Stiltorq
A team sport in which three teams attempt to score the most points by kicking a ball in a goal.
It is predominantly played in the Loveria region. Games with teams from mayor cities are especially popular.
Overview
The game is played on a rectangular playing field 1500 feet long and 60 feet wide.
Each team consists of twelve players who take turns each round, each round only three players can play.
The following round three other players are selected. One game of Stiltorq is played in four rounds, giving every team member the possibility to play.
However, players can play multiple rounds, but not consecutive rounds. This means some players may not be used in a game.
Each player is outfitted in tight fabric in bright team colors and mount stilts.
Traditionally the stilts are made out of wood poles with leather pockets about 1/3 up the pole. Players often make the stilts themselves.
The ball is a small leather ball 10 inch in diameter.
At the start of the game the teams are positioned around the ball in the center of the field.
The person who gets a hold of the ball makes his way to a goal of choice, the opposing goal is now automatically the opponents goal.
The opposing teams have to try to take the ball and play towards their own goal.
When a team plays the ball in a goal, the next time they have to score in the goal on the other side of the field. This makes the following round harder as they have to play the ball double the distance.
Players who dismount their stilts they are disqualified and the team has to play with one player short. Should all three players be disqualified in a single round, then the team is out of the entire game. If two teams are out, the remaining team is the winner.
A win scores one point, a loss zero. Disqualification scores an X.
Scores may look like this:
4-0-X; One team won four rounds, one team didn't score and one team was disqualified.
2-1-1; One team won two rounds, the other teams win one round.
0-X-X; Sometimes the game ends on the first round without scoring.
The game is dependent on weather conditions. So if the weather is poor, ie, the field is too wet, the games are postponed.
However, once a game starts it has to be finished. If the weather changes for the worst during a game heavy rainfall can cause all teams to be disqualified when the stilts sink into the mud. Resulting in a rare X-X-X score.
Controversy
Because teams have to remain standing to prevent disqualification players are notoriously known for disabling other players by knocking them down. While illegal, if not seen by a judge a dismount supersedes the accusation of foul play.
This may lead to players getting in fights and going head to head with stilts. Sometimes resulting in major injuries that prevent a player from playing ever again.
Most teams have a loyal following. With 'Ultra' supporters that will go head to head with other supporters before, during and after the game. The government tries to secure the fields, but with an circumference of 3040ft security is very expensive.