Hyperball: A Brief Overview and Rules Summary

Hyperball is a competitive sport designed for superhumans due to broad-scale rejection of superhumans being allowed in other professional sports leagues. Hyperball blends elements of rugby, soccer, basketball, and dodgeball together into a strategic sport that emphasizes control, mind-games, and a good throwing arm or kicking foot. The game is played on a field divided into three sections: one for each team (the End Zones, each ⅓ of the field) and a shared central zone (the Middle Zone, the remaining ⅓). The objective is to score points by throwing, kicking, or otherwise propelling a ball into the opponent's goal without crossing into their End Zone

Here are the key rules:

* Pre-game preparation: One of the players on each team is the captain, and a draft ensues where balls are picked and banned. The International Hyperball League has defined a set of 18 balls that are available for regulation matches, of which each captain goes back and forth in a pick-one-ban-one structure, until six balls are picked. Whichever team has the lower seasonal ranking picks first, with coin flips as tiebreakers. For non-regulation matches, you can use whatever balls are available to you, and ball drafting is not necessary.

* The Ball: There are a variety of balls made from different materials and of different sizes and textures. The team that gets scored on gets to choose the next ball that goes into play.

* Teams and Duration: Each team has seven players, and games are divided into two 25-minute halves.

* Scoring: A team scores a point when they successfully launch a ball into the opponent's goal.

* Possession and Passing: A player can hold the ball for up to five seconds before they must pass it or attempt a goal. The ball can be passed in any way - thrown, kicked, propelled with powers, etc.

* No Tackling: Physical contact or "tackling" is not allowed. The emphasis is on using powers to influence the ball or oneself, not the other players.

* Powers Usage: Superhuman abilities can be used, but only for moving the ball or oneself. Direct use of powers on opponents is prohibited.

* Penalties for Fouls: If a foul is committed, the opposing team gains possession of the ball. Severe or repeated fouls can result in a player being removed from the game.

* Goalkeepers: Each team has a designated goalkeeper who, like other players, can use their powers to prevent the ball from entering their goal.

The International Hyperball League's available balls for the 2023 season:

Small Balls (Baseball/Tennis ball sized)

* Standard Rubber Ball (7 cm diameter, 145 grams): This all-purpose ball is made of high-density rubber and is designed for all types of play, generally preferred by those who are good at throwing or pitching.

* Steel Sphere (7 cm diameter, 850 grams): Made of solid steel, this ball is heavy and doesn't fly great, making it useful for teams that are on the defense or have an abundance of super-strength superhumans.

* Textured Silicone Ball (7 cm diameter, 150 grams): The unique textured surface provides additional grip, making it extremely easy to catch and release with the hands.

Medium Balls (Soccer ball/Volleyball sized)

* Regulation Leather Ball (22 cm diameter, 430 grams): Similar to a soccer ball in size and texture, this ball is a common choice for its predictable behavior and aerodynamics. The Regulation Leather Ball has been selected consistently every season since the founding of the International Hyperball League.

* Aluminum Sphere (22 cm diameter, 1300 grams): The heaviest medium ball, this ball is used by teams that rely on speed and strength, and flies reliably when thrown with both hands.

* Rubber-Coated Foam Ball (22 cm diameter, 200 grams): This lightweight ball is easier to catch and deflect but can be challenging to control, easily flying off course when thrown.

Large Balls (Beach ball sized)

* Giant Plastic Ball (61 cm diameter, 500 grams): Very lightweight and large, this ball is often selected by teams that favor powers related to air manipulation or precision.

* Rubber Bladder Ball (61 cm diameter, 1500 grams): Similar to an exercise ball, this ball requires considerable strength to move but can rebound forcefully out of the hands of attempted catchers, making it difficult to intercept.

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* Vulcanized Rubber Ball (61 cm diameter, 3500 grams): This heavy-duty ball is rarely picked, but those who do swear by it. Its extreme, heavy weight means it's nearly impossible to send airborne, making it preferred by individuals with high strength manipulation powers or those tied to ground contact.

Extra Small Balls (Golf ball sized)

* Micro Steel Sphere (4.3 cm diameter, 200 grams): The smallest and heaviest ball in its class, this ball is preferred by teams with precision pitchers.

* Rubber Ball (4.3 cm diameter, 45 grams): A high-bounce rubber ball that requires finesse to control and can lead to unpredictable plays.

* Composite Plastic Ball (4.3 cm diameter, 50 grams): Made from durable plastic, this ball offers balanced weight and size characteristics.

* Dimpled Resin Ball (4.3 cm diameter, 45 grams): Modeled directly after golf balls, the dimpled ball reduces air resistance significantly and is favored by superhumans with the right combination of strength and precision to be shot directly into the goal.

Weird Balls (Unique shapes)

* American Football-shaped Ball (28 cm long, 410 grams): An elongated ball that can be manipulated differently than spherical balls, typically used for those that strongly prefer throwing to kicking.

* Flat Disc (22 cm diameter, 175 grams): Similar to a Frisbee, this disc-shaped "ball" flies easily and smoothly with a long, predictable arc.

* Shot Put (11 cm diameter, 7200 grams): This heavy, solid metal ball is the heaviest in play and is used almost exclusively by teams with super strength or telekinetic players.

* Sand Sack (35 cm long, 300 grams): An irregularly shaped ball filled with sand that changes shape as it is thrown and caught, similar to a hackey sack.

* Silicone Octahedron (Side length 15 cm, 400 grams): This eight-faced ball is unpredictable in its bounce and roll, and is usually picked as a joke, or by those who want to throw the game or psych out their opponents.

There are 25 professional teams currently recognized by the International Hyperball League. After each yearly Hyperball season, the top 8 teams are invited to the Hyperball World Cup, a double elimination bracket, with the winning team taking home significant accolades. As in many other sports, the worst performing teams in each year get their first pick of up-and-coming talent, and in addition, the 18-ball selection can only be voted on by teams that weren't involved in that year's Hyperball World Cup. Here is a list of the 25 professional Hyperball teams.

* Athens Meteorites

* Atlanta Sirens

* Auckland Lightning

* Berlin Thunderbolts

* Boston Breakers

* Chicago Cyclones

* Houston Cosmos

* Johannesburg Lions

* London Leopards

* Los Angeles Pulsars

* Madrid Jesters

* Miami Infernos

* Moscow Bears

* Mumbai Monsoons

* New York Titans

* Paris Gentlemen

* Philadelphia Phantoms

* Phoenix Steamrollers

* Rio de Janeiro Anacondas

* Rome Pankrators

* Sao Paulo Sentinels

* Seattle Quakes

* Stockholm Vikings

* Tokyo Sickles

* Warsaw Cannons