Machanayim (, also spelled Machanaim) is a game similar to

dodgeball Dodgeball is a team sport in which players on two teams try to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoiding being hit themselves. The objective of each team is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, cat ...

that is frequently played in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

n Jewish schools and

summer camp A summer camp or sleepaway camp is a supervised program for children conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as ''campers''. Summer school is usually a part of the academ ...

s. The name Machanayim comes from the Hebrew word meaning "two encampments" or, in this case, two teams.

Rules

Game Play: Players are divided into two encampments and the room is split in two with the teams facing each other. The playing area does not extend all the way to the back of the room or court - the two far ends are left empty, and one volunteer, typically one of the better players, from each team is placed behind the opposing team. This player is called "the captain". A ball is thrown into play at the start, although it is not activated (see below). The game is similar to

Dodgeball Dodgeball is a team sport in which players on two teams try to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoiding being hit themselves. The objective of each team is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, cat ...

, in that players try and throw the ball at opponents. When a player is hit, they are out. The difference between Machanayim and Dodgeball is that when a player is out in Machanayim, they are still part of the game. Rather than leaving the court, the player goes to the end area behind the opposing team, joining the original volunteer from their team. Activation: The ball is only eligible for use in getting others out once it has been "activated". To activate a ball, a player must throw it to any other player, on either team, without it hitting the ground. The ball is announced "alive" when it has been activated. As soon as the ball hits the ground, it is pronounced "dead" and needs resuscitation. Ball Types: Almost any spherical mass can be used to play Machanayim, the only rule being that it must be easily catchable by most players. To that extent, very small balls (like a pea) or very large ones (like a weather balloon) should not be used. Basketballs are generally considered too heavy and can cause injury. Soccer balls and volleyballs or Rubber Playground balls are the most popular. Winning: When one team runs out of players (they are all behind the opposing team), the captain goes into the middle. The captain has more than one "life" (can be up to 3) Some games allow the captain to give over one of his lives to another team player to give the captain respite. Once the captain is out 3 times, the other team wins.

Similar games

Machanayim is similar to the German or Austrian variant of

dodge ball Dodgeball is a team sport in which players on two teams try to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoiding being hit themselves. The objective of each team is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, cat ...

called

Völkerball ''Völkerball'' (German for "Dodgeball"; "Peoples' ball") is a live album and DVD by German rock band Rammstein. It was released on 17 November 2006 in Europe, 19 December 2006 in Canada and on 18 September 2007 in the US. The album was advert ...

. In secular Yiddish speaking camps such as SKIF, the game is called Tzvey-fayern ("Two shoot").

References

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Bnei Akiva Couselor Guide Ball games Jewish-American sports history Jewish sports Jewish summer camps