Broom Casting

"There are times you may find yourself under attack while in flight. In those situations, you must be able to protect yourself. That's why today we we'll be practising casting spells while on a broom."

— Madam Hooch teaching sixth-years Broom Casting

A wizard casting a spell while flying

Broom Casting was a technique whereby a wizard or witch could cast a spell while flying a broomstick, typically as an offensive and defensive technique in combat.

History

During the 1989–1990 school year, Madam Rolanda Hooch taught Broom Casting to sixth year students in Flying class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She recommended students not to take their eyes off where they were going, and to cast spells on others using their peripheral vision as tunnel vision could be deadly.

During the Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw Quidditch match in early 1994, Harry Potter used the Patronus Charm while riding his Firebolt, believing a disguised Draco Malfoy and his three friends to be real Dementors.

The Battle of the Seven Potters

On 27 July 1997, during the Battle of the Seven Potters, Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix both had members fighting each either with offensive spells whilst flying on their broomsticks. The Order had four teams of two travelling via broom: Ron Weasley with Nymphadora Tonks, George Weasley with Remus Lupin, Fred Weasley with Arthur Weasley, and Mundungus Fletcher with Alastor Moody. Tonks' team was pursued by Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, and Tonks praised Ron's skill as he stunned a Death Eater while flying. Lupin's team encountered Severus Snape amongst other Death Eaters, and Snape's Sectumsempra hit and disfigured George, though it was later revealed that the target was intended to be a Death Eater who was going to curse Lupin's back.

During the Battle of Hogwarts, some Hogwartians cast spells whilst on broomsticks on a giant that was rampaging through the Viaduct Courtyard.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Motorbike Escape
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Dimensions
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (First identified as Broom Casting)
• Hogwarts Legacy