SlackliningRules Card

What you need

• A slackline kit with webbing and a ratchet tensioner
• Healthy trees meeting the kit's minimum diameter, or anchors specifically approved for that slackline
• Two tree-protection pads or thick sleeves to wrap the trunks
• A flat, soft landing area like grass underneath the whole line
• A friend to spot you for the first few sessions

Set it up

Use the anchor spacing and line length permitted by your kit. Start with a short, low beginner setup over a clear, soft landing area. Follow the manufacturer's tree diameter, anchor, tension and height requirements; there is no universal safe post size or tension setting.

Scoring

• Choose a practice measure before starting: consecutive steps, balance time in seconds, or distance in one agreed unit.
• Record each attempt separately and note your best result; do not add different measures together.
• Use the same setup and measure when comparing attempts. This is a personal practice log, not an official competition score.

How to play

1. Pick two solid anchors. Follow your kit's requirements for tree diameter, anchor type and spacing. Use healthy trees or purpose-built approved anchors; a post that looks sturdy is not enough. Check that the whole landing area is clear and soft.
2. Protect the trees first. Use proper tree-protection pads as directed by the kit and the site owner. Protect both anchors before installing the webbing; check that the protection stays correctly positioned.
3. Run the webbing and ratchet. Install and thread the line exactly as the manufacturer directs. Keep it low for beginner practice and within the kit's height and length limits. Do not improvise anchor hardware or the ratchet path.
4. Tension the line. Use the manufacturer's tensioning procedure and limits. Before each session, check the anchors, webbing, protection and fully locked tensioner. Stop using damaged or incorrectly installed equipment.
5. Mount with one foot and a spotter. Stand at one end, place one bare foot along the line (lengthwise, not across), and have your spotter offer a shoulder or hand. Stand up onto the line with your arms high and your eyes fixed on the far anchor, not on your feet. Expect to wobble hard. That wobble is your legs learning.
6. Balance, then walk. Before walking, just practice standing on one foot for a few seconds with your knees soft and your arms moving freely to counter the sway. Once you can hold a balance, take slow, deliberate steps toward the far tree, pausing to rebalance between each one. Looking ahead at a fixed point is the single biggest trick.
7. Dismount and reset. Step or hop off to the side onto your soft landing area whenever you lose it, which will be often at first. Walk back to the start and go again. Short, frequent tries beat one long frustrating grind, and your balance improves session to session more than minute to minute.