An oval shaped pitch with three golden hoops at both ends.

Chaser (3), Beater (2), Keeper, and Seeker

Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try to score a goal through one of three hoops.

Beaters keep Bludgers away from their team and try to knock them towards the opposing team by hitting them with clubs that look like short baseball bats.

The Keeper guards the three hoops to keep the other team from scoring.

The Seeker flies around and keeps an eye out for the Golden Snitch. It is important they keep up with the score, as not to end the game too soon for their team to come out ahead.

Quaffle (1), Bludger (2), and Golden Snitch (1).

The Quaffle is a bright red ball the size of a soccer ball.

Bludgers are jet black and slightly smaller than a Quaffle. They zoom after players to try to knock them off their broomsticks.

A tiny gold ball with wings, it is fast and difficult to catch. A Seeker must catch the Snitch to end the game.

Scoring in Quidditch isn't very complicated, but it is important that players keep track and not end the game too soon!

Putting the Quaffle in a hoop earns the team ten points.

Catching the Snitch earns one hundred and fifty points for the Seeker's team, and ends the game. It is possible to catch the Snitch and still lose. The game does not end until the Snitch is caught, or both teams agree to stop.

Please check out Quidditch through the Ages, by Kennilworthy Whisp. It is a book written for charity by JK Rowling.

From World Book Day Chat, 2004:
I sat in a hotel room after a row with my then boyfriend and invented it. Looking back, I can understand why I liked the idea of Bludgers.

Yes, winning a Quidditch match adds points to your house.

Second year. Harry is an exception to the rule, and is the youngest player "in about a century". It is presumed this rule is in place so first years learn how to fly and do not get immediately distracted by sports when learning basic wizardry.

During the first flying lesson with Madam Hooch (and the Slytherins, apparently), Neville Longbottom fell and had to be taken to the hospital wing. Madam Hooch told everyone not to move while she was gone. Draco Malfoy took Neville's Remembrall and flew off. Harry took off after him and caught the ball as it was falling in a fifty foot dive, landing perfectly on the ground. Considering it was his first time on a broom ever Professor McGonagall (who witnessed the incident) was so impressed she introduced him to Oliver Wood and Harry became Seeker for the Gryffindor team.

Madam Hooch, usually.

James Potter, Harry's father. (Chaser)
Charlie Weasley, Ron's older brother. (Seeker)

Gryffindor vs. Slytherin matches are always very heated and filled with nasty rivalry. Therefore, they get the most attention in the books.

Captains: Wood (Gryffindor), Flint (Slytherin)
Seekers: Potter (Gryffindor), Higgs (Slytherin)
Notable moment: Harry's broom goes out of control, Hermione knocks Quirrell over, and sets Snape's robes on fire, allowing Harry to gain control of his broom.
Harry catches the Snitch, by nearly swallowing it.
Gryffindor wins, 120-60. Moves up to second place in the House Championship.

Slytherin has new brooms - the Nimbus 2001, and a new Seeker (Draco Malfoy).
Notable moments: A rogue bludger and pouring rain makes the game difficult. Harry breaks his arm, and Lockhart vaporizes the bones on accident trying to fix it.

Final score, not given. Gryffindor victory.

Postponed, due to Malfoy's arm being injured. Gryffindor plays Hufflepuff instead.

Bright sunny day, very little wind.
Captains: Wood (Gryffindor), Flint (Slytherin)
Notable moments: A particularly dirty match, with all sorts of tactics being put into play.

Gryffindor wins, 230-20. Gryffindor also wins the Quidditch Cup.

A clear, cold day, with new captains and new Slytherin beaters.
Captains: Johnson (Gryffindor), Montague (Slytherin)
Notable moments: The debut of 'Weasley is our King' by the Slytherins, the Weasley twins and Harry get banned for fighting after the match.

Gryffindor wins, 160-40.

Clear, pale blue sky
Captains: Potter (Gryffindor), Urquhart (Slytherin)
Announcer: Zacharias Smith
Notable moments: Pre-match, Hermione 'sees' Harry put something into Ron's drink.

A beautiful day, could it be a lucky potion? No, just skill for the Gryffindors, who beat Sytherin by 250 points.

Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff matches are generally noteworthy due to the appearance of Captain and Seeker Cedric Diggory in the third year. Diggory goes on to compete in the Triwizard Tournament against Harry.

Game two of the year, with a win needed to take the lead for the House Cup.
Notable moments: Snape refereeing instead of Madam Hooch, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom fighting Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle.
Gryffindor wins, no score given.

The match was cancelled due to issues with the Chamber of Secrets.

Gryffindor plays Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin for the first Quidditch match of the season.
Captains: Wood (Gryffindor), Diggory (Hufflepuff)
Seekers: Potter (Gryffindor), Diggory (Hufflepuff)
Notable moments: Pouring rain, Harry sees a big black dog in the stands, the dementors interfere in the match, and Harry's Nimbus breaks when he falls off.

Hufflepuff wins, by one hundred points. Estimated score, 50-150.

"The best thing you could say about the match was that it was short; the Gryffindor spectators had to endure only twenty-two minutes of agony." (OOTP, Ch. 26, pg. 575)
Seekers: Ginny Weasley (Gryffindor), Summbery (Hufflepuff)

Hufflepuff wins, 240-230. Gryffindor catches the Snitch.

Bright sunny day with patchy clouds, very little wind.
Captains: Potter (Gryffindor), (Hufflepuff)
Notable moments: Luna Lovegood announcing, Harry's cracked skull, McLaggen subbing for Ron as Keeper.

Gryffindor loses, 60-230.

Ravenclaw is usually the last match of the season, although not always. Notable Ravenclaws include Seeker Cho Chang.

Harry was not present for this match, and Ravenclaw "steamrollered" them, giving Slytherin the House Cup lead.

Harry has a new broom, the Firebolt.
Seekers: Potter (Gryffindor), Chang (Ravenclaw)
Notable moments: Slytherin dresses up as dementors, trying to sabtoge the match.

Gryffindor wins, 230-30.

A fine clear day.
Captains: Johnson (Gryffindor), Davies (Ravenclaw)
Seekers: Ginny Weasley (Gryffindor), Chang (Ravenclaw)
Notable moments: Harry and Hermione miss most of the match, after being summoned by Hagrid into the forest.

Gryffindor wins, score unknown. Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup.

Sunshine!
Seekers: Ginny Weasley (Gryffindor), Cho Chang (Ravenclaw)
Notable moments: Harry was in detention, the celebration party afterwards.

Gryffindor wins, 450-140. Gryffindor also wins the Quidditch Cup.

Other Quidditch matches directly influence who wins the Quidditch and House Cups each year.

All matches were cancelled due to the Triwizard Tournament. The Quidditch pitch was used in the third task by having a maze completely covering it.

The final match of the Quidditch season, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, was to take place on the last weekend of May. Although Slytherin had been narrowly defeated by Hufflepuff... (OOTP, Ch. 30, pg. 683)

Curious about who's captain for what year? So were we.

Oliver Wood (Gryffindor)
Marcus Flint (Slytherin)
Roger Davies (Ravenclaw)

Oliver Wood (Gryffindor)
Marcus Flint (Slytherin)
Roger Davies (Ravenclaw)
Cedric Diggory (Hufflepuff)

Oliver Wood (Gryffindor)
Marcus Flint (Slytherin)
Roger Davies (Ravenclaw)

No Quidditch!

Angelina Johnson (Gryffindor)
Montague (Slytherin)
Roger Davies (Ravenclaw)

Harry Potter (Gryffindor)
Urquhart (Slytherin)