Tchoukball

Tchoukball

A tchoukball match in progress.
First played	1970
Characteristics
Contact	No
Team members	7
Type	Ball sport, team sport
Equipment	Tchoukball, rebounder
Presence
Country or region	Worldwide
Olympic	No
World Games	Invitational sport at 2009 World Games

Symbol of Tchoukball

Tchoukball /ˈtʃuːkbɔːl/ is an indoor team sport developed in the 1970s by Swiss biologist Hermann Brandt. Brandt was concerned about the number of injuries in sport at the time and as part of an educational study he wanted to create a sport that reduced injuries, was not aggressive between players and enabled people of all shapes, sizes, genders, cultures, and backgrounds to play together.

The sport is usually played on an indoor court measuring 27 metres by 16 metres. At each end there is a rebounder (a device similar to a trampoline off which the ball bounces) which measures one square metre and a semicircular D-shaped forbidden zone measuring three metres in radius. Each team can score on both ends of the court, and comprises 12 players, of whom 7 may be on the court at any one time. In order to score a point, the ball must be thrown by an attacking player, hit the rebounder and bounce outside the 'D' without being caught by the defending team. Physical contact is prohibited, and defenders may not attempt to intercept the attacking team's passes. Players may take three steps with the ball, hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds, and teams may not pass the ball more than three times before shooting at the rebounder.

Tchoukball match in progress in Geneva.

Tchoukball has become an international sport, played in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, the United States, and Vietnam. It is governed by the International Tchoukball Federation (FITB), which was founded in 1971.

History

Tchoukball was created in Switzerland by Hermann Brandt, who was concerned by the numerous serious injuries among athletes resulting from sports prone to aggression and physical contact. He believed that sports should be not only for champions, but also contribute to the creation of a better and more humane society. He designed tchoukball to contain elements of handball (it is played with hands, and the balls used are similar), volleyball (as the defending team must prevent the ball from falling) and squash (since there is a rebound).

Basic rules

Court

• The court size that is generally used is 27 m × 17 m. However, there are variations to this such as in beach tchoukball where a court size of 21 m × 12 m is used.
• One rebounder is placed at each end of the field of play
• In front of each rebounder, a D shaped semi-circle measuring 3 m in radius must be drawn; it defines the limits of the 'forbidden zone'
• The lines of the zones are considered part of the zone itself, e.g. the line marking the semicircle forbidden zone is considered part of the forbidden zone, while the line around the entire court is considered a part of the court

Ball

Depending on the category of players (Men/Women/M18/M15/M12), different sizes of balls are used ranging from a circumference of 54 cm to 60 cm and weighs between 325 grams to 475 grams.

Scoring

Two teams of 7 players each (men or women) compete to score points with the team with the most points at the end winning the game. When a team gains a point, control of the ball is transferred to the other team.

• In tchoukball either team can score at either end of the court.
• A point is scored when the ball rebounds after hitting either of the 2 rebounders and touches the ground outside the forbidden zone, any part of the defending player's body below the knees, or touches the defending player while he is still in the forbidden zone.
• A point is given to the non-attacking team when the attacking team shoots and misses the rebounder, or the ball rebounds outside the playing area (either out of the court or in the forbidden zone).
• If a shot is caught by the defending team, the defending team can proceed to attack immediately.

Rebounder

Positions

Each team comprises the following positions:

• 2 Right Shooters
• 2 Left Shooters
• 2 or 3 defenders
• 1 Centre (or none if 3 defenders are used)

Each side of the court comprises a left shooter, right shooter and 1 or 2 defenders, while the centre usually stays near the middle of the court if this formation is used. The shooters are generally in charge of shooting although in some cases the defender can also take the shot. The defenders are in charge of coordinating the first line of defence while the centre pivot takes charge of the second line of defence. However other formations include not using a centre pivot, the team would bypass the centre and throw full length court passes directly to the shooters/inners. This gives an extra first line defender or a dedicated second line defender.

Playing the game

• The player can take 3 steps and is not allowed to bounce the ball on the ground between these steps.
• When a pass is dropped or not completed ( the ball touches the ground), the other team gets possession
• The defending team cannot hamper the attacking one, and is a fully non-contact sport.
• The player with the ball is only allowed to hold the ball for 3 seconds or less

Variant

1. Tchoukball (Indoor)
2. Beach Tchoukball
3. Wheelchair Tchoukball

International Tchoukball Federation (FITB)

The FITB, founded in 1971, is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It now comprises 47 member associations and 22 (15+7) countries with a designated FITB Representative. It supports and advises national associations and individuals willing to spread tchoukball in new areas. For instance, tchoukball was recently integrated in the school program of some regions of Senegal. The FITB was a demonstration sport in the 2009 World Games, which took place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

69 Members in March 2022:

Number of Members by Regions:

1. Asia Pacific : 15 + 2 + 5 = 22
2. Africa : 14 + 6 + 1 = 21
3. Americas : 7 + 2 + 1 = 10
4. Europe : 11 + 5 + 0 = 16

Official

1. Argentina
2. Austria
3. Bangladesh
4. Benin
5. Brazil
6. Burkina Faso
7. Cameroon
8. Canada
9. Colombia
10. Ivory Coast
11. Czech Republic
12. Democratic Republic of the Congo
13. France
14. Germany
15. Ghana
16. Guinea
17. Haiti
18. Hong Kong
19. Hungary
20. India
21. Indonesia
22. Italy
23. Japan
24. Kenya
25. Macau
26. Malaysia
27. Mauritius
28. Mexico
29. Morocco
30. Nepal
31. Pakistan
32. Philippines
33. Poland
34. Republic of China
35. Senegal
36. Singapore
37. South Korea
38. Spain
39. Switzerland
40. Thailand
41. Togo
42. Tunisia
43. Uganda
44. United Arab Emirates
45. United Kingdom
46. United States
47. Vietnam

FITB Representative

1. Angola
2. Belgium
3. Fiji
4. Maldives
5. Mali
6. Malta
7. New Zealand
8. Niger
9. Nigeria
10. Paraguay
11. Portugal
12. South Africa
13. Tanzania
14. Uruguay
15. Venezuela

Non Member, without local federation, but have team

1. Cambodia
2. Chile
3. China
4. Laos
5. Myanmar
6. Rwanda
7. Sri Lanka

World events

World Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
1971	The 1st World Tchoukball Championships	Switzerland	France	-
1976	The 2nd World Tchoukball Championships
1980	The 3rd World Tchoukball Championships	Switzerland	Republic of China	Republic of China
1982	The 4th World Tchoukball Championships	France	Republic of China	Republic of China
1984	The 5th World Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
1987	The 6th World Tchoukball Championships	Switzerland	Republic of China	Republic of China
2000	The 7th World Tchoukball Championships	Geneva, Switzerland	Republic of China	Republic of China
2004	The 8th World Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Switzerland	Republic of China
2011	The 9th World Tchoukball Championships	Italy	Republic of China	Republic of China
2015	The 10th World Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2019	The 11th World Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Republic of China	Republic of China

World Beach Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2005	The 1st World Beach Tchoukball Championships	Switzerland	Republic of China	Republic of China
2017	The 2nd World Beach Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China

Tchoukball at the World Games

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
1989	Tchoukball at the World Games 1989	Germany	Republic of China	Republic of China
2009	Tchoukball at the World Games 2009	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China

World Youth Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	M-18 Boys Winner	M-15 Boys Winner	M-12 Boys Winner	M-18 Girls Winner	M-15 Girls Winner	M-12 Girls Winner
2004	The 1st World Youth Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Taiwan	-	-	Republic of China	-	-
2011	The 2nd World Youth Tchoukball Championships	Austria	Italy	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China	Italy	-
2013	The 3rd World Youth Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2015	The 4th World Youth Tchoukball Championships	Singapore	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China	Singapore	Republic of China	Singapore
2019	The 5th World Youth Tchoukball Championships	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China

World University Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2017	The 1st World University Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Republic of China	Republic of China

World Youth Beach Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2017	The 1st World Youth Beach Tchoukball Championships	Indonesia	Republic of China	Republic of China

Regional events

Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2003	The 1st Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	India	Republic of China	Republic of China
2006	The 2nd Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2008	The 3rd Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2010	The 4th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China
2012	The 5th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Philippines	Republic of China	Republic of China
2014	The 6th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2016	The 7th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2022	The 9th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Republic of China	Singapore

Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2009	The 1st Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships	Hong Kong	Republic of China	Republic of China
2011	The 2nd Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2013	The 3rd Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships	South Korea	Philippines	Republic of China
2015	The 4th Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Republic of China	Republic of China
2019	The 5th Asia Pacific University Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China

Asia Pacific Beach Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2013	The 1st Asia Pacific Beach Tchoukball Championships	Thailand	Republic of China	Singapore

Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	M-18 Boys Winner	M-15 Boys Winner	M-12 Boys Winner	M-18 Girls Winner	M-15 Girls Winner	M-12 Girls Winner
2010	The 1st Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships	Singapore	Republic of China	-	Hong Kong	Republic of China	-	Republic of China
2013	The 2nd Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China
2014	The 3rd Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships	Singapore	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China
2016	The 4th Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China	Republic of China

Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2009	The 1st Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships	Thailand	Singapore	-
2011	The 2nd Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships	Vietnam	Philippines	Singapore
2013	The 3rd Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships	Thailand	Singapore	Singapore
2015	The 4th Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships	Malaysia	Singapore	Singapore
2017	The 5th Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships	Thailand	Singapore	Singapore

South Asian Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2012	The 1nd South Asian Tchoukball Championships	Nepal	India	-
2014	The 2nd South Asian Tchoukball Championships	Nepal	India	-
2016	The 3rd South Asian Tchoukball Championships	India	India	-

East Asian Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2016	The 1st East Asian Tchoukball Championships	China	Republic of China	-
2017	The 2nd East Asian Tchoukball Championships	South Korea

European Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2003	The 1st European Tchoukball Championships	Italy	Switzerland	Switzerland
2006	The 2nd European Tchoukball Championships	Switzerland	United Kingdom	Switzerland
2008	The 3rd European Tchoukball Championships	Czech Republic	Switzerland	Switzerland
2010	The 4th European Tchoukball Championships	United Kingdom	Switzerland	Switzerland
2014	The 5th European Tchoukball Championships	Germany	Austria	Switzerland
2016	The 6th European Tchoukball Championships	Czech Republic	Austria	Switzerland
2018	The 7th European Tchoukball Championships	Italy	Italy	Italy
2022	The 8th European Tchoukball Championships	United Kingdom	Italy	Switzerland

European Youth Tchoukball Championships

Year/Dates	Competition	Host Nation	M-18 Boys Winner	M-15 Boys Winner	M-12 Boys Winner	M-18 Girls Winner	M-15 Girls Winner	M-12 Girls Winner
2016	The 1st European Youth Tchoukball Championships	Czech Republic	Italy	Italy	Czech Republic	-	Austria	-
2022	The 2nd European youth Tchoukball Championships	United Kingdom	Switzerland

African Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2010	The 1st African Tchoukball Championships	Ghana	Togo	Senegal
2012	The 2nd African Tchoukball Championships	Togo	Togo
2014	The 3rd African Tchoukball Championships	Benin	Togo
2016	The 4th African Tchoukball Championships	Kenya	Cameroon

East African Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2014	The 1st East African Tchoukball Championships	Uganda	Uganda

Pan American Tchoukball Championships

Year	Competition	Host Nation	Men Winners	Women Winners
2010	The 1st Pan American Tchoukball Championships	Brazil	Brazil	Brazil
2012	The 2nd Pan American Tchoukball Championships	Uruguay	Brazil	Brazil
2014	The 3rd Pan American Tchoukball Championships	Colombia	Brazil	Colombia
2016	The 4th Pan American Tchoukball Championships	Mexico	Brazil	Uruguay

FITB Presidents

Name	Nation	Years	FITB headquarters
Dr Hermann Brandt	Switzerland	1971–1972	Geneva, Switzerland
Dr Théodore Werey	France	1972–1984	France
Liu Zhengfeng	Republic of China	1984–1996	Taoyuan County, Republic of China
John Andrews	United Kingdom	1996–2000	United Kingdom
Michel Farve	Switzerland	2000–2004	Switzerland
Daniel Bushbeck	Switzerland	2004–2009	Geneva, Switzerland
Huang Chin Cheng	Republic of China	2009–2017	Kaohsiung City, Republic of China
Fang Shen Szu	Republic of China	2017–2021	New Taipei City, Republic of China
Huang Chin Cheng	Republic of China	2021–present	Kaohsiung City, Republic of China

See also

• Tchoukball at the 2009 World Games

External links

Associations

• FITB - International Tchoukball Federation - official site