IIT Madras launches 'Phiball', a new three-team competitive sport ahead of national sports day

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has introduced a new competitive sport called 'Phiball,' a three-team invasion sport designed around speed, strategy and skill. The sport was launched on August 28, 2206, ahead of National Sports Day on August 29.

Unlike conventional invasion sports involving two teams, Phiball has three teams competing simultaneously on a circular court. Each team attacks two opponent baskets while defending one, requiring players to monitor multiple opponents and quickly adapt their strategies.

The launch took place at the IIT Madras campus in the presence of Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, Dean (students), along with students, faculty members, teams from city colleges and other stakeholders. The launch commemorated National Sports Day, observed on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

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IIT Madras introduces three-team sport

Each Phiball team consists of seven registered players, including four active players and three substitutes. The game is played on a 26-metre-diameter circular court, which is divided into three equal 120-degree sectors and has three baskets positioned around the playing area.

The court also featured dedicated safety and playinf zones, including a four-meter centre free zone and a no-offense zone beneath each basket. IIT Madras director V. Kamakoti said the game combines multiple teams with mathematically defined field dimensions, with winning requiring accuracy, presence of mind, teamwork and physical health.

Sathyanarayana N Gummadi said, “Phiball has been developed around the core values of teamwork, speed, communication, tactical decision-making, fairness and safety. Its three-team structure challenges players to simultaneously monitor multiple opponents and change attacking and defensive situations. The sport seeks to provide a fresh competitive experience while helping players develop physical, technical and tactical abilities.”

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Phiball rules focus on tactical play

A key feature of Phiball is its clockwise defensive-basket rotation. Teams change the basket they defend after every quarter, exposing players to different attacking and defensive situations during the match. A game consists of three eight-minute quarters, with three-minute intervals between them.

The sport also uses a 24-second shot clock for new possessions, with a 14-second reset in applicable situations. Players can score one point through a successful free throw, two points for a field goal inside the 6.75-meter arc and three points for a field goal beyond the arc. Shooting from the centre free zone is not permitted.

Nine institutions join global launch

The initial sporting engagement for the Phiball global launch will involve participants from IIT Madras, A M Jain College of Arts and Science, Patrician College of Arts and Science, Presidency College of Arts and Science, Sathyabama University, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College of Arts and Science, VIT Chennai and YMCA College of Physical Education.

The launch marks the beginning of an initiative to introduce, develop and promote Phiball as a distinctive sporting format. The sport has defined rules and match procedures, with emphasis on safety, teamwork and fair play.

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Safety and fair play remain central

Three floor referees oversee the three sectors of the court, supported by a scorekeeper, timekeeper and shot-click operator. Substitutions are allowed during dead-ball situations with referee authorisation. The sport has defined rules covering travelling, double dribbling, fouls and other violations. These rules draw on applicable 3×3 basketball principles while incorporating modifications specific to Phiball.