Offensive Strategies in Bearball® Part 3: Exploiting Safety Zones

                                                                                         

This is the third in a series of four offensive tactics for use in the sport of Bearball ™ and concentrates on the activities of the runners. The first two were Mauling Hunters and A Stone’s Throw Away.

There are a number of running strategies that Bears can use to their advantage. The simplest of these is for an Ursa Minor (Um, the players that started from the Trees) to run to the Lake after the ball is put into play and after three seconds signal Hibernation. Consequently, they must then immediately return to a Tree until the next Live Rock. The advantage to this is that they don’t need to take another Swim and may go directly home to the Den.

Another is to repeatedly step in and out of a Safety Zone, the Trees or Lake. For sake of clarity in this discussion, I’ll call this dancing. The Ursa Minors need to be constantly aware of where the ball is at and what is happening with it. They also should notice what the other Um is doing. If the Hunters are closely watching one Bear at a Tree, and that player is teasing a defensive player that has the ball by dancing, then the other runner could take off for the Lake. Recall that in the event that the Bear at the other Tree has already made their required Swim, they could head directly for the Den.

The dancing bear technique may be done with additional specific details. For example, a team could select a count and visual signal for the number of times one of the Ums steps in and out of the Tree, perhaps five, and then the other takes off from their position on the fifth time the dancer enters the Safety Zone. The dancing person could continue the behavior or stop on the fifth entry. It naturally takes time for the Hunter to process what is happening. This short delay may mean the difference between a score or no point by the other runner. Should the defense try and Bag the runner near the Den, the dancing bear may try and get to the Lake and take a swim.

Although dancing is primarily done by the Ursa Minors, it could also be utilized by an Ursa Major (UM) as a decoy attempt while they are on the field and hoping to maul defensive players. While the Hunters are trying to get the UM the Ums may try and get to the Den or to another Tree. Both the Trees and the Lake may be used by the UM as they move around the field, as long as they are not already occupied by their team mates.

As with the afore mentioned dancing bear technique, after a certain number of times in and out of the Safety Zone, Ums may signal Hibernation. Again when this is done while there is another runner trying to advance, a delayed reaction by the Hunters may allow the other runner to reach their goal. This trick should try and be choreographed and synchronized as possible to make it most effective.

The Lake is an important area for more than just a place to take the required three second Swim. It can be used as a refuge by the Ums on their way to the Den after they’ve already taken a Swim and are on their way to the Den. Also, if they see that they cannot get to the Den or return to a Tree safely, the Um may enter the Lake. After an Um has been in the Lake for at least three seconds they can signal Hibernation. They are then required to return to a Tree.

Two additional maneuvers Ums can do are to can feign entering a safety zone and then head to the Den or Pinwheel around another offensive player in a Lake or Tree. In order to pinwheel a UM or Um in a Lake would act as a blocker or obstacle between a Hunter with the ball and the other of offensive members behind the person in the Lake. As a Hunter moves around the Lake, say clockwise, to try and get closer to the Um outside the Lake, the Um would also try and avoid the Hunter by moving clockwise around the Lake with the person inside the Lake and try and block the Hunter with the ball. While this is being done, the offense must keep in mind that the person inside the Lake can only be there for a maximum of ten (ten) seconds before an automatic Hibernation will result. If the person inside the Lake is a UM they must remain there until the next Live Rock, at which time the UM must exit the playing field. However, the pinwheel effect with the UM could continue as long as they are not required to leave. On the other hand if the person inside the Lake is an Um they must return to a Tree, thus exposing the pinwheeling Um outside the Lake.

Pinwheeling may also be done around a Tree, however, this circle is smaller than the Lake. Additionally, if a Um is inside the Tree for ten (10) or more seconds an automatic Hibernation also results. As with the event of a UM in a Lake staying there, the Um that is Hibernated also stays.

As with the other offensive strategies, these tactics need to be fine tuned during practices. The more you play the sport the more comfortable you will become with various options for offensive players.

About the author:
Robert E. Bear is a professional educator and national award winning artist. He has been recognized in Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who In American Education, and National Honor Society Outstanding American Teachers. Robert has created the Star Poster Program, the game of Gig’l®, and the team sport of Bearball®. To view his games, wildlife paintings, and other writings, go to http://www.ursidaeenterprises.com.

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