Defense Strategies in Bearball®

Earlier I discussed Offensive Strategies for use in the team sport of Bearball®. A few of the defensive ideas relate specifically to some of the offensive concepts, while others, such as Baiting the Bear and Burn the Den, are solely germane to this unique game. And then, some defensive tactics are just common sense, fundamentals of positioning players and ball control. These latter will be addressed first.

After watching a few Hunts of Bearball, it could probably go unsaid that most Hunters want the ball. This is especially noticed when an inexperienced Ursa Major (UM) puts the Stone into play toward the Lake area. The result is several Hunters scrambling as quickly as they can to get the ball. What often materializes as a result is confusion, fumbling, and sometimes collisions that delay play, allowing more time for the Ursa Minors (Um’s) to maneuver. Therefore, Hunters need to stay away from crowding the lake area and play their designated post positions. One player could be specified for collecting the Stone from the Lake vicinity and this would eliminate the problem. In the Offensive Strategies section the tendency for Hunters to rush toward the Lake is mentioned and it has been suggested that UM’s take advantage of this drift.

This discussion leads to two other related issues, “ball-hogs” and running with the ball. Players should be taught when it is appropriate to pass the Stone. Nobody appreciates a ball-hog. Additionally, all too often Hunters run with the ball to chase a Bear when the ball can be passed much faster by throwing, rolling, or kicking than by running with it. As you may recall, this is referred to as Atling.

Back each other up. Back each other up. Back each other up. I can’t make it more simple then that. Numerous points are scored, time lost, and Um’s advanced toward the Den because Hunters fail to support each other, watch with anticipation where the ball may be headed and position themselves so the ball traveling does not work to the advantage of the Bears. This defensive fundamental needs to be practiced, practiced, and practiced.

Hunters must watch the Forest Edge closely when the ball heads to the Clear-cut. If the ball touches the Forest boundary, or goes over its vertical plane, a Bagged-Bear results. However, if in doubt as to whether or not the ball is going to do this, error on the side of caution and pick up the ball. Otherwise, too much time may elapse and the Um’s may advance or score.

As you know, the UM may leave the safety of the Den to try and Maul a Hunter after they release the Stone. Choose a Hunter, either the one playing the Southeast or Southwest Post position near the Equator, to watch the Ursa Major (UM). Sometimes the UM’s are hesitant about whether or not they are going to commit to trying to Maul, consequently, the UM can sometimes be easily Bagged.

A simple thing to consider for smoothly and moving the game along without delay is to establish hand signals for quickly communicating things like backing each other up, Tame the Bear, Baiting the Bear, Burn the Den, and Drain the Lake.

It is legal to create a blockage of Hunters if it is done with at least two running steps minimum in front of the Um in front of the Den to force the Um to slow down and run further, thus giving more of an occasion to Bag the Bear. Hunters are permitted to hold each others hands and thus create the blockage as large as possible. However, they cannot completely surround the Den.

Draining the Lake is another ploy unique to Bearball®. In this option the Hunters have at their disposal a chance to temporarily delay Um’s from making their required Swim before returning to the Den and score a point. This gives the team more possibilities and time to Bag a Bear. A Drained Lake occurs when three (3) Hunters at one time occupy the Lake before a Um arrives and then the Ursa Minor must attempt to return to a Tree. A drained lake may not occur more than two (2) times per Stalk or the U.m. may advance freely to the den without being Bagged for each occurrence above two (2) drained lakes per Stalk. Unlike the procedure for Burning the Den, none of these three Hunters are required to possess the ball while this is being done. Therefore, it is possible to Bag a Bear while it is trying to get back to a Tree.

When there are three (3) Hunters in the Den and a Hunter holds the Stone on the ground in the Den for three (3) seconds, this is known as ”Burning the Den.” The Ursa Minors must return to a Tree and all play is dead until the Warden signals to start play again. If there is only one U.m. on the field because the other has either scored or been Bagged, then that U.m. must return to a Tree and another U.m. must also go to the other Tree for play to start again. Of course, this is done to keep offense from scoring and can only be used one time per Stalk.

One more strategy distinctive to Bearball® is “Baiting the Bear.” This is where a Hunter tries to hide the ball on his or her person and fool the Um. If the Ursa Minor is unaware of where the Stone is located, then they can sometimes be Bagged.

These are not the only options that the Hunters have defensively at their disposal. Others will occur to you as you become more experienced at playing the game. However, they are worthy tactics for generating a Feast rather than a Famine in Bearball®.