Archive · 30 Aug 2026
IIT Madras Launches Phiball, A Faster Three-Team Basketball Variant
IIT Madras created a new game called Phiball.
It is inspired by basketball and netball.
Three teams play against each other at the same time.
The game happens on a round court with two baskets to defend.
Players must make quick decisions because any other team can score.
They can dribble only three times and must shoot within 24 seconds.
A special area under each basket prevents players from attacking too close to the rim.
The game is fast and exciting, but players said it can also be confusing at first.
IIT Madras launched Phiball ahead of National Sports Day on August 29.
The game places three teams on one 26-metre-diameter circular court.
Players must defend two rims, pass quickly, and shoot within 24 seconds.
A no-offense zone, three-dribble limit, and absent backboards make scoring harder.
Phiball costs under Rs 30,000 to establish and uses three posts.
- Who
- Professor Sathyanarayana N Gummadi and IIT Madras developed and launched Phiball with basketball coaches and student players.
- What
- Phiball is a three-team basketball-and-netball-inspired game played on a circular court.
- When
- It was launched on the eve of National Sports Day, celebrated annually on August 29; the rules were developed over two months.
- Where
- The game was launched at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai.
- Why
- The developers wanted a faster, more accessible basketball modification for Indian schools and colleges.
Supporters’ View
Players’ Concerns
Speed and engagement
Supporters’ View
Professor Gummadi and participating students described Phiball as faster, competitive, intense, and tactically demanding.
Players’ Concerns
Players said simultaneous competition created some confusion, especially while adapting to the new spatial rules.
Accessibility and scoring
Supporters’ View
The format uses a smaller court and relatively inexpensive equipment, potentially making it accessible to schools and colleges.
Players’ Concerns
Players found scoring difficult because layups are not possible, backboards are absent, and penalty throws require additional practice.
- Court
- A 26-metre-diameter circular pitch
- Teams
- Three teams compete simultaneously
- Shot clock
- Teams have 24 seconds to attempt a shot
- Dribbling limit
- Players can dribble only three times
- Restricted area
- A 1.6-metre perimeter zone is designed to cushion collisions
- Setup cost
- The game requires three posts and costs under Rs 30,000 to establish
- Name origin
- Phiball is named after Phi, the Golden Ratio, approximately 1.618