Rugby Fives

Fast four-walled hand-and-ball sport from Rugby School — strike a small hard ball with gloved hands.

👥1 per team🌤indoor

What is Rugby Fives?

Rugby fives is a British hand-and-ball sport played in a plain four-walled court by singles or doubles. Players wear leather gloves and strike a small hard ball off any wall; the ball must contact the front wall above the board and land in court. Games run to 15 points. The Rugby Fives Association holds annual Open, Amateur and league competitions.

Quick facts

Category

Racket & Paddle Sports

Type

Individual

Players

1 per team

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Estimated origin

1850s, Rugby School, England

Olympic

No

Popularity

niche

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified