How to Play Kickball: Field Setup, Bases, Outs & Innings
Kickball is baseball's friendlier cousin: same diamond, same innings and outs, but instead of swinging a bat you boot a big rubber ball that a pitcher rolls at you across the plate. It is the great equalizer of yard and park games because anyone who can kick and run can play, which is why it took over adult rec leagues and elementary recess alike. The rules below cover the standard setup most leagues and pickup games use: the field, how a turn at kick works, the ways you can get out, and the common house and rec-league rules that come up. Set up four bases, split into two teams, and you are playing in five minutes.
- 6 to 22 (two teams) PLAYERS
- AGES 6+
- 5 min SETUP
- A baseball-style diamond or open field
What you need
- A 10-inch inflatable rubber kickball
- Four bases plus home plate (or stand-in markers)
- An open field or baseball diamond with room to run
- Two teams of players, roughly even in size
- Optional: chalk or cones to mark the baselines and pitching spot
Need the gear? See our kickball picks before game day.
How to play kickball
- Set up the diamondLay out home plate, first, second, and third base in a diamond, just like baseball. In a backyard you can pace off the bases; on a field, use the existing diamond. Mark a pitching spot in the middle of the diamond where the pitcher will roll from.
- Split into two teamsDivide players into two roughly even teams. One team kicks (offense) while the other takes the field (defense) with a pitcher, a catcher, basemen, and outfielders. Teams swap roles each half-inning, the same as baseball.
- Pitch by rolling the ballIn this backyard version, roll the ball gently toward home so it is easy to kick. Agree a suitable pitch speed and whether any bounce is allowed; league pitching requirements vary.
- Kick and run the basesThe kicker boots the rolled ball into fair territory and runs toward first base. Just like baseball, runners advance around the bases counterclockwise and try to reach home plate to score. Runners can advance on later kicks by their teammates.
- Record outsThe defense gets a kicker or runner out by catching a kicked ball on the fly, tagging a runner with the ball, forcing them out at a base, or (in many rec leagues) hitting a runner with a thrown ball below the shoulders. Three outs and the teams switch sides.
- Score runs and play the inningsA runner completing the bases safely scores one run, except that none scores on a play ending in a third-out force or the kicker being put out before first base. Both teams kick in each inning. Play the agreed innings; most runs wins.
Scoring
- A runner completing the bases safely scores one run. No run scores on a third-out force play or when the third out puts the kicker out before first base.
- Three outs ends a team's half of the inning
- Outs come from: a caught fly ball, a force out at a base, a tag with the ball, or (most rec leagues) pegging a runner with a thrown ball below the shoulders
- For this backyard format, agree a gentle rolled pitch and any allowed bounce before play.
- The team with the most runs after the agreed number of innings (often 5 to 7) wins
Keeping score on paper? Print the free kickball score sheet. No signup needed.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Pegging on (classic rec rule): defenders can throw the ball at a runner below the shoulders to get them out, which is the version most adult leagues play.
- No pegging (kid-safe): outs come only from catches, tags, and force outs, which is safer for younger players and crowded recess games.
- Backyard short diamond: shrink the basepaths to fit your yard so kids can leg out a base, and play three innings to keep it quick.
- Bunt and small-ball rules: some leagues ban bunting (a barely-kicked ball) to keep the game moving, while others allow it for strategy.
Kickball rules FAQ
What are the basic rules of kickball?
Kickball follows baseball's structure: a pitcher rolls a rubber ball to a kicker, who boots it and runs the bases trying to score by reaching home plate. The defense records outs with catches, force outs, tags, and (in most rec leagues) by pegging runners with a thrown ball. Three outs ends a half-inning, and the team with the most runs after the agreed innings wins.
How do you get out in kickball?
A kicker or runner is out if a fielder catches their kick on the fly, forces them out at a base, tags them with the ball, or hits them with a thrown ball below the shoulders, which most adult leagues allow. Three outs end your team's turn at kicking. Kid-friendly games usually drop the throwing-at-runners rule for safety.
How many players are on a kickball team?
Rec leagues commonly field eight to eleven players per team, but pickup and backyard games run on whatever even split you have, even three or four a side. You want at least a pitcher, a catcher, infielders, and a couple of outfielders to cover the diamond. Keep the teams roughly even in number and ability.
What size ball is used for kickball?
The standard is a 10-inch inflatable rubber playground ball, the classic red one most people picture. Adult leagues sometimes inflate it a bit softer for control. A quality, thicker-walled rubber ball holds its shape and survives hard boots far better than a cheap thin one.
How long is a game of kickball?
Most rec leagues play five to seven innings, which usually runs around forty-five minutes to an hour depending on how many runners are on base. Backyard and recess games often just play three innings or set a time limit. Agree on the number of innings or a time cap before you start so the ending is clear.
Can you throw the ball at runners in kickball?
In most adult rec leagues, yes, you can peg a runner with a thrown ball to get them out, but only below the shoulders for safety. Head shots usually mean the runner is automatically safe. Many kids' and recess versions ban throwing at runners entirely and rely on tags and force outs instead.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. See the kickball sets we picked and what comes in each box.