Well, the basic rules are, as said, pretty simple.
The pitch- a standard rectangular job- is split into three thirds; your third, the opponent's third at the far end, and no-man's land in the middle. At each end are a set of goalposts, which continuously slide up and down the pitch, to create a moving target.
"On the advanced games," the instructor says, "the goals get smaller the better you are doing... but we won't worry about that."
There are five people a side, with droids making up the extra numbers.
There is a single point score. If Team A gets a goal, the score goes up. if Team B gets a goal, the score goes down. To win, you need to score enough points for a 'Shutdown' (so-called because all the droids shutdown when it happens). Team A wins with a shutdown if the score gets to 9 or more, and Team B wins if the score gets to -9 or less.
A goal is worth one point if you score it in your opponent's zone, two points if you manage a shot in from No-Man's land, and if you manage a truly impressive shot from your own zone all the way into your opponent's goal, that is worth three points.
"Any questions?"
Andro said little to nothing in the changing room or while getting instruction out on the court. First of all, he thought that fit wiht his role of a serious bodyguard, and secondly, he didn't want to be dragged into a conversation with this Mr. Twain. He didn't know much history on Gallagher's family, and less about the particulars of being a Family Protector. He didn't want to get caught up the way Gallagher had.
"I'm ready when everyone else is." was all he could come up with to say.
Yes indeed, it is dead easy for a Jedi to cheat at this game. Shame, eh?
"Yup, it is pretty physical," says the instructor. "Hence all the armour and everything. But as it is almost impossible to actually get the ball off someone else, most physical activity is restrcited to 'vigorous' shoving between those competing to catch or intercept a pass. No deliberate moves above the chest or below the belt, and absolutely no use of the stick as a weapon. Fouls lead to the other side scoring; people rarely behave so badly as to get sent off but it does happen.
"Talking of sticks and balls, if you would care to follow me into the arena, I'll show you how they work..."
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"Well, it's not gone very well, obviously," says Skorzeny.
"Well, I am not the one who closed negotiations," says Skorzeny. "I tried to meet some kind of halfway position. But then they started saying that I either had to meet all their demands or pay the price. How can I negotiate in the face of that?"
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Into the arena then which is, as I say, enclosed, and surrounded above by the viewing gallery, except for one portion up above, which is a room overlooking the arena where the referee sits, with the controls regulating the game there as well.
Already out there are a number of gaming droids, unusual looking things, They are incredibly padded; almost as if made out of foam. The armour is considerable, enough to make them virtually indesructible.
That needs qualifying. A lightsabre would go through one in an instant. A few good blaster shots would down one. But these are unlikely hazards in a Spirodos hockey game. The point is, they can be bashed, tackled, and smashed into walls all day long, and they will never stop working. They are also soft enough to smash into living players and not hurt them much.
It seems to be an unwritten rule that the droids are fair game for punishment, They certainly don't mind.
"Oh, err, well, yes... no mystery there, it was my decision not to activate the defences."
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Ok, the instructor reveals the sticks- that look like hockey sticks with a fancier end- and the ball, which is tennis ball sized, and glows softly.
"Two modes," he explains.
"Attract..." he says, twisting the stick. The ball flies towards the end and sticks to it.
"And repel..." he says. As he twsists it again, the ball flies away from the stick with considerable force, towards the goal!
"Easy enough?"