How to Play

To get started, set up the court using 8 line markers in an octagon shape, each placed about 6.5 metres (8 paces) from the central base. Place the four serving markers 1.5 metres (2 paces) from the base to define each player’s starting point. Before playing, insert the ‘Bish’ into the centre of the base and attach the coloured legs to help indicate player ends. Each team picks two adjacent quadrants and rotates between them for that set. It’s a good idea to switch ends between sets to keep things fair.

To decide who serves first, teams can either play a quick rally after calling out “P-L-A-Y” or spin a bat. The server stands on their marker and must hit the top of the base cleanly — without bouncing twice or going out. Each player gets two attempts per serve. The team that wins the point serves next, with players rotating positions after each point so no one serves from the same spot twice in a row.

The goal of Bishball™ is simple: work with your teammate to return the ball onto the top section of the base using up to three alternating hits. You can return on the first, second, or third touch — just don’t hit it twice in a row or use your body. Points end if the ball hits the ground, bounces twice on the base, goes out of bounds, or if a player touches the base. If the ball hits the raised edge and bounces back into the red zone, it’s considered out.

Each game is played in a tiebreak format — first to 15 points, but you need to win by 2 if the score reaches 14-all. You can play best of 3 or best of 5 sets depending on how competitive you’re feeling. The team that wins each point takes the next serve, and serving players rotate within their zones throughout the set.