The IQA (2007-Present)

Snitching has been an integral part of muggle quidditch from its onset. As a neutral athlete, they became tied to the identity of the sport, and often interacted with the audience. All eyes are on the snitch to watch the game end.

The process now known as Snitch Certification began in 2012. Before this point, snitches submitted videos directly to tournament organizers in order to be selected for competition. Snitch “spectacles” were largely unregulated, with costumes and props often playing a part in a snitch’s performance on the pitch. Snitch freedoms were initially largely undefined, but gradually contracted as antics like entering buildings, hiding in cars, climbing on trees, and other irregular playing spaces began to endanger both players and spectators, and cause disruptions around and beyond the event facilities. These snitches were largely recruited from cross country runners, due to endurance and the presumption that the snitch chase would take place over great distances.

The USQ (2014-Present)

As part of a general move towards standardization, and to facilitate predictable tournament coordination, off-pitch seeking was dropped in favor of confining the snitch to the pitch and beginning the seeking phase of the match at a certain point after the start of play. The exact timing of snitch play varied from tournament to tournament, anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes. The USQ has since standardized the timing, with seeking beginning at 20 minutes after the start of the match. With the removal of off-pitch seeking, the emphasis on endurance running has given way to a snitch more closely resembling wrestling, with tactics often founded in physical contact, close-quarters evasion, and grappling. As off-pitch seeking went away, so too did the majority of snitch spectacles, due to injuries, inconsistent performance resulting from prop malfunctions, and the irresponsible use of irritants and other potentially harmful props as spectacles. However, snitches still hold a role as entertainers and engage with the audience, especially before the seekers are released, while now focusing the on-pitch portion of their role on more straightforward athleticism and evasion. Once volunteers, the snitches of the USQ are now paid per game upon their certification.