How do you serve and keep score in Thruball?

A game starts with a rally for serve to decide who serves first. Only the serving team can score. If the serving team loses a rally, no points are awarded but the serve switches to the other team. A server gets one fault before losing the serve, and unlimited lets, which simply require a re-serve.

What is the Kitchen in Thruball?

The Kitchen is the square area outlined by the feet of the gate between the two legs. Players may enter it to retrieve, set, or hit an upward-trajectory shot through the gate, but landing in the Kitchen while hitting a spike shot through the gate is not allowed.

Each team gets 2 to 3 touches to return the ball to the opposite team. Think, pop, set, smash! Points can only be scored when serving. A serve is lost, or a point is awarded, if the ball hits the ground, is not returned back through the gate, or is hit out of bounds.

Games can be played to 11, 15, or 21. Traditionally, a team must win by 2 points or more. Please see full explanation of rules for additional information.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN PLAY?

Thruball is typically played with four players (2 v 2). However, with additional paddles, players can easily engage in 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 games as well! Additional paddles can be purchased here: Extra Thruball Paddles

HOW TO EXPLAIN THRUBALL TO A BEGINNER

Here's our comprehensive and concise guide for new Thruball players. Dive into the action and have a blast! Ready, set, FUN! When you're playing with someone for the first time, don't worry if it feels a bit tricky in the beginning. We've all been there! A little patience and practice are key. Within minutes you'll be serving, volleying, and smashing like a pro! Dive in, rule by rule! Forget points for now, and focus on getting comfortable with the game. Familiarize yourself with the rules, master serving through the gate, and hone the 2 v 2 gameplay. For now, let's just have some epic fun and you can focus on keeping score later! Power can wait, precision comes first! Hold off on those big smashes for a moment. We've got plenty of time to showcase your strength. Instead, channel your inner ninja and focus on nailing accurate shots. Set it up like a boss! When you're setting up the perfect shot for your teammate, think strategically. For the perfect set up for your partner, hit lofty sets within bounds, guiding your teammate closer to the gate - right where they need to be for the ultimate smash. Teamwork makes the dream work! With these pro-tips, you'll be ruling the Thruball court in no time. Get ready to create unforgettable memories with your crew! Let's Thruball, baby!

CAN YOU TOUCH THE GATE?

You cannot touch the gate with your hands or the paddles. However, if the ball hits the gate, it can be played. Please see the full description of the rules for more information.

How to Play Thruball | Backyard Game And Sport

Q: How do you play Thruball?

Thruball is a 2v2 team sport. Teams line up on opposite sides of the court with the gate in the center. A point begins when the server hits the ball through the gate toward the opposing team. Each team gets two to three touches to return the ball back through the gate, and the rally continues until a team fails to return it.

Learn How to Play Thruball

Thruball is the addictive 2v2 backyard & beach game that fuses pickleball precision, volleyball hops, and spikeball quickness into one fast-paced sport for all ages. The rules are simple, setup takes under 5 minutes, and the only thing standing between you and your first rally is a paddle. Scroll down to learn the game — then grab your set and play today.

How to Play Thruball

Thruball is the fast-paced backyard & beach game that blends pickleball precision, volleyball hops, and spikeball quickness into one addictive 2v2 sport. New to the game? You're minutes away — learn the rules below, then grab your Official Thruball Set and start your first rally today.

2v2Two teams of two

2–3Touches per side

2Attempts at serve

The Basics

Thruball is a team sport played by two teams, each consisting of two players. Each team lines up on opposing sides of the court, with the gate positioned in the center of the boundary lines.

A point begins when the server hits the ball through the gate toward the opposing team. The object of the game is to hit the ball through the gate in such a way that the opposing team cannot successfully return it. Each team is allowed up to three touches — but no fewer than two touches — to return the ball back through the gate. The rally continues until a team is unable to return the ball through the gate.

Play with respect. Thruball is a self-officiated sport, so fair play falls on the players. Everyone is expected to know the rules, and the integrity of the game depends on each player upholding them. Highly competitive play is encouraged — but never at the expense of mutual respect or the simple joy of play.

How Do You Serve & Keep Score?

A game starts with a "rally for serve," where no points are awarded but the team who serves first is decided. Either team can start the rally for serve.

Basic rules follow a "gentleman's serve" approach — the ball is served through the gate with the sole intent of getting the point started.

A point can only be scored by the serving team. If the serving team loses the rally, no points are awarded, but the serve switches to the receiving team. If the serving team wins, that player keeps serving until the receiving team wins a rally.

Teammates must alternate the server each time the serve is won back from the opposing team.

A legal serve occurs when the server hits the ball through the gate without making contact with it, and the ball lands within the boundary lines (or an opposing player makes contact).

Faults

A server is allowed one fault, then gets one more attempt at a legal serve. Two faults and the serve switches to the opposing team. A fault occurs when:

A serve lands outside the boundary lines.
A serve misses the gate.
A serve hits the gate without going through.

Lets

A server is allowed unlimited lets. If the ball passes through the gate but clips it on the way and still lands within the boundary lines, that's a let — and it simply requires a re-serve. No harm, no foul.

How Do You Play the Ball?

Two hits minimum are required by each team per rally.

Up to three hits are allowed by each team.

Players may move freely during a point, but must never contact the stand or interfere with an opposing player.

A legal hit is anything that makes contact with the paddle only.

A player's body may never contact the ball.

A player may not contact the ball twice consecutively — unless the ball ricochets off the gate on their team's second hit. If it does, either teammate may use the team's third hit to send it through the gate.

Double contact (the paddle touching the ball twice in one hit) is not allowed and results in a loss of serve or point.

The "Kitchen"

The Kitchen is the square area outlined by the feet of the gate, between the two legs. Players may enter the Kitchen to retrieve, set, or hit a shot on an upward trajectory through the gate. However, landing in the Kitchen while hitting a spike shot through the gate is prohibited. Master this line and you've unlocked Thruball's most strategic real estate.

Other Ways to Play

Tournament Play

Serving with the intention of scoring a point. The serve must be performed with the player's back foot on the boundary line. Ready to take it competitive? See how the pros do it on the Thruball Pro Tour.

Longest Volley

All four players are on the same team, and each pass through the gate counts as one. The goal is simple: reach the highest number possible as a group. A perfect warm-up — grab some extra balls and keep the rally alive.

Here's our comprehensive and concise guide for new Thruball players. Dive into the action and have a blast!

Ready, set, FUN! When you're playing with someone for the first time, don't worry if it feels a bit tricky in the beginning. We've all been there! A little patience and practice are key. Within minutes you'll be serving, volleying, and smashing like a pro!
Dive in, rule by rule! Forget points for now, and focus on getting comfortable with the game. Familiarize yourself with the rules, master serving through the gate, and hone the 2 v 2 gameplay. For now, let's just have some epic fun and you can focus on keeping score later!
Power can wait, precision comes first! Hold off on those big smashes for a moment. We've got plenty of time to showcase your strength. Instead, channel your inner ninja and focus on nailing accurate shots.
Set it up like a boss! When you're setting up the perfect shot for your teammate, think strategically. For the perfect set up for your partner, hit lofty sets within bounds, guiding your teammate closer to the gate - right where they need to be for the ultimate smash. Teamwork makes the dream work!

With these pro-tips, you'll be ruling the Thruball court in no time. Get ready to create unforgettable memories with your crew! Let's Thruball, baby!

Learn How to Play Thruball

How to Play Thruball

The Basics

How Do You Serve & Keep Score?

Faults

Lets

How Do You Play the Ball?

The "Kitchen"

Other Ways to Play

Tournament Play

Longest Volley

Now You Know the Rules — Time to Play

We've got you covered

THRUBALL

noun. [thru-ball]

1. the most exhilarating lawn and beach game of 2026.