Loofball is a ball sport played on a unique rectangular court by two teams of five players, the object being to catch and throw a lightweight furry ball over a net, with the intent to down the ball on the appropriate section of the opponent’s court. A game begins with a serve by launching the ball over the net and into the opposition’s home zone. A team scores a point when the ball lands on the appropriate section of the opposition’s court, or when the opposition fails to return the ball by committing a fault.
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| Players competing in a loofball match |
A match is won by the first team to win two sets. The first two sets are played for 25 points whereas the third set is played for 20 points. Each set must be won with a 2 point advantage.
History and Philosophy
Basic Game Rules
TEAM MEMBERS
There are five players on each side.
BALL CONTACT
• Contact with the ball is by the hand or forearm. In other words, the ball must not touch a part of the body other than the hand and forearm before it is held.
• A player makes no more than two steps with the ball
• A player does not hold or throw the ball more than once within a game turn.
• Minimum of one and maximum of two passes in a turn.
• Mishandling or touching the ball more than twice in quick succession is not allowed.
LAUNCHING THE BALL
• The ball is launched with only one hand.
• A player does not touch the net or enter the opposition's court.
• A ‘high ball’ constitutes a fault during attack and a foul serve during service.
MOVEMENT
• A player may jump when catching the ball.
• A player within the home zone may jump-shoot. However, both feet must have contact with the ground when launching from the fore zone.
• A player may land in the fore zone when jump-shooting from the home zone.
• A player stepping on the sideline or baseline is in the free zone.
Gameplay
OFFICIATING
The officiating crew may comprise a referee (also called the umpire), two or four line judges, a scorer and an assistant scorer.
TOSS
At the start of the match, the teams represented by their captains take part in a toss. The winner of the toss chooses either a side of the court or the first serve. If the winner chooses a side, the other team makes the first serve. And if the winner chooses to make the first serve, the other team chooses a side.
SCORING SYSTEM
Loofball uses a point scoring system, whereby the winners of a game are awarded a point. A match may be played in 2 or 3 sets. The first two sets are played for 25 points, while the third is played for 20 points. At 24 all, the team that gains a 2 point lead first, wins the set. The same applies in the third set when the scoreline is 19 all. The first team to win 2 sets carries the match.
CHANGE OF SIDES
Teams change sides after completing the first set. The first serving team in the first set becomes the first receiving team in the second set. A new toss is conducted when a match enters the third set, just like in the beginning of the match.
SUBSTITUTION
Up to four substitutions (per team) can be made in a match. Substitution is conducted at the sideline near the fore zone. After being substituted, a starter may re-enter the court once in a match. A non-starter can only enter the court once in a match.
BREAK
1 minute time-out (per team) is allowed in a set. A 2 minute interval is also allowed between sets.
Game Equipment
The game is played with a specially designed inflatable furry ball, known as loofball. The ball is made of an artificial furry fabric or animal fur and has a diameter of between 16 and 20cm. A size 1 or mini loofball weighs 150-190g whereas a size 2 loofball weighs 190-240g.The net used has nearly the same dimensions as volleyball net.
History and Philosophy
Loofball began as a pastime for kids in 2017 in Adamawa State, North-East Nigeria. Thanks to its exciting nature, loofball has since been enjoying steady rise in popularity through competitions and outdoor events. The sport was created based on the principles of teamwork, fair play, discipline and respect to engage youth in physical activity thereby promoting peace and growth via sport and related activities.
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| Loofball players celebrating a point scored |
Loofball is suitable for both young and old, good for physical fitness, body strength and overall wellness.
Basic Game Rules
TEAM MEMBERS
There are five players on each side.
BALL CONTACT
• Contact with the ball is by the hand or forearm. In other words, the ball must not touch a part of the body other than the hand and forearm before it is held.
• A player makes no more than two steps with the ball
• A player does not hold or throw the ball more than once within a game turn.
• Minimum of one and maximum of two passes in a turn.
• Mishandling or touching the ball more than twice in quick succession is not allowed.
• A player does not hold the ball for more than 3 seconds.
• Only one player is allowed to catch or hold the ball at a time.
POSITIONING
• Before service, players arrange themselves (within the home zone) in rows, with three players in the front row and two in the back row.
• Players may switch positions before service.
• Switching positions during game is not allowed.
SERVICE
• During service, a left back row player throws the ball (from the service area) into the opposition’s home zone. A serve that fails to pass over the net, or results in a ‘net ball’, or is deemed a ‘high ball’ constitutes a foul serve, and the serve must be retaken by the same player. Serving from inside the home zone, or not within 3 seconds of the referee’s whistle also constitutes a foul serve. A succession of two foul serves is a scoring by the opposite team.
• In a set, the winner of a game makes the next serve.
BALL IN
• When a serve or a ball launched from the home zone or fore zone lands on the opposition’s home zone, it said to be a ‘ball in’. A ball launched from one section of the fore zone is also ‘in’ when it lands on the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone. A ‘ball in’ is a scoring by the sending team.
• Only one player is allowed to catch or hold the ball at a time.
POSITIONING
• Before service, players arrange themselves (within the home zone) in rows, with three players in the front row and two in the back row.
• Players may switch positions before service.
• Switching positions during game is not allowed.
SERVICE
• During service, a left back row player throws the ball (from the service area) into the opposition’s home zone. A serve that fails to pass over the net, or results in a ‘net ball’, or is deemed a ‘high ball’ constitutes a foul serve, and the serve must be retaken by the same player. Serving from inside the home zone, or not within 3 seconds of the referee’s whistle also constitutes a foul serve. A succession of two foul serves is a scoring by the opposite team.
• In a set, the winner of a game makes the next serve.
BALL IN
• When a serve or a ball launched from the home zone or fore zone lands on the opposition’s home zone, it said to be a ‘ball in’. A ball launched from one section of the fore zone is also ‘in’ when it lands on the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone. A ‘ball in’ is a scoring by the sending team.
• A ‘line ball’ is a ‘ball in’ (not applicable to the olive).
BALL OUT
When a serve or a ball launched from the home zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone, it is said to be a ‘ball out’. A ball launched from one section of the fore zone is also ‘out’ when it lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone and the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone. A ‘ball out’ is a scoring by the receiving team.
BALL OUT
When a serve or a ball launched from the home zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone, it is said to be a ‘ball out’. A ball launched from one section of the fore zone is also ‘out’ when it lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone and the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone. A ‘ball out’ is a scoring by the receiving team.
LAUNCHING THE BALL
• The ball is launched with only one hand.
• A player does not touch the net or enter the opposition's court.
• A ‘high ball’ constitutes a fault during attack and a foul serve during service.
MOVEMENT
• A player may jump when catching the ball.
• A player within the home zone may jump-shoot. However, both feet must have contact with the ground when launching from the fore zone.
• A player may land in the fore zone when jump-shooting from the home zone.
• A player stepping on the sideline or baseline is in the free zone.
• A player stepping on the frontline is in the fore zone.
• A player stepping on the crossline or both sections of the fore zone is in neither of the sections.
• A player stepping on the olive is outside the fore zone.
• A player stepping on the olive is outside the fore zone.
COURT DIMENSIONS
The playing court measures 17 m x 8 m and has two main zones namely; the Home Zone and the Fore Zone. The Home Zone and Fore Zone have dimensions of 5.9 m x 8 m and 5.2 m x 8 m respectively. The Olive (a circular region of 2 m diameter) is drawn at the middle of the court or Fore Zone. The net height (measured at the centre) from the turf is 2.30 m for men or 2.28m for women and Under-20s.
Faults / Violations
A fault or violation results in a scoring by the opposite team. The most possible and recognized faults are as follows;
• The ball touches a part of the body other than the hand and forearm before it is caught.
• A serve or ball launched from the home zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone.
• A ball launched from one section of the fore zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone and the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone.
• A player holds or throws the ball more than once within a turn.
• A player holds the ball for up to 4 seconds or more.
• Less than 2 or more than 3 throws within a turn.
• A player makes more than two steps with the ball (termed ‘traveling’).
• A player launches a shot from the olive or free zone.
• A player plays a ‘high ball’ when attacking.
• A player makes 2 consecutive foul serves.
• A player touches or overreaches the net when attacking.
• A player serves or attacks with two hands or by hitting or spiking the ball.
• Two or more players hold the ball simultaneously.
• A player mishandles the ball.
• A player jumps when launching from the fore zone.
• Players switch positions during play.
Faults / Violations
A fault or violation results in a scoring by the opposite team. The most possible and recognized faults are as follows;
• The ball touches a part of the body other than the hand and forearm before it is caught.
• A serve or ball launched from the home zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone.
• A ball launched from one section of the fore zone lands on a part of the court other than the opposition’s home zone and the diagonally opposite section of the fore zone.
• A player holds or throws the ball more than once within a turn.
• A player holds the ball for up to 4 seconds or more.
• Less than 2 or more than 3 throws within a turn.
• A player makes more than two steps with the ball (termed ‘traveling’).
• A player launches a shot from the olive or free zone.
• A player plays a ‘high ball’ when attacking.
• A player makes 2 consecutive foul serves.
• A player touches or overreaches the net when attacking.
• A player serves or attacks with two hands or by hitting or spiking the ball.
• Two or more players hold the ball simultaneously.
• A player mishandles the ball.
• A player jumps when launching from the fore zone.
• Players switch positions during play.
Gameplay
OFFICIATING
The officiating crew may comprise a referee (also called the umpire), two or four line judges, a scorer and an assistant scorer.
TOSS
At the start of the match, the teams represented by their captains take part in a toss. The winner of the toss chooses either a side of the court or the first serve. If the winner chooses a side, the other team makes the first serve. And if the winner chooses to make the first serve, the other team chooses a side.
SCORING SYSTEM
Loofball uses a point scoring system, whereby the winners of a game are awarded a point. A match may be played in 2 or 3 sets. The first two sets are played for 25 points, while the third is played for 20 points. At 24 all, the team that gains a 2 point lead first, wins the set. The same applies in the third set when the scoreline is 19 all. The first team to win 2 sets carries the match.
CHANGE OF SIDES
Teams change sides after completing the first set. The first serving team in the first set becomes the first receiving team in the second set. A new toss is conducted when a match enters the third set, just like in the beginning of the match.
SUBSTITUTION
Up to four substitutions (per team) can be made in a match. Substitution is conducted at the sideline near the fore zone. After being substituted, a starter may re-enter the court once in a match. A non-starter can only enter the court once in a match.
BREAK
1 minute time-out (per team) is allowed in a set. A 2 minute interval is also allowed between sets.
Game Equipment
The game is played with a specially designed inflatable furry ball, known as loofball. The ball is made of an artificial furry fabric or animal fur and has a diameter of between 16 and 20cm. A size 1 or mini loofball weighs 150-190g whereas a size 2 loofball weighs 190-240g.The net used has nearly the same dimensions as volleyball net.
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| A 4 panel size-2 loofball |
Loofball is a registered trademark, with registration number NG/TM/O/2017/121903. The ball design is also registered under design patents. These Intellectual Property rights are considered fundamental to the continuous growth and development of sport.
