The Basics
Moonball is like a combination of...
- Volleyball: The ball is about the same size (but much lighter), and you hit the ball with your hands (or feet).
- Ping pong: Uses an ultra-light ball with lots of spin. Also uses the ping pong serving rule where you must spike the ball down onto your side to send it over the net.
- Pickleball: Uses the same court and net.
To serve the ball...
- You can stand anywhere! No need to go behind the baseline. You could stand right at the net if you wanted to...
- You must hit the ball downward so that it bounces on your side first, then goes over the net.
- Most people serve from right in the middle of the court, but you can get creative!
To return the serve...
- Hit the ball directly back over the net (the serve is the only time you spike it onto your side).
- If you are behind the "non-volley line" (7 feet from the net), you can:
- let the serve bounce once then hit it back over the net
- hit it back over the net before it bounces
- However, if either foot is on or over the non-volley line, you must let it bounce. This prevents someone from standing right at the net and spiking it back.
Then just keep playing!
- Games to 10 points
- Whoever wins the point serves the next ball
- Must win a game by 2 points
- In open play, there is no "kitchen" rule - hit the ball out of the air from anywhere or let it bounce once. The "no-volley" rule only applies on the serve.
The Ball
Ball Basics
The ball is the key to this game! The ball is lightweight and slightly bigger than a volleyball.
- Diameter: 20-22 cm
- Weight: 100 grams
- Material: soft, flexible, and durable
- Make sure it's well inflated! The surface should feel firm to the touch. Balls in stock at the store are often under-inflated.
How to hit the ball
You can hit this ball with any part of your body. The shot choices are infinite!
- Use power and the ball will pop off your hand with incredible vigor!
- Or use spin to create incredible, mind-bending shots!
- No ball in the world spins with as much action as this one.
Where to Buy
Any bouncy kid's ball will do as long as it's lightweight and slightly bigger than a volleyball. Hedstrom makes the best one. Available at Canadian Tire for $5.99.
History of the Game
The game originates from the love of the schoolyard game "four-square". But what do you do when you don't have 4 players? Invent a new game of course!
We called it Alleyball, and we played it in the alley behind our house in Winnipeg. Back then, the game was played with no net. What could go wrong??
The childhood house is gone, but the alley remains!
