There are eight teams in a regulation match, just as there are in a typical jai-alai match. Teams play in a round robin format, rotating through “the lists” at first on a random basis, and then as the match progresses, each team progresses from the last position to the first standby position in the lists. This format was chosen as matches (games) are hard to “fix,” and we anticipate negotiating the sale of player and deep match data to betting firms, such as MGM. The difficulty of being able to “fix” jai-alai resulted in that sport being the first popular sport to be included in legal betting venues.
And, just as in a jai-alai match, a team scores a point or points each time they defeat an opponent in the current round, who is then replaced by the next team from the lists for the next round, as the loser retires to the lists to await their turn to play again.
Play takes place on an oval skating rink with a concave or semi-circular retaining wall.
The wall has two openings, one each at opposite exit turns of the curves at each end of the oval. These openings are for the cricket ball projection devices that shoot different colored cricket sized balls out along the inside of the curved retaining wall at just below 100 mph (machine is rated to shoot at 95 mph).
Each team has been assigned a color as “their” color, although scoring a “Nim” requires the team accomplish this using both colors, two of “their” color, and one of the other teams, in a form as shown here where the red team has scored a Nim by sandwiching one of the blue teams balls between two of theirs.
There are three sets of nets, set side by side near the starting line. Because of this, Nims may be scored vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, just as in a game of X’s and O’s, or tic-tac-toe (with the difference that in X’s and O’s the object is to get the similar tokens into a line, rather than make a “sandwich”).
The nets are positioned at the top of the concave retaining wall, in a position so that the opening is facing the inside of the curve, which prevents a direct shot into the net. Thus positioned, a ball can only enter one of the nets if it is banked up and around the inside of the curved retaining wall, making all scores dependent upon the players skills at making a banked shot.
Before play, the two teams of three players each take their positions at the starting lines, with two offensive players from one team and one defensive player of the opposing team at each starting line between the opposing teams two offensive players.
Play starts when the chief referee simultaneously fires the cannons and the teams rush to secure control of the balls.
Because both balls are in play simultaneously, with both teams attempting to gain control of the balls in order to build their Nim before the other team builds theirs, there is expected to be a lot of bodily contact in the form of
blocking and checking. Probably much more than there is in the games of hockey or lacrosse as the rink provides a smaller playing area, and play starts in two areas, which may or may not gravitate into one clump.
blocking and checking. Probably much more than there is in the games of hockey or lacrosse as the rink provides a smaller playing area, and play starts in two areas, which may or may not gravitate into one clump.
Players attempt to gain control of the balls using a Floorball “cesta,” a hockey stick like device that instead of having a paddle at the end, has a stiff plastic mesh netting, which can be malformed (within regulation
limits) in order for the player to achieve greater control of the ball around the rink and into the curved retaining wall for scoring. Or, a “Caman” as used in the Scottish sport of “Shinty,” customized to have a 3 1/2” face instead of the Shinty regulation 2 1/2” face.
limits) in order for the player to achieve greater control of the ball around the rink and into the curved retaining wall for scoring. Or, a “Caman” as used in the Scottish sport of “Shinty,” customized to have a 3 1/2” face instead of the Shinty regulation 2 1/2” face.
Whenever a player is able to send a ball into one of the goals, a referee or judge immediately sends another ball of the same color into play, thus keeping the action going non-stop with an ongoing competition for the different colored balls.
The play will be recorded by a system of two automated cameras. The cameras take panoramic shots of the rink from opposite directions (in order to get good shots of each area of play, cannon firing, end zone curves, straightaways, and goals. The automated system will be programmed to recognize the active areas and choose the most important for live streaming.
Closeup action will be broadcast from high resolution body cameras on players and referees. Closeup cameras will be positioned to capture balls going into the goals. If an operator, or director, is employed for the match, replays and “off camera” action can be selected from the panoramic view, and inserted into the stream. Similarly, the operator can select from a variety of replays constantly being programmed by the automated system. The system then takes the stream and automatically records it for the subscription service that the corporation will offer.
Players will be outfitted in protective gear, such as worn by lacrosse players, as well as instruments that record their physical condition. Stats will be automatically recorded by the camera system and the physical condition devices so that it can automatically be uploaded to whichever betting service we are able to strike a deal with for our data.