Quidditch is a sport from the popular book and movie series Harry Potter. Harry Potter himself, along with many of his friends, are a part of the school Quidditch team in the book, and Quidditch matches serve as key plot points multiple times.

In the book, Quidditch is played on flying broomsticks with with enchanted balls. As one might expect, it would be difficult to accomplish that in real life. Flying broomsticks are substituted for plastic pipe, which presents an extra challenge for players. They have to keep a hold of their “brooms” at all times or face a penalty of a lap around the goal post.

Students catch and throw the main ball, the Quaffle, one handed and attempt to throw it through three raised rings at the end of the playing area, scoring 10 points per goal. Beaters throw other balls, bludgers, at people. If they land a throw, the target must complete a lap around the goal post before continuing play. A non-partial individual is designated as the Snitch, and if either team captures the snitch, they end the game and gain 50 additional points.

Battle has had a Quidditch team, the Battle Basilisks, since spring 2014, the first school year it was open. In years past, the team has fielded around six or seven students. This year, they don’t have enough students to field a complete team of seven, but that hasn’t stopped students from practicing. They meet every A day during Spartan Time in G215. Jonas Ferguson, freshman, said, “This year it was not very well organized and not a lot of people know what it is.”

On nice days, the players practice in the grassy area between the G and H wings, which is something the players enjoy. “Going outside during Spartan Time is fun,” said Ferguson.

The students throw around the game balls and run around. “You get to throw things at people, you get to hit them basically,” Cassidy Schulte, sophomore, said.

But it’s all good fun, and Rachel Tinsley, biology teacher, is there in case of any problems. “Really, it’s a club thing. But I have to be here in case anyone gets hurt,” Tinsley said.

If the weather is bad, students stay in Tinsley’s room, hanging out and going over rules. Tinsley acts as the club’s teacher sponsor, but said, “Really, I don’t know Quidditch better than anyone else. I can captain, I can lead you guys, but [the students] know it better than I do.”

The team is still looking for more players, and students can join the team at any time.