Cat in the Basket

About

A team sport, pitting between two or more teams of players against each other in a contest to score goals by returning a ball to the goal circle.

Other Names

Cat in the Basket

Field

A large flat area with a marked three meter circle - the basket - at its center.

The Cat

An oblong leather ball with a braided tail on one end.

Play

Players agree on which team gets the first throw by consensus or at random.

The tosser - a player from that team stands in the goal circle and throws the cat outwards by swinging it from its tail.

The players from all teams line up alternating along the goal circle facing outwards, and rush to catch the cat when thrown.

Whichever player catches the cat attempts to bring it home to the basket, by running and dodging the players from opposing teams.

Players from all teams push, shove, and tackle each other trying to either prevent the player with the cat from scoring or, assisting their own team mate in scoring.

The player holding the cat may throw, or kick it in an attempt to pass it to another player.

If the cat, gets free by being dropped, fumbled, or as the result of a failed pass, it becomes fair game for any team to pick up.

If a player holding the cat manages to carry it across the goal line and into the basket, they score a point for their team.

If the cat is kicked or thrown into the basket, it does not count as a goal, regardless of whether it was caught or not.

Once the cat is in the basket, the player who last held it begins a new play as the tosser.

Fouls

Intentionally punching or kicking another player expels the offending player until the next goal is scored by any team.

History

A common sport in Tabras that evolved out of a number of mob games, which came together as a regular set of rules and adopted standardized play. Early variants are said to have been played with an actual dead, or live, cat. Some versions used a loaf of overcooked bread tied into a shirt.