You can buy floor mats online if you don’t already have them. The bases in counterclockwise order are home, first, second, and third. The mat for second base is straight ahead of home. You can play matball outside, but the floor mats could get dirty throughout the game depending on the weather.
Other players on the defensive team must stay behind the pitcher’s mound until a player kicks the ball.
If you’re playing with a gym class, split the class in half. If you’re playing matball in an intramural league, there may be a maximum number of players you can have on your team. Check with the intramural rules before assembling your team.
Make sure everyone is familiar with the game’s rules before you start so no one is confused when you’re playing.
You are allowed 1 strike if you don’t kick the ball on the first pitch. After the second pitch, you must either kick the ball or you will be called out. If the ball is bouncing during the pitch, you may ask them to pitch it again for you. This does not count as a strike. If the ball hits the ceiling when you kick it, the ball is dead and you are automatically out. Determine with your group if you’ll allow bunting during the game. Bunting is when you kick the ball lightly so it doesn’t travel far so you’re more likely to get on base.
If someone catches the ball or touches you with the ball before you touch the base, you’re out and must go back to the lineup. Be careful not to run past the mat since you can still be tagged out if you aren’t touching it. Do not dive or slide into the mats since you could hurt yourself.
If you’re still on a base when you’re next in your team’s lineup, then you are automatically out and need to return back to your team. You do not get to kick even though you would be next in the lineup. Try to run to the next base with another player on your team since it’s more difficult for the defensive team to get everyone out at the same time.
If you want to make your game more difficult, have players go around the bases twice before they score a run. Make players who are on their second time around the bases carry a flag or rag so you aren’t confused about who’s scoring.
The umpire has the final decision about whether someone is out or safe. Don’t argue with their decision.
If a player scores when the third out is called, the run doesn’t count and the point is lost.
There is no catcher in matball, but players can move into a catching position after the player kicks the ball. You can either designate 1 player as the pitcher for the whole game, or you can rotate between team members each inning so everyone has a chance to try.
You can fake a pitch if you want to try and get another runner off of the base. Go through the motions of pitching without letting go of the ball to fool the runner so you can get them out. If you pitch the ball and it bounces multiple times, you may need to pitch it again.
After you catch a ball, check if there are other players running between the bases since you can get them out on the same turn.
You cannot stand directly in the way of the runner when they’re to get to the next base. The runner is still out even if you throw the ball and it bounces before hitting them. Don’t throw the ball at someone’s face since you could hurt them.
If the offensive team got its third out, then you do not need to return the ball to the pitcher since you’ll immediately change sides.
You can play for as many innings if you want if you’re just playing for fun.
