Speedball

Soccer-basketball-football hybrid. 5-on-5, seven-week season.

Overview

Speedball is a hybrid sport combining elements of soccer, basketball, and football. Two teams of 5 players (max roster of 12) advance a ball down a field to score at a goal line. Players kick the ball (like soccer), throw and catch it (like basketball), and punt and pass (like football).

Rules

Game Structure

3 periods of 10 minutes each, with 2 minutes between periods.
Teams switch sides after each period.
Each team gets three 2-minute timeouts.
2 officials per game; teams must provide one official before or after their game (penalty: play one player down).

Field

Dimensions: 50 x 90 feet; playing field 40 feet; two 5-yard end zones.
Foul marker at 22.5 feet. Goal: 6 feet wide x 4 feet tall. Penalty area halfway between midfield and the goal line.

Gameplay

Ball handling: field players can’t touch ground balls with hands/arms - they must kick or bounce it off the body. A rolling, bouncing, or stationary ball is a ground ball; once kicked airborne it becomes a catchable fly ball. A player with possession may pass, attempt to score, or drop the ball, and has 7 seconds to throw, pass, or kick.
Movement: the game starts with a jump ball at center. A player receiving the ball has two steps to stop if already in motion. Players may move anywhere on the field.
Goalkeeper: must stay on their side; may touch the ball with any body part and pick it off the ground; cannot travel with it in hand but may dribble soccer-style. Under 2 minutes in a period, the keeper may cross midfield to attack (forfeiting hand use in the opponent’s half). A goalie crossing the half line is a foul.
Substitutions: allowed during any stoppage.
Out of bounds: the other team throws it in (basketball-style) from the spot.

Fouls & Penalties

Foul (anywhere but the penalty box): change of possession and a free throw for the opposing team at the spot.
Penalty (in the goal box): a free kick or throw at goal; the player must declare kicking or throwing.
Specific fouls: traveling; handball (touching the ball with hands after it touches the ground); holding the ball over 7 seconds; goalies crossing the half line; excessive bobbles.
Unsportsmanlike conduct (pushing, tripping, charging, blocking, unnecessary roughness, stripping the ball): first offense - flag and 5 minutes out; second offense - removed for the game. The offending player is not replaced.
Defense: only 1 defender may guard the ball carrier and must stay an arm’s length away; a defender cannot strip the ball from the hands but may bat it during a pass attempt.

Scoring

Soccer goal: 3 points (a ground ball kicked into the goal)
Handball goal: 2 points (a ball thrown into the goal)
Touchdown: 1 point (a ball passed to a player behind the goal line; throwing isn’t permitted in the goal box)

Eligibility & Details

Minimum age 14 (under-18 players need a parent’s signature); no outstanding debt to Diamond City Sports.
Cost: $20 per person. Saturdays at 11 a.m. Starts March 20. Seven-week season.

Council

The Speedball Council oversees finances, rules, and league organization to ensure ongoing success and charitable work.

Kevin Sickle (President), Andy Peck (CMO), Nick Pugh