Equipment

1. Tetherball Set: Includes a metal pole, a rope, and a tetherball.

2. Playing Area: Typically, a circular area around the pole, with a radius of about 10 feet, is used.
   

Basic Rules

1. Setup:

   • The pole is erected vertically with the rope and ball hanging from the top.

   • The playing circle is marked around the pole.

2. Starting the Game:

   • The game starts with one player serving. A coin toss can determine who serves first.

   • The server hits the ball in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) while the opponent tries to hit it in the opposite direction.

3. Objective:

   • Each player attempts to hit the ball in their chosen direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) to wrap the rope completely around the pole.

4. Winning the Game:

   • A player wins when the ball is wrapped completely around the pole so that there is no more slack in the rope.
     

Game Play

1. Serving:

   • The server stands in the serving zone and hits the ball in their chosen direction to start the game.

   • After the serve, both players can move around the pole to hit the ball.

2. Hitting the Ball:

   • Players can use their hands or forearms to hit the ball.

   • Players cannot catch or hold the ball; it must be hit cleanly.

3. Restrictions:

   • Players must remain within the play area and cannot step out of bounds.

   • Players cannot touch the pole or the rope during play.

   • Players cannot hit the ball with any part of their body other than their hands or forearms.

4. Faults:

   • Touching the pole or rope.

   • Stepping out of bounds.

   • Catching or holding the ball.

   • Hitting the ball with any part of the body other than the hands or forearms.

   • Double hitting the ball (hitting the ball more than once before it is hit by the opponent or wraps around the pole).

5. Penalties:

   • If a player commits a fault, the opponent gets a free hit or the serve changes to the opponent.

   • If the ball touches the pole as a result of a fault, the opponent gets the serve.
     

Advanced Rules

1. Winning Variations:

   • Some variations include a win condition where the rope must wrap around the pole a certain number of times (e.g., three times) before a win is declared.

2. Timeouts:

   • Some variations allow for timeouts or breaks, especially in longer games or tournaments.

3. Scoring System:

   • In tournament play, matches can be played to a certain number of points, with each wrap around the pole counting as one point.
     

Safety Tips

1. Playing Surface: Ensure the playing area is flat and free of obstacles.

2. Player Conduct: Play should be conducted in a fair and sportsmanlike manner to avoid injuries.