Here are a few of the critical terms to know in quidditch:

 

TROLLING: running behind or around the opponents' hoops to provide a dangerous passing option.

 

BLUDGER CONTROL: possessing two of the three bludgers.

 

NAPALMING: with bludger control, leaving one bludger back (defended by a beater with another bludger) while the other beater (without a bludger) aggressively engages the opposing beaters.

 

BROOMS DOWN: a referee call used to stop the game in cases of fouls or injuries.

 

QUOVE: a portmanteau of 'quidditch' and 'love', of mysterious pronunciation.

 

SWIM: 'Snitch When It Matters' - a game where neither team is more than 30 points ahead of the other - i.e. the snitch catch determines who wins/whether overtime is played.

 

POINT CHASING: a defensive tactic involving the central defensive chaser putting pressure on the opposing quaffle carrier.

 

COLD CATCH: a deliberate game-losing snitch catch, usually by a team losing heavily on quaffle points.

 

FACEBEAT: exactly what it sounds like.

 

SLOWBALLING: an interesting and controversial tactic involving playing very conservatively and slowly, often in an attempt to neutralise a 'superior' team.

 

INTERESTING AND CONTROVERSIAL: everything in quidditch is interesting and controversial; point it out whenever possible.

 

BQC: the British Quidditch Cup.

 

EQC: the European Quidditch Cup.

 

MERC(ENARY)/FANTASY TOURNAMENT: a tournament where players sign up as individuals or couples and play for mixed teams drawn from various different clubs. Major fixtures include the Christmas Cup, the Valentines Cup, the Mercian Cup, and the Summer Cup.