"löbtrèkke" Top 5 Page for this destination Maastricht Local Custom Tip by ger4444

löbtrèkke is an old traditional local sport, just like poodleclubbing, origining in the early middle-ages. Allthough popular in the region for a few centuries, it got out of attention – only a few were practising- it got back after world war two, in a revival of cival soldiers, in modern style. Already in the secon half of the 8 th century, “ loppike” was a alernative version of the mainstream city soldiers sports and was focussing on the more technical aspects of the sport. New methods were introduces as well new rules, terms and a large technical manual on artefacts used in “ loppike” Whereas mainsteam gunners were only using one gun, loppike was based on a wide arsenal of guns, equipment, and methods. Also, the game was not a standing one, there was already in the 11 th century ‘ craetive’ running: meaning, one was not only focussed on a certain object to hit, but also running, hiding, sneaking and crowling became part of the techniques, which finally around 1650 made the manual and official gamerules got the basic of this sport. The game was already around 1700 popular around upper-class ‘ gildes’ and around 1800 it became popular amongst the bourgeoisie in each layer. Then it got out of fashion in order to make its comeback in the fifties. The tecnics and tactics of the game still are the same. Only the material of the artefacts used nowadays differ from these used in the middle ages. Also the name of the game –loppike- changed into löbtrèkke, which means the same, but then in modern dialect. As said, unique for this game is the equipment, - the used artefacts – the method – a combination of running, crawlin or sneaking (in 1815 added by ‘ waving’ ) – and the location. For, löbtrèkke demands a special game ground. Hilles, bushes and a track. The game is not easy. Let me explain shortly the purpose. Central is the kubus (löp). There are 2 teams of 9 people each team. One team is “ on track” (in the “ field” ) one team is “ trèkke” (shooting or striking) The field team is divided in 3 sections of 3 men: one for the bushes (‘ struukmenkes’ ) one team for the “ track” (the stone trail) and one team is around the hill (“ bergmenkes” ). The other team has the “ equipment” (“ dingskes” ). The herault has the kubikagun (“ kenon”), the “ runners (6 men) are standing at a start gate (“ peurtje” ) and one man is the one “ observing” (“ kiekoet” ). There are 2 emporers: one for checking the “ field” one for checking the “ runners” (“ haze” ). The goal is that the herault shots the kubus into the bushes (1 point) into the hill (3 points) or on the tack (5 points) In case the track is chosen as goal, it is only 5 points if the kubus hits at least one of the “ haze” on his back. In case the kubus lands in the track without hitting, its change of turns: the team in the field becomes the team for trèkke. Two other possibilities for the field team to change positions are: letting the kubus land in a bucket (“ ummerke” ) – in the field – or in case of the hills and the bushes: finding the kubus within one 333 seconds. Here comes the emperor: he exactly measures the time that the field team needs to detect the kubus. As an eample: in the middleages the time was measured by an old sand-clock, nowadays its done by a digital clock. The finder of the kubus has to trumpet, which is placed on the middle of the field and as soon as he blows the “ trot” its change of turns. But it is not easy to be one the trèkke side. The equipmet is highly advanced and the most part of trainings are done on using the equipment better and better. The technical side and most diificult side is the way the herault uses the equipment. Already since 1687 one of the basic rules of the game is that the trekker (the shooter) must be appinted by the Emporer of the runners. That means, he, randomly decides what shooter the herault has to use. To be sure it is by chance, the emporer has to open a suitcase with a numer, of which he doesn’t know what is in the suitcase. The suitcases are sealed ny a jurist nowadays, and by the ‘ schepenen’ on saterday in the middle ages. In modern times, many sorts of ‘ trèkkers’ are presented by special firms that produce these shooting guns. Specially designed to shoot the kubrik. In the old days the guns had nice and original naes such as the notorious ‘ swan’ or the ‘ golden spear’ but nowadays, as you can see the offers on indernet its more like “ model 720 XXB” or “ Type Alpha.” I will end by giving an idea how lively the löbtrèkke is indeed. On a saterday a team gathers in a pub discussing some new types trekkers. “ Did you hear about LMF 916?” - “ I have practised” – How to use the “ nopper? (side-click)” – just double click, then reload, empty “ sneers” (hustleries) and then “ tap on.” – What to do if you wont hit ‘ haze’ ? – cant be missed, if you ‘ deijt’ (strip) and then take a hook of 35 you cant miss” – As for talks about the field: “ wee getht ut ummerke doen” ? (who will be bucket man?) “ Servé, wilst diech weer ‘ bergmenke’ zien? (you will be taking care of the hill again?). ita a fascinating sport amd it is only played in Maastricht. (location: Dousberg.)