Systems and methods for playing a game

Abstract

Systems and methods for playing a football-type game. Game systems described herein can employ a playing field having a scrimmage zone, first and second no run zones, and first and second scoring zones. The combined maximum length of the scrimmage zone and the first and second no run zones can be less than 30 yards. Certain embodiments concern methods for playing flag football.

1 . A system for playing a game, said system comprising:
 (a) a playing field having defined thereon:
 (i) a scrimmage zone having opposing first and second ends; 
 (ii) opposing first and second no run zones respectively proximate said first and second ends of said scrimmage zone; 
 (iii) opposing first and second scoring zones respectively proximate said first and second no run zones; and 
   (b) a prolate spheroid ball,   wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 20 yards,   wherein the scrimmage zone and said first and second no run zones have a combined maximum length of less than 30 yards.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wearable, detachable flags. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said prolate spheroid ball is an American-style football. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said playing field has a maximum width in the range of from about 25 to about 35 yards, wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 18 yards, wherein said playing field has a total length of less than 50 yards. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second no run zones has a maximum length of less than 5 yards, wherein said first no run zone has substantially the same maximum length as said second no run zone, wherein said scrimmage zone and said first and second no run zones have a combined maximum length in the range of from about 21 to about 29 yards. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , said playing field further comprising at least one pair of upright goal posts, wherein said upright goal posts are located proximate at least one of said first or second scoring zones. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said scrimmage zone, said first and second no run zones, and said first and second scoring zones are substantially coextensive, each having approximately the same width. 
     
     
         8 . A method of organizing a game, said method comprising:
 administering a set of rules for playing said game,   wherein said rules provide for:   (a) a playing field having defined thereon:
 (i) a scrimmage zone having opposing first and second ends; 
 (ii) opposing first and second no run zones respectively proximate said first and second ends of said scrimmage zone; 
 (iii) opposing first and second scoring zones respectively proximate said first and second no run zones; 
 wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 20 yards, 
 wherein said first and second no run zones each have a maximum length of less than 5 yards, 
   (b) a prolate spheroid ball,   (c) a point-scoring system wherein a first team is given a total of 4 plays or less to advance said prolate spheroid ball into a designated one of said first or second scoring zones.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said point-scoring system further comprises requiring said first team to initially advance said ball from a predetermined starting point into said designated one of said first or second scoring zones in 4 plays or less, wherein said predetermined starting point is located substantially at the interface between said scrimmage zone and said no run zone located opposite said designated one of said first or second scoring zones. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said game is American-style flag football. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said rules permit one pitch by said first team per one of said plays, wherein said rules prohibit run plays to be performed by said first team in said first and second no run zones. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said rules require each of said plays to begin on a line of scrimmage, wherein said rules provide for a second team attempting to inhibit advancement of said ball, wherein said rules provide for said first team to comprise a quarterback, wherein said rules prohibit any member of said second team to rush said quarterback unless said member is at least 7 yards away from said line of scrimmage at the beginning of any of said plays. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said rules provide for a member of said second team who intends to rush said quarterback and jumps beyond said 7-yard limit prior to said beginning of said play to automatically incur a penalty. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said rules further provide for said playing field to further comprise at least one pair of upright goal posts. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said rules permit a field goal attempt by said first team attempting to kick said ball through said pair of upright goal posts during one of said plays. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said playing field has a maximum width in the range of from about 25 to about 35 yards, wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 18 yards, wherein said playing field has a total length of less than 50 yards, wherein said first no run zone has substantially the same maximum length as said second no run zone, wherein said scrimmage zone and said first and second no run zones have a combined maximum length in the range of from about 21 to about 29 yards. 
     
     
         17 . A method of playing a football-type game, said method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a playing field having defined thereon:
 (i) a scrimmage zone having opposing first and second ends; 
 (ii) opposing first and second no run zones respectively proximate said first and second ends of said scrimmage zone; 
 (iii) opposing first and second scoring zones respectively proximate said first and second no run zones; 
 wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 20 yards, 
 wherein said first and second no run zones each have a maximum length of less than 5 yards; 
   (b) obtaining a prolate spheroid ball;   (c) providing a first team having a plurality of players and a second team having a plurality of players; and   (d) providing said first team a total of 4 plays or less to advance said prolate spheroid ball into a designated one of said first or second scoring zones from a predetermined starting point.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said first team initially attempts to advance said ball from a predetermined starting point into said designated one of said first or second scoring zones in 4 plays or less, wherein said predetermined starting point is located substantially at the interface between said scrimmage zone and said no run zone located opposite said designated one of said first or second scoring zones. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said game is American-style flag football. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further providing allowing one pitch by said first team per one of said plays, further providing prohibiting run plays to be performed by said first team in said first and second no run zones. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further providing beginning each of said plays on a line of scrimmage, further providing said second team attempting to inhibit advancement of said prolate spheroid ball, further providing for said first team to comprise a quarterback and prohibiting any member of said second team from rushing said quarterback unless said member is at least 7 yards away from said line of scrimmage at the beginning of any of said plays, wherein said member of said second team who intends to rush said quarterback and jumps beyond said 7-yard limit prior to said beginning of said play automatically incurs a penalty. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said playing field further comprises at least one pair of upright goal posts, further providing allowing said first team to attempt a field goal by said first team attempting to kick said ball through said pair of upright goal posts during one of said plays. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said playing field has a maximum width in the range of from about 25 to about 35 yards, wherein said scrimmage zone has a maximum length of less than 18 yards, wherein said playing field has a total length of less than 50 yards, wherein said first no run zone has substantially the same maximum length as said second no run zone, wherein said scrimmage zone and said first and second no run zones have a combined maximum length in the range of from about 21 to about 29 yards.