Home >> Games & Cards >> Games

Tether Ball Specs

The classic playground game of tether ball has endured for several reasons. Anyone can play the game, from children through senior citizens. It requires minimal equipment, and there are no unattached parts to lose. Maybe the biggest source of appeal for tether ball is the simplicity of its rules. Like any game that lasts for decades, there are specifications for the equipment and play to make sure the game is fun wherever it's played, on the school ground, park or in your backyard.

Court
- Tether ball courts can be located on a lawn, a driveway, or on concrete or sand. Players rarely fall, so a hard surface is not a hazard. Once you've decided where to set the pole, you need 8 to 10 feet all around it to accommodate the pole and game play. This space is divided in half to establish boundaries for two players.
The Pole
- Permanently set tether ball poles are 12 feet tall, heavy duty galvanized metal with a loop at the top. They're designed to be set two feet into the ground and set in cement leaving 10 feet for the rope, ball and clear area. Insert a slightly larger pipe in the hole as a sleeve for the pole if you want to be able to pack the game away. It's important that the sleeve fit tightly around the pole.
The Rope and Ball
- The rope's length needs to be set so that the bottom of the ball is two feet off the ground while the rope is untwisted and at rest. Tether balls are a softer version of a soccer ball with either a ring at the top or a bar set just under the surface of the ball to attach the rope. Sets with the ball and rope are available anywhere that sells sporting goods.
The Rules
- The object of the game is to completely wrap the ball around the pole in your direction. Players can't cross the half court dividing line, grab the rope or touch the pole. The server can't hit the ball after the serve until the other player has hit at least once. A match consists of five games. Touching the pole is an immediate loss of game. Penalties for touching the rope, stepping off sides or double hitting are agreed upon before the start of the game.

Games