This week on Final Fantasy Friday we are going to talk about Blitzball. Blitzball appears in Final Fantasy X, it is an aquatic sport that has been around for over 1000 years.

This is the only time! The players fight with all their strength; the fans cheer for their favorite team. They forget pain, suffering... Only the game matters! That's why blitz has been around for so long. Least that's what I think.

Wakka.

Blitzball is the main form of entertainment in the Spira with teams coming from across the land to compete in both leagues and tournaments. So what does the Blitzball look like? well it is a studded ball which is about 30cm in diameter, they are resilient to powerful kicks and made of a material that is light enough and lacks the density to make it sink.

Blitzball is played in open air spherical water stadiums, an invisible spherical and semi-permeable force field which has been filled with water that has been infused pyre flies to allow the water to congeal into the sphere pool, this also allows the players to stay underwater for longer periods of time because the pyre flies sustains them, Two triangular goalposts are then suspended at opposing points within the sphere's diameter.

How is Blitzball played?

Each game of Blizball lasts for two five-minute periods. The team with the highest score at the end of the second period wins. If the two teams remain tied during regular League season or Exhibition play, the game ends in a tie. If the two teams are tied at the conclusion of Tournament play, the game proceeds to Overtime. Overtime consists of continuous 5 minute rounds in golden goal format.

Teams are made up of six players per side which contain one goalkeeper, two defenders and 3 fielders. Yearly tournaments are held in Luca with the following teams taking part Besaid Aurochs, Al Bhed Psyches, Ronso Fangs, Kilika Beasts, Guado Glories, and the Luca Goers who are the reigning champions at the start of Final Fantasy X. In the main story the player gets to take part in one of these tournaments competing with the Besaid Aurochs but after this Blitzball can also be played at any time during the game by visting a save sphere. Blitzball also makes another appearance in the sequel Final Fantasy X-2.

Blitzball has been hugely popular with Final Fantasy fans with players in Final Fantasy XIV even going as far to adapt the sport to create an unofficial version which is played by hundreds of role players in a full Blitzball league.

Personally I have always found Blitzball an interesting minigame to play and it can be nice to play if you want to take a break from the main story.

Opening cinematic for Final Fantasy X which features Blitzball.

I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this introduction to the sport of Blitzball Lanah Tyra will be back next week with the next Final Fantasy Friday!