Quidditch!

Did you know that Harvard has a Quidditch team?

I just joined the Quidditch team, and I love it! I have never had so much fun with a sport before. So, for all you Muggles out there, let me explain how it works and why it is so amazing. The first rule of Quidditch is that all players must stay on their broom at all times. That means you must run around the field with the broom between your legs, and since you are holding the broom with one hand, you must complete all throwing and catching with only one hand.

1. Three players are chasers. These players "fly" around the field, while passing the quaffel (a slightly deflated volleyball) back and forth. Chasers try to score goals by throwing the quaffel through one of the opposite team's three hoops (See picture of hoops).

2. One player is a keeper (goalie) The keeper's job is to protect the three hoops so that the other team cannot score.

3. Two players are beaters. Beaters "fly" around the field and hit players with Bludgers (dodge-balls). If you get hit, you have to run all the way around your goal to simulate being knocked off your broom.

4. There is one player who is the snitch. They dress in yellow and have a sock in their back pocket. The game only ends when a seeker manages to get this sock, so the game can go on a while...

5. One player is the seeker, and their entire job is to try and catch the snitch and end the game, but there are no rules for the snitch. The snitch can do anything to keep from being caught, including throw mud or even hit the seeker, so you have to be careful!

What makes Quidditch amazing:

1. It is a contact sport, meaning you can tackle people! It's a great stress-releiver after a hard day of classes.

2. Can I just repeat that we have brooms ? We get some funny looks, but we have an amazing time.

3. In November, we will be traveling to New York to compete in the Quidditch World Cup. Over 80 schools in the United States have Quidditch Teams, so the World Cup will be incredible.

The Harvard Quidditch Team was started last year by a group of student here at the college. Just one example of the fun and creative activities here on campus.

Go Harvard Horntails!

Visit http://www.ehow.com/how_2071532_play-quidditch.html for more information.