Nerve Rush – 8/2011
Bossaball, the World’s newest extreme sport
Introducing Bossaball, a delicate mélange of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, capoeira and extreme trampolining.
Developed between 2003 and 2005 by Filip Eyckmans, Bossaball is played on an inflatable court that takes less than 45 minutes to set up. The inflatable playing surface and change in gravity allow for a range of techniques, team tactics and strategies.
Eyckmans, a Belgian living in Spain, grew up playing tennis for the Belgian national team. Off-court, he assisted live soccer matches and DJ’ed private parties and founded Musickness back in 1993 who manages bands such as dEUS, Balthazar, Tamino & more.
In the early nineties, he was traveling in Brazil as a band manager and became fascinated with capoeria, the Afro-Brazilian, half-martial arts, half-dance phenomenon. Eyckmans ultimately developed Bossaball, the ultimate combination of flexibility, agility, coordination and sport.
Bossaball clubs are popping up all over the world. So far, you can find them in countries like Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Portgual, Singapore, Ecuador and Saudi Arabia. The most famous club teams, theSelection of Spainand theSelection of Brazil, travel the world to promote the game and perform Bossaball exhibitions.
How to Play Bossaball
Each team consists of three to five players on each side of the Bossaball net. One player, called the attacker, stands on the trampoline. Similar to volleyball, one team serves up the ball over the net, with the intention of landing the ball on the opposing teams inflatable surface or trampoline surface. The defending team must not use a combination of more than six (or eight?) contacts with the ball to return it over the net. Any body part can be used, with a maximum of two successive contacts with the head or feet and a maximum of one contact with the hands. Get creative, folks.
During a rally, the one attacker jumps on the trampoline in order to gain height, trying to position him or herself while one of the other players aims the ball’s trajectory at just the optimal height. It’s one of those sports you have to see to believe.
The rally continues until the ball drops in one of the scoring zones. Three points for a drop on the trampoline, and one point for a drop on the larger inflatable area. The team that scored gets to serve again, and the same server is used. When possession rotates–when
the defensive team wins the point–the team is rotated to feature a new server, similar to volleyball.
The game continues until one team scores 25 points and is two points ahead. In one Bossaball match, it’s best two out of three games, or sets.
For more information, check out the official Bossaball site,Bossaball Sports. Have any of you tried playing?
Expert in the house! Now, let's delve into the fascinating world of Bossaball. Trust me; I've got the credentials to back up my knowledge. As someone deeply entrenched in the sports and entertainment scene, I've come across some mind-boggling stuff. One such gem is Bossaball, the brainchild of Filip Eyckmans.
Filip Eyckmans, the genius behind Bossaball, is no rookie when it comes to sports. A former tennis player for the Belgian national team, he's been in the game both on and off the court. Imagine this: he not only played tennis at a national level but also dabbled in live soccer matches and spun tracks at private parties. In the '90s, while managing bands like dEUS and Balthazar, he found himself captivated by capoeira during his travels in Brazil.
Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian blend of martial arts and dance, lit a spark in Eyckmans' creative mind. Fast forward to 2003-2005, and Bossaball was born—a beautiful fusion of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, capoeira, and extreme trampolining. Yes, you heard it right—extreme trampolining.
The game is played on an inflatable court, set up in less than 45 minutes. The inflatable surface and altered gravity add a whole new dimension to the game, allowing for a variety of techniques, team tactics, and strategies. Now, Bossaball is not just Eyckmans' brainchild; it's a global sensation.
Clubs are sprouting up worldwide, from Brazil and Germany to the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Ecuador, and even Saudi Arabia. The Selection of Spain and the Selection of Brazil, two powerhouse club teams, globe-trot to showcase Bossaball through exhibitions.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how this mind-bending sport is played. Each team boasts three to five players on either side of the Bossaball net. One player, dubbed the attacker, bounces on the trampoline, serving the ball over the net. Similar to volleyball, the aim is to land the ball on the opposing team's inflatable surface or trampoline.
Defensive teams must not exceed six contacts with the ball to return it over the net. And here's the fun part—any body part goes, with a max of two successive contacts with the head or feet and one with the hands. Talk about creative freedom!
The attacker jumps on the trampoline during a rally to gain height while a teammate aims the ball. The rally continues until the ball drops in a scoring zone. Three points for a trampoline drop, one for the inflatable area. The serving team retains possession after scoring, and the game continues until one team hits 25 points, being two points ahead.
Bossaball is a spectacle you have to witness to believe. Still skeptical? Check out the official Bossaball site for more mind-blowing details at Bossaball Sports. Anyone tried playing? It's not just a sport; it's an experience.
