Pro-bending



Pro-bending is a prominent sport in Republic City, involving two teams of three benders. The objective of the sport is to gain as much territory in the ring as possible within a set time, or to push the opposing team over the edge of the ring. There is mention of a jackpot in connection with pro-bending, likely the prize in the championship tournament.

Playing field
The playing field is hexagonal, split into two sides, one red and one blue, with each side split into three zones. On each side of the playing field are twenty-one holes that dispense miniature rock discs, similar to earth coins, for the earthbending competitors. Grates run along the lines between the zones, allowing waterbenders to access water from troughs under the ring. There are flexible, bouncy ropes (such as those in real-world boxing) on the peripheral sides of the ring, but the two opposing ends of the ring are open to a long drop to the water below. Referees look over the ring from raised stands by its sides.



The rock discs dispensed from the arena are circular, and slightly larger than half a foot in diameter. They are made of hard clay that, while not being particularly soft, will still break if the disc hits a player hard enough. Under each disc is a second that will rise up to become flush with the ground when the first is dispensed. These discs are mainly used as weapons in the match.

Gaining territory
At the start of the match, each team must remain within the first zone nearest to the center of the arena. Once a competitor is knocked into zone two by someone from the opposing team, they must stay there and cannot return to zone one, similarly if they are subsequently knocked into zone three. A player that is completely knocked off the ring cannot return that round.

If all three members from one team are knocked back into zone two, a green light appears in the center line and the opposing team can advance into zone one on the other side; if they do this, they cannot move backwards into their own zone. If they then manage to knock all of the opposing team members into zone three, another green light appears between zones one and two and they can advance again into zone two. However, if a team that has been pushed back manages to push the other team back a zone, they can advance forward one zone. The main aim for both teams is to push the other team back, thereby gaining territory.

Each round lasts three minutes, and there are three rounds. The team that has managed to gain the most territory within the time frame wins the round. This means that even if two players from one team have been knocked out, but the remaining player has managed to gain the most territory, that team wins. If both sides haven't gained any territory, the team with the most players left wins. Otherwise, the match it is a draw.

There is, however, one other way to win. If one team manages to knock all three players out of the ring, they win the whole battle, even if the other team had won more rounds.

Bending sources
Players are only allowed to pull bending sources from within or around the zone that they are in. This means that waterbenders can only pull water from the metal grates lining their zone, not from the pool surrounding the ring, and earthbenders can only pull discs from within their zone. This is to stop players from hitting their opponents in the back by pulling water or rock discs from behind their opponents.

Earthbenders are not allowed to hit their opponents in the face with rock discs, and firebenders may not direct their attacks at the face, although players do wear glass facemasks to protect themselves in case of debris or stray flames. Waterbenders on the other hand are not restricted from hitting the head. However, they are not allowed to freeze the water at any point.

In the case of a player being the Avatar, the player can only bend one element. For example, Korra was restricted to waterbending.

Penalties
There are several rule violations that will result in a penalty. Stepping over a line when the proper conditions haven't been met, knocking a player off the arena from the sides, and, in the case of the Avatar, bending another element, will result in an intermission and the player moving back into the next zone.

Scoreboard


The scoreboard is a set of four nixie tubes. From right to left, they read:


 * 第一囬合: Round 1
 * 第二囬合: Round 2
 * 擊倒: Knockout
 * 優勝者: Winner

The tubes light up either red or blue to indicate which team won a round, got a knockout, or won the match. The red team is the one that starts on the red half of the field.

Uniforms
Each contestant must wear a uniform to identify his or her team. Known uniform colors include red, white and gold; blue, black, and orange; and green, brown, and orange. In addition, each combatant's helmet and belt have colors identifying him or her as a firebender (red), waterbender (blue), or earthbender (green).

Location


Official pro-bending matches are held in Republic City's Bending Arena. As a testimony of the sport's popularity, this building has a gold-like appearance and is lit at night, making its grandness visible to all. The building is capacious enough to hold the pro-bending ring on which the contestants battle, a large pool of water far below the ring, and a multitude of spectators.

Notable teams

 * Fire Ferrets: Mako - Bolin - Korra - Hasook (formerly)
 * Rabbiroos
 * Buzzard Wasps
 * Tigerdillos
 * Wolfbats: Tahno

Trivia

 * The name is reminiscent of the real-life pro-wrestling sport.
 * Pro-bending resembles the real-life boxing craze of the 1920s, but is also based on mixed martial arts (MMA). For example, the boundaries of the playing field are lined with ropes like the ones seen around boxing rings.
 * Outside of the central playing field, a wide and deep chasm with a pool of water separates the spectators from the arena. This gap may be to protect the audience and/or to prevent interference with the pro-bending match.
 * Mako and Bolin live in the attic of the arena and pay their rent by doing odd jobs.