Avatar: The Legend of Korra further develops the world introduced in Avatar: The Last Airbender. One of the most bombastic and entertaining little elements of the series -- especially early on -- was Pro-Bending. Korra used this sport to help find her center during her training to become a better Avatar.
This article will go over the rules of Pro-Bending and delve into detail on the teams that played it.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF PRO-BENDING?
Pro-Bending pits two teams of benders against one another, with each team having a waterbender, an earthbender and a firebender. The court is split into two sides. Each side is divided into three zones. Littered throughout the court are holes that contain miniature rock discs and grates that carry a steady supply of water. This is where the waterbenders and earthbenders can pull from with their bending, while firebenders are naturally able to produce their own flames.
Across the sides of the court are ropes to keep players from being forced off the side. Beneath the court is a large pool, so if players are knocked off the stage they only fall into water and are less likely to be injured. Each player is decked out in padding and helmets to reduce injuries, although it's still an inherently dangerous game.
The objective for both teams is to knock their opponents back from the center of the court. They can do this with their assorted forms of bending. If players are knocked back out of a ring, they cannot readvance. If the entire team is forced back, then the opposing team may advance one zone forward. The game consists of three timed rounds. The players reset in the center of the court at the beginning of each round. Penalties can be called for specific rules.
The team that has advanced the most at the end of the round is awarded the round point. If both teams are equal distance from the edge, then the round is decided by a one-on-one duel between one bender from each team at the center of the court. Games are played in three rounds. Typically, the team that wins two out of three rounds is named the winner. However, instant victory can also be achieved by earning a "knock-out," wherein one team forces their opposing squad entirely off the court in one round. A "knock-out" is the only way a team that's losing by two rounds can win the match.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST PRO-BENDING TEAMS?
Each of the Pro-Bending teams, much like sports teams in real life, are named after animals. The most important team introduced in Legend of Korra are the Fire Ferrets, the team that Mako and Bolin belong to. When their teammate Hasook leaves them without warning, Korra takes the opportunity to join the squad. She got the chance to compete against a number of other major teams in the league.
However, because Pro-Bending stopped being a prominent part of the show following the conclusion of the first season, Korra didn't get the chance to play against all the teams. Some of the teams that Korra never competed against included the Capital City Catgators, Ember Island Eel Hounds, Harbor Town Hog Monkeys, Kolau Komodo Rhinos, Laogai Lion Vultures, Makapu Moose Lions, Orchid Gardens Ostrich Horses, Rhino Lions and Xio Yao Zebra Frogs.
The Pro-Bending Tournament is one of the most popular sporting events in the world, with the appeal spreading across cultures to unite the world in a single sport. It comes with a massive financial reward for the champion team, although there is an entrance fee to the tournament. In the tournament, Korra got the chance to confront some of the sport's biggest teams.
Korra's first opponents were the Pinnacle Palace Platypus Bears and the Golden Temple Tigerdillos. The Fire Ferrets defeated both teams. Once they placed in the tournament proper, the Fire Ferrets easily defeated the all-female Red Sands Rabaroos and the more experienced Black Quarry Boar-q-pines. The Bau Ling Buzzard Wasps faced the Fire Ferrets in the semifinals, with Korra successfully knocking out the entire team in the third round to gain the win.
The Pro-Bending Finals were between the Fire Ferrets and the White Falls Wolfbats. The Wolfbats beat the Mo Ce Mongoose Lizards on the way to the finals. Although both teams were genuinely skilled, the White Falls Wolfbats bribed the referee before the game and -- upon using an incredibly illegal move in the third round -- are awarded the victory.
However, victory in the tournament was all for naught. Amon attacked the arena, locked away the powers of the Wolfbats and destroyed the Pro-Bending court. It was at this point The Legend of Korra dramatically moved on from lighthearted sports fun into more serious territory.