Quidditch is the wizarding sports game played on broomsticks in J.K. Rowling’s fictional world.
In the original books, two teams of seven players compete with four flying balls: one Quaffle, two Bludgers and one Golden Snitch. Chasers handle the Quaffle, Beaters defend against Bludgers, the Keeper guards the hoops and the Seeker pursues the Snitch.
A team usually earns 10 points for putting the Quaffle through a hoop. Catching the Golden Snitch awards 150 points and normally ends the match, although the team with the most points wins. This means catching the Snitch does not automatically guarantee victory.
Quidditch became one of the best-known elements of the Harry Potter books and inspired real-world adaptations played by university and community teams. Rowling’s fictional rules and terminology are distinct from those used in real-world versions.