Section 6: Scoring
Scoring in tetherball is based on the number of times the rope wraps around the pole. The first team or player to reach a specific number of wins takes the match.
Winning a Point
A point is scored when the rope wraps around the pole a full 360 degrees. In singles, each wrap counts as one point for that player. In doubles, each wrap counts as one point for the team.
Winning a Match
The standard match length is 21 points for doubles and 6 points for singles. The first player or team to reach the required number of points wins the match. If a player or team is ahead by two points, they must win two consecutive points to secure the match (deuce rule), though this is often omitted in casual play.
Changing Ends
If the match goes beyond a certain number of points (e.g., 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.
Match End
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. The winner is declared by the referee or the players themselves.