Balls are not needed, cleats are left at home and the scoring is judged by the amount of claps the audience gives. This is not the average sports game: it is Comedy Sportz.

Comedy Sportz is an improvisation game that has become popular in high schools around Orange County. The players act out comedic scenes that are suggested by the audience. SMCHS has offered Comedy Sportz classes for the past four years, but this will be the first year it is considered an official team.

“I felt that after doing this for four years there were a lot of students that were so talented and I finally felt more established in Talon Theater,” said Tanya Ayoub, Comedy Sportz coach. “I felt like I had the time to put forth the effort and have a team.”

Starting next semester, the players will be officially recognized as a Comedy Sportz team, which will enable them to play against other high schools such as Mission Viejo and Tesoro. Equipped with turf, jerseys and a referee, Comedy Sportz is played like other typical sports, except the goal is not to score a touchdown, but to make the audience laugh.

“It basically runs like a sports game,” said junior Judy Clayton, co-manager of Comedy Sportz. “There is a referee and two teams with four players on each. The score is measured by the clapping and laughing of the audience.”

That’s right: the audience decides who the winner is. Unlike soccer or basketball, Comedy Sportz is big on audience participation. Before each game starts, the referee asks for suggestions regarding the scene. The players then act out the scenes suggested by their peers.

“My favorite part is creating the scenes and situations from audience suggestions,” said senior Trevor Lown. “It really proves to them that it is completely unscripted.”

Unlike other teams at SMCHS, Comedy Sportz does not have countlessly long practices and grueling workouts. Instead, their practices are typically once a week and involve a lot of laugher.

“It’s pretty easy to be part of this, unlike other activities,” said Taryn Mack, Comedy Sportz player. “You don’t need to bring anything, you don’t need to take notes, it’s just fun. You can’t prepare anything you just go and do it. It’s hard, but fun.”

Comedy Sportz is more than just an extracurricular activity; it’s a place where students can create friendships and grow in their character.

“It is awesome because it can reach out to so many different types of people,” Ayoub said. “There are also so many great life lessons like confidence, thinking on your feet and presentation skills.”

The next showcase will be on Thursday, Nov. 20 in the Black Box at 7 p.m. It is $5 at the door and lasts about an hour. The first official Comedy Sportz game will be on Thursday, Jan. 22 in the banquet hall against faculty members. These are the games that will leave you laughing all the way home.