Five against five. In Jugger, the goal is to get the ball (the “Jugg”) into the opponent’s goal. It would be a simple task if it weren’t for the opponents and their “Pompfen.” If you’re hit by one of these, you have to kneel down for a few seconds—and watch as the opposing player with the Jugg gets closer and closer to the goal.
This tactical game originated in the early 1990s. It was inspired by the post-apocalyptic film *Die Jugger – Kampf der Besten* starring Rutger Hauer. In the film, players compete for food rations using a dog’s skull as a ball . While Jugger is portrayed as extremely brutal in the film, it is harmless in real life. Since 2003, this relatively new sport has had its own sports association in Germany, and teams have sprung up around the world that regularly compete against one another in tournaments.
The procedure
Each team first designates a runner. The runner’s task is to grab the pill-shaped Jugg and carry it into the opposing team’s goal (Mal). Of course, the opponents want to prevent this at all costs. To ensure that the “Qwik”—as the runner is also called—can complete his task as unhindered as possible, the other four teammates help him. They are equipped with “Pompfen.” Depending on their preference, the players can choose from five different types of these padded sports equipment to block the opponents.
If a player hits an opposing teammate with the jugger, that player must kneel down and is not allowed to participate in the game. Drumbeats are played throughout the game to help keep track of time. After a few“stones”—as the beats are called—the Jugger player who was hit may rejoin the game, provided the Pompfe no longer touches him. This“pinning”can extend the time the player is sidelined.
Meanwhile, the runner sprints —ideally unimpeded—toward the opposing team’s goal with the jugg, which is about 30 centimeters long . The goal in this team sport is somewhat reminiscent of a nest into which the jugg must be placed to score a point. The runner must carry the jugg and is not allowed to kick it, as in soccer.
The duration of the game is determined at the start. The game is played either for a set amount of time or until a certain score is reached. Each jugg that makes its way into the opponent’s goal is worth one point. Games usually last between 30 minutes and one hour.
Player well-being and inclusion are our top priorities.
Jugger teams are coed. The community places a high value on inclusion; there are even entire tournaments in which a certain percentage of FLINTA participants must be represented in order to qualify for entry. FLINTA stands for women, lesbians, intersex people, non-binary people, trans people, and agender people. In short: people whose gender identity is other than cisgender male.
In addition, Jugger clubs have “Awareness Teams” that make sure members are doing well. In general, a great deal of importance is placed on well-being, enjoying the sport, and a sense of community. These were the main reasons why Michael Frisch, a longtime member and president of the Vienna Jugger Club, took up the sport about six years ago.
The Essential Play Equipment - The Pompfen
Players can choose between a pole measuring about 1.80 meters, a long pompfe resembling a longsword, or an 85-centimeter short pompfe, which can be combined with a shield. It is also possible to use a“Q-Tip”—a two-meter-long piece of equipment resembling a cotton swab—or the chain. The chain consists of a ball attached to a three-meter-long string. It may be used only once per team. Each player can choose the piece of equipment that suits them best. Therefore, not all five pompfen need to be present on the elliptical, octagonal playing field, which measures 20×40 meters.
Incidentally, the amount of time you have to spend on your knees also depends on the type of “Pompfe” that hit you. Normally, you count out five “stones”; only if the chain hits you do you count out eight. The term “stones” comes from the movie on which this sport is based. In that martial arts film, “stones” are always thrown against a gong to keep time.
The only team in Austria
While Jugger already has a large fan base in many countries, it’s still a hidden gem here. At Vienna’s only club, the roughly 30 members meet three times a week for practice. They play on public fields, sometimes using equipment they’ve built themselves. The club often plays against a friendly team from Hungary and is looking forward to meeting over 100 other international athletes at the World Club Championship. From September 3–6, they’ll face off against other international Jugger teams from South America, Australia, Spain, Hong Kong, and the U.S., to name just a few.
Anyone aged ten or older can play. There’s no upper age limit, as long as your mobility allows it. Because the game is so much about strategy, even people who aren’t in great shape can enjoy this sport.
Of course , this is just a rough summary. You can find more information on the sport’s official website. The terms “runner,” “athlete,” and “player” naturally refer to all people.
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Source:
Interview with Michael Frisch, President of the Vienna Jugger Club
https://juggersportverband.de/was-ist-jugger/
Photos: (c) Michael Frisch
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