Section 3: Playing Area
The two boards are set up facing each other, with their raised (hole) ends pointing away from one another and their flat ends facing the players. The standard "front-to-front" distance between the front edge of one board and the front edge of the other board is 27 feet (8.2 m). Casual and family play often shortens this to 20–24 feet for younger players or smaller yards — agree on the distance before play begins.
Each player or team stations itself beside its own board's pitching area, generally a space extending about 4 feet to either side of the board and a few feet behind it, so players have room to plant their feet and throw safely. Players are not required to stand directly in front of the board; the pitcher's box is simply the area immediately around and behind the board they are throwing toward.
The playing surface should be reasonably flat and firm. Grass, packed dirt, concrete, and gravel are all common surfaces. Boards should be anchored or weighted lightly (stakes, sandbags, or simply solid footing) if wind is a factor, since a bag striking an unsteady board can shift it out of position.