Since when did a rope, a ball and a pole become so exciting?  Tetherball, the informal sport played on playgrounds and in summer camps became the sport of champions, where strength meant as much as finesse and dexterity, and where fun met fierce!

All one needs to play a tetherball is a stationary pole, a rope attached to the top of the pole as well as a ball that’s similar to a volleyball in size and weight.  The pole should be ten feet tall and is usually weighted down in poured cement, or a concrete filled tire.  Tetherball is played on a number of surfaces from dirt and sand, to gravel, asphalt or soft, plush grass. 

First off, a line needs to be made.  Players shouldn’t cross the line and end up in the opponent’s territory – that’s breaking the rules… unless you’re playing ‘freestyle’ where there are no rules.  The game is started when one player hits the ball, typically ‘serving’ it, like a volleyball player, using one hand to toss it into the air and the other hand to hit it.  The ball can be hit with an open hand or a fist.  The opposing player has to try and return the ball in the opposite direction.  Now, this is where skill comes in.  If the server does his or her job properly, the ball has a trajectory with which the other player can’t reach the ball.  This puts the server at a great advantage.  With initial control of the ball – played correctly, the game can be over before it even starts. 

The game ends when the rope is wrapped completely around the pole with the ball striking the pole.  What’s key in a game with rules is that the ball must be above the five-foot mark; otherwise the game is no good.  Game for game, the play is pretty simple, but often tetherball is played in matches.  The fun and the glory of tetherball still prevails on school playgrounds-- but when are they going to start up a professional association?