Q&A for How to Play Tetherball

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Question

Can I swing the ball by the top?

Community Answer

Not unless you make it a house rule. That would be called carrying, and that is a penalty.

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Question

Am I allowed to hit the ball?

Community Answer

The point of tetherball is to hit the ball and not miss, so yes you do hit the tetherball.

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Question

Is it okay if my school has their own certain rules for playing?

Community Answer

Yes, for safety issues they will probably do that. You just have to find a way to adapt that and work around those rules.

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Question

Does the newcomer serve?

Community Answer

There is no set order. Players will usually take turns serving.

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Question

Who serves the ball in the beginning of the game?

Community Answer

You can ask someone who isn't playing at the moment to stand at the halfway point in between each side, holding the ball. They drop the ball, it hits the pole, and whoever's side it bounces onto gets to start hitting the ball.

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Question

What type of ball is used?

Community Answer

Whichever ball is attached to the pole. You just find a tetherball pole and play.

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Question

How tall is the pole in tether ball?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It can be as tall as ten feet but is often shorter than that. It should be at least seven feet high.

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Question

Am I allowed to stop the ball?

Community Answer

You are only allowed to hit the ball with your hand so that it bounces off your hand. If this somehow stops the ball, then sure.

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Question

How do I hit the tetherball hard?

Community Answer

You can hit it will your fist and it will hit hard. It might hurt your hands at first but calluses will grow and it will no longer hurt.

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Question

What size ball is recommended?

Donagan

Top Answerer

A typical tetherball is about 8¼ inches in diameter. They make slightly smaller balls for younger ages.

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Question

How do you now when a penalty occurs?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Review Part 1 above.

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Question

Can you play with more than 2 people in this game?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Generally, no. You could make an exception with young children.

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Question

How to decide who start the game?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Flip a coin.

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Question

Am I allowed to hit the ball way above the pole?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, but doing so will make it hard for the rope to wrap around the pole.

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Question

Can I use two hands to hit the ball?

Community Answer

Yes, that is fine.

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Question

What is the diameter of a tetherball court? Are there variations?

Donagan

Top Answerer

An official court is a circle 20 feet in diameter. Informally, the game is often played in an open area without any circle at all.

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