TEAM BALL STUDY GUIDE
Written by Patricia M. McCann
Team ball is played between two teams. The object of the game is to score a goal by passing and moving it toward the opponent’s goal. A goal counts as one point. The game should be played with eight players on a team: three defensive players and one goalie, and four offensive players.
Team ball is played on a basketball court. The boundaries are the same as those used in basketball with the goal being place directly in the middle of both baselines. A seven-foot restraining line is the only alteration. This line is placed parallel to the free throw lane seven feet from the baseline. This separates the goalie area from the goal zone. The half-court line serves as the divider for offensive and defensive ends of the floor. The goalie area is divided into two zones. No player is allowed inside a line drawn across the lane seven feet from the goal, the area referred to as the Goal Zone.
A player may advance the ball only by passing the ball. A player may not be in possession of the ball for more than three seconds before passing the ball or shooting for a goal. A three-second violation results in the ball being quickly awarded to the opposing team at the nearest sideline. If the ball is thrown out of bounds, the team touching the ball last loses possession of the ball.
The game is started with one defensive player from each team participating in a “basketball type” jump ball at mid-court. Clock starts on the first touch of the ball. When a goal is scored, the scoring team switches ends of the court. That is, the defensive players on the scoring team cross the center line and become offensive players; the offensive players on the scoring team cross the center line and become defensive players. There is not a break in action when a goal is scored. Play continues uninterrupted. Only the team scoring changes positions. The team scored against immediately removes the ball from goal, steps out of bounds behind the goal, and passes the inbounds.
The playing area is divided into two halves. The four defensive players (three defensive players and one goalie) are required to stay on their half of the court (the side of the court with goal they are defending). Only one of these defensive players is allowed in the goalie area. The offensive players must stay on their half of the court.
The goalie is not allowed inside the goal zone except immediately after the opposing team scores at which time the goalie may step inside the goal zone to retrieve the ball from the goal. If the goalie or any defensive player steps into the goal zone while an opponent attempts a shot, the opponent is awarded an automatic goal. A defensive player may obstruct offensive play only by intercepting or batting an airborne pass. At no time can the defensive player touch the ball while it is in the hands of the offensive player. Flagrant or repeated fouls results in the removal of the player from the game.