Beater

The Beater is a Quidditch player who protects other players from Bludgers – while attempting to hit those Bludgers toward opposing players using a small bat.

Background

Originally, the Bludgers (or, aptly, Blooders) hit by the Beaters were flying rocks, which could be cracked by the Beaters’ bats. This often meant that the resulting gravel would then follow the players around the pitch (QA6).

Beaters have to be strong and have a good sense of balance, as it takes strength to hit the Bludger very far and this sometimes needs two hands (so balance is a must). Beaters are more often Wizards than Witches because of needing this extra force, although Gwenog Jones is, as usual, an exception to this (QA6).

Two Beater moves in the modern Quidditch game are the Bludger Backbeat, where the Beater uses a difficult backhand swing, and the Dopplebeater Defence, where two Beaters combine for extra power (QA10).

The Braga Broomfleet team from Portugal have pioneered a Beater-marking system (QA8).

A foul frequently committed by Beaters is bumphing, where a Bludger is hit into the crowd, causing a halt to the game while officials ensure public safety (QA6).

The book The Beaters’ Bible by Brutus Scrimgeour recommends that the first priority for a Beater is to “take out the Seeker” (QA6).

Some famous Beaters

Fred and George Weasley – Gryffindor Quidditch team

Gwenog Jones – Wales National Team and Holyhead Harpies (DP1, DP2, DP3, DP4, HBP4, HBP7, HBP14, QWC)

Ludo Bagman – England National Team and Wimbourne Wasps (GF7, GF8, GF9, GF16, QA, QWC)

Karl and Kevin Broadmoor – Falmouth Falcons (QA7)

Vulchanov and Volkov – the 1994 Bulgarian National Team (GF8, QWC)

Shintaro Shingo and Masaki Hongo – 2014 Japanese National Team (QWC)