Enter the magical world of Harry Potter, full of wands, wizards, and spells. We all wished that we could become wizards, going to Hogwarts and learning different types of potions and spells. Now there is a way to get one step closer to becoming an actual wizard: play Quidditch. In 2005, Xander Manshel, a freshman at Middlebury College, was looking for a way to keep him and his friends entertained. Inspired by the Harry Potter series, he decided to modify Quidditch so it could be played by Muggles on the ground. This idea has expanded to become and organization, US Quidditch, with over 4,000 athletes playing on almost 200 teams nationwide. Here is how Quidditch is played.

Basic Rules

Quidditch is a co-ed contact sport. Three hoops are placed on either side of the field, as shown on the photo above. Players must keep a broom between their legs at all times. Failure to do so entails a back-to-hoops foul, in which players must go back and touch their own hoops. There are seven players on each team: three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker.

Chasers

The chasers try to throw the quaffle, which is a semi-deflated vollyball, into the hoops to score points. Every time a chaser throws the quaffle through the other team's hoops they are awarded 10 points.

Beaters

The beaters throw bludgers, which are dodgeballs, at their opponents. There are three bludgers in play, and if a player is it by a bludger they must go back and touch their own hoops before continuing play. If they are holding the quaffle, they must drop it where they were hit by the bludger.

Keepers

The keepers guard their team's hoops, and try to stop the other team from scoring.

Seekers

The seekers try to catch the snitch, which is a ball attached to a neutral athlete who's job is to evade both seekers. Catching the snitch earns the team 30 points and ends the game.

Ending the game

Whichever team has more points at the end of the game wins the game. In the event of a tie, whichever team caught the snitch wins the game.

Quidditch is a very physical and entertaining sport that is emerging as a major pasttime for many people, so grab your brooms and I will see you on the Quidditch Pitch!