Introduction to Nge Nbembo

[General Mbako]

Nge Nbembo, or Stick-ball, is a sport played on a 100x100 yard square field by two teams of 20 players. The object of the game is to 'capture' the other team's flag by hitting the flagpost with the ball, which is worth 2 points. There is a central post the can also be captured by the teams. If the central post and the opposing team's flag are both captured at the same time, this is worth 5 points.

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History

Nge Nbembo used to be a barbaric combat sport in its early days. Teams would often field up to 50 combatants, and the aim would be to use the sticks as a weapon to defend your team's flag post. The only fouls in this version of the game were jabbing and gouging. Players were even allowed to make contact to the head with the stick. It was not uncommon for major injuries to occur, and even deaths on some occasions. The ball was introduced after the Government banned teaching combat skills, and the team size was reduced to 20 players. The 75-yard arcs were introduced to stop players challenging free clears with high sticks.

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The field


The field is a square of side length 100 yards. Marking the boundaries are four corner posts, joined along each side of the square by a side line. Along the diagonal between two corner posts, the flags for each team are placed, 14.1 yards from the corner post (forming a 10x10 square with the two side lines). Around this post, an arc of radius 10 yards is drawn, known as the penalty area. No part of this circle that is nearer than 10 yards from the corner post is drawn. Only three players from each team are allowed in the penalty area at a time. Arcs a distance of 75 yards from the flag posts are drawn and the centre line is drawn in between the two intersections. A circle of radius 10 yards is drawn around the centre post. This is known as the centre circle.

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The players
The game is played by two teams of 20 players. The players wear protective glasses, to prevent injuries due to high sticks. The sticks are wooden, and are comparable to broom handles. There are no set playing positions. In addition to the 20 players, teams may name up to 5 substitutes. Substitutions can be made after any score, or in the event of an injury after a foul. Teams have unlimited substitutions. If a team's bench is reduced due to serious injury after a foul, the other team must reduce their bench accordingly.

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The referee
The referee ensures that the game is completed in the spirit of fair play. He keeps time and score, and is the sole arbiter of foul play.

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The game
The game is played over three periods of 25 minutes each. The team with home advantage gets to choose which end to attack twice, while the visiting team gets first possession twice. The ball may only be played with the stick. Contact with any part of the body is a violation. Deliberate contact with any part of the body is a foul.

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Scoring
Points are scored by hitting, or 'capturing', the opposing team's flag post with the ball. This is worth 2 points. The centre post may also be captured. The last team to capture the centre post is awarded 5 points for a capture instead of 2. If a player knocks over his own flag post, 1 point is awarded to the opposing team.

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Restarts
To start each period or point, the team with first possession (or non-scoring team) is given a free clear. This is where the ball is tossed in the air, then hit with the stick. The free clear is taken from anywhere within the starting team's penalty area. Opposing players must not advance nearer than 75-yards from the starting team's flag post unless they remain in their own half of the field. The ball is only live once it is hit with the stick, so using the hands to toss the ball up at this point is not a foul. A free clear is also taken if the ball leaves the penalty area over a side line, having last been played by an attacking player. Points may not be scored from a free clear.

If the ball leaves the penalty area over a side line after being played by a defender, a corner stroke is awarded. The ball is placed on the side line, so that it is touching the corner post, and is hit with the stick into the field. All players other than the hitter must be outside the penalty area until the ball is hit. Points may be scored from a corner stroke.

Otherwise, if the ball crosses a side line, the team that didn't hit it out is given a hit-in from where the ball went out. This is the same as a free stroke, except points may not be scored from a hit-in.

After a violation, a free stroke is awarded. Opposing players must not be within 10-yards of the ball when the stroke is taken. The ball must be stationary and on the ground, and is still live during this time. The hitter can only strike the ball once from a free stroke. Points may be scored from a free stroke.

After a foul, a free hit is awarded. Opposing players must not be within 10-yards of the ball. The ball is dead, so may be tossed up with the hands before being hit. The ball is only live again once it has been hit, and the hitter may strike the ball more then once. Points may be scored from a free hit.

If the defending team commits a violation inside their own penalty area, a penalty stroke is awarded. This is taken from any point on the 10-yard arc around the flag post. Players other than the hitter must be at least 15-yards from the flag post, but other than this, it is the same as a free stroke.

If an attacking player is fouled inside the opposing team's penalty area, a penalty hit is awarded. This is taken from any point on the 10-yard arc around the flag post. Players other than the hitter must be at least 15-yards from the flag post, but other than this, it is the same as a free hit.

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Fouls and Violations
Players may be punished for fouls and violations. Violations are less serious than fouls, but repeated violations can still be worthy of a white card. This list of violations is not exhaustive, but is given as a guide to the kind of offence covered by this rule:
-Accidentally playing the ball with the body
-Stick-to-stick contact
-Deliberately touching the flag post with the body

The following offences are fouls, punishable by a free hit or penalty hit:
-Deliberately playing the ball with the body
-Touching or holding the stick of another player with the hand
-Tripping
-Checking in the back
-Jabbing
-Striking with the body
-Deliberately striking the flag post with the body or stick
-Spitting at an opponent
-Using foul or abusive language

In addition to awarding free strokes and free hits, the referee carries three black cards and two white cards.
The black card is given for:
-An act of fair play

Each black card may only be used by the referee once in a game. The referee does not have to use all three black cards. The black card can be used to offset one white card.

The white card is shown for:
-Three violations in quick succession
-Two minor fouls in quick succession
-Reckless play
-Encroaching during a restart of play
-Dissent

The referee may show a player both white cards and dismiss him from the field of play if he commits one of the following offences:
-Receiving two white cards in quick succession
-Receiving three white cards in a match
-Dangerous contact
-Spitting at a person
-Blatantly unfair act
-Using foul or abusive language