Wall ball

~ Skyler Miller, All Game Guide

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Wall Ball, also called Bun Ball, Ball Wall, Suicide, Patball, Off the Wall, Thumb, Red Ball, Red Butt, Ball to the Wall (Some Difference-Edis), One Touch, Wallsies, Burn, Butt Ball, or Turkey Shoot is a type of ball game involving a group which involves the bouncing of a ball against a wall, and may involve throwing the ball or shoes at other players.

It is a popular school yard game, perhaps owing to the simplicity of equipment needed, namely a wall and a ball that bounces (usually a tennis ball or dodgeball). It is likely that these games are distilled versions of fives, American handball, and other sports that date back to Greek and Roman times, such as expulsim ludere.

Contents 1 Game play 2 Endings 3 Versions 4 Red Ball (Puerto Rican Version) 5 Watermelon 5.1 Burnball 5.2 Suicide 5.3 Slaughter house 5.4 NC Ball 5.5 Fence ball 6 Suicide 7 American Wallball 8 Australian Wall Downball 9 Patball 10 Balls Used

Game play

The game is played with an unlimited amount of players, between two parallel walls. The ball is thrown at the designated wall to start, where afterwards these rules are put into effect.

If the ball hits the ground before being caught, the thrower is safe. If the ball is caught before it touches the ground, then the thrower must run and touch the designated wall before the player who caught the ball can hit the wall with it. If the player throwing the ball misses the wall, that player also must run to the wall before another player hits the wall with the ball. When the ball is thrown too low, the other players must get the ball and throw it at the wall when he threw it low, if the ball hits the wall then he is on the wall, if not, gameplay resumes. If the player touches (but not catches) the ball he must run to the wall. If the player touches the ball after he is running to the wall he is out. When the player is running to the wall, if it is hit, he is out. In some versions, if the player catches the ball, throws it and catches it again, "wallball" is yelled. This signals to the player that they need to give it all they've got and throw the ball to the wall as hard as they can.

When a player is "on the wall" he must throw the ball against the wall. The player who catches the ball is then given the opportunity to throw it at the player on the wall. When this is the case, the following may occur:

• The player is missed, and gameplay resumes.
• The player is hit, and the ball hits the ground before being caught. Gameplay resumes.
• The player is hit, and another player catches the ball before it touches the ground. This gives the catcher another "shot" at the player on the wall.
• If the ball is caught off the player on the wall more than once, this results in the player on the wall removing articles of clothing, starting with the pants. Clothing is continuously removed until the ball hits the ground again.
• If the player on the wall catches the throw, he is then given three free shots at the thrower.
• If at any time, the player on the wall dodges the throw, the thrower is given another throw.

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"Automatic wall", when a player is put on the wall without having the option to run or get hit, occurs when:

• A player "double touches", in other words, attempts to catch the ball, drops it, and touches the ball again.
• The player kicks the ball intentionally.
• "Fag Rule" is called on the thrower. This rule is used for misconduct committed on the court, such as throwing the ball at another player without in-game reason to, or by hitting the arm of the thrower during a throw.
• A player misses the wall on his throw.
• A player throws the ball higher than a certain point set by the majority of players before the game initiates.

A player can escape being 'on the wall' by performing the "wall-to-wall", where, when on the wall, the player manages to throw the ball off the designated wall, have it bounce off the adjacent wall, and return to the first wall.

Any player who throws the ball above or below set points on the wall must run to the wall, at which point the above mentioned rules are in effect.

All of the above rules apply to "Double Ball" and "Triple Ball", where more than one ball is used. Two to ten balls may be used in this variant.

In one possible rules variation, instead of having to pick up the ball the player has dropped or touched, any other ball may be thrown at him. Holding the ball for an extended amount of time may be ruled to result in the player being sent to the wall immediately.

Endings

Tussles are what players have dubbed the "dog piles" that ensue when a player is on the wall. These usually result in hockey-like hipchecks into walls, which leads to players forcing each other into a corner until someone comes out with a ball. Roofing is when a ball is thrown off the wall, and, either by hitting a brick, hitting a player the wrong way, or going too high, is put on the roof, and is unobtainable. When shoeing occurs, the played who "roofed" the ball stands as he would if he was "on the wall", yet instead of a ball being thrown at him, all players throw a shoe at the player. Mercy is another rule, is when a player is about to be hit with the ball so they go on the wall. The player can call mercy and the player throwing the ball will throw the ball lightly.

Versions

Aside from the major variations listed below, there are two basic versions of the game:

• The ball is thrown against the wall, followed by the other players attempting to catch the ball.
• The ball is kept in continuous play by bouncing it with the palm of the hand, where it usually hits the ground first and then hits the wall (In Puerto Rico this game is called "pared" which means wall in spanish).

Although there are sanitized versions, the more popular games have a violent component to them. Again, the rules vary widely, but usually when someone fumbles the ball, (or breaks some other rule of the game), that person must run to the wall and touch it before another player can throw the ball directly at them. In some other variations of the game, a special punishment occurs where a player must run (or even slow walk) the width of the wall while another player tries to hit them with the ball, (at some agreed distance away from the wall).

Because the game can be very violent, schools have been known to ban or attempt to curb the playing of all forms of Wall Ball once the activity is made known to administrators or to parents. Similar actions have been taken against the milder game of Dodge Ball.

In another milder variation of the game, the ball is thrown at the wall instead of the person who fumbled the ball. The game is still often banned at schools, not because of violence, but because of damage to the sides of buildings, windows, etc.

Another optional rule is the yelling of "Wall-Ball" in the event of the ball rolling past all of the players. The person who retrieves the ball after another player yells "Wall-Ball" cannot move any closer to the wall before throwing it. This forces the player who retrieved the ball to hit the wall without it touching the ground. If the player fails to hit the wall without the ball bouncing, it is very easy for the thrower to be put out by the other players. Sometimes they yell "Blueberry", "Butterfly", "Air Mail", or "Spots".

The game is sometimes played with a set player order, similar to a batting lineup in baseball. In this case, the player attempts to throw the ball such that the difficulty of returning the ball is increased for the following player. This introduces an element of strategy in that players must position themselves to defend against the previous player's throw.

Another popular version is simply called "Wall Ball". This game can be played with at least two players but many more. One version, called "Order" or "Line" is where one person, called the server, makes an order of the players after themselves. Then, the server hits the ball with their hand, or sometimes their leg, so it bounces and then hits the ball. Then, the next person in line hits the ball so it bounces and then hits the wall, and so on. If someone hits the ball so it doesn't bounce, and hits the ball straight on, it is called a "Rock" and the hitter is out. If someone hits the ball so it bounces twice before it hits the wall, it is called a "Double Bounce", and the hitter is out. If someone hits the ball twice before hitting the wall, it is a "Double Hit" and the hitter is out. If the ball bounces twice before someone hits it, it is a double hit, and the person who was supposed to hit it is out.

Red Ball (Puerto Rican Version)

• A player throws a ball against a wall and if it hits the wall, another player may try and catch the ball while it is still in the air, if he or she does so, then the thrower must run towards the wall and try to avoid being hit.
• If any player touches the ball and the ball falls, and grabs it again, he or she must drop the ball and run towards the wall. Another player may try and pick up the ball and hit (peg) the person running or the wall.
• A player does not have to run if he or she caught his or her own ball.
• If the ball hits the ground before it hits the wall,the thrower has to run and touch the wall and try to avoid being hit.
• There Is no order in this version.
• In this version you can run away to the other way but they can still hit you until you touch the wall.
• On the penalties only the person(1 person) who was hit illegally or closest to the illegal move can throw the ball.

Watermelon

In the town of Mamaroneck, New York, a version is known as Watermelon, in which you have to bounce the "ball" on the floor and then it has to touch the wall. As an added element to the game, the player has the option of strategically moving his or her head underneath the ball, on a bounce, and saying "Watermelon" for which the game is named after. This version strongly resembles American Handball and is called simply "handball" in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also shares the name "wallball" elsewhere. After the ball has bounced against the wall, and in between subsequent bounces on the ground, the next person in line whose turn it is to hit the ball can opt to pass their turn if they can move their body underneath the ball while it is in the air. However, they must shout 'Watermelon!'(in other parts of the country people shout rainbow due to the fact that it looks like a rainbow when the ball goes over you) while doing so or they are penalized with an out. Games are played in 1 or more sets/games.

The following calls are associated with this variation:

• Tips: Is when you could only hit the ball with the tips of your fingers.
• Rolls: Is when the ball rolls so you can't bounce the ball.
• Interference/Funny Bounce: Is when the ball bounces oddly due to it hitting something on the ground.
• Body Block/Obs(short for "obstruction"): Is when someone gets in your way.
• Out of Order/Killer Obs (short for Killer "Obstruction"): When the opponent touches the ball when it's not their turn and lose the set.
• Crotch/Mids/Vees/Pop: When the ball hits the ground and wall at the same time
• No Take: When the player receiving the service receives an awkward serve they do not want to play.
• Rockets/Volley/Staight Ace: When the ball hits the wall without bouncing first.
• Outs: When the ball hits the wall outside of the area and lose the set/game.
• No #####/Smalls/Angles: Said to the server when the server is about to serve an Ace; Meaning the server can only Ace it straight and hard, not to the side, or fake it.

In some regions additional turn-passing tricks are added to the game beyond the watermelon/rainbow aspect:

• "Pineapple": a player sweeping his hand under the ball
• "Cookie": a player sweeping his leg over the ball
• Fake, rule-breaking moves such as:
  • "The Bullet": slamming the ball into the wall without bouncing

Wall ball has these variations:

Burnball

Burnball originated in the middle schools, and high schools of Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida and is one of the most violent versions. Most often the game would be played among bored school kids before the first bell of school would ring, or during lunch breaks where kids were allowed outside. The game can be played on any handball court, wall, fence, or basketball court, although behind portable classrooms is usually the most common place the game is played in, given it's reclusiveness and lack of supervision from school security guards. The game is played using the same rules as wall ball, with some modifications to the punishments for violations. At the third burn or on a Double Touch violation when the player drops the ball and touches it again, the violator is subject to go to the wall, face the wall, stay still, and get burned. The variations of this punishment varies by school region. In the most vicious cases it's usually a burn from each player similar to a firing squad execution. or in other areas 8 consecutive burns from the player who called the violation, the 8 hits signifying the letters in the word Burnball. Flinching moving or looking back during this process is punishable by restarting the burning from the beginning. Hitting a person's face is also punishable by a burning. The ultimate object of the game is to hit a player or cause a player to get hit. The most common ball used to play is a regular tennis ball, in the more formal games a blue Penn Racquetball is used. The game of "Burnball" was most popularized in Miami-Dade County, Florida becoming a mainstay at Miami Southridge High School respectively played in the gym during lunchtime . The game is noted to be rough, with the added extremities of being hit full-force by deliberately thrown balls, and with the large numbers of fist-fights that have occurred among school kids, all as a result of the game. Although the game is not a mainstay in South Florida schools, "Burnball" has achieved an underground cult-following status among South Florida teenagers.

Suicide

• A player throws a ball against the wall and others try to catch it.
• Players can only catch with one hand.
• If a player fumbles the ball or if the ball touches him he must run to the wall before being pegged. Once pegged he continues playing.
• If a player catches the ball with two hands he must face the "firing squad" by standing against the wall and being pegged by the first three people who call "it".
• Sometimes the game is played with multiple balls.

Slaughter house

Also known as wall ball' or spread eagle (circa 1990-1995 St. Joseph School, North Bay Ontario). This is a 2-or-more-player game that involves speed and quick thinking. This is a list of rules for the game:

• Throw the ball at the wall.
• Try to catch the ball after the ball hits the wall.
• If another player catches another person's throw before the ball hits the ground, the player who threw must run and touch the wall to be safe from being "slaughtered" with the ball.
• If the ball hits a player's head at any moment when the time is in, in the game, the player who threw the ball will be "slaughtered" once, for rule breaking.
• While the game is in session, the player with the ball must hit the wall first; if this rule is broken, the player who "missed" the wall must run and tag the wall before being pegged with the ball.
• When a player calls "gates", the player with the ball (outside of the throwing limits) must freeze where he or she is standing and hit the wall with the ball.
• If a player catches his or her own ball, the player must drop the ball and touch the wall.
• If a player is to throw the ball behind him, there is a penalty of "one free slaughter" for rule breaking.
• If a player catches a ball, but then suddenly drops the ball, the player must run to the wall.

NC Ball

Also known as wall ball. This is played with an unlimited amount of players. This game originated out of Asheville, NC hence NC Ball

• To start the game a player must throw the ball at the wall.
• Try to catch the ball.
• If the ball bounces off someone and that person does not catch the ball then they must touch the wall.
• Another player will try to pick up the ball and throw it at the wall before the runner touches the wall.
• If the runner touches the wall first, it is still a live ball
• If the ball hits the wall before the runner does, then the runner must face the wall and get pegged with the ball from the thrower from five feet away.
• There is a technique called "After Pegging" where after the person is pegged a player can pick up the ball then skillfully throw the ball at the wall to bounce off the wall and quickly hit the player who was just pegged, who is now running away from the wall. The runner must be pegged again.
• If the ball is very far away or rolls down a hill, then right when the next person picks it up, another player can yell "Challenge". That player must throw the ball from where they are standing.
• If the player yells "Safety" before they yell "Challenge" then the player can move.
• If the "Challenge" rule is in effect, then the players line up on the wall trying to catch the ball before it hits the wall. If that happens the thrower is pegged three times in a row.
• If the defender drops the ball on the "Challenge" then they are pegged five times in a row.
• If someone wants to join the game they must be pegged to be able to join.

Fence ball

Fence ball uses the chain-link fence backstop of a schoolyard baseball diamond (typically 3 sections of fence, approximately 15 feet tall) instead of the wall. The following rule additions apply:

• If the tennis ball becomes wedged in one of the holes in the fence, the player's number of outs is reduced by one half-out.
• If the tennis ball is thrown completely through the fence, the player's number of outs is reduced by a full out.
• If the game is played with a "batting order," a throw that bounces off of all three sections of fence is known as around the world. The throwing player is then allowed to stand at home plate and throw or kick the ball as far as possible for the following player to return.

This version is played with an ordinary wall and with a cherry ball, dodgeball or volleyball. This can be played with 2-4 players.

• The first person serves by hitting the ball against the ground which ricochets off and hits the wall.
• The next person has to try and hit the ball the same way the first player did (against the ground which bounces and hits the wall) in no more than one bounce or they're out.
• Other ways of getting out are hitting directly to the wall, it double bounces when hitting to the wall, the ball it hit

Versions of the game are:

• Two Way: Playing with two people.
• Three Way: Playing with three people.
• Four Way: Playing with four people.
• Survivor: This is for more than four players. Everyone will stand in a line and who ever is first serves then after hitting, runs back to the end of the line and the next person has to try to hit the ball. It keeps going until someone misses. Last one still in the line wins.

• This is the word used to describe throwing a ball with a lacrosse stick onto a wall and catching it and then throwing it again. This is how all lacrosse players get better with their hand-eye coordination and "stick skills". Many people practice different throws such as over-hand, side-arm, under-hand, behind the back and the wrong hand shots. This is so that they can learn to throw different ways and become better players. This is the easiest and most effective way to learn to throw.

• This game was invented in Little Elm, Texas by 'Jam', 'Peanut' and 'Seb'. In this game, only one wall is used. Two or three people are recommended. Materials: a wall and bouncy ball. A player 'serves' the ball by throwing at the floor in front of the wall, and the ball bounces of the wall. A player tries to catch it. But, if a player touches the ball but does not catch it, or drops it, they must touch the wall before either someone else throws the ball at the wall or the ball touches the wall on its own. If two people touch the ball at the same time, and one catches it, neither have to touch the wall. However, if neither catch it then they must both run to the wall. Also, if one touches the ball and then proceeds to pick it up, they are out. There are penalties, too. If an opponent pushes, hits, or commits any acts of violence, it counts as a penalty. If anyone throws a ball that hits a ceiling (if there is one) or throws the ball right in the corner of the floor and the wall, that is also a penalty. A player can have up to three penalties.

This game originates from the United Kingdom and rather than throwing a ball against a wall, like the North American version of wall ball, the ball is kicked against one wall. Typically played with four players each person calls a position (first, second, third or fourth) and that is their position for remainder of the round. The first player then places the ball a specific distance from the wall and kicks it. Then the second player kicks it against the wall followed by the third and fourth players, after that it returns to the first player. Players are knocked out if the ball does not hit the wall after they kick it, they touch it more than once, let the ball stop for more than one second, touch the ball with their hand, get hit by a ball being kicked by another player intended to hit the wall or if the ball touches the wall twice after one kick (for example, if there was a small slope at the foot of the wall so that it could roll back down and hit the wall). The last person left after each player has been knocked out wins the round and a new round is started with the winner taking the first kick.

There is also another version of wallball played primarily in the Northern Virginia area called wallball, however in certain situations can also be called "playing in the well". This version of wallball has similar rules to the other styles with a few different rules. The rules are as follows:

• The ball is thrown at the wall by any player to start the game.
• The next players all try and catch the ball in the air without it bouncing first, If they do this results in an out for the thrower.
• Another way to get someone out is if someone tries to catch a ball that was thrown off the wall, but they drop it, once they drop any other player can grab the ball and throw it at the wall resulting in an out for the one who dropped the ball.

In the North East, the rules are as followed: There may be an unlimited number of players, a big wall, and a ball. If you are using a tennis ball, each player gets two outs and if you use a spalding ball, or racquet ball, each player gets 3 outs (because those balls move faster). You start off the game by throwing the ball at the wall. It may bounce on the ground, and if you touch the ball, and do not catch it (hits you, you bobble and drop, or misplay it) you must run to the wall and touch it before another player hits the wall with the ball. Also, you may not field your own ball (your throw). You may not purposely dodge the ball to avoid being hit, unless it is your ball that you are dodging. In the event of an illegal dodge, the player must treat it as if he has misplayed a ball, and run towards the wall, and another player may get him out. If there is interference i.e. a non-participant walks through the playing field, you all freeze where you are, and will resume play when the interference is over. If a player is running toward the wall, when an interference occurs, and another player is fielding a ball to get the player out, the runner will go back to the spot where he touched the ball last, place the ball on the ground, and the thrower will stand where he was in relation to the runner. A neutral player will count down from three and on go, the runner will race toward the wall, and the thrower will race toward the ball and attempt to throw out the runner. In some versions of the game, to make it more difficult, you may instate a rule that limits fielding of the ball to one hand, and when playing under this circumstance, the last two participants must field the ball with their weak hand and throw with their dominant hand. An exception for this rule is that if the thrower is going for the ball so that he may get the runner out, he may field the ball with his dominant hand.

A newer version of Wall Ball which incorporates minor elements of the game mainly in name and in the use of a wall as a main element of gameplay. Created in March 2007 the initial concept involved tossing a foam stress ball down a deep foyer hitting the opposite wall and seeing which player could get their ball closest to the throwing line without going over.

Eventually a scoring system and rules system evolved to allow for more competitive and goal oriented gameplay, because of the scoring system two variations of the game element were devised each of the rules and gameplay are as follows:

RULES

• The basic, "classic style", game involves two players in a turn based game. A marker, called a Hickey, is a business card sized piece that is of two colors to denote a heads and tails side. This is flipped at the beginning of gameplay to determine who throws first. After this the Hickey is used to mark the distance the first throw ended up.

• The game's scoring is tallied by which ever player get's their throw closest to the throwing line without going over, an allowance was made that the furthest a ball can go without being "over" is to have no more than half the ball past the throwing/foul line. The player who is closest wins the turn and the point. If a player throws the ball and it returns over the throwing/foul line that player receives a negative point. A round consists of each player getting a chance to throw. The winner of the previous round throws first in the subsequent round. The first player to 5 points wins the game.

• Fouls and faults occur in the game if the ball fails to make contact with the opposing wall or does not land after the minimum throwing distance. The minimum throwing distance was set due to the scoring rules for the "Pro Style" variation of the game.

A fault occurs when the players foot is over the throwing line when throwing the ball. This results in the player losing the turn in cannot win points that round. When any fault or foul occurs that player loses the turn and the other player essentially is given a free throw to earn the point unless they too fault or foul.

• The rules for the "Pro Style" remain the same but the scoring changes, instead of having one point for winning the throw and getting the ball closest to the throwing line a thrower can also get two and three points for getting their ball to land in additional spots within the playing field. A player can get three points for getting their ball to land within ten inches of the wall after hitting the wall first. Two points for getting their ball to stop within the last five inches before the foul line or with no more than 50% of the ball over the foul/ throwing line. To prevent a player from simply rolling their ball into the three point spot on subsequent turns to win since this was exploited early on a scoring cap and minimum throwing distance were devised. Scoring is limited to five points and exactly five points, meaning it would take a 3 point and a two point shot or a three point and two one point shots or two 2 point shots or any sum of points to equal exactly five points in order to win a game.

The minimum throwing distance is a line that marks the area in which the ball cannot be thrown a distance less than or else the thrower earns a foul for the turn. This line is set 7 feet from the opposing wall.

Another scoring variation developed as a spoof was the Canadian style which essentially voids all rules and awards a point to whomever gets their ball farthest from the opposing wall after hitting the wall.

• Other variations of gameplay call allow for up to 5 players to play the game at once with the player getting the closest to the throwing line awarded the point. Scoring for Pro or classic can be used and is determined by the players of the game to determine which scoring to use. turn order is determined by choosing of a number between one and ten and the closest to the number goes first, second closest second and so forth down the line. Turn order for subsequent rounds is determined by point winner getting to throw first in the subsequent round then the player who threw second closest, then third etc. If a player faults they will then throw last in the subsequent round unless another player scores a negative point. If two players receive negative points or faults turn order is determined by flipping the Hickey. If two players tie for the scoring point, a throw off is used to determine who wins the point. The points cannot be split.

Yet another version, California Wall-Ball follows yet another set of rules. The game requires only one wall face, against which players hit the balls. The version usually is played by 2-4 players in teams or individual play styles. The ball when hit is required to hit the ground once first before touching the wall. A number of actions can be the cause for a player, or team to be forced out of the game, and wait for their next turn. As well, the game usually has a boundary line that is determined to form a square or rectangle shape for the game area.

Variation on gameplay for California Wall-Ball can include:

When multiple players are playing independently (without teams), two styles can be enacted:

• Ordered Play: the players are given numbers (1-4 or more if applicable) and the players must hit the ball in that order, or else are forced out (if not by one or more of the rules outlined below).
• Free-For-All: Players must continue play, but may hit the ball repeatedly. The player that is closest to the ball's destination is responsible for its return to the wall. If the closest player fails to continue play, he or she is forced out. This style still corresponds to the general

California Wall-Ball rules below.

• Team Play: Even numbers of players are distributed to two teams, which through play, attempt to force the opposing team out.

General Rules for California Wall-Ball:

• 1. The ball must hit the ground once, and only once before hitting the wall. A ball that fails to touch the ground before touching the wall (at which other players must yell "skip") is grounds for the player to be retired to the line to await another game, as is a ball that is hit by a player and hits the ground more than once before hitting the wall ("double").
• 2. A ball that ricochets off the wall and lands outside the border of the wall-ball game area results in a forced out for the guilty player ("boundaries").
• 3. A ball that hits the very bottom corner, or the corner of the adjacent side walls (if applicable) results in a forced out for the guilty player ("ace").

One touch Wall Ball consists of 2 or more players take it in turns to kick a football against the wall in a set area (variable). Each player may take one touch to hit the ball against the wall. If a player touches the ball out of turn he or she takes a 'letter'. The first person to spell "Wall" (i.e. make 4 mistakes) has to take punishment by kneeling down and against the wall whilst the other players strike the ball against the victims backside.

Suicide

This version is often played with many players. Players must throw a ball against one wall. If a player throws the ball with full force when he is very close to the wall, this is called a "spike". If the ball is at an area that is far away from the wall and is picked up, players may yell "bus-stop!", which forces the player with the ball to throw it at the wall from where he is standing. If a player touches the ball but doesn't catch it or pick it up or if the ball indirectly hits the wall, they must run to the wall before being hit with the ball. this is called "pegging".

American Wallball

This version of the game must have at least two players, and can have up to forty players. Depending on how many players there are, two to four Team Captains are chosen. Starting with 1st Captain, then 2nd Captain and so on, each Captain chooses a player for his or her team. Once the teams are divided, that game begins. One of the Team Captains start the game by "serving" the ball at the wall. After this point, these rules take effect-

Any player may pick the ball up off of the ground or catch the ball in the air. If a player catches the ball with two hands, he must run to the wall. If a player has the ball, he must throw it at the wall. IF he hits the wall, he continues gameplay. If he misses the wall, he must run to the wall. If a player gets touched by the ball and it touches the ground before touching the wall, such as trying to catch it and touching it but not catching it and the ball hitting the ground, then the player must tag the wall. A player with the ball may tag any players within reach of them if they keep one foot in the same spot and pivot the other. If a player is tagged, then they must run to the wall. If at all anyone has to run to the wall, any other player may try to throw the ball at the wall. If the player beats the ball to the wall, he is "safe". If the ball gets there first, then the player is "out" and loses one life. Each player has a set amount of lives. If all of a players lives are out, then the player is "eliminated" and removed from the game. Before the game, all team captains determine a set "death count". If the death count is set at four, then a whole team is out once four of its players have been eliminated. Players are allowed to "Stall" their opponent. This means that if a player has to run to the wall, a player from an opposing team may attempt to block him from the wall to give other players an increased chance to get him out. Anyone can stall anyone who is not in control of the ball.

Penalties are given under the following circumstances

• Kicking- If a player kicks the ball after dropping it when he has to run to the wall, he automatically loses one life.
• Illegal Toss- If a player has to run to the wall and the ball is in his hand, the player is only allowed to drop the ball before running. If the player throws the ball up, down, to the left, to the right, forward or behind, then a life is automatically taken.
• Illegal Stall- If a player attempts to stall a player with the ball, he automatically loses one life.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct- If a player is deemed as to be using unsportsmanlike conduct, the player automatically loses one life.

Leagues may be formed of teams that are permanently together. Up to 64 teams play against each other in a regular season. After the regular season the top 2 to 16 teams play in a single or double elimination tournament. The winning team is crowned the "Champion".

Australian Wall Downball

Wall Downball or Downball Wall is a popular game played in Australian schools which has similar rules to other versions of Wallball. Wall Downball has no limit to how many players can participate as there are no teams, every player plays for himself. The game begins with a player serving the ball, which requires the server to throw the ball against the wall but making sure it bounces once first. Other players then hit the ball into the using there palm, the ball must once bounce once before hitting the wall and one bounce is allowed (although not required) after the ball rebounds off the wall before another player hits it. There is no order in regards to whose turn it is to hit the ball as long as a player doesn't hit the ball against the wall twice in a row (unless he is the last man remaining in play).

A foul consists of hitting the ball against the wall on the full, faulting a serve twice or letting the ball bounce more than once either before or after the ball hits the wall. If a foul is made the player must stand against the wall. Once against the wall the player must catch the ball to get off the wall. While on the wall the player must have one hand on the wall at all times. There is no limit to how many players can stand against the wall. If a player hits the wall on the full all players on the wall are "freed" and are allowed to return to normal play. If a player gets hit by the ball while on the wall they are "out" and it is the end of their game. If a player is hit by the ball off a serve it is a fault.

The aim of the game is to get all your opponents "out" with the last man remaining being the winner. Some game rules allow "sharkies" where in play a player is allowed to hit the ball into another player which means that player who is hit has to stand against the wall. Other rules allow using other parts of the body to hit the ball against the wall instead of the palm of the hand (i.e. foot).

Another popular Australian school game involving a tennis ball or rubber ball and a wall is Chance.

Patball

Patball originated in West London secondary schools, such as Kingsbury High School, and is a version of the second most popular category of wallball. It is now played across England, especially London. It was made popular due to a legion of dedicated followers (i.e. The Dawgs - Anup Dholakia, Nathan Wilson, Kaushal Bhagat, Daven Abrahams, Mehraj Abdal Enus and, to a lesser extent, Owen Griffiths) who would play the sport in all weather conditions, especially in the rain. Gameplay involves throwing a tennis ball onto the ground before it hits a wall. The other players have to then hit the ball will the palm of their hand so it hits the ground and bounces back again onto the wall. It was like many versions of wallball however familiarised with teenagers. Many rules apply to patball, and some may vary according to the group of people who may play. There are many versions around the world, all with different names, but it is primarily called "patball" in English. The name "Patball" originated from "patting the ball downwards". In Puerto Rico, it is called "Pared", as "pared" means wall in Spanish, and the rules are almost identical.
Ultimately, the rules vary from school to school, but the basics are shown below.

Rules:

• Any amount of people can play. A playing order is necessary.

• An area of a wall or a wall is designated to play against.

• The ball must hit the ground before coming in contact with the wall.

• When a person hits the ball, the next person in the playing order hits it.

• If the person hits the ball directly onto the wall rather than bouncing it on the ground results in a foul. This is called "Direct". This results in the offending player going out.

• If the designated player does not hit the ball before it bounces twice they are out.

• If the player hits the ball and it bounces twice or more before hitting the wall, they are out. This is called "Double Bounce".

• If the player hits the ball but it goes in contact with the wall where it meets the ground, a rethrow is taken and the person who will take the rethrow is the first person in the order. Other variants of the game describe this as a valid stroke terming it a "Killer Shot".

• If the ball is obstructed in play, a rethrow is taken and the person to take the rethrow would be the first person in the order. This is called "Obstruction" or "Obs". In special cases a "SHOBS" call may be made.

• "Out", when the ball does not reach the wall or designated area.

• "Funny Bounce" or "Unfair-Bounce", where the ball bounces awkwardly on serve;

• "Don't want", when a player refuses to play on after a bad serve (players have to decide the outcome of the appeal. It could end up with an out, if the majority of the players vote that the serve was legal).

• "Confusion", when someone unintentionally fouls or does not follow the rules due to confusion

These are all optional rules that can be applied when playing Patball.

Balls Used

In Wall ball, many different types of balls may be used. The type of ball used depends on the wall's surface, the distance it should be thrown from and the pain it is intended to cause. There are many balls that are popular to use in Wall ball including these:

• Tennis ball