Football playing field and associated game

Abstract

A circular playing field, also known as a playing surface or pitch, for a modified game of soccer, also referred to as football herein, is provided, wherein the circular field includes a generally continuous, circular marked perimeter line, a marked midline and a marked center circle that is concentric with the circular marked perimeter line. Goals can be disposed diametrically opposite one another along or adjacent the perimeter line, generally on opposite sides of the marked midline. The game can be played on the field by opposing teams of 2-4 players each, and optionally 3 players each. The field can be circular in shape and of a radial dimension that can vary as a function of the age, skill and the number of players to occupy the field while playing.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A playing field of a soccer game comprising:
 a continuous, circular marked perimeter line defining a boundary of a field of play;   a center point located at a center of the circular marked perimeter line;   a polar axis extending between opposing first and second points along the circular marked perimeter line, the polar axis generally bisecting the circular marked perimeter line and passing through the center point;   a marked linear midline extending through the center point, the marked linear midline being perpendicular to the polar axis;   a marked circular center circle line generally centered on the center point and concentric relative to the circular marked perimeter line; and   a first goal a second goal located on opposing portions of the circular marked perimeter line, on opposite sides of the marked linear midline.   
     
     
         2 . The playing field of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first and second goals are placed on opposing ends of the polar axis, along the circular marked perimeter line,   wherein each of the first and second goals includes a goal center,   wherein a goal center of the first goal is at an angle of 180 degrees from the goal center of the second goal.   
     
     
         3 . The playing field of  claim 2  wherein the first and second goals each include uprights extending perpendicular to the ground to form at least one of a rectangular and a semicircular opening through which a goal can be scored. 
     
     
         4 . The playing field of  claim 1  wherein the center point is marked. 
     
     
         5 . The playing field of  claim 1  wherein the first and second goals are unguarded by a dedicated goal tender during play of the game on the field. 
     
     
         6 . The playing field of  claim 1  wherein the marked center circle line defines a center circle radius of 5 feet to 25 feet. 
     
     
         7 . The playing field of  claim 6  wherein the marked center circle line defines a center circle radius of 9 feet. 
     
     
         8 . The playing field of  claim 1  wherein the circular marked perimeter line defines a perimeter radius of 30 feet to 120 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The playing field of  claim 8  wherein the circular marked perimeter line defines a perimeter radius of 45 feet. 
     
     
         10 . The playing field of  claim 1  wherein the first goal is an upright standing goal having an opening that is 72 inches wide by 30 inches tall. 
     
     
         11 . A method for playing a game of soccer comprising:
 providing a playing field comprising:
 a continuous, circular marked perimeter line defining the boundaries of a field of play; 
 a polar axis extending between opposing first and second points along the circular marked perimeter, the polar axis generally bisecting a circular shape formed by the circular marked perimeter line; 
 a marked linear midline extending through the center point, the marked linear midline being perpendicular to the polar axis; 
 a marked circular center circle line that is concentric relative to the circular marked perimeter line; 
 a first goal and a second goal located on opposing portions of the circular marked perimeter line, on opposite sides of the marked linear midline; 
 providing a first team and a second team, each including 2 to 4 players on the field at a time to play a game; 
 forbidding the posting of a dedicated goalie at either of the first or second goals; 
 wherein the first team and second team play the game attempt to score at least one goal during the game by moving a spherical ball through respective ones of the first and second goals. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising awarding 3 points to the first or second team that has a majority of goals scored during a game. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising awarding 1 point to each of the first and second team when the first and second teams tie in goals during the game. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  comprising awarding 0 points to the first or second team that has the least goals scored during the game. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the game is played in two halves, each being 10 to 20 minutes in duration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the game is played in two halves, each being 12 minutes in duration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the two halves are separated by a half time period is less than 5 minutes in duration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein timeouts are forbidden during play of the game. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein each of the first and second teams have 3 players on the field during play of the game. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein, if during play of the game, a player moves the ball outside the circular marked perimeter line at a location, the ball is deemed out of bounds, and the ball can re-enter the field at the location.