The rules of the game

Players

Danball is played by two teams, each with three or more players. Only three players from each team are allowed on the field at a time. If either team has fewer than three players, the game will be halted until both teams have three players.

The Danball

Danball is played with an inexpensive, plastic ball about the size of a volleyball. This is the "Danball".

The Dansticks

Danball is played with just about anything you can find to hit the Danball with. Stuff that weighs over 4 pounds or is longer than the height to a player's shoulder is discouraged but not "illegal." Short wooden or plastic oars make good Dansticks.

The Arena

Danball is played in the street. The street should be reasonably straight and level, preferably paved and with a curb, and having as little traffic as possible. The playing area should be about 30 meters long from goal line to goal line. No-man's land (the area in the center of the field) should be about 6 meters long.

Serving

Play is begun by serving the ball. One team serves while the other receives. Each team should be on opposite sides of the field, outside the boundaries of no-man's land. The serving team hits the ball toward the receiving team. Until the ball crosses into and out of no-man's land, no player from either team can enter no-man's land. Once the ball has cleared no-man's land, any player may go anywhere on the field. If a player steps into no-man's land before the ball has cleared it, the ball should be re-served. After a point is scored, the scoring team decides which side of the field it will take, and whether it will serve or receive. Play continues in this manner until one team wins.

Out of Bounds

The edge of the street is considered the edge of the field. If the ball crosses out of the field, the game is paused, and the ball is called "out" on the last player to make contact with the ball (with a Danstick or the player's body). A member of the other team then hits the ball back in from the point on the edge of the field where it crossed out, and the game resumes. This is called a "play-in." Players are free to cross out of bounds at any time, provided they immediately return to the field.

Body Contact

Use of a player's body to block the path of the ball is okay, but players may not use their hands to hold the ball, or hold the ball against their body. If this happens, the game is paused and a member of the other team will take possession of the ball where the offense took place.

Scoring

When a ball crosses the goal line, it is counted as a point for the team that began play at the opposite end of the field. If a player inadvertently knocks the balls across his own goal line, it is still counted as a point for the other team. Balls which are kicked across the goal line do not count as a score. If this happens, the game should be paused, and the ball placed on the edge of the field at the closest boundary of no- man's land. The ball is then played in by the team that would have scored. After a play-in from out of bounds, the ball must touch both the ground and another player before crossing the goal line to be counted as a point. If the ball crosses the goal line without making those two contacts, it should be played in again from the same spot. After a serve, the ball must touch both a player on the other side of no-man's land and the ground before crossing the goal line to be counted as a point. If the ball does not make these two contacts, it should be re-served.