A How-To Guide to Brännboll
The 2013 World Brännboll Cup Championship (Swedish: Brännbollscup) will be held in Umeå on 30 May - 1 June. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for this huge festival.
How to win the brännboll cup championship
How to entertain the spectators
How to be a good supporter
How to get ready for the brännboll festival
How to win the brännboll cup championship
Annakarin Nyberg, member of the team BK Rel, researcher and university lecturer, gives her tips. Her team has won the title nine times in the past 20 years.
What do you need to do to win the world title in brännboll?
The aim is to be the best. Plain and simple. To be the best does not mean one is fastest, or young and physically fit. In contrast, the composition of mental strength, ball control and winning instinct. Of course, also determine what mood you manage to create the team. Another must is that be in top form in all weather conditions.
What external factors can affect the game?
It has rained during many cup tournaments. It has messed up a lot for many batters. The trick is to be just as good when the bat is slippery as an eel by the rain and mud. It has been really windy some years which is very challenging. For example, the self toss must be adjusted according to the blowing winds. There are many who do not do this and are eliminated because of rain and wind. Even sunshine and heat has prevented a lot of talented teams from winning the cup. Planning food and drink is essential to be mentally and physically ready before each game and be able to play all weekend. Fast starts, tight turns and constant intervals depletes the body.
How much preparation and energizing is vital?
We usually practice together two or three weeks before the tournament. At best, we manage to gather the entire team the day before the tournament kicks off. Getting ready is very much an individual thing, as muchof our team is spread across the country now. Those living in Umeå usually meet and swing together a few nights now and then during the final weeks. The actual energizing is a real highlight. After all these years together have now become important people who know the best and worst sides about each other. We are nervous, excited, grumpy, angry, scared, excited and everything else. I meet my team members during very few occasions throughout the year, but despite that we know each other very well.
How much strategy is behind the victories?
We've played a lot with head smarts to compensate for tired legs and older players. By analyzing the different playing styles, we have to play tactically and take us far even though we have both the chronically ill, lazy, slow-coaches, newly delivered moms and of course the occasional well-trained youngster in the team. We have never been secretive with our tactics. Those who have asked how we make decisions in different situations, have had their answer. We have always welcomed more competition and more clever game. In recent years, one can see examples of teams that have followed our playing style and it's really fun!
What is the significance of the team's composition?
The composition of the team is certainly extremely important. We need someone who controls the game and who also has the room and confidence to do so. We have always had a clear leader, and it has been directly demonstrated in how we place ourselves in the results list. The team needs a couple of really strong and fresh legs that can compensate for us who can no longer or is equally quick. Everyone on the team must have good sense for the ball. You can never afford to drop a catch or miss a swing. Everyone must also be able have good game instinct.
Tips and advice?
Go out and practice in all weather conditions! If you only train with the sun is shining and the weather is at its peak - then you are in trouble. It is very likely that can be raining and windy during the tournament. You need to be prepared for those situations. Food is important. Be sure to eat a proper lunch. You do not have time to wait in line to hot dogs right before the game. Bring clean and dry towels so you can keep playing in case the weather is awful. Pain relief medicine, tape and bandages of all kinds. Definitely if you are over the ripe age of 30.
How to entertain the spectators
Mikael Samuelsson is his fourth term and is studying to be a teacher. He is also the team captain of Plakat Pirat, which one Best in Show in 2011. He knows how to entertain the public during the Brännboll Cup.
What is important to think about when choosing an outfit?
It's important to look good. If you are careful with your attire then much of the rest comes automatically. We dress up as pirates and when we put on our costumes we even behave like pirates. We romp and makes lots of noise just like pirates.
What is important to accomplish as an entertainer?
We are competitive in our team and I believe it's important to always give the opposing team a real match. We are there to play brännboll and that's what people want to see. But we want to have fun during the games. As many as possible should have as much fun as possible.
How do you go about connecting with the audience?
Even if it's important to keep focus on the team, it's also essential to integrate with the spectators. We usually make contact with those who look interesting and let them test the props we have, but we also move around the area and talk with people. We had fruit for spectators last year. They'll are usually happy when we interact as it's great fun.
How far can one go to entertain?
It's important to remember that we are all there to play brännboll. The Brännboll Cup is a sport event and it's not acceptable to ruin it for others. As I said, it's important to give the opponent a match and show sportsmanship. However, the Brännboll Cup would not be what it is without the clownery and there is small group of elite players which allows plenty of room for entertainment.
Is there such a thing as bad entertainment?
Yes, it's when it goes too far, when the audience no longer appreciates it. That's when it becomes bad entertainment.
What are your tips to teams that aim to entertain in this year's brännboll tournament?
Create a festival feeling with fun appearances and music.
How to be a good supporter
Roger Bergfors, leader of the group of supporters for the team Pyroman, gives his tips.
How important are cheering chants?
There are undeniably very important. It's even better if you have special written chants for your team. It feels good for team to hear something one has originally created.
Is it more important to cheer when things are going good or bad?
It is more important when things are going bad, but it's easier to cheer with the team is playing well. When things aren't so good it's essential that the supporters have a strong core that can pull together and light a fire for the rest. You can't give up after one chant, you need to keep going.
How do you position yourselves?
We usually spread out across the pitch so more people in the audience can feel involved. That way, we can have more people participating.
Do you do something special before or after the match?
We often meet together before the match to talk, laugh and go over the chant. After the match, the team thanks us and we take a team photos together with the team and some photos of just us supporters. We take an honorary lap around the bases with the teams' own flag both before and after the match.
What do you do to make the team perform well?
It's all about trying to be upplifting and creating a positive vibe. It is efective to go in and cheer them individually. We have some chants specifically for individual players. It's also fun to chant against another chant. Therefore, if the opposing team has a chant, it can be an intense mood. It becomes a better match on the pitch as well.
What should you do to be a good supporter if you are first-time spectator athe Brännboll Cup?
Come up with a chant if you know someone who is playing. Or join along with an existing chant, which is what we do when our team is eliminated. It has happened before that we were "bought" by another group of supporters in exchange for food and we thought it was OK till sell ourselves. It's important clean up afterwards. There can be lots of garbage and it can be really nasty if people didn't pick up their junk and waste.
Is food important? And can you recomend a certain type?
It is very important. I usually prepare a pasta salad that we eat together as a team after the first match-
How to get ready for the brännboll festival
Andre Forsgren, one of the organizers of the festival, gives his advice.
What is the right recipe for a good brännboll festival?
Good company is definitely the most important. The brännboll weekend is a big party weekend, and many come to have a good time together.
What is the ultimate mixture of people?
It is important to have a big mix of all ages. Everyone gets to participate in the brännboll weekend, so we hope that it's not uncomfortable for any specific age group. We know that many teams will be coming, and people will have friends and acquaintances there, no matter who the others are. I think it's good for the mix.
What is best thing to do to get pumped up for the brännboll festival?
It's to play brännboll or to be in the area and feel the vibe. Music will be playing and people are happy, so it's easy feel the fun atmosphere. If you attend the final match it will be easy to get drawn into the excitement. If the weather is good, it's not a bad idea to grill in the evening.
If I'm a new student and first-time brännboll visitor and want to attend a party, but haven't been invited, what do I do?
The Brännboll Cup is probbably the easiest place to attend as a newcomer. There are plenty of open and happy people here in small and large groups. Come to the meadows in good spirit and I'm sure everything will work out.
Text: Emma Lindqvist
Translation: David Meyers
