In the first article on offensive strategies of Bearball™ we looked at mauling Hunters. This time we’ll go over some things about ball control from the standpoint of the offensive team, called the “Bears." As you may recall when a team is acting as the defense they take their positions as “Hunters." Ball control by the offense is important in order to maximize the potential for scoring points. For those who are unfamiliar with Bearball™, the words capitalized are defined in the rule book.

One of the main jobs of the Ursa Major (U.M.) is to put the ball, called a Stone, into play from the Den within thirty seconds after the Warden calls “Hunt." This is referred to as “releasing" in the official Bearball™ rule book. Releasing can be accomplished by simply setting the ball on the ground outside of the Den or also by kicking, rolling, throwing or bouncing the Stone. Each of these can be for a specific purpose. It should be noted by both the bears at the Trees and the Hunters that if the Stone is being set on the ground, it is not considered “released" until the U.M. has taken their hand, or foot, off the ball. Should a bear leave a Tree before the ball is left untouched, they will be designated as being Bagged. Likewise, a Hunter cannot enter the Hill until the Stone is technically released.

Setting the Stone on the ground must be done in front of the Equator on the Bearball™ field, not on the south side of the Den. This may be performed to force the Hunters to come and get the ball from outside the Hill, allowing a fast running bear at a Tree time to get to the Lake and take a Swim. Once there the Ursa minor (U.m.) can then signal Hibernate after waiting for at least three seconds. After Hibernation has been called the U.m. will have to return to a Tree after a Ranger tells them to do so. As you may recall from the rules, the U.m. does not have to take another Swim before returning to the Den and scoring a point after the next Live Rock.

Watch carefully the positioning of Hunters. As a general rule, don’t kick the Stone toward the middle of the field. Inexperienced Hunters frequently gather about the Lake region and leave wide open areas instead of playing their Post positions, especially “ball hogs." Consequently, the Ursa Major should take note of the most unprotected spots in the Meadow and try to kick or throw the Stone to that location. This cannot only be done when they are to initially release the ball from the Den, but also as the Stalk progresses and they are fortunate to get the ball back again.

As soon as the Ursa Major has released the ball from the Den they can “Pace" back and forth along the Equator in hopes of getting a loose Stone that has been thrown by a Hunter. This can be an effective maneuver, since it is a tendency for Hunters not to back each other up when throwing the Stone at a bear. Keep in mind, however, that if the U.M. fumbles the ball when trying to pick it up or fumbles while trying to catch it, the player will be considered Bagged.

Another thing the Ursa Major can do if they get the Stone again is to hold onto the ball until the U.m.’s have all reached the Den and scored, if they have not already claimed Hibernation or been Bagged. This should be accomplished from inside the Den or a Tree. The Lake should be left open if an Ursa minor needs to make the required Swim.

After the U.m.’s have made it to the Den the U.M. with the ball has two options. One is to try and Maul a Hunter and the other is to Hibernate. With this Hibernation, play will stop, a Dead Stone, and the U.M. may safely get off the field.

Another tactic is to fake a throw or kick to get Hunters to start to commit to a direction and then throw away from them, or make them easier to be Mauled. However, remember that the U.M. can only kick from within the Den or a Bagged Bear will occur.

Some players have difficulty in trying to retrieve bounced balls as well as catching one that rolls fast on the ground. Therefore, if Hunters are lined up just outside the edge of the Hill, the ball may bounced high over their heads or kicked hard along the ground so that it goes between Hunters.

You may recall that as a general rule you need to keep the ball away from the Lake when it is first put into play. However, if both the bears at the trees have already taken their required Swim, the ball can be kicked as high as possible to give a long “hang time" and allow the U.m.’s to try and score. This placement can be executed toward the center of the play area for three reasons. First of all this may prompt the Hunters to crowd the area and thus make the ball harder for them to secure. Second, you need to avoid Foresting the Stone and cause a Bagged Bear. And additionally, recall that the bears don’t have to run straight toward the Den from the Trees. They can take any route to accomplish a score.

Hopefully, this information will help you and your players to understand some approaches to ball control for the offensive. Coaches and teams should develop their own signals to get a quick message to the bears and tell the U.M. when to Pace, get off the field, where to place the ball when releasing it from the Den, or to do some other maneuver.