🏖
Tetherball·Playground Games
Tetherball
🌱Community
Loading OpenSourceSports…
Playground Games
1–2 players
both
ball, rope, pole
10 essential rules
Tetherball is a classic playground game where the objective is to wrap a tethered ball around a vertical pole. It combines elements of hand-eye coordination, strategy, and physical exertion. Players take turns hitting the ball against each other or into a designated wall to force it around the po...
Tetherball can be dangerous for very young children. The ball should be soft and lightweight, and the pole height should be adjusted to match the players' size.
, 15 in doubles), players or teams should switch sides of the court to ensure fairness. This is done every 6 points in doubles or at regular intervals depending on the agreed-upon rules.
The area around the court should be clear of obstacles, spectators, or other players. Only authorized players should be on the court during play.
The court is typically a square or rectangular area centered around the pole. For standard play, the distance from the center of the pole to the boundary lines should be at least 10 feet.
In doubles, there are four players on the court. Two players stand together on one side of the pole, and two players stand together on the opposite side.
Players should be careful when running and hitting the ball. They should avoid running into each other or the pole.
A foul is any action that violates the rules of play. Common fouls include stepping on or over the boundary lines, hitting the ball with a foot or knee, touching the pole or rope with hands, or catching the ball.
In doubles, if one player on a team commits a foul, the entire team loses their turn. The opposing team then gets to hit the ball for the remainder of their point or until they also commit a foul.
Players must hit the ball with their hands or arms. Using feet, knees, elbows (below the elbow), or any other body part to hit the ball is a foul.
The match ends immediately when one player or team reaches the winning score. The game does not continue if a player is injured or leaves early, unless agreed upon beforehand.
Ready to dive deeper?