Boßeln
Boßeln (called Klootschießen in some regions , even if these two different sports only partially overlap) is a sport that is played in different forms in different parts of Europe. The aim of the game is to throw a ball over a specified distance with as few throws as possible. Boßeln is played in different variations on open spaces (fields, meadows), public roads and paved paths. Originally, Boßeln was a team sport. As an individual sport, it is thrown at a distance.
Distribution and regional differences
Boßeln is known in different forms in many parts of Europe. Strongholds are East Friesland , Emsland , parts of the Oldenburger Land , the Schleswig-Holstein parts of Dithmarschen and North Friesland , in Staufenberg (Lower Saxony) , in North Rhine-Westphalia (Düsseldorf, Willich, Jöllenbeck), in Büttendorf , a district of the municipality of Hüllhorst in Germany, the Provinces of Drenthe and Gelderland in the Netherlands and Ireland. The game is also known in many other parts of northern Germany. As Tiro de bola aragonesa it is played in the Spanish province of Saragossa , as Bocciaforte (also Boccia su Strada, Boccia alla Lunga or Boccetta su Strada) in Italy , as a variant of Ruzzola (or Ruzzolone) also in Italy, as Irish Road Bowling in Ireland , Canada and the United States and as Krugeln in Huttwil in the Swiss canton of Bern .
The regional differences are expressed in different names for the sport and its disciplines, the diversity of which can cause confusion among non-residents. In Ostfriesland and Oldenburg, a distinction is made between the original Klootschießen, which is held on the field, and street boaring. Different balls are thrown here. In Schleswig-Holstein the field and road disciplines are uniformly called Boßeln, in the Netherlands they are all called Klootschieten. The Kloatscheeten in Grafschaft Bentheim, influenced by the Netherlands, combines elements of the otherwise separate field and street variants. The Irish road bowling, Tiro de bola aragonesa and Boccia su Strada are street bowling variants, albeit partially on gravel roads, the Swiss bowling is a mixture of field and street fighting, the competition surface can change here during the competition.
In addition to popular and competitive sport, there is often - in some areas even exclusive - social activity, for example in the context of celebrations or the typical regional cabbage ride .
In some areas, the topography makes special demands on the participants. While in northern Germany, street boating is mostly played flat with relatively long running routes and long curves, in Büttendorf , located on the southern slope of the Wiehengebirge , some short climbs and depressions are crossed, some with rather narrow curves. There are often short runs on the ascent, but also very long runs on the descent.
Klootschießen
history
The origins of Klootschießen and the ways of its spread are in the dark. The name is derived from the Low German word Kloot or Klut (lump). It probably developed in the Middle Ages among the Frisians who use projectiles as weapons. Initially, simple lumps of clay, the heavy marshland , and stones were possibly used as throwing devices . The first reports come from the 14th century from what is now the Dutch province of Friesland, where it is no longer widespread. Dutch dyke builders introduced the sport in Schleswig-Holstein in the 17th century. Klootschießen was first documented in East Friesland in the 18th century, but was probably known there earlier. The Carved Stone Balls found in Scotland and Ireland (literally: carved stone balls ) show a considerable similarity in size and shape to today's Klootkugeln and a connection is assumed. The oldest carved stone balls are 4000 years old. Publius Cornelius Tacitus (Roman historian * around 58; † after 116) already reports in his work Germania of warlike Frisians who ambushed Roman soldiers on the march and hurled dried clay balls at them from great distances. The throws are said to have been thrown so deliberately that the Roman soldiers feared these attacks.
Originally, the Klootschießen was an unregulated test of strength between two teams, often the male residents of rival neighboring villages. The rivalries were often so great that the competitions degenerated into fights. That is why the toilet was repeatedly forbidden by the authorities. At the end of the 19th century, sports began to take place, which placed the idea of performance more in the foreground, produced binding competition rules and led to the establishment of the first clubs. The strong link between sport and village life is still expressed today in the fact that in the classic Klootschießer areas almost every small village has its own Klootschießer or Boßel club, in which large parts of the population are members.
In Germany, the Klootschießer and Boßel clubs are organized in umbrella organizations. They are the Frisian Klootschießer-Verband (FKV) with the Landesklootschießerverband Ostfriesland (LKV) and the Klootschießerlandesverband Oldenburg (KLV), the Association of Schleswig-Holsteinischer Boßler (VSHB), the Nordhorner Sport-Kloatscheeter Vereinigung (NSKV) and the Klootschießer- und Boßelverband North Rhine-Westphalia (KBV NRW).
Throwing device
A small, lead-filled ball made of hardwood or plastic is used for kloot shooting. The balls differ both regionally and depending on the discipline and age group in size and weight. The East Frisian-Oldenburg wooden kloot has a diameter of 58 millimeters and weighs 475 grams, in Schleswig-Holstein it is 25 grams heavier with the same diameter (smaller dimensions apply to youth and women classes). In international competitions, the so-called Holland ball (65 millimeters, 300 grams) is used for field combat.
technology
There are various throwing techniques in Klootschießen. It is crucial that the Kloot flies as far as possible before it hits. The simplest form of throwing technique is similar to that of bowling. The stretched limb is moved from the back to the front to gain momentum while running, namely under the hand , that is, the arm is led past the hip and not, as in handball, lifted over the shoulder. In competitions have the rotary union (also Sweeping Attack called) and the so-called Flüchterschlag enforced.
In a twist throw , the thrower takes a few steps with the throwing arm stretched out to the side, turns once around his own axis to get momentum, and then lets go. This technique, which is similar to discus throwing , comes from Schleswig-Holstein.
Significantly greater widths can be achieved with the refugee strike , as practiced in Oldenburg and East Frisia. However, this technique is much more complicated and requires maximum concentration and good body control. When fleeing, there is usually a small wooden ramp at the dropping point. The thrower takes a longer approach (15 to 25 meters). Two steps in front of the ramp, the extended throwing arm is taken back as close to the body as possible, then the jump with the right leg (for right-handers) onto the ramp takes place. The limb is quickly moved forward under the hand and the body is rotated 90 degrees against the limb so that the chest touches the upper arm. After hitting the ramp, the thrower completes the turning movement with the extended arm and releases the ball in the renewed upward movement of the arm.
Top Klootschießer can reach distances of 90 meters with the escape blow. A few have so far passed the 100-meter mark. Stefan Albarus from the north has held the world record since 1996 with 106.2 meters.
Disciplines
Field fight
The traditional type of competition in Klootschießen is field combat ( de Langebaan in the Netherlands ), in which two teams compete against each other. The competition area is the unused field, so the Klootschießer season falls in winter when the fields are fallow.
It is important to have a surface on which the Kloot can still roll ( trill in Low German ) long after it has hit the ground. Large field battles such as the traditional country comparison between East Frisia and Oldenburg are therefore only fought when the ground is frozen through and very hard. Due to climatic reasons, this clear frost occurs only rarely on the North Sea coast, so that such a competition cannot take place every year.
The individual variant of the field fight is known as throwing the Holland ball .
Standing fight
The standing fight (in the Netherlands de Kortebaan ) is thrown at a distance. This involves measuring from a fixed drop point to the point where the Kloot hits after the flight. Because less space is required for standing combat than for field combat, it can also be held on sports fields or on your own toilet shooting facilities.
regulate
In regular competitions, the field fight is held in four rounds with four throwers each and therefore takes hours and long distances. It is thrown alternately from the point where the boss ball of the previous thrower of his own team has stopped. In the end, the winning team was the one in front.
When throwing the Dutch ball , the winner is the one who covers a specified distance with the fewest throws. If the number of throws is the same, the total distance covered, including the distance behind the finish line, is counted.
The standing fight is available as an individual and team competition. Each thrower has four throws, the best is scored. For the team evaluation the results of the throwers are added up.
Street bulls
history
Strassenboßeln developed in Germany after its first beginnings in the 17th century, especially in the course of the expansion of the sport from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century from the Klootschießen . It grew in popularity quickly as more and more roads were paved and because it was easier to play than Klootschießen with its technically demanding throwing technique. However , Boßeln only became a recreational and popular sport after the Second World War .
Because it has not yet been researched, it is unclear whether the regional Boßel variants developed independently of one another or whether they influenced one another. However, direct influence is certain where Boßeln was introduced by immigrants or newcomers, as in parts of the USA and in North Rhine-Westphalia .
Throwing device
The regional differences in the balls used in street guns are much greater than in Klootschießen. In East Friesland and Oldenburger Land, rubber and plastic balls are thrown, which measure between 8.5 (youth F) and twelve centimeters (men). The plastic ball is also called wood there because it has replaced the previously common pockholter, a boss made from the hard wood of the guaiac tree .
Also made of wood or plastic, but with a diameter of 65 to 90 millimeters, the boccia (also called boccetta) in Italy is slightly smaller . In Schleswig-Holstein and the Netherlands the same balls are used as in Klootschießen, and in Ireland the 800 gram iron ball (58 millimeters in diameter) is the traditional throwing device. The iron ball that is thrown at the Spanish Tiro de bola aragonesa is the heaviest throwing device at 1670 grams.
In addition to the balls, the basic equipment of a boss team also includes a Klootsoeker or "Kraber", which is used to fish balls from water-bearing ditches. It consists of a basket to which a long handle is attached.
technology
When throwing the Boßel, the arm is first moved backwards while running and then, under the hand, is snapped forward again with a quick movement in order to let go of the Boßel ball at high speed. It is important not to let the trajectory become too steep so that the ball rolls as far as possible after landing on the road. Using various techniques when throwing the ball, the boss can give the ball a twist that makes it possible to throw around a curve. In Low German these techniques are called överd Dum (over the thumb) and överd Finge (over the finger). The normal throw without twist is called liek ut hand (straight out of the hand).
On straight stretches with a suitable surface, top bosses can easily achieve distances of 200 meters with one throw with the rubber ball.
Disciplines
Pasture lobbies
When playing pasture, the pockholter (wooden ball) is thrown from a fixed drop point at a distance, similar to standing fighting in Klootschießen. As the name suggests, people used to throw in pastures or fields. Today the competitions are held on Klootschießer facilities or sports fields.
Hallenboessel
To demonstrate the sport of Boßeln, especially in schools, the Frisian Klootschießer Association has introduced indoor boßeln. Beginners are made familiar with the technique and the sequences of movements of street boaring.
regulate
The German Straßenboßeln is carried out as a throw on the street. Two teams compete against each other (in official competitions, depending on the age group, in two or four groups with four throwers each). The teams take turns throwing, with the previous team having the first throw. Each thrower starts with his throw at the landing point of his team's thrower. If the thrower of the team behind does not succeed in making up for the deficit, the opponent receives a point called a schoet or throw. The aim of the game is to get as many schoets as possible. The length of the route is different, as the throw length is different depending on the road conditions. It should be such that each thrower has to complete between ten and twelve throws. This means that the total distance that the players have to cover is several kilometers. In the official game operation, a turn is required halfway.
The long distance and frequent interruptions caused by traffic on public roads mean that competitions last two to three hours and longer. Roads are only closed for major competitions such as the German Championship, where not only the players but also numerous spectators line the throwing route.
Boßeln is also held as an individual throw, for example at the national championships. The boss who has achieved the greatest distance with ten throws in a row wins. Irish road bowling involves throwing hand to hand, with the better player going one round. This knockout system is used in Germany at some Preisboßel tournaments.
Toilets
Kloatscheeten is a popular sport in the county of Bentheim and in the directly adjacent parts of the Emsland . Thrown with the Kloat, a rounded disc. It weighs between 380 and 450 grams, is 40 to 45 millimeters thick and measures 70 to 80 millimeters in diameter. There is a lead core in the middle.
Technique and competition rules correspond to those of street booing. Kloatscheeten takes place on public back streets and paths. The goal is usually a country inn, where several Kloatscheeter groups meet in the evening to eat kale. Because the public routes are rather unsuitable for the sporty Kloatscheeten (road surface, traffic), the NSKV created its own Kloatscheeter facility in Klausheide , where official competitions are held.
season
Klootschießen and Boßeln were originally played in winter in Northern Germany, because only at this time of year did the rural population have enough time and the necessary unused fields were available. In the meantime, however, there are hardly any seasonal restrictions, especially pounding all year round (recreational puggling). Regular game play runs from September to March, the national and international championships are mostly in May.
Boßeln as a pure leisure activity is still limited to the cold season.
Game operation
In Germany, kloot shooting and street booze are both popular and competitive sports. Regular match operations are organized in very different ways by the regional associations.
In the two regional associations of East Friesland and Oldenburg with a total of more than 40,000 members in 261 clubs, there is a point game operation with leagues in different age groups: from youth F (eight years and younger) to men V (70 years). The highest leagues are the national leagues with ten teams each. There are also individual championships in all individual classes. In addition to the point game operation, the LKV Ostfriesland organizes a cup competition for clubs.
The Frisian Klootschießer-Verband also organizes team and individual championships for the national champions of both associations as well as a ranking list throw (champion tour) for the best bosses from East Friesland and Oldenburg.
Team and individual champions are determined in Klootschießen. In East Friesland there is also a modest number of games.
The Nordhorner Sport-Kloatscheeter Association (approx. 300 members in 13 clubs) has a game operation with four leagues (men, women, senior citizens, youth). There is also the mayor's cup competition and an invitation tournament as well as individual competitions.
The Klootschießer- und Boßelverband Nordrhein-Westfalen has a men's league in Straßenboßeln with six teams. The individual champions are determined in a championship tour.
In Schleswig-Holstein field fights and individual national championships are held as cup tournaments or at association festivals.
National championships
German championships in Boßeln have been held every two years since 1999 (in Meldorf ). Then they took place in 2001 in Blomberg , 2003 in Willich , 2005 in Nordhorn , 2007 in Wewelsfleth and 2009 in Zetel . The 2011 DM was hosted by Nordhorn. From 2014 onwards, there will be a four-year cycle. Participating associations are the FKV (Friesischer Klootschießerverband), VSHB (Association Schleswig-Holsteinischer Boßler), NSKV (Nordhorner Sport-Kloatscheeter Association) and the KBV NRW (Klootschießer- und Boßelverband Nordrhein-Westfalen). The titles are held in four competitions (standing fight and Holland ball in Klootschießen as well as street boobs with rubber and plastic balls) and in four age groups (women, men, female and male youth).
International championships
Boßeln was widespread in the various countries early on. The soldiers of William of Orange should z. B. 1689 brought it to Ireland, where it is still played as road bowling in the north and south. Soon after the Second World War, the first private contacts between bosses and Klootschießern developed connections between the associations in Germany, Holland and Ireland and the first international competitions. The International Bowlplaying Association (IBA), founded in 1969 at a competition in Losser in the Netherlands, has organized a European championship every four years since 1980. The “Nations” are the Frisian Klootschießer Association, the Association of Schleswig-Holstein Bosses, the Irish Association Ból Chumann na hÉireann, the Nederlandse Klootschieters Bond and the Associazione Boccetta Italiana su Strada. There are individual and team competitions in four age groups (women, men, female and male youth) and in three disciplines (standing combat, Dutch ball, street boar with the Irish iron ball).
Venue for the 2004 European Championship was the Ammerland town Westerstede , the 2008 European Championship took place in the Irish Cork held and the 2012 European Championship, addressed the Italian Association in Pesaro from. The 2016 European Championship was hosted by the Dutch Association. The competitions took place from May 5th to May 8th 2016 in locations in the province of Twente . The official opening of the championship took place in Ootmarsum .
Bosseln in literature and heraldry
A description of the mood during a game of Boßel in the 19th century can be found in Theodor Storm's novella Der Schimmelreiter from 1888:
“Little was said of all the people; only when a capital was thrown could one probably hear a call from the young men or women; Or one of the old people took his pipe out of his mouth and with a few good words patted the thrower on the shoulder: "That was a throw, said Zacharies, and threw his wife out of the hatch!" or: "So your father threw it too ; God comforts him in eternity! "Or whatever good they said."
The municipal coat of arms of Wolmersdorf in the Dithmarschen district shows, among other things, a red and black Boßel ball.
literature
- Georg Coldewey: The Klootschießer and Boßler movement in words and pictures. - Us Heimatspill - Klootscheeten un Boßeln in't Freesenland. Ad. Allmers, Varel 1938.
- Michael Augustin, Friedrich Johannsen, Horst Zöger: About Boßeln, Klootschießen and bowl-playing. H. Lühr & Dircks, St. Peter Ording 1978, ISBN 978-3-921416-04-4 .
- Ihno Alberts , Harm Wiemann, Ursula Basse-Soltau: The old Frisian game is young. Klootschießen and Boßeln then and now. Soltau-Kurier-Norden, Norden 1988, ISBN 3-922365-53-1 .
- Helge Kujas: Klootschießen - Boßeln - sling ball . Isensee, Oldenburg 1994, ISBN 3-89442-228-9 .
- Bernhard Uphoff, Martin Stromann, Helmut Behrends: Freesensport . Soltau-Kurier-Norden, Norden 2004, ISBN 3-928327-65-8 .
- Uwe Danker , Astrid Schwabe: Films tell stories. Schleswig-Holstein in the 20th century . Wachholtz, Neumünster 2010, pp. 18–21 (Boßeln in Eiderstedt )
Web links
- International Bowlplaying Association
- Frisian Klootschießer Association
- Landesklootschießerverband Ostfriesland
- Association of Schleswig-Holsteinischer Boßler eV (VSHB)
- Ból Chumann na hÉireann (Irish Road Bowling Association)
- Associazione Boccetta Italiana su Strada
- Boßeln. A popular and competitive sport
Individual evidence
- ^ Arnd Krüger : Incorporating traditional games into modern sports. The German Experience. In: E. De Vroede, R. Renson (Eds.): Proceedings of the 2nd European Seminar on Traditional Games. Leuven 12-16 Sept. 1990. Vlaamse Volkssport Centrale, Löwen 1991, pp. 45-54.
- ^ History of Irish Road Bowling