Patent Document

CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/303,398 filed Feb. 11, 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a kit and method of engaging in a fun physical activity, in particular, a field game. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a kit and method of using said kit to engage in a recreational or conditioning activity. The activity is a game that preferably involves a substantially level and smooth playing area, a number of balls and a goal scoring area. The game may serve to challenge and improve a person&#39;s marksmanship, precision of motions, balance, and strategic planning of next moves. The personified game also aims to reduce or eliminate the need for physical contact between players of the same or opposing teams. Physical contact serves to provide an additional element of excitement to a spectator sport, but often leads to more injuries than any other factor. The present invention is novel and distinct, since it may be played outdoors or indoors, irrespective of the type or size of the playing surface. 
         [0004]    The present invention is a team sport that does not require a large number of people or a large playing area. This may be highly desirable since the majority of social or familial gatherings are too small to man commonly played team sports, such as soccer or softball, or volleyball. Traditional team sports require a large number of players and a relatively large playing area, to provide an optimal playing experience. Not having the requisite number of players forces players to bend the rules, compromise on quality of play and reduce sizes of the preferred playing areas, all of which detract from the quality of the game. On the other hand, the present invention may preferably be played by two teams comprised of at least one player each. Since there may be at least one ball per player, participants are able to compensate for fewer players, by introducing additional balls or by reducing or increasing the playing field proportions. 
       Description of the Related Art  
       [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,010 discloses a hand ball game and method that comprises an elongated rectangular playing field having two opposite ends. A ground standing tubular goal net at both ends of the playing field. The goal net is approximately 12 feet in diameter and 3½ feet tall and has a goalkeeper playing within it. Two teams of five to seven players attempt to get the ball into the opponents goal net. 
         [0006]    US Patent Application No. 2006/0189416 discloses a soccer (or association football) goalkeeping game has two players playing against each other on a reduced-sized playing field. Each players has as objectives not only to score on the opponent but also save the opponent&#39;s shot on goals. The rules of play reward goalkeeping play in particular. For example, a player who saves a goal shot but knocks the ball out-of-bounds on his or her side of the field get the ball back, instead of losing the ball pursuant to FIFA rules of soccer (or association football). Also, not only do goals earn points but so do caught-and-held saves, and there is no counterpart whatsoever to points for caught-and-held saves under FIFA rules of soccer (or association football). 
         [0007]    US Patent Application No. 2007/0072702 teaches a new sport of Toeball, similar in many respects to soccer (American) and futbol (International), but with important evolutionary changes that make it something radical and new. In Toeball, the field has new markings, and the goal stands partially blocked off by a “bounce board” around the edges. In Toeball, we have only 10 players on the field at any one time because there is no goalkeeper—nor is there an offside penalty. Shots from the field count for two or three points, and foul shots count for one point, like basketball. Teams must shoot the ball within 40 seconds of when they take possession, or lose possession. Referees are required to make foul calls whenever one player initiates contact against another player, which makes toeball a much gentler game than the game of soccer. When making an in-bounds pass, players can kick the ball in or throw it in. There are no corner kicks. The clock stops on every referee whistle and does not start again until an inbounds player touches the ball. Finally, in toeball, there are four 15-minute quarters, teams can call multiple time outs in each quarter, and teams can make substitutions from the bench with much greater frequency than in the sport of soccer. The combination of a few radical new rules changes, plus the additional of many evolutionary rules changes add up cumulatively to a completely new and original sport worthy of a patent in its own right. 
         [0008]    Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to a method of playing a game called lobol, and a kit to facilitate playing the game. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the lobol is a small, solid ball that may, for instance, be spherical in shape and evenly weighted. The lobol preferably has a size in a range between 2 and 3 inches in diameter and may be made of a hard, substantially unyielding material such as, but not limited to, a phenolic resin, polyester or clear acrylic. 
         [0011]    In addition to the lobol, there are one or more larger balls. These larger balls are preferably spherical in shape, evenly weighted, and have a size in a range of between 3.5 and 6 inches in diameter. The larger balls are preferably comprised of a resilient, but yielding material such as, but not limited to, rubber or silicone. 
         [0012]    A third element of equipment is a goal enclosure. The goal enclosure is preferably shaped to have an opening sized to admit the lobol, but not the larger ball. 
         [0013]    In a simple, preferred embodiment of the invention, two players may designate starting point at a selected distance from where the goal enclosure has been placed. The lobol may be placed on the playing field between the starting point and the goal enclosure. 
         [0014]    The two players then designate one of them as being player in possession of the lobol. The player in possession may then throw, or propel, one of the balls towards the lobol with the intention of making the lobol move towards and into the goal enclosure. 
         [0015]    Depending on the outcome of that action, one of the following steps may be take. 
         [0016]    If the ball misses the lobol, the other player may become the player in possession, and attempt to move the lobol into the goal enclosure by propelling one of the balls towards it. In a preferred embodiment, each player has a goal enclosure, and each player may attempt to move the lobol into the others goal enclosure. 
         [0017]    If the ball hits the lobol it enters the goal enclosure, a goal is recorded as being scored. The players may then designate which of them will assume the role of “player in possession”. The player in possession may then select a ball and propel it towards the lobol, as described above. 
         [0018]    If the ball hits the lobol, but does not make it enter a goal enclose, the player remains the player in possession and has another chance to throw a ball towards the lobol. In a preferred embodiment, designating which player is the “player in possession” may be done by means of a faceoff. The faceoff may begin with the lobol being placed on the playing field. The two players may then position themselves substantially equidistant from the lobol. The players may also be on opposite sides of the lobol, substantially 180 degrees apart from each other. 
         [0019]    On a predetermined signal, both players may simultaneously propel one of the balls at the lobol. The role of player in possession may then be decided according to the following logic. 
         [0020]    If one of the players manages to propel the lobol into a goal enclosure, they become the player in possession. If that does not occur, then whichever player propels the lobol furthest away from themself is designated. And if neither player hits the lobol, then whichever player&#39;s ball lands closest to the lobol is designated. 
         [0021]    The game kit preferably contains at least one goal enclosure, a lobol, and at least two balls. The game kit may also contain side and corner limits, as well as field markers. 
         [0022]    Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and entertaining team sport. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a form of team sport that may be played by teams comprised of one or more people. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational activity that sharpens one&#39;s marksmanship, balance, and strategy. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational activity that can be simply and expeditiously transported and set up. 
         [0027]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational team sports that aims to avoid physical contact between players. 
         [0028]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a game that is simple to play, and thus can be enjoyed even by those who are unfamiliar with its rules. 
         [0029]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a team sport that may be equally entertaining whether few or many participate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of the preferred playing surface. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is the front view of the goal. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is an underside of the goal. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of the preferred equipment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of the preferred playing surface with preferred equipment in place. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to 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. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a diagram of the preferred playing field for the present invention. Shown are a playing field  10 , playing field half  20 , mid-field marker  30 , a field length  35 , a field width  37 , a goal enclosure  40 , posts  50 , a back wall  70 , an opening  80 , a width  90 , corner limits  130 , side limits  140 , and a field marker  150 . 
         [0038]    The playing field  10  preferably contains two halves  20  of equal size. The preferred width of the playing field  37  may be between 9 feet and to 18 feet, while the preferred length  35  may be between 13 feet and 26 feet. While there is no preferred ratio of field width  37  to field length  35 , it may be preferable for the length  35  to be at least 4 feet longer than the width  35 . It may be preferable to create a solid line field marker  150  to separate the two halves  20  of the playing field  10 . 
         [0039]    The side limits  140  denote the meets and bounds of the playing field  10 . When viewed from overhead, the side limits  140  create a rectangle, with the inside area representing the playing field  10 . The area outside the side limits  140  may be qualified as out-of-bounds area  145 . Balls  120  or the lobol  110  ( FIG. 4 ) that land in the out-of-bounds  145  area during play, must be thrown in, or in-bounded, in order for the play to continue. Additionally, the playing field  10  preferably contains four corner limits  130  that describe locations where perpendicular side limits  140  converge. The corner limits  130  preferably represent special in-bounds locations from which an offensive in-bounds may be made towards an opponent&#39;s goal enclosure. 
         [0040]    Corner limits  130  or side limits  140  may be added to the game kit containing the other component of the present invention. Alternatively a separate kit for may be formed for these items or participants may improvise using any other available objects or materials. The preferred embodiment for the corner limits  130  is in the form of a flag  135 , similar to a flag  135  shown in  FIG. 4 . The corner limit  130  may be a colored or plain rod or pipe. The corner limit  130  may be designated using a triangular like shape that may laid down in the corners of the playing field  10  using rope ribbon or paint. 
         [0041]    The side limits  140  are preferably rope or cordage. The rope or cordage may be provided in the game kit and have different sizes, such that two segments of the rope may be at least 13 feet for the length  35  side limits  140 , and two other segments of the rope at least 9 feet in length for the width  37  side limits  140 . The area of the width  37  side limit  140  that forms a part of the goal opening  80 , may be painted with a different color, such as yellow. The rope or cordage may also be a single length, roll or spool of cordage for the entire perimeter of the lobol pitch  10 . The side limit  140  may be laid out on the ground or floor, or it may be suspended in the air from posts, rods, or other supports. Alternatively, the side limits  140  may also spray painted, rolled on, or chalked down. Field markers, such as the mid field marker may also be created using a rope, paint, or chalk. Materials for side limits  140  may be selected from, but not limited to natural fibers such as manila hemp, hemp, linen, cotton, coir, jute, and sisal; or synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyesters, for example, PET, LCP, HPE, Vectran, polyethylene Aramids (e.g. Twaron, Technora and Kevlar) and polyaramids (e.g. Dralon, Tiptolon). Some ropes are constructed of mixtures of several fibres or use co-polymer fibres. Side limit  140  may also be made out of metal, silk, wool, hair or Rayon. 
         [0042]    The mid-field marker  30  may be placed in the mid point of the playing field and may designate a faceoff area. The mid-field marker  30  is shown to be circular in shape, but may instead be in any other shape. The preferred width  32  of the field marker  30  may be between 12 and 50 inches. The faceoff initiates play, therefore it is preferable that at the start of play or after a goal has been scored that play begins equidistant from the two goal enclosures  40 . 
         [0043]    The playing field  10  may preferably be situated on substantially level ground, such as packed earth, sand, dirt or clay. The present invention may also be played on asphalt, concrete, tarp, Astroturf, or a grassy surface, where the grass has been cut short, such as a putting green or a fairway of a golf course. The playing field  10  may also be on a slight slant, especially if played over rougher surfaces. The present invention affords this flexibility because the lobol  110  and the balls  120  are preferably small and heavy when considering their size. Therefore, when playing in a slanted or uneven surface, a ball  120  or a lobol  110  will not roll on its own, or will be prevented from doing so but the uneven terrain. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the different angles of the goal enclosure  40 . Shown are a goal enclosure  40 , posts  50 , a bottom surface  55 , a width of post  57 , a cross bar  60 , a top of goal  65 , a back wall  70 , an opening  80 , a width  90 , a length  95 , a height  100 , and an overall height  105 . 
         [0045]    Preferably the present invention may be played with no more than two goal enclosures  40 . However, a single goal enclosure may service both teams, with both teams switching roles of an opponent or a defendant. When a single goal enclosure  40  is used, it may be preferable that the previously defending team that now comes into possession of the lobol  110  may begin play only from an agreed upon point of the playing field  10 , such as a mid-field field marker  150 . 
         [0046]    The goal enclosure  40  contains an opening  80  that is large enough to admit a lobol  110 . The opening  80  is preferably framed by two posts  50  and a cross bar  60 . The opening  80  may be placed directly on top of and parallel to the side limit  140  that marks the field width  37 . Preferably, there may an equal distance between each post  50  and the corner limit  130  that is located at each end of the particular side limit  140 , such that the goal enclosure  40  is located substantially in the middle of the side limit  140 . In some cases, play may take place over wide and short playing fields or over square playing fields  10 , it would then follow that the goal enclosure  40  may be also be placed along the field length  35 . In another alternative, the goal enclosure  40  may be placed at any point along the side limits  140 , as long as the two goal enclosures end up on opposite sides of the playing field  10 . The length of the side limit  140  that forms the bottom boundary of the opening  80 , may also be referred to as the goal line, or the scoring line, or the out-of-bounds line, or any other term in the art used to describe a scoring threshold. 
         [0047]    The posts  50  may preferably be between 3 and 6 inches in height  100  and between 5 and 7.5 inches in overall height  105 . Overall height  105  refers to the height  100  plus the width  67  of the cross bar  60 . Alternatively, the goal enclosure  40  may be limited to two posts  50  that may be embodied in poles, posts, markers or cones, or anything else used to identify the side limits of the opening  80 . 
         [0048]    The crossbar  60  identifies the upper limit of the opening  80 . The crossbar  60  and the posts  50  may be constructed from different components and fused together with fasteners, welding or snap joints; or it may be formed from a single material that is shaped in form of an overturned U, or in overturned square or any other geometric shape. 
         [0049]    The width  90  of the opening  80  should preferably be between 3.5 inches and 12.5 inches, with the overall length  95  of the crossbar  60  being between 5 inches and 15 inches. Overall length  95  refers to the width  90  measured together with the width  57  of each post  50 . The width  57  of the posts  50  and the thickness  67  of the crossbar  60  should preferably be between one half of an inch and one and a half inches. However, the precise width  57  of the posts  50  and the thickness  67  of the crossbeam  60  are not as critical, but merely preferred, so as to increase the structural integrity of the goal enclosure  40  and to facilitate the bounce-off quality of the lobol  110  or ball  120 . Alternatively, any size of the goal enclosure  40  may be acceptable; as long as the height  100  is capable of admitting the lobol  110  of a preferred diameter and the width  90  may admit at least two lobols  110 , side-be-side. The bottom surface  55  may contain frictional elements, such as spikes, rods or ribs (not shown) for a more secure connection with the ground or other playing surface. 
         [0050]    The back wall  70  or the top wall  65  may be made from solid materials, as shown, or may be made out of netting, rubber, resin or fabric. The primary purpose of the back wall  70  is to retain the lobol  110  that has entered into the goal enclosure  40 , but may be omitted in alternative embodiments. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate a preferred set of equipment for playing the game embodied in the present invention that may preferably be included in the preferred game kit. Alternatively, each item may be contained on its own. Shown are a lobol  110 , a ball  120 , corner limits  130 , and a pointer  160 . The lobol may be a ball that is preferably be between 2 and 3 inches in diameter. It may be preferable that the lobol may be made out of materials that are highly resistant to cracking, such as, phenolic resin. However, other plastics and resins such as polyester and clear acrylic may also be used, as well as wood, metal, rubber, silicone, ABS, Polycarbonate, Noryl™, PVC, Polystryrene, ABS/PVC, PVC/Acrylic, Polysulfone, or a composite of these or other materials. The lobol  110  may be used interchangeably with a cue ball from billiards. The present invention intends the use of only one lobol  110  that is used by both teams in opposition to each other. Alternatively, the lobol  110  may also be embodied in a disk or a puck (not shown), or any other object that may be easily propelled along when hit by a transitory object. 
         [0052]    The ball  120  should preferably be between 3.5 and 6 inches in diameter. It may be highly preferable that the ball  120  is not able to enter the opening  80  of the goal enclosure  40 . A preferred ball should be springy, elastic and contain a mass of at least one half of a pound. The ball  120  may be hollow and filled with air or other gas, or it may be solid to create additional mass. The preferred materials for the ball  120  may be a Poly-Resin composite, rubber, silicone, plastic, polyester or a different polymeric substance, or a composite material. A good example of a ball  120  is a Bocce ball. Some Bocce game equipment or billiards game equipment may be applied to the present invention, for convenience. 
         [0053]    The present invention preferably contains two teams with one player each. However, each team may have additional players depending on the size of the playing field  10 . Preferably each player has at least four balls  120  at his or her disposal during play. However, this number may be increased or decreased depending on player preference or the total number of available balls  120 . It may be preferable that the balls  120  included in the game kit are of at least two distinct colors. For example, there may be four Red balls  120  and four Blue balls  120 . Other colors, color schemes, or designs may be used. This way it may be easier to distinguish which balls  120  belong to each player or team, and which are used defensively or offensively at that particular point of play. The player in possession  210  of the lobol  110  would use the balls  120  in an offensive fashion, by throwing them at the lobol  110 , at each other, or at the opponent&#39;s balls  120 . The player or team not in possession of the lobol  110  passively defends against such throws by relying on the positioning of its balls  120 , in the hope that a strategically located ball  120  may deflect or block an offensive ball or a lobol  110 . Therefore, most successful players or teams engaged in the sport embodied in the present invention must use offensive strategy that takes into account defensive needs. 
         [0054]    It is preferable that a crease area  200  is clearly defined. The crease area  200  is an area immediately in front of the opening  80 . A defensive ball  120 , or a goalie, may be placed there in an effort to prevent a lobol  110  from entering into the goal enclosure  40 . The depth  202  of the crease area  200  may preferably be between three and six inches, while the width may be equal to the width  90  of the goal enclosure  40 . The crease area  200  may be square, or elliptical. The crease area  200  may be wider or narrower than the width of the opening  80 . 
         [0055]    The pointer  160 , also referred to as a portable pointer, may be shared between players or may be issued to each team or to individual players. The pointer  160  may preferably be constructed from telescopic sections, such as in case of a radio antenna. The pointer  160  may be between 4 inches and 4 feet in length. The pointer  160  has several functions in the present invention. It may be used to measure the faceoff area, so that all players are properly spaced, or it may be used to measure the spacing of player&#39;s feet positioning prior to a throw. The pointer  160  may also be used to clear offensive balls  120  from in front of the goal opening  80 , also referred to as the goal crease area. The pointer  160  may also be used to crease out any defensive balls  120 . Preferably there may only be one goalie ball  120  in the crease area at any time during play. However, additional defensive balls  120  may be propelled or may roll into the crease area  200  inadvertently. A defensive player may choose which of the defensive balls  120  should be removed, or creased out, from the crease area  200 , to reduce the final number of defensive balls  120  to one. During the game, it is not permitted to make a direct contact with the goalie ball  120 . 
         [0056]    Therefore, the only way to jostle the goalie out from in front of the goal is to make a throw, which results in moving the goalie. 
         [0057]    The pointer  160  may be used for this function as well. The pointer  160  may be a solid or a hollow piece of pipe, conical pointer, or a solid rod. It may be telescopic or of static length. The pointer  160  may be made of any previously mentioned material, or of any material commonly used to manufacture, pipes, rods. 
         [0058]    Some of the field markers may be sections of rubber, silicone or fabric and used to designate goal crease area, faceoff area or any other area that is significant to the game. The field markers  150 , side limits  140  or corner limits  130  may also be painted with a special roller device that would apply paint to designate these elements of the playing field  10 . All of these items may be included in the kit for the present game, or in a separate or auxiliary kit. However, any or all elements may be designated from makeshift items such as branches, rocks and other available materials. The preferred game kit may contain four red balls  120  and 4 blue balls  120 , or any other color combination. The game kit may further contain one lobol  110 , two goal enclosures  40 , four corner flags  135 , 4 rope boundaries for side limits  140 , one midfield marker  30  and one pointer  160 . Other, additional or replacement items may also be included in a typical game kit embodied in the present invention. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  is another view of the playing field  10  also known as the lobol pitch. The playing field  10  is shown with preferred equipment placed in an archetypical order at the start of play. Shown are a playing field  10 , playing field half  20 , a midfield marker  30 , a width of the midfield marker  32 , a field length  35 , a field width  37  a goal enclosure  40 , posts  50 , a bottom surface  55 , a post width  57 , a cross bar  60 , a top of goal  65 , a back wall  70 , an opening  80 , a width  90 , an overall width  95 , a height  100 , an overall height  105 , a lobol  110 , a ball  120 , corner limits  130 , location of feet for a corner throw  132 , side limits  140 , a field marker  150 , a pointer  160 , and location of player feet  170 . At the start of play, a player may place his or her feet  170  around his or her respective goal enclosure  40  with one the fourth or additional ball  120  held in one&#39;s hands. On the count or three or upon expiration of a different timing designation, both teams cast their balls  120  at the lobol  110  that may preferably be located on the midfield marker  30 . First possession or the right to the next throw is preferably awarded to the player or team whose ball  120  propels the lobol  110  forward. If both opponents manage to propel the lobol  110 , or if neither is able to, possession may be awarded to the opponent whose ball  120  ends up closest to the lobol  110 . Possession preferably identifies the right to propel one&#39;s balls  120  at the lobol  110  or at one&#39;s other balls  120 . Missing either, forcing either out-of-bounds, or scoring a goal point terminates possession. It may be noted that if the lobol  110  ricochets out-of-bounds off of an opponent&#39;s ball, possession is retained, unless an opponent&#39;s ball  120  is also forced out of bounds. 
         [0060]    To utilize the present invention at least two players begin by designating a playing field and setting up at least one goal enclosure. The step of designating a playing field preferably includes additional sub steps described in this paragraph. Initially, an area preferably between 9 and 18 feet in width and between 13 to 26 feet in width or any other size area may need to be located for use as the lobol pitch. The area may preferably be substantially flat and preferably be free of obstacles, either natural or man made. The area may be indoors or outdoors. Once such area has been located, the side limits  140  are set up. Preferably one rolls out a length of rope for the entire perimeter or four separate segments of rope or cordage that combine to form a perimeter. The corner limits  130  are preferably marked with flags  135 , or any other designation. A separate length of rope, paint, chalk or any other available material may be used to mark designate the midfield line, if one is desired. A midfield marker  30  is then placed in the middle of the playing field  10  with the lobol  110  placed on top of the midfield marker. The lobol  110  may alternatively be placed anywhere else on the playing field or in the out of bounds area  145 . Optionally, the players may also set up a cross-field marker, which may be a line or another point of orientation that may device the playing field  10  into two halves  20 . 
         [0061]    The goal enclosure may then be preferably disposed at an edge of said playing field, meaning the opening  80  of the goal enclosure  40  may be placed directly at, below, on top of, or near the side limit  140  that preferably designates the width  37  of the lobol pitch or playing field  10 . A lobol  110  is preferably placed within the playing field  110  as mentioned above. The disclosed game requires that at least two teams are designated, each said team having at least one player or teams of players. The balls  120  of the same color are then designated for use by one team, with another color or designation for use by the opposing team. 
         [0062]    Preferably, three or more balls  120  from each team are set up in front of an opening  80  of the goal enclosure  40  assigned to the each team. Of the contingent of balls  120  assigned to each team or player, one may be kept in front of the opening  80  at all times for the purposes of goaltending or as a goalie. The goaltending ball may be replaced back into position if knocked away, and may immediately be put back into position following a faceoff. The fourth or extra ball is picked up by each player with one player from opposing teams placing their feet  170  around the goal enclosure  40 . If additional players or balls  120  are included in the game, the playing field would preferably need to be enlarged proportionally and then equipment may be arranged in a similar fashion or in a different fashion, depending on player preference. The step where each said ball is taken by a player describes the player lifting the fourth, the last, the extra or the only ball  120  prior to a faceoff. The casting of this ball  120  for the purpose of the faceoff, or at any time during the game, may be done in an underhanded, over-handed, one-handed, dual-handed, or a chest-pump fashion, or in any other agreed to or otherwise preferable fashion, or by rolling the chosen ball  120 . It should be noted that balls  120  may be replaced by other objects, such as pillows, horseshoes, rocks, pellets, arrows or a flow of liquid, or any other object that can be cast in order to strike and thereby propel a stationary object. 
         [0063]    The two players or two teams begin play about their own goal enclosure  40  and attempt to propel their ball  120  towards the lobol  110 , until said lobol  110  crosses into the opposite goal enclosure  40  that is assigned to the opposing team. Once the lobol  110  enters into the goal enclosure, the opposing team or player is awarded a goal point. At this point the play returns to the step of designating the setup area to an extent that at least 3 balls  120  are again placed unto the pitch  10 , the lobol  110  is returned to a faceoff position, balls  120  are placed in their pre-faceoff positions and the players or teams assume their pre-faceoff stance. At this point, opponents may switch sides  20 . Alternatively, the player or team against who the goal point was scored gains possession of the lobol  110  at or about his goal line. 
         [0064]    The balls  120  are propelled by first placing feet of a player throwing on same axis with respect to the ball  120  being thrown, or being identified as the ball to be thrown. The same axis preferably means that feet may be placed at any distance from the chosen ball  120 ; however, there must be an imaginary line drawn from one part of the foot through the ball  120 , and terminating at the same part of the other foot. A player may utilize the pointer  160  to ensure or enforce this rule. Once a ball  120  is lifted to be thrown or rolled by a player or a member of the team, the player throwing or rolling must immobilize his or her feet until the throw or roll has been initiated. The player may immediately move any obstructing limb or lift his or her feet upon release of the chosen ball. However, a throwing player may lean or crouch prior to the throw. The game progresses towards the score of a goal point as players propel the lobol in the direction of one goal enclosure  40  or towards the opposite goal enclosure  40 , by direct or indirect strikes from the thrown balls  120 . An indirect strike or hit would occur if a player throws his or her ball  120  at another ball adjacent to the lobol  110 , or at a line of balls that are adjacent to the lobol  110 , in hope of causing a domino effect that culminates in the lobol  110  being propelled to a different location, preferably into the goal opening  80 . The caveat of any ball throwing is that a penalty may be assessed if the lobol  110  or if any of the opposite team&#39;s balls  120  are propelled out of bounds  145  by the thrown ball  120 . 
         [0065]    As stated above, possession of the lobol may be determined after a faceoff win. The team or player awarded with possession then becomes the team or player to propel the next ball  120 . It is preferable that at this point teams alternate in propelling said lobol, meaning opposing players or teams take turns in propelling the lobol  110  with throws by balls  120  that are assigned to them. However, the team or player currently in possession of the lobol  110  may retain possession of it as long as the ball being thrown strikes the lobol  110  or one of the balls  120  assigned to the same team, without forcing the lobol  110  or any of the opposing team&#39;s balls  120  out-of-bounds. 
         [0066]    The preferred alternating propulsion of balls  120  may lead to a game match of substantial length if neither team is able to propel the lobol  110  into the opponent&#39;s goal enclosure  40  before the adversary attempts the same in the opposite direction. Therefore, penalty assessment or inducing penalties, as well as precise ball casting may be one of the keys to scoring points or winning a match. Alternatively, the balls  120  may be thrown simultaneously or in any other predetermined order. Furthermore, for multi-player team matches played over larger pitches, a sequence of throwing by the same or several teammates may be more desirable, followed by an equivalent sequence of throwing by the players of the opposing team. 
         [0067]    To slightly complicate the disclosed game, the present invention preferably includes a rule that a ball  120 , used for the present propulsion of the lobol  110  cannot be the ball  120  used for any immediate prior propulsion. Meaning a player or team must rotate balls  120  from one turn to the next, which requires strategizing to achieve the best possible ball positioning for the immediate next throw or series of throws. In other words, if a player has ball  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , and he makes a throw with ball # 1 , his or her next turn would have to be made by using balls  2 - 4 . This player may go back to using ball # 1  for the following a subsequent throw and so on. A throwing player may throw a ball  120  at the lobol  110 , at another ball  120  or for better positioning of the ball being thrown. Penalty may also be assessed if one of player&#39;s balls  120  ends up in the out of bounds area  145  because of his or her own ball casting actions, thus terminating possession for that player. This may be highly disadvantageous to the player since the out-of-bounds ball  120  now needs to be in-bounded after the opponent&#39;s possession terminates. On an inbound throw, the player may hit the lobol  110 , unless the out-of-bound ball was the last ball used in the prior possession. 
         [0068]    As stated above, a play with penalties may be highly preferable to improve the dynamic of the game, since it forces the situation where a player or team not having any balls  120  in a strategic alignment with the lobol  110 , may find itself the beneficiary of an out-of-bounds throw that may be extremely advantageous or that may lead to a goal point on the next or subsequent throw. For example, if a player “A” throws his red ball  120 , and hits a blue ball  120 , belonging to an opponent “B” and propels it out of bounds, the opponent “B” regains possession of the lobol  110  and may immediately throw the out of bounds ball back inbounds. In doing so, the player “B” may aim for the lobol  110  or one of his own blue balls  120 . Player “B” may aim at the lobol  110  as long as the out-of-bounds ball being thrown was not the last ball used in the immediate prior possession by player “B”. The same inbounding rules may apply if more than one ball belonging to player “B” was forced out of bounds by player “A”. Inbounding rules may apply individually to each such ball, however, player “B” may have the discretion of choosing which ball to inbound first. For example, to inbound a ball  120  that was not the last used ball. Even if the player “B” misses both the lobol  110  and one of his blue balls  120 , he or she still has another throw that may cause them to score a goal or to retain possession of the lobol  110 . If the blue ball  120  that player “A” forced out of bounds, was not the ball thrown in an immediate prior possession by player “B”, player “B” may throw this ball at a lobol  110  and may then use a different blue ball  120  to hit the lobol  110 , and still retain possession. 
         [0069]    It should be noted that forcing an opponent&#39;s ball  120  or the lobol  110  out-of-bounds, results in a penalty where the penalized player or a team looses possession of the lobol  110  and the opponent regains possession along with any additional throws. Where an opponent&#39;s ball  120  goes out of bounds as a direct result of being hit by an offensive ball  120 , the player or team in possession is deemed to have caused the opponent&#39;s ball  120  to go out-of-bounds, and is therefore penalized. The thrower is also penalized if the opponent&#39;s ball  120  is hit, and as a result bumps into a second opponent&#39;s ball  120 , forcing the second ball in this chain out-of-bounds. The result is that the thrower&#39;s possession terminates, and the defensive player will then get a chance to throw the out-of-bounds ball  120  back into the pitch  10 . Penalties are not enforced during or as a result of face-offs, or when the lobol  110  forces a player ball  120  out-of-bounds. 
         [0070]    For fairness sake, the knocked out ball  120  should be placed in an area where it rested prior to being knocked out-of-bounds. A penalty for forcing a lobol  110  out-of-bounds is preferably assessed to the team or player whose ball  120  was last hit by the lobol  110  prior to going out of bounds. Therefore, in the example above, if player “A” propels a lobol  110  forcing it to hit a ball belonging to player “B” and ricochet out of bounds, it is player “B” who is penalized, since the ball of player “B” caused the lobol  110  to go out-of-bounds. Thus player “A” would retain possession in this scenario. Therefore, player “A” may constantly attempt to knock the lobol  110  out-of-bounds by hitting it against balls  120  belonging to player “B”. However, this would be very difficult to execute on a consistent basis, without also forcing the opponent&#39;s ball out-of-bounds, and thereby incurring a possession terminating penalty. 
         [0071]    During the game embodied in the present invention, a posture of a throwing player is important. In-field posture includes immobile feet prior to a throw. However, crouching or leaning is preferably permitted. All in-bound throws, or throws into the playing field  10 , from an out-of-bound position  145  may be referred to as an out-of-bounds posture. Several out-of-bound postures may be used, including legs at an angle and crouching, legs together and not crouching, and legs apart and crouching. As will be mentioned in further detail, legs apart and crouching posture may be used for throws from behind the goal enclosure  40 ; legs at an angle and crouching may be used for corner throws, and legs together and not crouching may be used for in-bound throws in all other penalty cases. It should be noted that when a crouching posture is available, it is not required. 
         [0072]    Since an out-of-bounds situation may be significantly favorable to the opponent, the rules of the present invention limit effectiveness of out-of-bounds throws by requiring that the player in-bounding positions his or her legs into a stiff posture, also referred to as an out-of-bounds posture, during the propulsion of the inbounded ball or the lobol  110  back into the playing field  10 . A stiff or an out-of-bounds posture includes not being able to bend one&#39;s knees or spread one&#39;s legs during a throw. Normally, knee bending, leg spreading, crouching and leaning are permitted for a regular ball throw within the limits  140  of the pitch  10 . Another limitation is that a ball  120  or a lobol  110  that is only halfway over the side limit  140  or over the goal line side limit  140  is preferably still considered in-bounds and not a goal point. 
         [0073]    The present invention also provides for a corner throw-in. For example, referring to the example above, if player “A” throws a red ball  120  and it ricochets off of a blue ball  120  and goes out-of-bounds over the side limit  140  that also serves as a goal line for player “B”. Player “A” may maintain possession, by throwing the ricocheted ball back inbounds at the lobol  110  or at a red ball  120  from either corner  130  of the side limit  140 . When making a corner throw, it is preferably to make an angle with one&#39;s feet, as shown in item  132 . A player may not crouch when making a corner throw-in. Other inbound throws are preferably made from the side limit  140  or along the side limit  140  where the out-of-bounds occurred and crouching is not permitted. Note that leaning before a throw is permitted for throws or rolls originating from within the playing field  10 . Leaning for a throw-in is permitted so long as the knees are locked and feet are close together. 
         [0074]    If player “A” throws a red ball  120  and causes the lobol  110  to go over the side limit  140  serving as a goal line of player “B”, but does not actually enter the goal enclosure  40 , player “B” may throw the lobol  110  back in-bounds from behind his or her goal enclosure  80 , and in this case crouching may preferably be permitted. Another out-of-bounds situation that deserves a mention is a when player “A” throws a red ball  120  at the opponents goal enclosure  40 . However, the throw goes wide of the enclosure, and crosses the side limit  140  that serves as the opponent&#39;s goal line. Player “A” is penalized by loosing possession. Player “B” begins possession from behind his or her goal enclosure  40 , notwithstanding the actual out-of-bound location of the ball thrown by player “A”. Crouching is preferably permitted for this throw as well. 
         [0075]    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.

Technology Category: 1