The mid-90s to early 10s saw the introduction of several forms of ridiculous sports. Bubble soccer and zorbing were one of them.
Both sports were invented unintentionally and share some similarities. Bubble soccer has even been called zorb ball occasionally, but is bubble soccer the same as zorbing? Let’s find out.
What is Bubble Soccer?
Bubble soccer is a recreational sport invented in 2011 by two TV comedians. It bears some similarities to regular soccer; individuals are divided into teams and aim to kick a ball into the opponent’s net. The major difference is that each player is half-encased in a gigantic transparent plastic ball.
Another slight difference is that fewer players play in a team for fewer minutes, and there are no goalies. It’s possible to play bubble soccer both indoors and outdoors, and each team could comprise five to ten players a side.
Unlike soccer, athleticism is hardly the point of soccer. Watching a bubble soccer game might tempt one to believe that knocking the opponent’s plastic ball and watching him bounce about give players more satisfaction.
What is Zorbing?
Zorbing is a relatively recent sport though it’s older than bubble soccer. It was accidentally invented by two friends obsessed with the idea of walking on water; this led them to invent a floating ball that would eventually be called a zorb.
The objective of zorbing is to tumble downhill in a double-layer inflated plastic ball. Each ball can contain one or more persons; each person is wholly encased and has no control over the ball’s direction once the operator sets it in motion.
Trained operators stay at the beginning and end of the course to ensure that the zorbs do not derail from the assigned tracks. It is possible to zorb both on land and on water. Sometimes, the operatives fill the plastic ball with water; this scenario is called Hydro Zorbing.
Similarities Between Bubble Soccer and Zorbing
Bubble soccer and zorbing may seem like two completely different sports, but they have two similarities:
Use of a Transparent Plastic Ball
Bubble Soccer and Zorbing depend on an inflated, transparent bubble ball, and the ball bounces about, giving both sports an almost comic nature.
Multiple Players
Some zorbs can accommodate more than one person. The usual range is between one to three persons per zorb; playing more persons in a zorb could lead to carbon dioxide poisoning.
Bubble soccer involves an entire team; as many as ten people can participate in a bubble soccer match. Sometimes, depending on the size of the field and willing participants, it can be even more.
The Differences Between Bubble Soccer and Zorbing
Despite their similarities, bubble soccer and zorbing are two highly different sports. Here are some of the features that make them different:
Team Sport Vs. Individual Game
Bubble Soccer is a team sport comprising teams of different sizes. The smallest team is usually a team of five, with some teams reaching ten players on occasion. Teaming up is not the case with zorbing.
While it’s true that more than one person can zorb at a time, teamwork is hardly involved as they have no control over the zorb. Zorbing has no theme objective other than rolling down a hill, but bubble soccer does.
Control over the Plastic Ball’s Direction
With bubble soccer, the players can control the direction of the balls, but in zorbing, there is minimal control over the ball’s direction. This lack of control leaves the participants to the forces of gravity and the vigilance of trained operators.
Site of Operation
Participants can play bubble soccer indoors and outdoors; zorbing can only be done outdoors. Bubble soccer is better played on a level field, whereas zorbing works well on a slope. Additionally, zorbing works well both on land and on water. However, you can only play bubble soccer on land. At least, for now.
Level of Enclosure
In zorbing, the plastic ball completely envelopes the players; trapped air within gives the ball a bit of bounce. In bubble soccer, the players are only partially enclosed. A partial enclosure allows the players to control the ball; zorbers do not have that much control.
Safety Precautions When Zorbing or Playing Bubble Soccer
Bubble soccer and zorbing are fun games, but there can be accidents on very few occasions. The following tips should keep you from danger:
-
Hire the right equipment from the right sports equipment company or store.
-
Ensure the zorb isn’t leaking at any time.
-
Put on the right gear when playing bubble soccer or zorbing.
Conclusion
Bubble Soccer and Zorbing can be fun sports that use the same equipment, but this doesn’t mean they are the same. They both have certain key features that differentiate them from each other.
