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IFA tests new discipline and format “2×2 Fistball” with new “STAR Tournament Series
Debut at the “2×2 Fistball Leipzig STAR” on September 18 – “2×2 Fistball European STAR” on September 25 in Nuremberg
What is generally known under the term “small field fistball”, the world fistball federation IFA has now cast into a uniform set of rules as the official “2×2 Fistball”. “The aim is to establish a second discipline alongside classic 5-a-side fistball that is more compact, has an even greater event character and can be played on different surfaces,” said IFA President Jörn Verleger. “Our goal is to complement our offer to the youth to be able to provide a form of play for even more young people in inner cities without the classic grass court.”
Originally, the world debut of the new format was planned as part of the International German Gymnastics Festival scedualed in Leipzig in May 2021 and advertised as a 2×2 World Championship. After the cancellation of the gymnastics festival and the CSIT World Sport Games scheduled as a replacement event in mid-October, the federation has now created a small tournament series at short notice to start the project this year.
The 2×2 Fistball Leipzig STAR will kick off on Saturday, September 18, where the male U12 Fistball German Championships will be held at the same time. The field of participants is limited to 48 teams of two persons each. Announced are the categories women, mixed and an open category, in which also pure women or mixed teams can start.
The format with three guaranteed matches per team, a professional center court as well as a planned players’ party in the evening is somewhat reminiscent of beach volleyball due to its compact and event-oriented design.
Games are played on an area of 15×30 meters, whereby the actual playing field is only 10 by 3 meters. During the turn, the ball is allowed to come up within the complete own half. When the ball rolls over, it must come up in the opponent’s half of the pitch. The new ERREA match ball was developed especially for the series, weighs 230g and is 55cm in circumference. Also the official fistball net is a new development of the Leipzig company VARISCIA. The small circumference reduces the advantage of strong attacking players. Technical skills and reaction speed promise spectacular rallies.
Registration http://tiny.cc/2×2-Leipzig
Leipzig STAR winner receives wildcard for the 2×2 Fistball European STAR in Nuremberg on September 25
The winners of Leipzig can look forward to a small prize money for the final victory and also to a wildcard for the 2×2 Fistball European STAR, which will take place one week later in Nuremberg. There are also three categories. There are already commitments from top players from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil and Chile. Also mixed country teams are permitted. Admission to the event site is free.
Registration https://tinyurl.com/2×2-Eibach