RocBall

What do you get when you combine volleyball with soccer? Why, RocBall, of course.

RocBall, according to this site claiming it as "Saipan's own sports game," "...is a non-contact team net game derivative of volleyball and a Meso-American sport once played by the athletes of the Aztec civilization of what is now the country of Mexico. Rocball is played on a rectangular court bisected by an overhead net with goals located behind each end of the court." Furthermore, "It is the first team net sport to implement offensive and defensive scoring, multiple point plays, plays in which a team can lose point, and the first team net sport to include the combination of kicking and hitting play action."

As you can see from the photo (click on it to launch the webpage and see this and more), the game is played on a volleyball court, with the addition of soccer-like goals on either end.

Every time I see a new sport, my faith in the future of play is somewhat restored. I know, I know. It'll get formalized and professionalized and the play will mostly go out of it, except for the fortunate few who are "good enough." But, right now, it is an opportunity for all of us to explore a new invitation to play. And eventually, there will be one more much needed sport for yet one more very able "few."