Beater

A Beater is one of the four player positions in the magical sport of Quidditch. Each Quidditch team has two Beaters, whose primary and most dangerous role is to protect their teammates from the two rogue Bludgers that fly around the pitch during a match. Beaters have a dual offensive and defensive function. Defensively, they use their bats to hit Bludgers away from their own players, particularly their team's Seeker who is often the target of strategic attacks. Offensively, they use their bats to aim the Bludgers at players on the opposing team, attempting to unseat them from their broomsticks and disrupt their plays. The position requires a unique combination of strength, accuracy, and tactical awareness.

The sole piece of equipment unique to a Beater is the Beater's bat. This is a short, heavy wooden club, similar to a small baseball bat. It is magically reinforced to withstand the force of striking a Bludger and to help propel it with greater force and accuracy. According to Quidditch Through the Ages, a Hitting Charm may be placed on the bats to aid in this. A successful Beater must possess several key skills:

• Physical Strength: A great deal of upper body strength is required to swing the heavy bat and redirect a fast-moving iron Bludger. Oliver Wood noted that Beaters required a “certain kind of physique.”
• Balance and Agility: Like all Quidditch players, Beaters must be expert fliers, able to swerve, dive, and change direction at high speed, all while wielding a heavy bat.
• Accuracy: Beaters must be able to accurately hit both the Bludger and their intended target, whether that is an empty space of sky or an opposing player.
• Teamwork: The two Beaters on a team must work in concert, communicating to ensure both Bludgers are accounted for and that their teammates are protected. The teamwork of Fred Weasley and George Weasley was a cornerstone of the Gryffindor team's success.

During a match, Beaters are constantly scanning the pitch for the two Bludgers. A common tactic is for one Beater to “ride herd” on a Bludger, tailing it and directing it offensively, while the other flies in a more protective pattern around their teammates. When Dobby bewitched a Bludger to attack Harry Potter exclusively, it demonstrated the relentless danger of the position and the crucial need for Beaters to be vigilant. The role is not without its risks; a missed swing or a well-aimed attack from an opposing Beater can result in serious injury. Beaters can also be used to commit fouls; for instance, Vincent Crabbe intentionally hit Harry Potter with a Bludger after the whistle had blown, resulting in his expulsion from the match.

• Gryffindor:
  • Fred Weasley
  • George Weasley
  • Andrew Kirke
  • Jimmy Peakes
  • Ritchie Coote
• Slytherin:
  • Derrick
  • Bole
  • Vincent Crabbe
  • Gregory Goyle
• Bulgarian National Team:
  • Volkov
  • Vulkanov
• Wimbourne Wasps:
  • Ludo Bagman (former)

The name “Beater” is a straightforward descriptor derived from the English verb “to beat” or “to hit.” This directly reflects the player's primary action of beating away the Bludgers with a bat.

In the film adaptations of the Harry Potter series, the physicality and brutality of the Beater position are heavily emphasized. The visual effects for the Bludgers and the impacts from the Beater's bat showcase the high-speed, high-stakes nature of their role as described in the novels. The book Quidditch Through the Ages, a supplementary work, provides additional historical context on the development of the Beater position and their equipment.