Method of playing a ball game

Abstract

A method for playing a game using a specific type of sport room is provided. The game can be used to combat obesity and other overweight-related issues. Due to the wide applicability of the game, it can be implemented in almost any environment, including schools, health centers, fitness centers, and recreational facilities. The game involves the use of a room filled with substantially flat baffles that can facilitate the movement of a gaming object. During the game, opposing players attempt to contact the gaming object with the scoring zone of the opposing player.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of playing a game between at least two players, said method comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing a room comprising a plurality of baffles, wherein said baffles are at least partially defined by the floor of said room, the ceiling of said room, and at least one wall of said room, wherein the surface of said baffles is substantially flat;   (b) providing a plurality of scoring zones in said room;   (c) providing at least one gaming object configured to bounce off said baffles;   (d) designating a scoring zone to each player;   (e) placing said gaming object into said room, wherein said gaming object is configured to be thrown or handled by said players;   (f) allowing said players to contact said gaming object over a predetermined amount of time, wherein said players attempt to cause said gaming object to strike said scoring zone of the opposite player, wherein a point is attributed to a player whenever said gaming object strikes said scoring zone of the opposing player; and   (g) determining a winner of said game after said predetermined amount of time based on the overall total of said points.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said players remain in a non-standing position during step (f). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said non-standing position comprises kneeling, sitting, lying down, rolling forward, or rolling backward. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the floor of said room further comprises a material capable of absorbing impacts from said players and causing said gaming object to bounce. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said material is in the form of a mat covering at least a portion of the floor of said room. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room comprises at least 3 or more walls. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room comprises no more than two walls. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room has an area in the range of 2 to 50 m 2  and a height in the range of 1.5 to 6 m. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game occurs continuously and does not stop after said gaming objects strikes said scoring zone. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming object comprises a substantially spherical ball. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room is divided by lines into a plurality of separate playing areas, wherein each of said playing areas are substantially identical in size and are assigned to at least one player. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said players are not allowed to leave said designated playing areas during said game. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said scoring zones comprise touch sensors to detect the strikes of said gaming object. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said players contact said gaming object by only using the palmar side of an open hand, the dorsal side of said open hand, a fist, a foot, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said players contact said gaming object by using any body part except a hand, an aim, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein there is no physical contact between said players during step (f). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game occurs over a time period in the range of 5 to 60 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room further comprises a camera system configured to monitor said game. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said room comprises at least one window configured to allow a spectator to observe said game. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the event that said players have the same total of said points after said predetermined amount of time, said winner is determined by whichever player had their respective scoring zone contacted last by the gaming object. 
     
     
         21 . A method of playing a game between at least two players, said method comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing a room comprising a plurality of baffles, wherein said baffles are at least partially defined by the floor of said room, the ceiling of said room, and at least one wall of said room, wherein the surface of said baffles is substantially flat;   (b) providing a plurality of scoring zones in said room;   (c) providing at least one ball configured to bounce off said baffles;   (d) designating a scoring zone to each player;   (e) placing said ball into said room;   (f) allowing said players to contact said ball over a predetermined amount of time, wherein said players attempt to cause said ball to strike said scoring zone of the opposite player, wherein a point is attributed to a player whenever said ball strikes said scoring zone of the opposing player, wherein said players remain in a non-standing position during said contact; and   (g) determining a winner of said game after said predetermined amount of time based on the overall total of said points.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said players contact said ball by only using the palmar side of an open hand, the dorsal side of said open hand, a fist, a foot, or a combination thereof.