How to Play Tetherball: Wrapping, Fouls & Win Conditions

• A tetherball pole, standing about 10 feet tall above the ground
• A rope or cord attached near the top of the pole
• A tetherball clipped to the end of the rope, hanging about 2 feet off the ground
• An open circle of clear space around the pole with no obstacles

Need the gear? See our tetherball picks before game day.

1. 01 Set up the pole and ballStand the pole so it rises about 10 feet above the ground with the rope fastened near the top. The ball should hang roughly 2 feet off the ground when it dangles straight down.
2. 02 Pick sides and directionsEach player stands on their own side, typically on opposite halves of an imaginary line through the pole. One player tries to wind the rope clockwise, the other counterclockwise.
3. 03 Serve to startOne player serves by tossing the ball up and hitting it in their winding direction. The other player tries to stop it and send it back the other way.
4. 04 Rally back and forthStrike the ball with a hand or fist to wind the rope in your direction. Stay on your own half and do not catch, carry or hold the ball, touch the rope, or touch the pole. Agree the match length before play.
5. 05 Win by fully wrapping the ropeThe first player to wind the rope completely around the pole in their direction, so the ball is snug against the pole, wins the game. No points to count, just the wrap.

• There is no score-to-a-number in tetherball. You win a game by fully winding the rope around the pole in your direction so the ball stops against it.
• For this version, stop on a foul, restore the rope to its position before the foul, and let the non-offender serve. Agree consequences for repeated or intentional fouls before play.
• Choose the match target before play, such as first to two, three or five game wins. Switch sides between games.

Keeping score on paper? Print the free tetherball score sheet. No signup needed.

• No-fouls casual play: skip the strict foul calls and just rally until someone wraps the rope, great for younger kids.
• Best-of-series: play first to three or five game wins, switching sides each game.
• One-hand only: agree to hit with a single hand or fist all match for an added challenge.
• Alternative foul penalties: some groups unwind a set number of wraps; agree this house rule instead of the standard restore-and-serve procedure before play.