Students and Players may struggle with the concept of running with a broom between their legs. Chinese Gates and Snitch Snatch work on the same movement patterns: avoiding an opponent, while moving to open space towards a goal. As such, these are great introduction games to Quidditch. Chinese Gates sends players through several zones of gates, which are guarded by defenders, to get to the opposite side. This forces movement into open space, away from opponents, while running with a broom. Similarly, one can start with Snitch Snatch. This game is quarantined to a grid, and there is one tagger with a broom. While this game is designed to help seekers catch the snitch, it is easily transferred to an introduction game. The taggers must be on brooms, while the 'snitches' run freely. This game allows players to start running (something they are used to) and then incorporates a broom. It can also be adapted more for beginners, by getting rid of the bandanas/snitches, and playing a simple game of tag instead. This introduces running with a broom, and finding open space, which is necessary in a full game of quidditch. Next, Capture the Quaffle creates the same movements, but in a larger area. Players must now run faster to achieve the goal (capturing the quaffle), and must avoid beaters. Beaters are a new introduction to the game and players, as they must now run, while avoiding another player throwing bludgers at them. If too complex, it can be adapted to tagging again, just to make things easier. Finally, the Rolling Pickup game introduces passing and scoring. It takes all the movement skills previously practiced and applies them to a more quidditch-esque game. This can be played with or without beaters to increase difficulty. This game puts players onto a real quidditch field, and forces them to move to open spaces to support their team, and advance the ball. Since passing might not have been introduced yet, rolling and picking up simplifies things. It could be changed by allowing hand passing, but that probably hasn't been properly developed yet. These games build towards putting players onto an actual field, moving around that field while avoiding opponents, and then applies targets (Hoops) to score on like a real game.

     Once you have established moving with a broom, and the general field, boundaries, and rules of quidditch, you can start working on passing. Passing in Quidditch can be more challenging than in other sports, as the ball is a semi-deflated volleyball, and most game situations require a player to catch with only one hand. Therefore, passing and catching are crucials skills. A simple small group game to begin with would be Grid Passing. In groups of three players can start getting comfortable with the ball by passing it to stationary players. Once comfortable, they can advance to moving targets, sending one player to the open corner of the grid. Players now must learn how to pass to a moving target, while the player receiving the pass must learn to cradle the ball. Note that players do not need to catch with one hand, it is only preferred. As long as the broom remains between a players' legs, they are allowed to catch with two hands. This makes it easy to introduce passing with brooms, but will not work when running onto the ball, which is why the movement is important in this game. Next, to add difficulty, incorporate a defender in the middle of the grid. This advances the game by offering a challenger, and pressure to catch and pass the ball effectively. If you notice players are struggling with cradling or catching the ball, the Egg Toss game is a great way to work on this. Just like in The MIghty Ducks, have players start close together, passing an egg back and forth. They quickly learn how to cradle a pass, absorbing its momentum. It also emphasizes the need to accurately pass, as players move back every successfull set of catches. This skill can then be applied to Handball, and placed in a quidditch environment. Players must now use their passing skills against an opposing team, and can begin to understand how difficult it can be in a game.

     Once players have a good grasp on the general game of quidditch, you can implement tackling. Note that tackling is illegal for High School and lower leagues, but necessary for University/College. A good thing to start on would be teaching proper tackling technique, an example of such is seen on the Video Library Page. Once players are comfortable with tackling, and understand proper technique, you can start playing games that emphasize tackling. British Bulldog is a nice introduction to tackling, as you can modify it to be played standing, or crawling on all fours. This reduces risk of injuries for a team new to tackling. British Bulldog takes the concept of moving into open space already learned, and applies it to avoiding a defender. Players will run to the other side, trying to avoid defenders, while defenders get to practice tackling and breaking down. When this game is played, it will be evident if the players are competent at tackling or not. This can lead into the Deke Read game, where partners take turns trying to read which way an attacker is going. This allows them to practice breaking down, adjusting to an opponent, and then making a tackle. Once students practice reading opponent movements, you can return to British Bulldog, where some improvement may be seen, as players more competently break down to make a successful tackle. This game can also incorporates beaters, adding to the concept of avoiding incoming bludgers and tackles. Next, the 1v1 Tackling game pits two teams against each other in a competitive manner. Players are now forced to make a tackle under a controlled environment. They approach the opponent, break down, and try and stop them with a tackle. This game ensures even-sized match ups, and pressure to make a tackle, while taking away the distraction of game play. This execution of the skill can then be applied to the Tackle Line game. This game can include or exclude beaters to simplfy/complicate the game. It focuses on encouraging tackling or beating to occur before the opposite team reaches the keeper zone. Often in a game, if a chaser reaches that zone going full speed, they will not be taken down before scoring. Therefore, this game forces players to make tackles or beats, in order to keep their team in the game. Thus, the emphasis is not scoring on the hoop, but tackling and/or beating, as the points are easier to earn. They will then be able to transfer this game into a real game of quidditch.