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What is Quadball?

Quadball is a fast-paced, full-contact sport with teams of 7-21 players, fielding seven players at a time. Originally inspired by Quidditch from the Harry Potter series, quadball has evolved into a legitimate competitive sport with its own unique identity and international governing body.

The Basics

  • Teams: Two teams fielding 7 players each (from rosters of 7-21 players)
  • Equipment: Three types of balls (volleyball, dodgeballs, flag), sticks, hoops
  • Objective: Score points by throwing the volleyball through the opponent's hoops, and catch the flag to potentially end the game
  • Duration: Games have a 20-minute seeker floor, then continue until flag catch triggers end-game sequence

The Field

Quadball is played on a rectangular field (33m x 60m) with:

  • Six hoops - three at each end of varying heights (short, medium, tall)
  • Clearly marked areas - keeper zones, midfield line, and boundaries
  • Multiple balls in play - one volleyball and three dodgeballs

What Makes Quadball Unique

Gender Inclusivity

One of quadball's defining features is the gender maximum rule: no team can have more than four players of the same gender on the field at once (three during the seeker floor and in overtime). This rule promotes gender inclusivity and creates strategic depth.

Multi-Ball Gameplay

Unlike most sports, quadball has four balls in play simultaneously:

  • 1 Volleyball - used to score goals worth 10 points
  • 3 Dodgeballs - used to temporarily remove opponents from play
  • 1 Flag - captured to trigger end-game sequence and award 30 points

Full Contact with Strategy

Quadball combines the strategic elements of sports like rugby and basketball with the tactical complexity of managing multiple objectives simultaneously. Players must think about ball possession, field position, and timing while engaging in full-contact play.

The Global Community

Quadball is played by over 600 teams in more than 40 countries worldwide. The sport is governed by the International Quadball Association (IQA) and features:

  • Regional and national championships
  • A World Cup held every two years
  • University leagues and club competitions
  • Youth development programs

Ready to learn more? Check out the Basic Rules or jump straight to position-specific guides in the Player section.