Overview & Objective

1.1 Thruball is a team sport played by two teams, each consisting of two players.
1.2 Teams line up on opposing sides of the court, with the Thruball gate positioned in the center of the boundary lines.
1.3 A point begins when the server hits the ball through the gate toward the opposing team.
1.4 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.
1.5 Each team is allowed up to three touches, but no fewer than two, to return the ball through the gate.
1.6 The rally continues until a team is unable to return the ball through the gate.

2

Serving

2.1 A game starts with a rally for serve. No points are awarded; it solely determines which team serves first. Either team may start the rally for serve.
2.2 Basic play follows a gentleman's serve, where the ball is served through the gate with the sole intent of getting the point started.
2.3 A legal serve occurs when the server hits the ball through the gate without the ball contacting the Thruball stand or gate, and the ball lands within the boundary lines — or an opposing player makes contact in an attempt to return it.
2.4 Teammates must alternate who serves each time the serve is won back from the opposing team.

3

3.1 A point can only be scored by the serving team.
3.2 If the rally is lost by the serving team, no points are awarded, and the serve switches to the opposing team for the next rally.
3.3 If a point is won by the serving team, the serving player continues to serve until the opposing team wins a rally.

4

4.1 A player serving is allowed one fault, after which the server has one more attempt to hit a legal serve. Two faults result in the serve being lost and switched to the opposing team.
4.2 A fault occurs when any of the following are true:
- The serve does not pass through the gate.
- The serve passes through the gate but lands outside the boundary lines without the opposing team making contact.
- The serve makes contact with the gate but does not pass through.

5

5.1 A player serving is allowed unlimited lets.
5.2 A let is a serve that makes contact with the gate while passing through it and lands within the boundary lines. A let requires a re-serve.

6

6.1 A team must hit the ball a minimum of two times when returning it to the opposing team.
6.2 A team may hit the ball a maximum of three times when returning it.
6.3 Players may move as they wish during a point, including onto the opposing team's side, but must never make contact with the stand or interfere with a player on the opposing team.
6.4 A legal hit is one in which the ball makes contact with the paddle only. A player's body may never make contact with the ball.
6.5 A single player may not hit the ball twice consecutively, unless the ball ricochets off the gate on their team's second hit. If this occurs, either team member may use the team's third hit to return the ball through the gate.
6.6 Double contact — the paddle making contact with the ball twice in one hit — is not allowed and results in the loss of a serve or point.

7

7.1 The Kitchen is the area outlined by the feet of the Thruball stand.
7.2 A player must not enter or land in the Kitchen while hitting the ball on a downward trajectory.
7.3 A player may enter the Kitchen when passing the ball back to a teammate or hitting the ball on an upward trajectory through the gate.

8

8.1 Thruball is a self-officiated sport; responsibility for fair play falls on the players.
8.2 All players are expected to know the rules. The integrity of Thruball depends on each player upholding them.
8.3 Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of the mutual respect among competitors or the simple joy of play.

9

9.1 Tournament Serve. Serving with the intention of scoring a point. This serve must be performed with the player's back foot on the far boundary line.
9.2 3 on 3. Two teams, each consisting of three players. All other Thruball rules remain the same.
9.3 Longest Volley. All four players are on the same team, and each pass through the gate counts as one. The goal is to reach the highest number of passes as a group. Extra balls help keep long volleys going.
9.4 Thruball for Kids. Thruball is designed for all ages. For younger players, remove one or more pieces from the stand to bring the gate closer to the ground. All other rules remain the same.

§

Gate: The opening at the top of the Thruball stand through which the ball must pass on every serve and return.
Stand: The full structure that holds the gate upright, including the legs and feet that frame the Kitchen.
Boundary Lines: The lines marking the in-play area; a ball must land within them to remain live.
Kitchen: The area outlined by the feet of the stand, subject to the trajectory restrictions in §7.
Rally for Serve: The opening exchange that decides which team serves first; no points are awarded.
Gentleman's Serve: A relaxed serve made solely to start the point rather than to win it outright.
Fault: An illegal serve as defined in §4.2; one is permitted per service turn.
Let: A serve that clips the gate while passing through and lands in bounds; replayed with no penalty (§5).
Double Contact: The paddle contacting the ball twice within a single hit; results in loss of serve or point (§6.6).