Timeball

Rules

Timeball is fast-paced tennis on a full court — two champs defend against a line of challengers. Throughout these rules, “ballers” means players on court. Here's how a game runs from first feed to buzzer.

Watch the full rules walkthrough on YouTube

01

Objective

Stay on the champ side the longest to accumulate time. The baller with the most time at the end of the session wins.

02

Who plays

Timeball is a game for 5–8 ballers on one court:

  • 2 ballers on the champ side
  • 3–6 ballers on the challenger side
  • Challengers aim to win 3 points before losing 2
03

Setup

  • Champ side: 2 ballers — one at the net, one at the baseline.
  • Challenger side: 3–6 ballers in a line. The front baller is at the baseline for the first shot.
  • Standard tennis court, lines, net height, and yellow tennis balls.
04

Starting a point

The baseline baller on the challenger side hits the first shot to the champ side. After that first shot is in play, all ballers can hit anywhere on the court — no placement restrictions.

First-shot outcomes

  • Clean winner by the baseline baller: they become champs immediately (with their partner).
  • Missed first shot: that baller rotates to the back of the challenger line; the next baller steps in.
  • Successful first shot (ball in play): ballers stay in their spots and the point continues.
  • Champ-side net baller touches the first shot: immediate clean winner for the challengers.
05

Winning & switching sides

  • Champs win 2 points: challengers leave the court and switch to the other challenger line.
  • Challengers win 3 points: challengers run to the champ side. The next challenger in line feeds the first shot to start the next game.
06

Bonus minute

Champs earn an extra minute added to their time when they finish a stint on the champ side.

07

Poach rule

The champ-side net baller cannot touch the first feed — except in these two cases:

  • Challengers have won their 3 points and are coming to the champ side: either new champ can touch or help prevent a first-ball winner.
  • The challenger’s first shot hits the net cord.
08

House rules

  • Body ball: you may use your body to hit the ball to the other side.
  • Axe throw: you may throw your racquet to hit or touch the ball.
  • Net touch: you may touch the net during the point.
  • Net jump exception: if you jump over the net to reach the champ side and touch the net, challengers start the next game at 1–0.
09

Buzzer

When the session buzzer sounds, no new feeds start. If the score is 2–1, play that point out — it is worth a full extra minute on your total time.