How To Play Muggle Quidditch: Getting Started

In the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Quidditch is the most popular sport. Players zip around on flying broomsticks, dodging painful Bludgers and bad tempered Slytherins. The fast-paced, high contact game sounded like tons of fun in the books, and when it was transferred to the big screen, millions of Harry Potter fans around the world emitted a collective sigh of regret that the game didn't really exist.

Some fans refused to be deterred by the lack of flying broomsticks and magical Snitches. Instead, they set about developing a rulebook for the first Muggle Quidditch team. The first Muggle Quidditch team was formed at Middlebury College in 2005. Today, the Intercollegiate Quidditch Association lists 200 college quidditch teams

In order to play Muggle Quidditch, you need two teams with a minimum of 7 players each. The players are as follows:

• 1 Keeper
• 1 Seeker
• 2 Beaters
• 3 Chasers

You also need a 15th player, called the Snitch Runner, whose job is to keep the Golden Snitch away from the two Seekers, and one or more referees.

To learn more about the Snitch Runner and the other players, please visit part two of this series: The Players.

Most of the equipment you'll need is very simple to find or purchase. You will need:

Brooms (14)

All players except the Snitch Runners must have a broom and keep it between their legs at all time. You can hold it with your hand or grip it between your thighs, but no artificial attachment is allowed. Some players feel dorky or self-conscious running around with a broom between their legs, but the broom is mandatory because it forces players to play one-handed the majority of the time, increasing the difficulty of play.

Bludgers (3)

Bludgers are typically large red rubber dodgeballs. They are used by the Beaters to hit opposing players, forcing them to drop any balls they are carrying and leave gameplay until they have completed a circuit of their team's Goal Zone. For more about Bludgers, read the Beater section in How To Play Muggle Quidditch: The Players.

Quaffle (1)

The Quaffle is typically a slightly deflated (to make it easier to pick up one-handed) volleyball. Chasers try to throw the Quaffle through the opposing team's Goal Hoops to score.

Snitch (1)

The snitch is a tennis ball in a large sock tucked into the Snitch Runner's shorts like a tail. For more about the Snitch, read the Snitch Runner section in How To Play Muggle Quidditch: The Players.

Goal Hoops (6)

Each team has three Goal Hoops in their Goal Zone. Goal Hoops are the most complicated equipment to acquire. A suggested method of making them is detailed in the Intercollegiate Quidditch Association Rules.

Lacrosse goggles can help prevent eye injury from stray brooms.

3 Digit Flip Scoreboard to keep track of the score.

Colored headbands are one way to keep track of which player is playing which role. Suggested colors:

• Seeker - Yellow
• Chaser - White
• Beater - Black
• Keeper - Green

You now have everything you need to start playing Muggle Quidditch!

Start learning the rules in part two: The Players.