IIT Madras launches three-team invasion sport ‘Phiball’ ahead of National Sports Day
Chennai, Aug 28 (TNT): The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) on Friday launched ‘Phiball’, a new three-team invasion sport featuring simultaneous competition on a circular court, ahead of National Sports Day.
The sport was launched on the IIT Madras campus in the presence of Dean (Students) Prof Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, students, faculty members and teams from various city colleges.
National Sports Day is observed on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Unlike conventional invasion sports that involve two teams, Phiball has three teams competing simultaneously on a circular court.
Each team attacks two opponent baskets while defending one, requiring players to track multiple opponents and adapt their strategies continuously.
Each team consists of seven registered players, with four active players and three substitutes.
The game is played on a 26-metre-diameter circular court divided into three equal 120-degree sectors, with three baskets positioned around the playing area.
IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti said the institute was innovating not only in technology but also in sports.
“Phiball is a new game that involves multiple teams and captures the field dimensions mathematically. Winning the game requires accuracy, presence of mind, teamwork and good physical health,” he said.
Prof Sathyanarayana N Gummadi said the sport had been developed around teamwork, speed, communication, tactical decision-making, fairness and safety.
He said its three-team structure required players to simultaneously monitor multiple opponents and changing attacking and defensive situations, while developing physical, technical and tactical abilities.
The initial sporting engagement will involve participants from IIT Madras, A M Jain College of Arts and Science, Patrician College of Arts and Science, Presidency College of Arts and Science, Sathyabama University, Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, The New College of Arts and Science, VIT Chennai and YMCA College of Physical Education.
The sport follows a rotational defensive system under which teams change the basket they defend after every quarter.
A match consists of three eight-minute quarters, with three-minute intervals between quarters. A 24-second shot clock applies to new possessions, with a 14-second reset in applicable situations.
A successful free throw carries one point, a field goal inside the 6.75-metre arc carries two points and a field goal beyond the arc carries three points. Shooting is not permitted from the Centre Free Zone.
Three floor referees oversee the three sectors of the court, supported by a scorekeeper, timekeeper and shot-clock operator.
Substitutions are permitted during dead-ball situations with referee approval.
The sport includes rules governing travelling, double dribbling, fouls and other violations, drawing on applicable 3×3 basketball principles with modifications specific to Phiball.
IIT Madras said the launch marked the beginning of an initiative to introduce, develop and promote Phiball as a new competitive sporting format, with emphasis on safety, teamwork and fair play.
TNT KM
