Field Pushball

Pushballers grapple with oversized ball

Pushball is an eleven-a-side football match with a difference. Pushball is typically a heavy six-feet in diameter leather ball and is pushed, lifted or thrown over a bar or a goal line. The game was invented by Moses G. Crane of Newton Massachusetts in 1891 while at university. The game was played in England for the first time at Crystal Palace in 1902 and became popular with the military who could play on expansive parade grounds.

The modern inflatable pushball is much lighter and designed to be a promotional opportunity for businesses rather than a sport. At large public sporting or musical events crowds engage to pass the pushball over heads and subliminal branding may leave a lasting impression on an audience. In 1971 the Australians revived it as sogball and the pushball was vinyl-clad. Comically no pushball has ever been seen imprinted with Olympic rings!