‘Revolutionary’ game attracts MTSU students
The whiz of the projectile is stopped dead by the instant collision with gloved hands creating a “thwack” before those same hands toss the ball with similar force to a waiting teammate.
The rush of air is felt even from a few feet away as bodies in constant motion jump and dive, twist and juke. Playing full contact, participants jab feet and ankles in to steal, slap and grab for the ball and even hip check each other in an attempt to score.
The game is in constant motion, requiring its players to be all in mentally and physically.
This is Kronum.
Developed in 2008 in the Northeast, “the revolution” of Kronum gained intense popularity among athletes familiar with rugby, lacrosse, basketball, soccer and handball. It even grew a strong following in Europe.
Now, several MTSU students have gotten a taste of the demanding extreme sport and want to start their own Kronum team.
“There’s never a dull moment. You are always in motion,” says Jack Johnson, an MTSU student who first learned about Kronum from a friend. “It’s a great way to stay active.”
Kronum combines the skills seen in other sports and creates a completely new one. Elements of soccer, rugby, handball, basketball and more are present, providing a playing field for participants who excel at one particular skill, as well as rewarding players who are well-rounded athletes.
“You can be good or have a background in a lot of different sports. It’s a nice mix of them,” says Spencer Brown, an MTSU student who has played soccer and lacrosse in the past. “It keeps things fast-paced.”
“I love that you can use your hands and your feet and that you have to know where you are on the Kronum Round (field) to know what can be used when,” says Matt Peck, another student player. “It requires you to be constantly thinking and aware.”
Miles Haynes was also a previous soccer player, and he has found a niche as a wedgeback, which is a Kronum position similar to goalie, but still requires a great deal of offensive play.
“I like that this is something new. There is something in it for everyone. Even if you have never excelled at any one sport, you can do this,” he says.
The motivation for Brown, Haynes, Peck and Johnson was Darren Young, a mutual friend of the athletes. Once Young saw a YouTube video on how to play the game, he says he was hooked immediately.
“From the first time I saw Kronum I wanted to play badly,” Young says. “I’ve played basketball, football and soccer, and I like the mix of Kronum and how I use all those skills at once.”
Young and his friends are strong and agile, quick on their feet, and they are extremely competitive. Taking turns at the various positions — wedgeback, crosser and ranger — they hone skills using hands, feet, head and chest while passing, kicking and shooting the ball into the makeshift goal at the MTSU Recreation Center.
For now, the students use the indoor soccer arena to practice, using it as a bisected Kronum Round, similar to playing half-court basketball. They set up cones to create the various parts of the field including the Cross, Flex and Wedge zones to designate which body parts can be used at the different parts of the Kronum Round.
“A real game has three periods, and I think they are about 10 minutes long,” Young says before racing off to enter the game once again with his friends. “You can be a fast or skinny guy or a taller or bigger guy. It doesn’t matter because there is some place for you.”
Ten players are needed for a full team, not including any substitutes. Currently five students are practicing, making it somewhat difficult to get a full feel of the power, speed and acrobatic agility that more experienced players are demonstrating on the only Kronum Round in existence in Pennsylvania.
The Kronum organization currently consists of six teams: Evergreens, Night Owls, Nimble Jacks, Jet Sets, Work Horses and Urban Legends. These teams play each other in the Northeast while trying to raise awareness and interest in the extremely physical game.
Young hopes that others in Middle Tennessee hear about Kronum and join in the fun, helping to build teams that can then play each other and, in turn, gaining interest from the Kronum organization. It also means that Kronum goals, balls and other equipment can be purchased from team or club dues.
“I promise you won’t have any more fun doing anything else,” Young says, sweating, panting and glowing with an enthusiastic smile. “I want people to be able to experience this.”
For anyone who wants to play or simply learn more about Kronum, Young has started the Tennessee Kronum Facebook page. There he answers questions and shares his love and passion for Kronum, and he hopes to interest others to “join the revolution.”
How to Play…
Kronum (krõ-num): noun, a game designed for the practice and display of the full range of human athleticism. Kronum is fast-moving, free-flowing, non-stop action, involving incredible shots, saves, scores, passes and ball-handling. The game offers a wide array of strategies and tactics employed to win. Kronum offers a new measure of well-rounded athleticism.
The game of Kronum is played between two teams of 10 players on a circular playing surface with one ball and four goal structures. The field is divided into several zones that govern the style of play, the manner of handling the ball and the number of points awarded for scoring shots into various areas of the goal structure. The objectives of each match are to compete fairly, demonstrate good sportsmanship and score more points than your opponent.
Positions
• Ranger
Rangers are the players on a team who will cover the most ground in a game, ranging from the middle of the Cross to deep in the Wedge or Goal Zones in order to attack or defend. Rangers have a specialization in one of three main disciplines: throwing, kicking or defending. Key attributes for these players depend on their primary discipline, but strength, speed and field vision are a must. Team formations usually include four rangers.
• Crosser
Crossers are the players on a team who play principally within the large Cross Zone at the center of the Kronum Round. The primary offensive responsibilities of a crosser are to clear the ball into the second ring and direct scoring attacks. Therefore, field vision, ball handling, speed and agility are at a premium for players in these roles. Defensively, crossers will selectively pressure and follow the ball as it moves around the field, providing defensive support from the backside of the attack. Team formations usually include two crossers.
• Wedgeback
Wedgebacks are the players on a team who normally play within a given Quadrant or Wedge of the Kronum Round. The primary responsibility of a wedgeback is defense of a Kronum Goal. The critical skill is shot-blocking, so quick reflexes, acrobatic agility, strength and courage are at a premium to play this position. The best wedgebacks are versatile offensive players as well, providing front-line scoring options. Team formations usually include four wedgebacks.
Scoring
Scoring takes place in a variety of ways, depending on where the shot was taken from and where it clears the Kronum goal.
• Goal Zone = 1 point
• Wedge Zone = 2 points
• Flex Zone = 2 points
• Cross Zone/Second Ring = 4 points
Those points are doubled if the player makes a Ring Shot instead of simply kicking or throwing the ball into the chamber (the goal under the rings). If the player makes a Ring Shot from the Second Ring, he scores eight points for his team, or a “Kronum.” A Kronum is an extremely difficult shot to make, since it must be made from at least 25 feet from the goal.
Upon scoring, the Kronum ball must return to the center of the Kronum Ring to change possession from the scoring team.
Fouls
A foul is committed when a defensive player engages in contact with the opposing player in possession of the ball without making an attempt to create a turnover. This kind of foul awards the offensive team a penalty shot (or kick) taken from the point at which the wedge zone touches the second ring. No player is allowed to interfere with the shot except a single wedgeback guarding the goal. Three points are awarded for a shot into the chamber and six for a Ring Shot. An offensive foul can be committed by engaging in excessive physical contact or playing the ball with the hands in the Wedge Zone, which results in a throw-in for the opposite team at the nearest point at which the wedge zone touched the edge of the field of play.
Source: Kronum.com
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