It’s not every day that a new sport is created, but one has just arrived in Switzerland that looks heaps of fun!
Originating in Norway in 2011, Bubble Football is rapidly becoming a craze in Switzerland amongst football enthusiasts keen to add a new dimension to their favorite sport. Indeed, anyone looking for a fun time with a group of friends can enjoy the sport – the game is ideal for birthday parties or work outings!
So how is the game played? The rules are very similar to traditional football or soccer – split into two teams, the aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible for your team. The key difference is that all players are encased in a huge transparent, plastic bubble from their knees up to their head! So when players start to tackle each other for the ball, the fun really begins! Not only does the football roll around the pitch, the players do too!
Needless-to-say, getting up from the ground is somewhat more difficult than a traditional football game. Players can expend a lot of time and energy getting themselves upright again – during which time the goals come shooting past you!
The game is typically split into 3 periods of 10 minutes each, with 2 pauses in between. Given the time required to listen to the advice of the referee, and get kitted out with your ball, this means a typical match session will last an hour.
Anyone can play the game, children and adults like. However, given the size of the ball, the minimum recommended age for children is 11 years old. Whilst the balls are not particularly heavy when inflated, they are quite difficult to manouevre the smaller you are!
So where is the game played? Bubble Football can be played on any safe terrain, either indoor or outdoor. In Switzerland, the Swiss Bubble Football association has made arrangements with the Salle Omnisports in Lausanne and Morges to allow teams to get together and play their own game of Bubble Football. Ideal for birthday parties, work outings, or simply groups of friends looking for a bit of fun, the sport can also be played on your own pitch or in your own hall, providing it is in reasonable condition.
Prices are very reasonable, and depend on how many players there are, and how long you want to play for. A typical game comprising 2 teams of 5 players would cost Fr. 380.- for an hour. Included in this price is the rental cost for the football terrain, 2 referees supplied by Swiss Bubble Football, 10 giant bubbles, and any tax or insurance costs.
The association can also organize tournaments for up to 40 people or more, including prizes etc. A 4 hour tournament for 25-40 people would cost you Fr. 1500.-. If you’re an employer looking for an unusual team-building exercise to do with your employees, this is one activity to which you should give serious consideration!
In the future, Swiss Bubble Football is keen to make the sport more widely accessible in Switzerland and talks are already in place to set up a Swiss Bubble Football league! Watch this space for more information!
To find out more about Swiss Bubble Football, the rules, equipment, prices and reservations, visit the association website at www.swissbubblefootball.com.
To encourage more people to try out the support, the association is kindly offering knowitall.ch readers a Fr. 20.- discount on their first game of Swiss Bubble Football, valid until the end of September, 2014. Just mention this article on knowitall.ch when you make your booking, either through the website or when you call (details below).
Swiss Bubble Football
www.swissbubblefootball.com
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078 902 31 32
