Quidditch for Harry in HBP? Alternate View.

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 126737




Hannah: I agree that Beaters are important, but I think that by far
the single most important player in a Quidditch team is the Seeker.
It's a fact that, usually, the team that gets the Snitch wins. I
personally think the rules of Quidditch are a bit daft, because it
makes all the goal scoring business seem rather a waste of energy, but
that's the way it is.

Having an excellent Seeker who's almost certain to get the Snitch is a
much greater asset to the team than even a pair of good Beaters. After
all, there are three Chasers and only two Bludgers, and they can use
evasive flying to avoid them. Of course, it would be best to have good
Beaters and a good Seeker. But given a choice, it makes much more
sense to have a great Seeker."

Sure.  When the Seekers decide 90% of the games, that's the first
position to fill.

The ideal Beaters are tough, muscular players who can bat the Bludger
hard.  The equivalent I can think of are baseball catchers
(notoriously tough) or gridiron football linebackers.

The ideal Chaser is fast, highly coordinated, with a tremendous
spatial sense and excellent peripheral vision.  The Chasers work
together very closely and so shouldn't be changed if possible.

The Keeper, if he's like goalies in other sports, is often the
smartest player on the pitch.  She or he has to be able to think
strategically *and* tactically to anticipate what's coming.  A Keeper
doesn't have to be fast, but has to be very quick with the best
lateral movement.  The Keeper is very likely to be team captain
because of the tactical mentality and because the Keeper can see the
game unfold.

The Seeker is the star, and a loner. (Sound like anybody?) Size is
unimportant, even a drawback, maybe, because the Seeker is part race
driver and part jockey.  Vision is essential. Harry is a great Seeker
for these reasons, but he also thinks tactically and flies in ways
that help his teammates without being guilty of interference. I'd bet
some Seekers look for the Snitch and that's it.  The Seeker is the
other position most likely to be Captain, also because the Seeker can
see the big picture.

Before anyone says anything, any position can be captain.  Angelina's
a Chaser.  Keepers and Seekers, though, do get the best view of the
whole game and that's an advantage.  If a Seeker thinks beyond just
finding the Snitch then that makes the Seeker even better.

Jim Ferer