Mood illustration, not a game screenshot.
From the screen to the field
Jugger comes from the film “The Salute of the Jugger” (1989). Players in Germany turned it into a real sport with padded weapons, and today it is played in several countries, Spain among them, with its own federation.
Five on the field
Each team fields up to five players and may have five substitutes. There are three roles:
- Runner (qwik)
- One per team, mandatory. Unarmed, and the only player who can pick up, carry and place the jugg.
- Chain (kette)
- At most one per team. A ball on a chain: slow, long reach and an 8-stone penalty.
- Pompfers
- Everyone else. Q-tip, staff, longsword, short sword and shield, or two short swords. They clear the way and guard their runner.
Weapons and sizes
| Weapon | Length | Striking zone | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q-tip | Max. 200 cm | Two striking ends up to 60 cm; central grip | Two hands |
| Staff (stab) | Max. 180 cm | 90 cm striking zone at one end | Two hands; thrusting forbidden |
| Longsword | Max. 140 cm | 100 cm striking zone, 40 cm grip | Two hands |
| Short sword | Max. 85 cm | Striking up to 65 cm, grip up to 25 cm | One hand, with shield or second sword |
| Shield | Ø 60 cm | Not offensive: never hits or pins | One hand |
| Chain (kette) | Max. 320 cm | 18–22 cm ball joined by a link | At least one hand; 8 stones |
The field
A stretched octagon inside a 40 × 20 m rectangle: 30 m sidelines, 10 m baselines and corners cut by 5 m. Each base sits on the long axis, 2 m in from its baseline. The jugg starts at the centre. Lines are not part of the field.
Basic rules
- Stones
- Time is measured in stones: one signal every 1.5 seconds. A match is played to a number of stones or by sets.
- Hits
- A valid hit with the padded zone takes the opponent out: they kneel and count 5 stones (8 when hit by the chain).
- Valid zones
- Body and clothing, yes. Head and neck, no. Nor the hand holding a rigid weapon.
- Pinning
- Keeping a weapon on a kneeling opponent stops them from getting up while it lasts, although their count continues.
- Scoring
- The runner places the jugg in the opposing base: at least half inside, stable, and touched by no runner. Throwing it in does not count.
- Penalties
- Minor fouls add 5 stones. Major fouls add another 5 at the start of the next point. Two majors disqualify.
Source: Spanish Jugger Rulebook, version 7.0 (2025), by the Spanish Jugger Federation (FEJ). Read the rulebook on the FEJ website (Spanish).
JuggerMaster is not endorsed by the FEJ. Digital adaptations of the rules (networked hits, simultaneity, runner wrestling) are still in development and will be documented as adaptations.
How to play JuggerMaster