Playing in Chaos: Beater-Seeker Tactics

by Allyson Burton | January 14, 2013

The snitch's return to the pitch can be one of the most exciting parts of a quidditch match. It also instantly adds another layer of strategy to beater play. Suddenly, there is another player that is fair game to beat, and sometimes one strategic hit can ensure victory for your team. These tips are a few ways beaters can effectively prevent opposing teams' seekers from catching the snitch, keep control of the quaffle and make sure their team comes out on top. The best-case scenario for the return of the snitch is that your team has both bludgers and is ahead by over 40 points, so that even if the opposing team caught the snitch, your team would still win. In this situation, you might pay no attention to the snitch-seeker play and focus on defending the goals to maintain the lead. Similarly, if you only have one bludger, but are ahead by 40 points or more, it may be safest to simply ignore the snitch play while your other beater attempts to steal a bludger.

 Alicia Wallum, Kevin Gandingco, Matt Blair and Mason Kuzmich at Whitaker Fields at the University of Texas. Photo credit: Lauren Carter.

If your team is not 40 points or more in the lead, it is usually better to assign a beater to snitch play. Even if you have one bludger and are not 40 points or more ahead, it is probably best to immediately confront the opposing team's seeker while the other beater attempts to recover the other bludger. Your team may sacrifice a few goals initially, but preventing the other team from catching the snitch can give your team time to catch up in points and ultimately win the game. There are several ways to attack another team's seeker while protecting your own. One is to maintain a constant presence near the action and only throw when absolutely necessary (such as when an opposing seeker gets close to the snitch or an opposing beater is about to hit your seeker.) This tactic ensures you maintain control of the bludger and can sometimes intimidate the opposing seeker and beater, causing them to be more timid. However, if your throws are not accurate or you misjudge when to throw it, you might not hit the opposing player in time. A more aggressive strategy is to beat the opposing seeker every time they approach the snitch. If you are good at recovering the bludger quickly, this is a great way to guarantee a victory. For this tactic, it is important to be aware of opposing beaters, who may use your throws as an opportunity to steal a bludger either by wrestling it from your hands or taking it after it's been thrown. Since this strategy can also prolong a match, many snitches will try to run away from beater-dense areas to make it easier for seekers to catch them. There are multiple ways for a beater to get involved in snitch-seeker interactions and it is important to also account for interactions with other beaters. Mollie Lensing, Texas A&M (College Station, TX) graduate and Team USA member, explains, “If one of those beaters always stays on snitch, they don't always have to go on their opposing seeker but also opposing the beater.” If you pay attention to the opposing beater as well as the opposing seeker, you can watch for moments the opposing beater is distracted looking after your seeker, beat them, throw back their bludger to your beater partner and pick up yours. Now you have both bludgers and can work on defending your hoops and your seeker.

 With Christopher Morris at the Texas State Quidditch Diamond Cup. Photo courtesy of Lauren Carter.

Since the snitch and seekers returning to the pitch can be so exciting, some players will stop what they are doing to watch them. These moments of distraction are a great opportunity for beaters, as it can provide just enough time to grab a bludger from opposing beaters' hands and pelt unsuspecting players. It only takes a few seconds to regain (or lose) bludger control, so it is crucial to take advantage of every opportunity to get the upper hand.

Another essential point worth noting is that you must pay attention to your beater partner. Awareness of your fellow beater is not only important for when the snitch comes on the pitch, but also overall beater strategy. “In any situation the snitch is on the pitch, it's crucial that beaters maintain awareness of each other on the field. It's a significant time in the game and if they're too far apart, bad things happen. Have awareness and visibility of where your partner is at all times and try and stay close together,” advises Lensing. Communication between beaters is also important, in part so that both beaters do not try to simultaneously beat the opposing seeker and leave the hoops unprotected. Positioning can also be vital. In order to avoid favoritism, the snitch usually tries to stay in the center of the pitch, where many beaters play because it also sees a great deal of quaffle action. However, if you play in the center of the pitch, this leaves the hoops vulnerable if opposing chasers break through your defense, and it also creates a longer distance for players to run if they get beat. Every game is different and so is every team, so these strategies may not work in every scenario. There is room left for innovation and flexibility in quidditch strategy, and newer tactics are constantly being developed. No matter what set of strategies your team decides to use, having a predetermined plan in place is crucial to success. Allyson Burton is a beater on the Hufflepuff House team at the University of Texas at Austin. She captained the team for three semesters and has been a player for six. She now serves as president of Texas Quidditch.