Introduction
As the weather gets warmer in Graz from spring into summer, the grassy areas in parks become much livelier.
You can see many people playing soccer and volleyball, but one thing that particularly caught my attention was groups of people playing around something that looked like a small trampoline.
At first, I wondered, “What are they playing?” After looking into it, I discovered that it is a sport called SPIKEBALL.
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あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
What Is SPIKEBALL?
A Sport Played with a Small Round Net
SPIKEBALL is a sport played using a small circular net.
It looks quite similar to a small trampoline, and players hit a ball onto the net during the game.
Usually Played 2 vs. 2
The basic format is 2 vs. 2.
One player serves the ball onto the net, and the opposing team has to return it after it bounces off the net.
How Does SPIKEBALL Work?
Hit the Ball Toward the Net
The server starts by hitting the ball onto the net.
The opposing team then receives the ball as it bounces back.
Return the Ball Within Three Touches
It is somewhat similar to volleyball in that each team can use up to three touches before returning the ball.
The final touch is used to hit the ball back onto the net.
You Can Move 360 Degrees Around the Net
One of the most interesting things about SPIKEBALL is its unusual playing area.
Players can move freely around the net in all directions.
In other words, you will often see:
- Moving forward and backward
- Running around the net
- Sprinting
- Making sudden turns
All of these movements happen frequently during a game.
You Score When Your Opponent Fails to Return the Ball
You can score when, for example:
- The ball is dropped
- The ball fails to reach the net
- The ball bounces twice
- The team cannot return the ball within three touches
The game moves at a surprisingly fast pace.
I Tried It Myself
I Gave It a Try in the Park
One day, I noticed several SPIKEBALL nets and balls set up in a park.
At first, I thought they might be some kind of public playground equipment. Looking back, however, they may have been set up by a club, group, or event.
Since I had the chance, I decided to give it a try.
It Was Much Harder Than I Expected
However, it turned out to be much harder than I expected.
In particular, I found it extremely difficult to catch and return the ball after it bounced off the net.
The ball bounced in much less predictable directions than I expected, and I often could not react quickly enough.
It Takes Quite a Bit of Skill
It looks easy when you watch other people play, but it is surprisingly difficult once you actually try it.
In particular, you need to get used to:
- Choosing the right angle to hit the ball
- Controlling how hard you hit it
- Predicting where the ball will bounce next
I felt that it takes quite a bit of practice to get used to these things.
Experienced players can keep long rallies going, while beginners often lose the ball after just a few touches.
My Impression After Watching It
Much More Physically Demanding Than It Looks
At first, I thought it was just a casual recreational activity, but it actually involves quite a lot of movement.
- Sprinting
- Diving
- Sudden stops
These movements happen frequently, making it feel much more like a serious sport than a casual game.
Perfect for Playing in Parks
SPIKEBALL does not require a particularly large amount of space.
That makes it a great fit for grassy areas in parks.
In Graz, I often see people playing it along the river, in open spaces, and in parks.
Why Is It So Popular in Europe?
Easy to Carry Around
The net can be disassembled and packed into a relatively compact size.
That means you can easily take it to places such as:
- Parks
- Lakes
- Campsites
- Beaches
It can be enjoyed in a wide variety of outdoor locations.
Easy for Beginners to Try
The rules are a little unusual, but the basic action itself is quite simple.
Since the basic idea is simply to hit the ball onto the net, even beginners can start playing fairly quickly.
My Perspective as a Japanese Player
A “New Kind of Beach Volleyball”
Personally, SPIKEBALL reminded me of a combination of beach volleyball, table tennis, and a trampoline.
It feels like a very European-style outdoor sport.
Still Relatively Uncommon in Japan
I do not think SPIKEBALL is something you see very often in Japan yet.
That is why my first reaction was basically, “What kind of sport is that?”
The Park Culture May Be Part of the Reason
In Austria, there is a strong culture of playing sports and spending time on grassy areas in parks.
Because of this, perhaps sports like this that are easy to bring along and play casually outdoors are more likely to become popular.
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（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）
Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Conclusion
SPIKEBALL is a unique sport played with a small circular net.
To summarize its main features:
- Uses a small trampoline-like net
- Usually played 2 vs. 2
- Players can move freely around the net
- Requires quite a lot of physical movement
- Much harder than it looks
- Perfect for playing in parks
That was my overall impression.
At first, it looked like some kind of mysterious outdoor game, but once I learned the rules, I realized that it is actually a very well-designed and interesting sport.
I tried playing it myself for a little while, and catching the ball after it bounced off the net was genuinely difficult. I definitely felt that it takes some skill and practice.
If you are in Graz during spring or summer, you may see people playing SPIKEBALL quite often in the parks. If you ever find yourself wondering, “What is that?”, take a closer look!
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