Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the general field of game apparatus, and particularly to game apparatus for simulating the sport of soccer.

Background

Soccer is reputed to be the most popular team sport in the world. People drawn to the sport variously enjoy watching soccer games, playing soccer themselves, and simulating the sport indoors.

A satisfying simulation must reflect the fast pace and skill, both mental and physical, that are inherent in the sport; it must strike a suitable balance between accurate strategic simulation and real-time arcade-style simulation.

One popular arcade-style simulation is called table soccer, or "foosball". A foosball table includes rows of representative athletes, suspended like pendulums from control rods that are mounted transversely above a playing field . Players slide and rotate the control rods to make the athletes kick a small ball into the opposing team's goal. Although foosball is an enjoyable game in its own right, it does not simulate soccer particularly accurately, beyond representing a ball being kicked into two nets by two opposing teams of athletes.

Recently, arcade-style simulations have also been implemented on computers and video games. These games can be designed to strike a good balance between strategic simulation and real-time simulation. However, current computer and video game technology is restricted to simulating events using visual cues on a video display unit and audible cues from speakers; a sense of space and touch and the excitement of physical competition are still difficult to recreate. The computer or video game equipment can be quite expensive and is often tethered to a computer monitor or a

television set. Portable electronic games exist; however, they are well suited for groups of people to play or for spectators to watch.

Strategic simulation soccer games exist in a form somewhat similar to role playing games. A team of athletes, represented by die cast models or little cardboard chits, is strategically placed on a playing field. The athletes are moved according to a set of rules, and the game is advanced using a randomizer to simulate the complex relationship between chance and physical interactions; a typical randomizer comprises a set of dice and a probability table. One such example is taught in United States Patent Number 5,224,710 granted to Feokhari on July 6, 1993 for a "Soccer Game Apparatus". These games can be cheaply made but lack the pace and physical skill of the sport being simulated.

Cardboard novelties have also been developed that simulate the behaviour of a sports projectile such as a basketball or a baseball. United States Patent Number 4,262,905 granted to Lyons on April 21, 1981 for a "Paperboard Toy Projector" and United States Patent Number 5,104,124 granted to Bernard et all. on April 14, 1992 for a "Collapsible Game Usable as a Promotional Device," teach the construction of such novelties for baseball, golf and basketball. These novelties are cheap to produce and can be briefly captivating; however, they tend to be target type games in their own right and not elements of a sports simulation, which can sustain interest for longer periods.

What is needed is a soccer simulation that is inexpensive and portable, and which strikes an exciting balance between pacing, physical skill and mental skill.

Summary

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for simulating the sport of soccer.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a simulated soccer game, comprising a representative playing field having soccer field indicia thereon, a

representative game ball operable to roll along said playing field, a representative goal operable to receive said game ball, and a representative athlete, operable to propel said game ball, wherein said athlete is characterized by a substantially concave-down shape defined by a leading member having a leading portion and a trailing portion, a trailing member having a leading portion and a trailing portion, and means for resiliently connecting the trailing portion of said leading member to the leading portion of said trailing member.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a representative athlete for use in a sports simulation operable to propel a game projectile over a playing surface, wherein said athlete is characterized by a substantially concave-down shape defined by a leading member having a leading portion and a trailing portion, a trailing member having a leading portion and a trailing portion, and means for resiliently connecting the trailing portion of said leading member to the leading portion of said trailing member.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling the movement of a magnetic representative athlete over a playing surface in a sports simulation, comprising a elongated control rod, said control rod having a proximate end and a magnetic distal end, the magnetic distal end being operable to magnetically couple the athlete to the proximate end.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a representative soccer playing field, being one

element of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a representative soccer

athlete for use with the field of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front view of the athlete of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the athlete of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a top view of the athlete of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a representative soccer

athlete for use with the field of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a front view of the athlete of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side view of the athlete of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a top view of the athlete of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a representative soccer

athlete for use with the field of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a front view of the athlete of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side view of the athlete of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a top view of the athlete of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a representative soccer

athlete for use with the field of Figure 1 ;

Figure 15 is a front view of the athlete of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a side view of the athlete of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a top view of the athlete of Figure 14;

Figure 18 is an isometric view of a playing table supporting the representative

playing field of Figure 1;

Figure 19 is an isometric front view of a first embodiment of a magnetic

representative goalkeeper and its magnetic control member, for use with

the representative playing field of Figure 1;

Figure 20 is an isometric back view of the magnetic goalkeeper and the magnetic control member of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a side view of the magnetic goalkeeper and the magnetic control member of Figure 19;

Figure 22 is a top view of the magnetic goalkeeper and the magnetic control

member of Figure 19;

Figure 23 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a magnetic

representative goalkeeper and its magnetic control member, for use with the playing table of Figure 18;

Figure 24 is a side view of the magnetic goalkeeper and the magnetic control

member of Figure 23; and

Figure 25 is a side view of a third embodiment of a magnetic goalkeeper and the

magnetic control member, for use with the playing table of Figure 18.

Description

With reference now to Figure 1, a representation of a soccer field is generally illustrated at 10. The field 10 includes first and second touchlines 12, 14, both having the same scale length selected within the range of 100 to 130 yards and first and second goal lines 16, 18, both having the same scale length, selected within the range of 50 to 100 yards. The first and second touchlines 12, 14 and the first and second goal lines 16, 18 form a rectangle, thereby setting the outer boundaries of the field 10. First, second, third and fourth corner flags 20, 22, 24, 26 are placed respectively at each of the four intersections of the first and second touchlines 12, 14 and the first and second goal lines 16, 18.

First and second goal nets 28, 30 are placed respectively along the first and second goal lines 16, 18, each goal net 28, 30 opening inwards toward the center of the field

10 and having a scale height of 8 feet and a scale width of 24 feet. The first and second goal nets 28, 30 open onto respectively first and second goal areas 32, 34 and first and second penalty areas 36, 38. The first and second goal areas 32, 34 each have a scale width of 20 yards and a scale depth of 6 yards. The first and second penalty areas 36, 38 each have a scale width of 44 yards and a scale depth of 18 yards. The first and second goal nets 28, 30 may be constructed of such materials as paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric or metal.

A center line 40 runs parallel to the first and second goal lines 16, 18 from the midpoint of the first touchline 12 to the midpoint of the second touchline 14, thereby bisecting the field 10. A center circle 42 is located on the field 10 such that its center point is coincident with the midpoint of the center line 40.

The field 10 can be constructed in a number of embodiments. It has been found that preferred dimensions for the field 10 are 9 feet by 5 feet, 6 feet by 3 feet, and 4 feet by 2 feet. In a particularly simple and portable embodiment, a swatch of material such as felt or baize can be lined in the pattern described above and unrolled onto any flat surface for use. In a more elaborate embodiment, further described below with reference to Figure 18, the swatch can be affixed to a backing sheet of a material such as wood, plastic, cardboard or slate and built into a table similar to a pool table.

Playing surfaces other than felt or baize are contemplated, and include fabric, cardboard, and wallpaper. The key to selecting the playing surface is that the coefficient of friction between the playing surface and the game ball must be such that the game ball travels appropriate scale distances during the course of play. A ball that is compatible with the above playing surfaces is BB sized and made of either rough plastic or rubber.

With reference now to Figures 2 through 5, a first embodiment of a representation of a soccer athlete is generally illustrated at 100. The athlete 100 is formed from an elongated resilient sheet of a material such as cardboard, plastic, rubber, or sheet metal

and has a scale height of approximately 5'6" to 6'2". A fold 102 defines the athlete 100 as an inverted V shape, having a front panel 104 and a back panel 106. The fold 102 is supplemented with a first reinforcement 108 of a material such as tape or matting. The front panel 104 is further defined by a leading edge 110 and the back panel 106 is further defined by a trailing edge 112. The leading edge 110 and the trailing edge 112 are supplemented with second and third reinforcements 114, 116 of a material such as tape or matting. The colours of the front and back panels 104, 106 and the reinforcements 108, 114, 116 can be selected to indicate team colours as on jerseys and shorts.

With reference now to Figures 6 through 9, a second embodiment of a representation ofa soccer athlete is generally illustrated at 200. The athlete 200 is formed from an elongated resilient sheet of a material such as cardboard, plastic, rubber, or sheet metal and has a scale height of approximately 5'6" to 6'2". Two folds 202a, 202b define the athlete 200 as an truncated inverted V shape, having a front panel 204, a top panel 205, and a back panel 206. The folds 202a, 202b are supplemented with first and second reinforcements 208a, 208b ofa material such as tape or matting. The front panel 204 is further defined by a leading edge 210 and the back panel 206 is further defined by a trailing edge 212. The leading edge 210 and the trailing edge 212 are supplemented with third and fourth reinforcements 214, 216 of a material such as tape or matting. The colours of the front and back panels 204, 206 and the reinforcements 208a, 208b, 214, 216 can be selected to indicate team colours as on jerseys and shorts.

With reference now to Figures 10 through 13, a third embodiment ofa representation ofa soccer athlete is generally illustrated at 300. The athlete 300 is formed from an elongated resilient sheet ofa material such as cardboard, plastic, rubber, or sheet metal and has a scale height of approximately 5'6" to 6'2". A continuous bend 302 defines the athlete 300 as an inverted U shape, having a front panel 304 and a back panel 306 which merge smoothly into the continuous bend 302. The front panel 304 is further defined by a leading edge 310 and the back panel 306 is further defined by a trailing edge 312. The leading edge 310 and the trailing edge 312 are supplemented with first

and second reinforcements 314, 316 of a material such as tape or matting. The colours of the front and back panels 304, 306 and the reinforcements 314, 316 can be selected to indicate team colours as on jerseys and shorts.

With reference now to Figures 14 through 17, a fourth embodiment ofa representation ofa soccer athlete is generally illustrated at 400. The athlete 400 is formed from an elongated resilient sheet of a material such as cardboard, plastic, rubber, or sheet metal and has a scale height of approximately 5'6" to 6'2". Three folds 402a, 402b, 402c define the athlete 400 as an inverted W shape, having a front panel 404, first and second top panels 405a, 405b, and a back panel 406. The folds 402a, 402b, 402c are supplemented with first, second and third reinforcements 408a, 408b, 408c ofa material such as tape or matting. The front panel 404 is further defined by a leading edge 410 and the back panel 406 is further defined by a trailing edge 412. The leading edge 410 and the trailing edge 412 are supplemented with fourth and fifth reinforcements 414, 416 of a material such as tape or matting. The colours of the front and back panels 404, 406 and the reinforcements 408a, 408b, 408c, 414, 416 can be selected to indicate team colours as on jerseys and shorts.

With reference now to Figure 18, the field 10 is shown affixed to a game table generally illustrated at 500. The table 500 includes a bed 502 supporting the field 10, a frame 504 attached to the bed 502 and surrounding the field 10, and a set of supporting members 506 attached to the underside of the bed 502 to elevate the table 500. First and second accessways 508, 510 are provided at either end of the table 500 to allow players to remotely control representative goalkeepers (not shown), as will be more fully discussed below with reference to Figures 23 - 25.

The frame 504 provides support and also helps to keep the game ball (not shown) from leaving the field 10, functioning much like the walls ofa stadium. The supporting members 506 may be fixed, foldable, or removable. Short supporting members 506, as shown in Figure 18, would be appropriate for use in combination with a table such as a kitchen table, a dining table or a coffee table. Longer supporting members 506 would

be appropriate for elevating the bed 502 well above a floor, much in the fashion ofa pool table.

Any representative athlete 100, 200, 300, 400 can be used also to represent a goalkeeper. Although such a goalkeeper could be controlled directly by a player's hand, the hand might unrealistically interfere with the course of play. Therefore various arrangements for remotely controlling the goalkeeper may be desirable.

With reference to Figures 19 through 22, a first embodiment of a magnetically controlled goalkeeper will now be described. The goalkeeper, generally illustrated at 600 is very similar to the general athlete 100. The goalkeeper 600 includes a front panel 604 and a back panel 606, divided by a fold 602. The fold 602 includes a reinforcement 608 of a material such as tape or matting. The front panel 604 is further defined by a leading edge 610 and the back panel 606 is further defined by a trailing edge 612. The leading edge 610 and the trailing edge 612 are supplemented with second and third reinforcements 614, 616 of a material such as tape or matting. Unlike the general athlete 100, the goalkeeper 600 includes a first magnet 640 attached to the inside surface of the back panel 606.

A control rod for moving the goalkeeper 600 is illustrated generally at 650. The control rod 650 includes a handle portion 652 at its proximate end and a substrate portion 654 at its distal end. A second magnet 656 is mounted to the control rod 650 on the substrate portion 654. The second magnet 656 is polarized so as to attract the first magnet 640 when the control rod 650 is placed behind the goalkeeper 600. The handle portion 652 is shaped so as to slip beneath the back bottom edge of the goal net 28, 30 and through a slot 672 in a mounting block 670. The slot 672 in the mounting block 670 constrains the control rod 650 to move in a plane parallel to the playing surface of the field 10 and having boundaries substantially coincident with the boundaries of the goal area 32, 34.

With reference to Figures 23 and 24, a second embodiment of a magnetically controlled goalkeeper will now be described. The goalkeeper, generally illustrated at 700 is very similar to the general athlete 100. The goalkeeper 700 includes a front panel 704 and a back panel 706, divided by a fold 702. The fold 702 includes a first reinforcement 708 of a material such as tape or matting. The front panel 704 is further defined by a leading edge 710 and the back panel 706 is further defined by a trailing edge 712. The leading edge 710 and the trailing edge 712 are supplemented with second and third reinforcements 714, 716 of a material such as tape or matting.

Unlike the general athlete 100, the goalkeeper 700 further includes a leading bottom panel 718a having a forward edge 720 and trailing bottom panel 718b having a rearward edge 722. The forward edge 720 of the leading bottom panel 718a is adjacent to the leading edge 710 of the front panel 704 and the rearward edge 722 of the trailing bottom panel 718b is adjacent the trailing edge 712 of the back panel 706. The forward edge 720 and the leading edge 710 may meet in either a fold or a joint, either of which may be reinforced. The rearward edge 722 and the trailing edge 712 may meet in either a fold or a joint, either of which may be reinforced. The bottom panels 718a and 718b each have an upper surface 724a, 724b and a lower surface 726a, 726b. Two goalkeeper magnets 740a, 740b may be mounted to the bottom panels, on either the upper surfaces 724a, 724b or the lower surfaces 726a, 726b, although the upper surfaces 724a, 724b are preferred. The magnetic fields of the two goalkeeper magnets 740a, 740b are aligned normal to the two bottom panels 718a, 718b and are similarly polarized.

A control rod for moving the goalkeeper 700 is illustrated generally at 750. The control rod 750 includes a handle portion 752 at its proximate end and a substrate portion 754 at its distal end. Two control rod magnets 756a, 756b are mounted on opposite faces of the substrate portion 754, such that their magnetic fields are aligned normal to the mounting faces and are similarly polarized. The control rod 750 is shaped and sized to fit through the first and second accessways 508, 510 found on the playing table 500. The handle portion 752 is accessible to a game player (not shown)

over the whole range of allowable control rod magnet 756a, 756b positions as circumscribed by the boundaries of the goal area 32, 34. The goalkeeper magnets 740a, 740b and the control rod magnets 756a, 756b are selected to provide reliable and responsive coupling through the bed 502 of playing table 500. Because the magnetic fields of the pair of control rod magnets 756a, 756b are aligned and similarly polarized, when the control rod 750 is placed in use below the goalkeeper 700, the two goalkeeper magnets 740a, 740b will either pull the goalkeeper 700 toward the control rod 750 or push the goalkeeper 700 away from the control rod 750 depending on the orientation of the control rod 750.

A preferred goalkeeper is generally illustrated at 800. The representative goalkeeper 800 is very similar to the general athlete 100. The goalkeeper 800 includes a front panel 804 and a back panel 806, divided by a fold 802. The fold 802 includes a first reinforcement 808. The front panel 804 is further defined by a leading edge 810 and the back panel 806 is further defined by a trailing edge 812. The leading edge 810 and the trailing edge 812 are supplemented with second and third reinforcements 814, 816 ofa material such as tape or matting.

Unlike the general athlete 100, the goalkeeper 800 further includes a bottom panel 818 having a forward edge 820 and a rearward edge 822. The forward edge 820 is adjacent to the leading edge 810 of the front panel 804 and the rearward edge 822 is adjacent the trailing edge 812 of the back panel 806. The forward edge 820 and the leading edge 810 are not connected. The rearward edge 822 and the trailing edge 812 may meet in either a fold or a joint, either of which may be reinforced. The bottom panel 818 has an upper surface 824 and a lower surface 826. A goalkeeper magnet 840 may be mounted on either the upper surface 824 or the lower surface 826, although the upper surface 824 is preferred. The magnetic field of the goalkeeper magnet 840 is aligned normal to the bottom panel 818. A thin magnetic strip 842 is mounted on the inside surface of the front panel 804, proximate to the leading edge 810. The magnetic strip 842 is polarized so as to be attracted to the goalkeeper magnet 840, thereby releasably coupling the front panel 804 to the bottom panel 818.

A control rod for moving the goalkeeper 800 is illustrated generally at 850. The control rod 850 includes a handle portion (not shown) at its proximate end and a substrate portion 854 at its distal end. Two control rod magnets 856a, 856b are mounted on opposite faces of the substrate portion 854, such that their magnetic fields are aligned normal to the mounting faces and are similarly polarized. The control rod 850 is shaped and sized to fit through the first and second accessways 508, 510 found on the playing table 500. The handle portion is accessible to a game player (not shown) over the whole range of allowable control rod magnet 856a, 856b positions as circumscribed by the boundaries of the goal area 32, 34. The goalkeeper magnet 840 and the pair of control rod magnets 856a, 856b are selected to provide reliable and responsive coupling through the bed 502 of playing table 500. Because the magnetic fields of the pair of control rod magnets 856a, 856b are aligned and similarly polarized, when the control rod 850 is placed in use below the goalkeeper 800, the goalkeeper magnet 840 will either pull the goalkeeper 800 toward the control rod 850 or push the goalkeeper 800 away from the control rod 850 depending on the orientation of the control rod 850.

The above described magnetic goalkeeper embodiments 600, 700, 800 were developed from the inverted V shape embodiment of the general representative athlete 100.

Within the spirit of the invention, further embodiments of magnetic goalkeepers could be developed from other geometries, including the truncated inverted V shaped athlete 200, the inverted U shaped athlete 300 and the inverted W shaped athlete 400.

In operation, the simulation follows the rules and practices of the sport of soccer except to the extent that departures are required by the specific nature of the simulation. The operation will be described in terms of the preferred embodiments except when differences between embodiments require elaboration. It should be understood however that any of the embodiments are suitable for conducting the simulation.

12 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 2$

According to one particular set of rules for simulating the sport of soccer, one team of eleven athletes 100 is deployed on each of the two halves of the field 10 as bisected by the center line 40. On each team, one of the eleven athletes 100 must be designated a goalkeeper. A simulated game lasts 90 scale minutes, divided into two equal halves. It has been found that a particularly desirable time scale of 4 real minutes to 15 simulated minutes facilitates games with, on average, the same range of scores found in real soccer games.

A team scores one point by kicking a small ball, not shown, into the opposing team's goal net 28, 30 either indirectly from any spot on the field 10 or directly from a spot within the opponent's half of the field 10. A direct kick is one in which the kicked ball enters the goal net 28, 30 without touching any player, except possibly the goalkeeper. An indirect kick is one in which the kicked ball is touched by some other player before proceeding on to the goalkeeper. If the game is tied after the end of the second half, the game may be decided through penalty kicks, as used in the sport of soccer, or through 4 minute periods of sudden-death overtime.

The usual method of moving the ball in the sport of soccer is kicking it. With reference to Figures 2 through 5, the method of simulating kicking a soccer ball will be described. The athlete 100 is placed adjacent to the ball (not shown) such that the leading edge 110 of the front panel 104 abuts the ball. The player (not shown) then strikes the fold 102 with a downward blow. The resulting impact on the fold 102 causes the front and rear panels 104, 106 to be driven outwards and upwards, thereby propelling the ball analogously to a soccer player kicking a ball.

A coin toss decides which team kicks-off to start the half. During the kick-off, all athletes 100 must be on their own half of the field 10 and only the players 100 on the kick-off team are allowed into the center circle 42. The ball is placed at the very center of the field 10 and the kick-off player 100 must kick the ball (not shown) upfield a distance equal to at least the circumference of the ball but no more than the radius of the center circle 42. The upfield direction is defined as being towards the opposing

13 SUc^lTUTE SHE^ (RULE 26)

team's goal net 28, 30. The downfield direction is defined as being towards the athlete's 100 team's own goal net 28, 30.

After the kick-off, the kick-off team is allowed one downfield pass to make time to deploy its athletes 100 upfield. At no other time is an athlete 100 allowed to make a downfield pass back into its own half of the field 10.

The athlete 100 closest to the ball (not shown) is deemed to have possession of the ball, so long as the ball is in play. If the ball is equidistant between athletes 100 from opposing teams, then possession of the ball is awarded to the athlete 100 from the team that last touched the ball. If the ball is equidistant between athletes 100 from the same team, then the player controlling that team is free to decide which of those athletes 100 will take possession. The athlete 100 having possession of the ball is placed adjacent the ball and oriented so as to kick the ball in the direction desired by the player.

After each kick, the athlete 100 that last kicked the ball is positioned within a 2 inch radius of its pre-kick position. Each player is further allowed to redeploy either one athlete 100 within a 6 inch radius of its current position or two athletes 100 within a 3 inch radius of each of their current positions. Except in the cases ofa kick-off, a corner kick, a free kick, or a throw in, athletes 100 on the same team must at all times be deployed at least 3 inches apart. All 11 athletes 100 on a team may be deployed in that team's half of the field 10, but only 7 may be deployed at any given time in the opponent's half of the field 10. To keep the game moving briskly, the time between kicks is regulated to a maximum of about 5 seconds, depending upon the level of play.

In the sport of soccer, a player is ruled offside if, when the ball is played, he is closer to the opponent's goal than two opponents and the ball, unless: he is on his team's half of the field, an opponent played the ball last, or he received the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, a throw in or a refereed ball drop. In the simulation, the offside rule is only applied when the athlete concerned 100 is within the opposing team's penalty area 36, 38.

In the sport of soccer, when the ball crosses either touchline, it is deemed out of play and the team opposing the last player to touch the in-play ball is awarded a throw in. In the simulation, a thrown in is conducted by placing an athlete 100 along the touchline 12, 14 where the ball (not shown) went out of play and having the player throw the ball against the front panel 104 of the athlete 100 to throw the ball back into play.

During a corner kick, only 5 invading athletes 100 are allowed in the defending team's penalty area 36, 38. The defending team can deploy up to 11 athletes 100 in its own penalty area 36, 38 and is not restricted to deploying them a minimum of 3 inches apart. The offside rules are temporarily suspended until the ball goes out of play after a corner kick.

Goal tending can be carried out using one of two methods. If a general athlete 100 is used as the goalkeeper, then the player moves the goalkeeper about with his hand to block shots on goal. However, if the ball (not shown) strikes the player's hand, then a penalty kick will be awarded to the other team.

If a remotely controlled goalkeeper, such as a magnetic goalkeeper 800 is used, the player moves a control rod 850 to manoeuvre the goalkeeper 850 about the goal area 32, 34. As the player moves the control rod 850 below the field 10, the pair of control rod magnets 856a, 856b drag the goalkeeper magnet 840 attached to the goalkeeper 800, thereby dragging the whole of goalkeeper 800. By quickly rotating the control rod 850 about its longitudinal axis, a skilful player would be able to quickly rotate the polarity of the magnetic field of the control rod magnets 856a, 856b with respect to the goalkeeper magnet 840, thereby causing the goalkeeper 800 to jump off the field 10 as if lunging for the ball.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of this embodiment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.

For example, it is envisioned that similar athletes 100, 200, 300, 400 and goalkeepers 600, 700, 800 could be used for analogous projectile sports such as hockey. It is also envisioned that magnetic coupling between a control rod 650, 750, 850 and a gamepiece 600, 700, 800 could be used in simulating other sports.

The athletes 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800 could be constructed in a number of different ways. Any of the front, back, top, or bottom panels could be joined to its neighbour by either a fold or a resilient joint. If a resilient joint were used, then the panels joined need not be resilient themselves. If the panels are resilient, then the joint need not be resilient. Neighbouring panels might be formed from a unitary sheet or from separate sheets. If a neighbouring panels met in a fold, the fold could either be reinforced or not reinforce. A resilient joint might be applied to neighbouring panels in the form of tape or matting, or it might be fabricated from plastic, rubber, or sheet metal. It is also recognized that the athlete geometries presented 100, 200, 300, 400 are merely specific examples of a more general class of objects being characterized by a substantially concave down shape defined by a leading member and a trailing member that are resiliently connected.

It is also recognized that the athletes 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800 described could be used to simulate the sport of soccer under different rules than those set forth herein.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.