Jollyball facts for kids

Jollyball is a fun and unique sport that mixes parts of juggling with volleyball! Imagine playing volleyball, but instead of just hitting the ball, you also have to juggle. It's usually played on a badminton court, which is smaller than a volleyball court.

What is Jollyball?

Jollyball is a game where two or three players are on each team. Each player needs to have two juggling balls ready. There's also a main ball used for playing, similar to a volleyball.

How to Play Jollyball

The game starts with a serve. One player throws the main ball over the net into the opponent's side. This serve isn't just caught with hands!

Serving the Ball

The server throws the main ball to the other team. It's like a serve in volleyball, but the way it's received is very different.

Catching and Juggling

When the ball comes over the net, an opponent must "catch" it by using it to perform a three-ball juggling pattern. The most common pattern is the three-ball cascade. This means they quickly add the served ball to their two juggling balls and perform a short juggling sequence.

Passing and Teamwork

A team is allowed three "catches" before they must pass the ball. One of the juggling balls (it doesn't have to be the one that was served) must then be thrown to another player on their team, or passed back over the net. Just like in volleyball, a team can only make three passes among themselves before they must send the ball back to the other side.

Scoring in Jollyball

Teams score points in a few ways. You get a point if the main ball lands on the opponent's side of the court. You also score if the other team throws a ball out of bounds. Another way to score is if the opposing team fails to complete their juggling pattern when they receive the ball.

Why Play Jollyball?

Jollyball games are often relaxed and informal. Players are encouraged to show off their best juggling moves and skills for anyone watching. It's a great way to combine athletic movement with the art of juggling!