Outdoor Games
How to play Kickball
Kick a rolled ball and run bases while the fielding team tries to record outs; score by reaching home.
What you need
A rubber kickball, four bases, a safe open field and two teams
Set up the game
- Mark home, first, second and third bases in order and choose fair/foul boundaries. For a short recreational game, agree on innings and team sizes before beginning.
- The World Kickball Association publishes tournament rules with detailed field, lineup and pitching requirements. This introductory guide covers the common base-running sequence, not every WAKA league provision.
Playing Kickball
- The fielding side rolls the ball from the mound toward home. The kicker kicks from the kicking area, then runs toward first base.
- Fielders may make an out by catching a kicked fly ball before it lands, getting the ball to a base ahead of a forced runner, or tagging a runner off base. In WAKA play, a runner also can be hit by a thrown ball below the shoulders; never throw hard at a face.
- Runners advance counterclockwise through first, second, third and home. A run counts when a runner reaches home legally; switch offense and defense after the agreed number of outs.
- After both teams have kicked for an inning, continue through the agreed innings. Most runs wins; settle tie procedure before play.
Runner on first
Lena kicks a ground ball. Sam, on first, must run toward second because Lena is coming to first. The fielder picks up the ball and touches second with it before Sam arrives: Sam is out on the force. Lena may still be safe at first if nobody gets the ball there in time.
Force out versus tag
If a kicker runs to first, a runner already on first has to make room and is forced toward second. A fielder holding the ball at second before that runner arrives can record an out. A runner on third with no runner on second is not automatically forced toward home; tagging that runner off base is different.
Beginner decisions
- A ground kick away from fielders is often more useful than kicking high into an easy catch.
- On a fly ball, do not leave a base too soon; the fielding team can put a runner out after a catch.
Common rule mix-ups
- Treating every runner as forced when only a runner with someone immediately behind them must advance on the kick.
- Throwing at a runner's head or allowing rough contact; recreational games should use a soft ball and clear safety limits.
Questions about this game
How many outs end a half-inning?
WAKA rules use three; a casual short game can agree on a smaller number before starting.
Can a runner skip second base?
No. A legal scoring run follows the bases in order.
Sources and edition notes
Introductory kickball with WAKA rules as a reference for formal play; casual field size, lineup and inning count are explicitly agreed local settings. Consult the current WAKA document for league disputes.
Sources and stated format checked October 13, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
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