FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPORT OF WALLYBALL
How do you play wallyball?
The general concepts of wallyball are very similar to indoor volleyball. The game is played in a racquetball court with a net strung across the short way at the mid-point of the court. The net height is the same as it is in volleyball. The ball is of similar size to a volleyball, but is made of a latex material very like a racquetball. Due to the pressure and surface of the ball, if you do get thwacked with it, it stings a bit more than a standard volleyball.
Wallyball is not just volleyball played in a racquetball court. It is a separate sport with separate rules, and playing the sport requires the development of a separate set of skills. Wallyball is a faster game than volleyball and as a result, it is a harder game to master.
Today there are millions of players worldwide.
How, where and when was wallyball created?
Wallyball was created in 1979 by Joe Garcia in Calabasas , California . However, the sport roots go back to as early as 1972. The game was called Deckerball. It is very similar to the game of wallyball and could be the predecessor to the game of what you now call wallyball. In Kansas, IL, a high school physical education teacher and a couple of his students, including Mark Decker sat down to create a game that combined several skills from other games that would be used for indoor play during bad weather situations. By combining handball (racquetball with no racquet), tennis, and volleyball, they arrived at the game that is called Deckerball (after Mark Decker).
What is the difference between a volleyball and a wallyball ball?
Most wallyballs are the same size and weight of a standard bladder volleyball however, regulation wallyballs are made of rubber instead of leather.
Are there official rules for wallyball?
Yes, there are also a variety of ways in which players from different geographical areas play and interpret the rules of wallyball. If you would like to learn more on the rules, please see the documents at the top of this page. WIN! has a complete rulebook that you can download for free.
Wallyball rules are detailed for each level of play. An OPEN player (top division) has tougher ball handling guidelines than all other divisions.
Where can I play wallyball?
Wallyball can be played in any standard size racquetball/handball court. Most health clubs, YMCA’s, Parks and Recreation facilities and colleges have racquetball courts. For a listing of facilities with wallyball courts, please click here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAYING THE GAME
Can I reach over the net to block the ball?
Yes. Keep in mind that you cannot block the set. In returning the ball, a player's arm may follow-through over the net provided he/she first makes contact with the ball on his/her side of the playing court or when the ball is within the vertical plane of the net. Players attempting a block may reach over the net, but they may not touch the ball until an opponent strikes the ball in an attempt to send it into the defensive court. A player cannot block an opponent’s set or pass. If an opponent’s set or pass (or any played ball) breaks the vertical plane of the net, it is considered a free ball and both teams are entitled to play it.
Once any part of the ball has crossed the vertical plane, a free ball is in effect and both teams are entitled to it.
Can I block the serve?
No. Blocking or attacking the serve is not allowed.
Does a block count as one of our three touches of the ball?
No. If a ball is blocked and stays in play on the defensive side of the net, the team that was formerly on defense (now the offensive team) has an additional three touches of the ball. Since a block does not count as one of the three allowed touches, the blocker can be the next individual to contact the ball.
How is wallyball scored?
A game is won when one team reaches the required number of points and has a two-point lead on the other team. The required number of points to win a game varies. Most often 18 points is required, less frequently 15 points. If time constraints are an issue, a game could end at 12 points. Some structure their matches to end at 21 points.
Wallyball generally uses speed scoring. This means that a point is scored on every service up to the point where one team reaches the "freeze point". Once that occurs, a point is awarded on the next side-out and from that point on, each team must serve in order to score a point.
The "freeze point" varies depending on the number of points needed to win a game. This point is three points less than the number of points needed to win a game.
Frequently a game ends when one team scores 18 points and has at least a two-point lead. In this case the freeze point is the 15 th point scored.
If the game ends when one team scores 15 points and has at least a two-point lead, the freeze point is the 12 th point scored.
Are there restrictions on where I can stand to serve the ball?
Yes. You must stand anywhere along your back wall to serve the ball. You must have both feet within three feet of the back wall. If a service line is painted on the court, you may not touch or step on the serving line until after the ball is served.
On the serve, does the ball have to cross the plane of the net before it hits the side wall?
No. The ball can contact a wall on the server’s side of the court before passing over the net or it can contact a wall on the defensive side of the net.
Are multiple contacts with the ball ever allowed?
A double hit is only allowed on a block (the blocker can be the next player to touch the ball), or on the return of a hard driven hit (not a serve).
Are you allowed to kick the ball anytime during play?
The rules state that if the ball contacts a player below the waist, a foul is to be called. This eliminates kicking the ball. In wallyball, your hands and arms are the tools used to play the game.
If your feet land on your opponents side of the net (without any part of your body touching the net)-Is this legal?
A player may step on, but cannot go over the centerline. If a player lands on the center line and intentionally or unintentionally interferes with an opponent, a point will be given to the other team if the other team is serving, or, if the offending team is serving, a side-out will be called. No part of the body, other than the foot or a player’s hair may contact the centerline. If any other body part contacts the centerline, a point will be given to the other team if the other team is serving, or, if the offending team is serving, a side-out will be called. If both players are called for interference, the point will be replayed.
Can I climb the wall to get to the ball?
No. You are not allowed to climb the wall to gain a height advantage.
What happens when the ball hits the ceiling?
The ceiling is in bounds only on the side of the team that is playing the ball. If a player on Team A causes the ball to hit the ceiling and the ball stays on Team A's side of the court, the ball is in play as long as the ball has only been touched once or twice by Team A.
If the ball is hit in a way that causes it to hit the ceiling and land in the opponent's court, a side out or point is to be called.
What do I need to do to turn a racquetball court into a wallyball court?
Turning a racquetball court into a wallyball court is a relatively simple process.
All you need to do is install molly style hollow wall fasteners flush with the wall. Two fasteners for the top of the net and two for the bottom. An eye bolt will be inserted and the net attaches to the bolt. When the bolt is removed, all you have left is the small hole flush with the wall. No racquetball interference.
You will want to install two sets of supports in each court. The net is 3 feet wide.
For men's and coed play the net is hung 8 feet high. For women's play the net is hung at 7 feet 4 1/4 inches.
It is advisable to install four sets of supports on each court. One for men’s height and one for women’s. This will allow for more versatility in leagues, tournaments and recreational play.
You should be able to get the hardware at any hardware store. If one or both of the side walls are glass, then you will need special suction cups. Please email us for information to order the suction cups.
Sometimes, when the ball is hit, it goes over the net and spins back into the offensive court. What is the call?
The ball is still in play if the offensive team touches the ball only once or twice before the ball is sent over the net. Any team member other than the last player to hit the ball can participate in the second or third hit after a ball returns from spinning into an opponent's court.
If the ball spins off the net/wall and returns and the offensive team has used all three hits, a side out or point will be called.
When the ball is above the net and fair game to both sides, if a player from either team attacks the ball and their HAND breaks the plane of the net when it makes contact with the ball, is that a fault? Are they considered over the net? Must the contact on the ball only be made on the portion of the ball that is still on the attacker’s side of the net or can their hand break the plane so long as the ball is not all the way over?
In returning the ball, a player’s arm may follow-through over the net provided he/she first makes contact with the ball on his/her side of the playing court or when the ball is within the vertical plane of the net. In other words, contact with the ball can only be made on the portion of the ball that is still on the attacker’s side on the net. This usually will be difficult to call. If there is a disagreement, just replay the volley.
The vertical plane is the width of two wallyballs, one on each side of the net. Players attempting a block may reach over the net, but they may not touch the ball until an opponent strikes the ball in an attempt to send it into the defensive court. A player cannot block an opponent’s set or pass. If an opponent’s set or pass (or any played ball) breaks the vertical plane of the net, it is considered a free ball and both teams are entitled to hit it.
In league and tournament play should it be permissible for a doubles team to sign up and play in a triples league/tournament, assuming the skill level and fee payment are not issues?
This will be determined by the league/tournament director. Let's say that a decision is made that a team MUST consist of 3 players. If, during play, one of the players is injured, the team may opt to continue with two players. However, if the injury will keep the third player out (of league play) for an extended time, that team will need to make arrangements to add another member (or substitute) to the team so the team is once again a triples team.
