We’ve got a new team sport for you – this time it’s Wallyball! After ricochet, a lighter version of squash, comes this fast and fun mix of volleyball and squash. Wallyball is a team ball game played on a squash court, where the walls are part of the action. The ball can bounce off them, making the game more dynamic and full of energy. A great way to move, compete and have fun.

Just like in squash and ricochet, one of the main benefits of Wallyball is that you don’t have to chase after balls rolling away. The game is played on a specially adapted squash court, and this is exactly what makes it so popular. Because the ball bounces off the walls, it stays in play almost all the time. That means even beginners can enjoy the game. Even if your shot isn’t perfect, the ball will likely bounce back and give your opponent a chance to keep the rally going.

So no long breaks, no need to worry about holding others back – just a fun, fast-paced and modern team game that everyone can enjoy.

WALLYBALL is a relatively less demanding sport, played with a minimum of four players in a 2 vs 2 format. However, nothing is strictly set the main goal is movement, fun, the joy of the game, and last but not least, social interaction. So the game can basically be played with any number of players, in various variations there can be more less experienced players, for example. It also depends on how hard you feel like pushing yourself on court. The court dimensions are the same as in squash, which is why the recommended maximum number of players is 8. Of course, players can take turns if there are more of them or if the number is uneven. WALLYBALL uses a special ball with a lower bounce than a standard volleyball, which makes it more “playable”. This is a clear advantage especially for beginners or less experienced players. When playing over the net, the ball is not allowed to bounce off the back wall only the side walls. When passing between teammates, however, the ball may bounce off the back or side walls, even multiple times. This gives the sport incredible speed and flow. It’s simply the ideal game for companies or groups of friends full of fun and energy, without all the chasing after missed balls. Your confidence won’t take a hit, and you won’t end up standing in the corner instead, you’ll feel the real joy of team play. WALLYBALL was first played in the USA in 1979 and soon spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

WALLYBALL – RULES

1. Wallyball is played on a squash court divided by a net. The net stretches across the middle of the court, with the top edge set at a height of 2.40 m for men and 2.20 m for women. The service area is 0.9 metres deep, measured from the back wall of the serving side and extends across the full width of the court. Each team may consist of 2, 3, or 4 players.
2. A set ends when a team reaches 15 points, with at least a two-point lead.
3. Indoor shoes with non-marking light-coloured soles are required for the game.
4. Timeouts may be called by the team captain only after the rally has ended.
5. Limit: 2 timeouts per set, each lasting 30 seconds.
6. If more timeouts are called than allowed, the opposing team is awarded a point or a side-out.
7. A 5-minute break may be granted by the referee in case of injury.
8. Two substitutions are allowed per set.
9. A coin toss determines the first server or the choice of side. In the second set, the other team serves first. In the third set, if needed, the serve is again decided by a coin toss. The match is won by the team that wins 3 sets.
10. Blocking and attacking off the serve is allowed in 2x2 and 3x3 games, but not permitted in 4x4 play.
11. The ball is out if, after crossing the net, it first touches the back wall, the ceiling, or two walls in succession (this applies to both the serve and open play).
12. Contact with the back wall on your own side is not a fault, as long as the ball is played by your own teammate afterwards.
13. Playing the ball off the back wall or multiple walls in succession is allowed only when the team is playing on its own side of the court; however, the ball may not be sent to the opponent’s side in this way.
14. In 4-player games, the serve may not be spiked or blocked.
15. When playing the ball to the opponent’s side, it may bounce off a side wall on either the player’s own side or the opponent’s side (this applies only during open play). During the serve, however, the ball may bounce off a side wall only on the opponent’s side.
16. If the server catches the ball after tossing it, the serve may be repeated.
17. The serve must be a clean hit spinning the ball is not allowed.
18. The serving order must be followed.
19. If the ball is only partially over the net and the opponent plays it, it is considered a legal hit.
20. Touching the net is not allowed, except when the ball is played into the net by the opposing team and the net then touches the player.
21. During an attack, the player must make contact with the ball before it has completely crossed over the net.
22. A blocker may reach over the net if the opposing team is playing their third hit.
23. An opponent may not block a set. However, if part of the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net, it becomes a free ball and either team may play it.
24. If opposing players touch the net at the same time, the rally is replayed.
25. If the ball passes under and across the plane of the net, it may be played back by the same team, provided the team has not yet used all three hits.
26. A double hit is allowed after a block.
27. If the ball is touched during a block, the team still has three hits, and the blocker may play any of them.
28. A ball may bounce off two or more walls when played by a team on its own side, but a teammate must touch the ball before it crosses the net.
29. Holding, throwing, pushing, scooping, lifting, or carrying the ball is not allowed.
30. If both teams hold the ball above the net at the same time (a dead ball), the rally is replayed.
31. If two teammates touch the ball at the same time, it counts as one hit, and either player may make the next play.
32. Climbing or using the walls or other players to reach over the net is not allowed.
33. The ball may be played over the net after first bouncing off a wall on the player’s own side.
34. The ball may not be touched with any part of the body below the waist.
35. If two players touch the ball simultaneously during a block, the team still has three hits.
36. Blocking and attacking the serve is allowed. The rules above are intended to help players understand the basic principles of the game. Specific variations depend on the type of court and the number of players (2x2, 3x3, 4x4). The official rules are outlined in the Official Rule Book.