User:Calebwhitaker/Lo-lai

Lo-lai is a sport invented by the brothers of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Duke University in the early sixties, has been played continuously since then. The game is notable for its quirky rules, elements of unpredictability, and the passionate following it has inspired among its devotees (citation: http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/issues/111207/depreg2.html). It involves throwing a tennis ball against a stone wall in the manner of handball, and is usually played in two teams of two. It, and although the Beta chapter at Duke has since folded, the game continues to be played, most notably at the Lo-lai Heritage Festival and Tournament held in Durham, North Carolina every two years (http://lo-lai.ning.com/).

History of the game (Citation needed)

The Lo-lai court The game of Lo-lai evolved in part around the unique aspects of the lo-lai court, the only one of its kind in the world. It is located on the west campus of Duke University, at the corner of Towerview Drive and Wannamaker Drive. The court is built against the south-facing wall of Wannamaker dorm which forms the main wall of the court. The court is also bordered by an angled side wall with a gutter, a back wall, and a dumpster. Several curbs and a concrete step also mark the boundary of the court. A white line is painted on the main wall at the level of a tennis net. There is also a white line marking the dumpster boundary. In addition, there are several windows, metal grates, and a set of double doors in the face of the wall, which are considered "unnatural" or out of bounds. The step is out of bounds as well, though the gutters and curbs are considered in bounds. There are also several indented stone columns in the face of the wall that allow for a high level of tactical variation, as a ball thrown into the crease of the wall at the right angle can be virtually impossible to catch. The wall itself is constructed of flagstones, forming a slightly uneven surface. This allows for natural unpredictability anytime the ball is thrown, as the ball usually bounces off at a slightly odd angle, and adds a distinct element of chance to the game. A drainage grate in the center of the court also occasionally creates an element of uncertainty.

Basic Rules and Technical Aspects Teams can only win points on service, and there is no limit to the number of two-man teams that can play in any one game. Teams wait in line along the back wall, and come in after each point to replace the team that lost. The first team to score a number of points equal to the number of total players in the game, plus one, wins the game. So in a normal game of two teams, the first player to score 5 points wins. A new team may enter the game at any time, and is allowed to skip to the front of the line as soon as they step on the court, as understood by the rule that 'new blood' always gets to play as soon as they step on the court. There are two positions in lo-lai. Facing the main wall, the left position is known as "wall" and the right position known as "dumpster." The concrete seams in the floor of the court form a quadrangle that delineate the players' positions. Play begins when the dumpster player serves the ball from the front right quadrangle. The ball must hit the wall on or above the white line (in lo-lai, a ball is considered 'in' if it touches the line at all) and land inbounds in the back right quadrangle. If it does not, the player is given a second serve, as in tennis, unless the first serve lands out of bounds of the entire court, in which case he forfeits serve to the other team. No re-gripping is allowed, as the player must firmly catch the ball and throw it the same way they they caught it. Only one bounce is allowed before a catch, though the ball may be caught before it bounces. "Scumming" is the practice of of blocking the opponents view of the oncoming ball as it bounces off the wall. Players must have their feet planted after throwing the ball, and may not move their feet or "moving scum" is called and player forfeits the point.

Glossary of Lo-lai terms Alice: A throw executed with the opposite hand (e.g. a left-handed throw for a right-hander) by doing a half-spin and hurling the ball over one's shoulder. Burning lai: A term used to describe fast, exciting pace of play. CNL (court never lies): To re-do a play in order to settle a dispute about whether a shot was in or out of bounds. The result of the following play is considered the correct call. Coitus: To throw the ball on or above the stone molding that runs the length of the main wall at a height of about 20 feet. This is considered out of bounds. Double Crease: A very rare shot that occurs when the ball strikes the edges of both cornices on the main wall. Hesitation: To pause between catching and throwing for more than a moment, which results in losing the point if it is called. New Blood: A new team, which can enter at any point during a game. Outer Rim: The outermost edge of the wall, which is almost always hit by accident. Porker: To score a winning shot down the middle of the court, between the wall and dumpster players. Re-grip: Players are not allowed to get a better grip on the ball, and must throw it they way they caught it, or will lose the point if re-grip is called. Scum: to block the opponents view with one's body. Scumming In: A team can enter the game out of turn if they manage to catch a serve that has gone by the team on the court but is still in play. Suburban: a derogatory term indicating a plodding, predictable pace of play. Unnatural: A play-ending shot that occurs when the ball strikes any of of court features considered to be off-limits. Wooglin: The mystical, governing spirit of the lo-lai court, who resides in the magnolia tree above the left-hand wall of the court. When the ball goes over the left wall, strikes foliage and bounces back into the court, the play continues and is considered a gift from Wooglin.