The Basics
Quadball™ was founded in 2005 at Middlebury College by Xander Manshel and Alex Benepe. Inspired by the sport of Quidditch, Quadball is a mixed-gender contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag. A Quadball team consists of up to 21 athletes, with seven players per team on the field. Each player must keep a broom between their legs at all times.
Three chasers score goals worth 10 points each with the Quadball, formally called the quaffle. They advance the Quadball down the field by running with it, passing it to teammates, or kicking it. Each team has a keeper who defends the goal hoops. They are also allowed to touch the Quadball and score goals. Two beaters use dodgeballs, formally called bludgers, to disrupt the flow of the game by “knocking out” other players. Any player hit by a dodgeball is out of play until they touch their own goals. Each team also has a seeker who tries to catch the flag. The flag is a ball attached to the waistband of the flag runner, a neutral athlete who uses any means to avoid capture and who is released at the 20-minute mark. The flag is worth 35 points. There is also a point cap of + 60 added to the leading score at 20 minutes, and either team reaching that score ends the game.
During play, players are forbidden from taking certain actions or fouls. Players who commit fouls face different consequences depending on the severity of the offense. A back-to-hoops foul indicates that a player must stop and return to their hoops as though knocked out. A yellow card indicates that a player must spend one minute in the penalty box. A red card indicates that a player is barred from the rest of the game.
The Gender Maximum Rule
A team may not have more than four players who identify as the same gender in play, including during flag runner on pitch. The addition of the seeker does not change the gender maximum on the field. The gender that a player identifies as is considered to be that player’s gender. This is referred to as the gender maximum rule. USQ accepts those who don’t identify within the binary gender system and acknowledges that not all our players identify as male or female. USQ welcomes people of all identities and genders into our league.
For more information on USQ’s philosophy on gender equality, please see Title 9 ¾.
Use of USQ Rulebook
US Quadball grants permission for other member leagues of the International Quadball Association to use the USQ rulebook. Any deviations from the rules therein must be noted as part of that individual league's ruleset, not as part of the USQ rulebook.
Equipment
Get started on your Quadball journey by grabbing the essentials! Recommended equipment can be found here.
Quadball Fest 2024
Quadball Fest is a brand new US Quadball event debuting in 2024 in several cities across the USA! This one day event, open to individuals 18+, provides an opportunity for players, officials, coaches, or even those new to Quadball to:
Learn new skills through on and off the pitch workshops, skill challenges, etc.
Participate in a fantasy game
Make new Quadball friends
Enjoy a social event to hang with participants off the pitch
Explore the city before and after the event
Each event will be unique and a memorable experience - you won't want to miss it!
Sign up to learn more via the interest form here.
Want to Start A Quadball Team or Find A Quadball Team?
Email membership@usquadball.org, visit our membership page for more information, or fill out the following form.
Photo Credit: Dante Close Photography