Yes, exciting and well-shot, but the game itself (which takes most of it's inspiration from NHL) does not make any sense.
Get the metal ball into one end zone goal at all costs? There would not be organized play at all and just and enormous brawl with no skating or cycling period.
That is what happened when the penalties were eliminated for the final game in the film.
shareIt becomes that the end. I just watched it for the first time last night. It's great. The themes of individual triumph, social control, violence, and self determination are handled well.
shareRun the bases and touch home plate at all costs? There would not be organized play at all and just an enormous brawl with no pitching or batting period.
Carry the pigskin into the endzone at all costs? There would not be organized play at all and just an enormous brawl with no hiking or passing period.
Put the ball through the basket hoop at all costs? There would not be organized play at all and just an enormous brawl with no dribbling or passing period.
;)
Granted, they never take the time to explain the rules in the movie, but it was in the original short story. Every round begins with the ball being shot out of the canon and going around the track. Whichever team takes possession of the ball first, they have to get it to one of their runners and he has to hold it up in plain sight while he makes at least one full revolution around the track and then reach the opponent's goal and put the ball in.
It was an actual playable game and supposedly the cast would play it for fun between takes.