Ball based game and method

Abstract

There is a method and system for playing a game for at least a first team and a second team. The game may have a ball, at least two sticks capable of selectively retaining the ball, at least one goal, and a playing court. The playing court has various boundaries including a scoring line positioned about twenty five feet from the goal. One of the two teams attempts to score goals with the ball, whereas the other team attempts to prevent said goal from being scored and take possession of the ball. The team with possession of the ball must attempt to score from behind the scoring line using the ball handling sticks. Points of varying amounts can be awarded based on the manner in which the team scored. Preferably, the first team to eleven points wins. However, various point awarding configurations and team scores can be modified as necessary.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for playing a game for at least a first team and a second team, the game having a ball, at least two ball handling apparatus, at least one goal, and a playing court, the playing court comprising a substantially rectangular playing surface with a foul line, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the goal about twenty five feet from the foul line of the playing court;   the first team taking possession of the ball with at least one of the at least two ball handling apparatus,
 wherein the first team attempts to place the ball in the at least one goal without crossing the foul line, the at least one goal comprising a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member,
 wherein the rim member contains a polygonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and 
 wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges; 
 
   the second team attempting to prevent the first team from placing the ball in the at least one goal,
 wherein the second team is allowed to cross the foul line and be positioned on either side or both sides of the foul line; 
   wherein if the first wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture via contact with the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives one point;   wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture without contacting the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives two points; and   wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture by bouncing the ball off the playing surface, then the first team receives three points.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first team and the second team each has one or more players. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the rim member is positioned about 30 inches above the playing surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the rim member is removable. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein if a player of the first team crosses the foul line, then possession of the ball is given to the second team. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the playing court is about 20 feet by about 40 feet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the playing court further comprises boundary lines, wherein if a team in possession of the ball crosses a boundary line, then possession is given to the opposing team. 
     
     
         8 . A method for playing a game for at least a first team and a second team, the game having a ball, at least two ball handling apparatus, at least one goal, and a playing court, the playing court comprising a substantially rectangular playing surface with a foul line, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the goal about twenty five feet from the foul line of the playing court;   the first team taking possession of the ball with at least one of the at least two ball handling apparatus,
 wherein the first team attempts to place the ball in the at least one goal without crossing the foul line, the at least one goal comprising a ball receiving area, a base member, a rim member, and a ball retainment member,
 wherein the rim member is hexagonally shaped and contains a hexagonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, 
 wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges, and 
 wherein the base member is coupled to a bottom of the ball receiving area; 
 
   the second team attempting to prevent the first team from placing the ball in the at least one goal,
 wherein the second team is allowed to cross the foul line and be positioned on either side or both sides of the foul line; 
   wherein if the first wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture via contact with the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives one point;   wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture without contacting the ball retainment member or rim member, then the first team receives two points;   wherein if the first team causes the ball to enter the ball receiving area through the aperture by bouncing the ball off the playing surface, then the first team receives three points; and   wherein the first team to score eleven points is determined to have won.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising at least one neutral player, wherein the neutral player assists the first team and second team in retrieving balls that have been removed from play. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for playing a game, the kit comprising:
 at least two ball handling apparatus,
 wherein the ball handling apparatus has a shaft portion and a ball receiving portion; 
   at least one goal,
 wherein the at least one goal comprising a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member,
 wherein the rim member is hexagonally shaped and contains a hexagonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and 
 wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges; and 
 
   a ball.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10  further comprising netting. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein the netting is comprised of a semicircular support with a net suspended therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 11  further comprising at least two replacement parts, wherein the replacement parts may be any components of the at least two ball handling apparatus, goal, ball, and/or netting. 
     
     
         14 . A playing court for an indoor or outdoor based game, the playing court comprising:
 a substantially rectangular playing surface having a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary, and a fourth boundary, with a foul line extending from a first boundary to a second boundary;   at least one goal positioned along the third boundary and/or fourth boundary,
 wherein the goal comprises a ball receiving area, a rim member, and a ball retainment member,
 wherein the rim member is hexagonally shaped and contains a hexagonal aperture configured to allow the ball to pass into the ball receiving area, and 
 wherein the ball retainment member borders the rim member along at least three edges. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The playing court of  claim 14  further comprising netting positioned behind the at least one goal wherein the netting spans a distance at least from an intersection of the first boundary and the third boundary and an intersection of the second boundary and the fourth boundary. 
     
     
         16 . The playing court of  claim 14  wherein the playing court is about 20 feet by about 40 feet. 
     
     
         17 . The playing court of  claim 14  further comprising markers positioned at intersections of the boundaries. 
     
     
         18 . The playing court of  claim 14  wherein the goal further comprises a base member and a second aperture in the ball receiving area. 
     
     
         19 . The playing court of  claim 18  wherein the base member comprises a ball retainment mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The playing court of  claim 18  wherein the second aperture enables the ball to be released by the goal and retained in the ball retainment mechanism of the base member.