RAH x TILAL – Pitchin’ Pitches

World Cup 2014 ended but I still got World Cup on my mind. Belgium eliminating the US? Totally heartbreaking but I’m still beaming with pride over Tim Howard’s amazing performance. Hello?! 16 saves – the most saves in a match in World Cup history! Yes, I fully endorse Howard for Secretary of Defense of the United States.

Once the US vs Belgium match was announced, Pablo Hannon of Hectica / Things I Like a Lot  suggested another World Cup collab. A second collab seemed fated since our home countries were set to battle. And really, why stop at one when our first World Cup collab was so much fun? Pablo suggested that we rethink the fútbol pitch. The goal? Design 4 pitches in 45 minutes of playtime. How would we change the design? How would the design change gameplay? Game on!

SHAPES

When something is so ingrained, when it’s the only way, how do you change it up? My approach – change the basic shape of the fútbol pitch. Replace the rectangle with differents shapes, all equally elementary in form.

Square — 2 cross field running goalies and 2 players do 4 sets of 15 minutes.

Circle — The circle is the goal and scoring points are added depending on the angle/slice it is shot from.

Hexagon — No goalie, 2 x 3 players have 30 minutes to score as many goals as possible without stopping the game. A high fence stops the ball from going out.

Rectangle — Only 1 player of each team is allowed in the stretched triangle, the goalie in his own rectangle and the rest is the rest.

Play

Pablo’s approach? Play. Perfectly Pablo. Check out his blog post for his take on the design-off!

2 x 3 — Each team has 3 players. The keeper needs to take risk and escape his zone to form triangles towards the other goal. Corners are given in the 1/3rd circle. The ball can not cross the mid line via a pass or a kick to the goal.

Dutchy — Every half another team defends the only goal there is.

Back to Back — Both goals are placed back to back. Teams are formed of 1 keeper and 4 players. This game is played at the equator only and between 11h30 and 12h30 to have 90° straight shadows.

Corner — This game emphasises the skills of taking a good corner and counter attacking instantly. A corner is dangerous for both teams.

Speedy — The field is exactly the same as now, only there is a plexi glass ice hockey shield on the long sides. Attack speed is increased.

So tell us – what do you think of our pitches? Do they inspire you to go play?

oxxo, Hen