Spikeball, or roundnet, is a two-versus-two rebound sport where teams hit a small ball off a central net and try to prevent a legal return within three touches.
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Standard 2v2 Spikeball (Roundnet) — teams of two rally a ball off a circular net, played to 21 points (win by 2) with 360-degree play and no boundaries.
Spikeball (also called Roundnet) is an active 2v2 sport played around a circular trampoline-like net placed at ankle level. Teams hit a small ball off the net, and the opposing team has up to three touches to return it.
The goal: score points by hitting the ball off the net in a way that the opposing team cannot return it. Games are played to 21 points, win by 2.
Games last about 15–25 minutes. The sport is highly portable and played on any flat surface — grass, sand, or gym floors.
Net: Circular trampoline-style net on foldable legs, about 8 inches off the ground
Ball: Small yellow ball (similar size to a softball), slightly deflated for better control
Teams: 2 teams of 2 players each
Starting positions: Players line up across from their teammate, evenly spaced around the net
The server stands 6 feet from the net
Toss the ball at least 4 inches upward and hit it off the net toward the receiving player
The serve must be hittable — the receiving player must be able to reach it without moving more than one step
If the serve hits the rim (the metal ring around the net) — replay
If the ball doesn't bounce cleanly off the net — fault
Each server gets one serve attempt per point
Server position rotates clockwise after each side-out
This is where Spikeball gets exciting:
After the serve, there are no sides and no boundaries — play is 360 degrees around the net
Each team gets up to 3 alternating touches to return the ball onto the net
Touches must alternate between teammates (the same player cannot hit twice in a row)
The ball must hit the net cleanly — rim shots (hitting the metal frame) are a fault and award a point to the other team
After returning the ball off the net, the other team then has up to 3 touches
Rally scoring: Every rally awards a point to one team (regardless of who served)
Games to 21 points, win by 2
Teams switch sides when either team reaches 11 (to account for sun/wind)
Ball hits the rim instead of the net
Ball bounces more than once on the net ("double bounce")
Same player touches the ball twice in a row
Team exceeds 3 touches
Ball hits the ground before being returned
Player interferes with opponent's play ("hinder" — replay the point)
Illegal serve
If the ball rolls into the "pocket" — the crease where the net meets the rim — and doesn't bounce cleanly, it's replayed.
Cut shots: Angling the ball off the net so it shoots sideways, away from both defenders
Drop shots: Soft hits that barely bounce off the net and die low
Positioning: After every touch, both players should move to cover 180 degrees each
Set your partner: Use touches 1 and 2 to set up a strong third-touch attack
Body reads: Watch the hitter's body angle and hand position to anticipate direction
Spikeball uses higher score wins with rally scoring.
Record each team's final point total. The winning team is the first to reach 21 points with a 2-point lead.
Teams are ranked from highest score to lowest.
When recording a Spikeball match in How You Rank:
Select Standard variant
Enter each team's final score (e.g., 21–17)
Each team entry should include both team members
The system ranks teams from highest score down