User:Timhaig10/The exquisite Pastime

This article is about the sport for the Leaf Catching Hall Of Fame, See Leaf Catching Hall Of Fame 

Leaf Catching or Zif Zaf as it's known on the 'streets' is an outdoor, contact sport that can be played by 2 to 5 players (singles) or in two teams of two (doubles). Each player is allowed no equipment apart from their own skill, reactions and judgement.

The aim of the game is to be the first player to get to 5 points (singles). Points can be scored by catching leaves that have fallen from a tree, leaves must be caught before they touch the ground, in doubles the rules are different.

The governing body is made called the LCA which is short for The Leaf Catching Association.

History
On October 15th 1948 at about 1.10 Dr. Timothy Haig (A professor of Complicated Surgery at Southampton General Hospital) and Lord Finnigan Quinn (a journalist at the Financial Times) were sorting for a vigorous outdoor game to keep themselves occupied and to maintain proper levels of fitness during the long Southampton Autumns. Then they were hit by an idea (literally!), a leaf, and by then the game was formed. One of the greatest sports to of ever been made. Hall of famer Jonathan James Gorrie was present at the time; he was tangled in a football net.

The first official game was played on the same day at 1.12 at The Gregg School.

Rules and regulations
The object of the game is to score 5 points before any of your other competitors and in doubles to score 10 points. Once you have got enough points you must declare this and show the leaves you have caught. The number of games in a match depends on the number of players. If there are 2 players its best of 3, 3 players its best of 5 and so on.

Physical contact is allowed but there is a limit to this. Player can push and block other players but there is strictly no holding or pulling. If a player is caught doing this by one of the two referees they will have a point deducted, however if they persistently offend they will have 5 minutes in the sin bin and have to complete an obstacle course. If they fail this course they are out of the game.

Common techniques and practices
There are two positions Getters and Blockers. The Blockers objective is to stop the getters getting the leaves.

The Getters objective is to be the first player to five points. Getters are usually fast, have good hand eye co-ordination and have extremely good agility.

A typical Blocker would be short, stocky and very strong.

Hall of Fame
By the 1950s, Leaf Catching had become a major college sport, thus paving the way for a growth of interest in the professional game. In 1959, a hall of fame was founded in Southampton, Hampshire, site of the first game. Its rosters include the names of great players, coaches, referees and people who have contributed significantly to the development of the game. Tim (Captain Charisma) Haig - is the greatest player to of ever played. He first started playing Zif Zaf on the streets before becoming an official LCA player. He quickly became a hall of famer known for his agile body and fantastic catching ability. Although he wasn't the most consistent player he was great to watch. He also has the record for most leaves caught and most blocks.

Jonny (The Big Man) Southwell - He was known for his great positioning skill and how he was always consistent. He won over 50% of matches he has participated in. He has the record for most matches won.

Jonny (Cheaty McGee) Gorrie - He never actually won a game but has the record for most leaves illegally picked up. He was quickly found out but he enjoyed the time he had in the lime light.

Controversy
Jonathan Gorrie was actually present at the making of the game and as he was there when the game took off he wanted a slice of the action and claimed to of been the actual inventor of the game. Haig and Quinn took this to a court case where they succeeded, the Judge actually calling Jonathan 'a person looking for attention'. This was then settled and the game could continue growing.

Women’s Participation
This has to date never took place because as we all know women cannot play sports.