Tetherball
AMERICAN PLAYGROUND BALL GAME (also popular UK 'Swingball'). Ball tied to top of 3m POLE by rope; 2 players stand on opposite sides + take turns HITTING BALL to WRAP ROPE around pole in OWN direction. Signature: FIRST to fully WIND rope around pole in their designated direction WINS. Fouls include: touching pole/rope, stepping in opponent's zone, double hits. Very simple + accessible; extremely popular in US elementary school playgrounds since 1900s. Adult competitive rules exist.
Quick facts
Category
Playground Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~3 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Late 1800s / early 1900s American playgrounds; UK 'Swingball' modernized commercial version from 1970s (Mookie Swingball)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
WIND ROPE around pole in your assigned direction until fully wrapped (or opponent commits foul).
Rules
Basic rules
2 PLAYERS in opposite zones; each assigned CLOCKWISE or COUNTER-CLOCKWISE direction
Signature direction assignment.
SERVER hits ball; opponents ALTERNATE hits with hands (open palm typically)
Signature alternate hitting.
GOAL: wind rope around pole entirely in YOUR direction
Signature winding goal.
FOULS: touching pole/rope, stepping into opponent zone, DOUBLE HIT (hitting ball twice in a row), catching ball
Signature foul list.
FOUL = opponent wins round
Signature foul-loss.
Scoring
First to fully wind rope wins round (or opponent commits foul).
Win condition · Rope fully wound OR opponent fouls.
Equipment
3m tall steel pole set into ground
Signature pole
Volleyball-sized ball attached to pole via 2m nylon rope
Signature tethered ball
2 painted zones (semicircles) around pole
Signature player zones
Terminology
- Wind
- Wrapping rope around pole in your direction.
- Double hit
- Foul: hitting ball twice in a row.
- Ropesies
- Slang for touching rope (foul).
- Server
- Player who initiates round.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Tetherball— Wikipedia