User:Abarb/Table ball

Table Ball is a recreational team sport known for the sticky mess usually left behind on the playing field. The game can be played with any round fruit, although the game is traditionally played with apples and oranges. There is no limit to how many players can be on the playing field, but the players must only use only their elbow to strike the fruit. The object of the game is to hit the fruit off of the opposing team's side of the table. The game is similar to volleyball and hockey in the sense that serving and faceoffs are important facets of the game.

History of the Game
Table Ball was invented in the Woodstock High School cafeteria in Woodstock, Georgia by seven students. The game was created out of boredom and creative thinking. As the game became more advanced, new rules were developed. As one might expect, this peculiaur use of fruit created many controversial opinions on weather or not the game should be played. Many onlookers were shocked or appalled at the unusual abuse of fruit.

Rules
As the game developed, the players saw the need to create a rulebook. Although the rules to the game are simplistic, they allow every player an opportunity to shoot or pass the fruit without interference.

The Court

The game can be played on any rectangular or square table. The players must sit on oppisite sides of the table. Although there is no defined player limit, the game is traditionally played with two teams of four players. The ball is out of bounds if it crosses the sidelines marked at both ends of the table or when the ball is out of reach from one of the players. The fruit is prone to exploding during gameplay, in which case the table must be cleared of any foreign debris before gameplay can be resumed.

Two Cheeks on the Seat

In order to discourage aggressive players from reaching across the table, the "Two Cheeks on the Seat" rule was enacted. This rule prevents a players posterior from leaving the table during gameplay. Doing so may result in a turnover or a penalty shot.

Intentional Destruction of Fruit

During gameplay, if the fruit has been intentionally destroyed by one of the players, then the opposing team recieves one free penalty shot attempt. The intentional destruction of fruit is viewed as an attempt to stall the game in order to preserve a lead, regardless of the scoreboard.

Illegal use of The Hands

It is easy for incidental contact to be made with the fruit. Blatant contact, however, is not allowed and may result in a penalty shot. Goals scored from using illegal contact are not counted.

Gameplay
The game starts with one team serving the fruit to the opposing team. The serving player must strike the fruit with his or her elbow and the fruit must make contact with the table before the game is in play. It is possible to ace the opposing team, although this requires precision and power. After the fruit is in play, the players strike the fruit using only their elbows. Gameplay continues until either a goal is scored or the fruit goes out of bounds.

The Serve

The serve is used to start the game and after a goal has been scored. The team that has scored a goal is allowed to keep serving until the other team scores a point. The same player must serve until the opposing side has earned the right to serve.

The Faceoff

When the ball has traveled out of bounds, then the two players who last made contact with the fruit must engage in a faceoff. The faceoff in table ball is similar to a faceoff in hockey: the fruit is dropped and the players face off using only their elbows. It is possible for a goal to be scored off the faceoff.

Penalty Shot

If a penalty is severe enough, then a penalty shot may be enacted. During a penalty shot, to players from the opposing team must create a space between their elbows that is slightly wider than the fruit being used as the game ball. A player from the opposing team recieves one attempt at shooting the fruit through the players' elbows. The fruit must be placed on the edge of the table.

Game Length

There is no definitive duration lenght of the game and additionional fruit may be obtained in order to prolong the game. Time limits may be set. "Fruit limits" may also be set, where only certain amount of fruit is allowed to be used for gameplay and the game ends when the fruit runs out.

Controversies
Illegal Serve Controversy

On April 18, 2007, a major controversy was created when a serving player tossed the fruit to another player, who served it while it was in the air. No rule had been created on whether or not this was legal, so a debate ensued and there was a major delay of the game. Although both sides were willing to accept this type of serving as legal, it could not be agreed upon as to whether or not the goal should be counted. Eventually, the debate reached a point where a second opinion was needed to settle the dispute.

Notable Players
Notable players include: Garrett Lively, Teddy Baldwin, Stephen Tapper, Alex Barberie, and Brooks Hutchinson.