IQA Changes Tackling Rules, Doesn’t Change Gender Rule

The International Quidditch Association (IQA) has announced the results of the changes to the rule book proposed in May. One of the proposed changes didn’t pass despite being heavily discussed by the Muggle quidditch/quadball community, and another ten proposed changes passed.

The first rule pertains to plastic shin guards. They will not have to pass the knock test anymore, meaning that hard plastic soccer shin guards will be allowed. Shin guards made from other materials, such as carbon fiber, still have to pass the knock test. Metal cleats also passed and won’t be strictly banned.

The option to extend the bench outside of the player area up to a total width of 7 meters (23 feet) if there is space to do so also passed.

The reset rule will change: “When a single resetting action causes the quaffle to travel backwards across both restrictor lines, this shall count as two resets and will result in a quaffle turnover.” The stalled quaffle procedure will also change, and a stalled quaffle is now treated as out of bounds. The turnover of quaffles will no longer stop the game.

Catching the snitch will be a little different, and the seeker floor will start at the 20th minute. Previously, the seeker floor began at the 18th minute. This is the same as it is played in the United States by US Quadball (formerly US Quidditch) and Major League Quadball (formerly Major League Quidditch).

Extra breaks during high heat and humidity passed with revisions. If the heat index is predicted to be at or above 32°C (90°F) during the event, there should be additional breaks after 15 minutes into the game and every 5 minutes after the first 20 minutes. After revisions, it allows also the use of the rule when there isn’t humidity data available to the event director but it “feels like” the case.

Contact and tackling will be different. Tackles can happen from behind if a player stops in the motion and has both feet on the ground. Players will also be allowed to use both arms while wrapping an opponent and tackling them. This proposal makes it legal to reach around an opponent to steal a ball. Additionally, the legality of head beats thrown from less than 5 meters (16 feet) will be restricted.

The 3-max gender rule didn’t pass. Currently, it is mandatory that no more than four players of the same gender be on the pitch at any point of the game. The new rule would have changed it to three except for when seekers are on the pitch.

Although this rule didn’t pass, it received support from the quidditch/quadball community, who recirculated a statement written by Suzanne Fischer in 2019:

The gender rule, as I believe, does not exist to make the sport inclusive to all players. Because as a community, we have already decided that we are inclusive. Whoever you are and whatever you identify yourself with, you are welcome to come and play. The original intent of the gender rule was to ensure female players playing time, and respecting this rule ensures that the sport is played fair.

Why do we need it? Because, and I say this from a professional perspective as a doctor, testosterone-dominated bodies have a physiological advantage over estrogen-dominated bodies when it comes to qualities needed for sport. It’s a physiological result from the effect that hormones have on your muscles, joints, bones, internal organs and blood vessels.

When we decide to keep the sport fair, we actually decide on a testosterone-estrogen ratio in the team, with no interest at all in your gender.

When a team decides to not keep to this rule, you are not only disrespectful to quidditch but you are [also] disrespectful to sports in general, and foremost, to your estrogen-dominated players.

Currently, there is a petition to reconsider the 3-max gender rule that will accept signatures until September 3.