to play a much more active role rather than acting as a backup.

### Australia

* Years active: 1995–1996, 2008

During the original run, Powerball was played for 60 seconds. For the 2008, revival Powerball was played for 45 seconds, with the challengers wearing chest guards in order to reduce the likelihood of injuries. During the revival, Angel became the only female Gladiator never to play Powerball.