Spikeball, more than a beach sport

Written by: Mateo, Reporter in ISFM

Introduction     

Spikeball is a sport that combines trampolining and a ball. It can be played in teams or one-on-one. This sport gained popularity in early 2008 and now has competitions played at a global level. It’s most commonly played on beaches, especially in France.

What is Spikeball?

To play this game, you need a trampoline (a standard Spikeball trampoline is approximately 91 cm in diameter, or 91.44 cm, and the ball is about the size of an adult’s hand). It’s a sport that was invented in 1989 by Jeff Knurek. Chris Ruder rediscovered it in 2003 on a beach in Hawaii, but it was in 2008 that he relaunched the game by creating his company Spikeball Inc.

Fun Facts

Spikeball is one of the only sports where players can move all around the net.

Players can obstruct their opponents to prevent them from scoring.

The rules:

1. Maximum of 3 touches to return the ball.
2. Any part of the body can be used.
3. The server (the one serving the ball) must stand approximately 2 to 3 meters from the net.
4. If the ball hits the net twice, it’s a point for the opponent.
5. If the ball hits the metal frame around the net, it’s a point for the opponent.

The best players

Assistive Touch (USA), The Assistive Touch team, composed of Buddy Hammon and Clark Marshall, is considered the best team in the world in this sport. They won the first Spikeball World Championships (Roundnet World Championships) in 2022 in Belgium. This duo was also the 2022 US national champion. 

Paul Siemer & Lukas Eisenträger, a German duo, are also an undefeated men’s duo in several European tournaments.

Injuries & Accidents

Common injuries include ankle sprains or hand injuries.

The following anonymous people have injured themselves badly through spikeball. Here’s what can happen:

1. A college student playing Spikeball on the beach who fractured their wrist after diving for the ball and landing on an outstretched hand.
2. A recreational Spikeball player who tore their ACL after landing awkwardly while jumping to return the ball. Sudden pivots and jumps are a common cause of knee injuries in Spikeball.

Written by: Mateo, Reporter in ISFM

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