Fitness & Training Tips

by Cameron Greene

Spikeball is the newest trending sport. It's a great game you can play at the beach or on a grass lawn. Essentially, this game is volleyball meets a circular net where the court is a 360 degree circle. This is such a fun game to play that will give you a great workout in the process. We will give you a little bit of info about the game, thanks to Spikeball.

Getting started:

*You can get equipment from Spikeball

*Grab a partner and 2 people to play against.

During play:

-All players except the receiver must begin the point at least 6 feet from the net.
-The receiver may stand at any desired distance
-Once the server strikes the ball, players may go any where they choose.
-Possession changes when the ball contacts the net.
-Each team has up to 3 touches per possession.
-Determine a serving order which alternates players from the two teams (e.g. Player 3 follows Player 1, etc.).
-To equalize sun and wind effects, rotate starting positions 90 degrees counter-clockwise every 5 points if desired.

Scoring:

-Roundnet is played using rally scoring; points can be won by the serving or receiving team.
-Games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21. In tournament play, the tournament director specifies the winning score.
-Games must be won by two points unless otherwise agreed upon or specified.
-The rally ends and a point is awarded when:

The ball contacts the ground or otherwise isn't returned onto the net within 3 touches.
The ball is hit directly into the rim at any time, including on a serve.
The ball bounces and falls back onto the net or rim.
The ball clearly rolls across the net.

Serving:

-If the receiving team wins the point, the next designated player serves according to the initial sequence. Otherwise, the server switches places with his/her partner and serves to the other receiving team member.
-The receiving team sets their position first. The server stands 180 degrees across the designated receiver--the only player allowed to field the serve.
-Serves may be struck with any amount of force; short serves are allowed.
-If a server serves two faults, the receiving team wins the point. Violation of ANY of the following rules is a fault:

The server must toss the ball upward at least 4 inches.
If the server tosses the ball, he/she must hit it. Dropping, catching, or swinging at and missing a toss all count as a fault.

Rallies:

-Touches must alternate between teammates. Consecutive touches by one player result in a loss of a point.
-The ball must be contacted cleanly, not caught, lifted, or thrown. Players may not hit the ball with two hands, even if placed together "volleyball style".
-Players may use any individual part of their body to hit the ball.
-After the serve, any unusual bounce (i.e. pocket) that does not contact the rim is legal and playable.
-A shot which lands on the net, rolls into the rim and then off the net (i.e. roll-up) is played as a pocket, not a direct rim hit.
-If teams cannot determine the legality of a hit, replay the point.

Infractions:

-Remember: Player safety is paramount
-Defending players must make an effort not to impede the offending team's possession or play on the ball.
-If an offender collides with a defender, or a defender's position prevents a markable offensive play on the ball, the infracted player may call "hinder" to force a replay of the point.