Hitting an opponent as hard as you can without lasting damage: it sounds like a contact-sports player’s dream.
But it was the reality for dozens of bubble-wrapped participants who took up the challenge of adding some punch to an age-old game, Oct. 2.
The AC Hub organized the event in which students were given 15 minutes of playing time. On the court, they were given a large plastic bubble to wear. The bubble covers them from the waist up – head included – and allows the soccer that we all know to become a little more aggressive than usual.
“It allows you to go nuts and hit people as hard as you can with no consequence because you don’t feel a thing,” said Greg Chabursky, a second-year construction engineering technician student. “That’s the more competitive part of the game is who knocks down the most people and who gets the biggest hits.”
It began at 10:45 a.m. and was free once participants got their $20 deposit back for reserving a spot. Once underway the event had students literally bouncing off the walls.
The game is played almost exactly like regular soccer, with the exception of players being able to body-check each other at will. What’s so great about being incased in a large bubble, is that even when people run into each other at full speed, they’re completely safe.
During a demanding point in the semester, bubble soccer has shown to be for a good escape from studies.
“It was a great experience and a good break from regular school activities,” said second-year construction engineering technician student, Mashood Kahn.
It’s no surprise that students would jump to the opportunity of a stress outlet like this one, no matter how aggressive it may seem.
“You can channel your stress by hitting someone and taking your mind off whatever is stressing you,” said Chabursky. “It’s the safest way to accomplish that with next to zero way for one to get injured.”