Prisonball facts for kids

Prisonball is a super fun game, a bit like dodgeball but with a cool twist! When a player gets hit by the ball, they don't just sit out. Instead, they go to "prison" behind the other team's court. To get out of prison, a teammate needs to throw the ball to you while you're in the prison area, and you have to catch it. The rules for getting out of prison can be a little different depending on where you play. This game is also known by many other names like Prison Dodgeball, Nationball, Jail Ball, Jailbreak, or Nuke'em.

How to Play Prisonball

Prisonball is usually played with two teams. The main goal is to get all players on the other team into prison.

Getting Out of Prison

There are a few ways players can get out of prison and back into the game:

• Catching a Pass: The most common way is for a teammate to throw a ball to a player in prison. If the prisoner catches it, they are free!
• All at Once: Sometimes, if a ball is thrown to the prison area and caught, it can free all the players who are in prison at that moment.
• Buddy Ball: In some games, a special "buddy ball" might be used. If a player in prison catches this ball, two players can come back into the game.
• Basketball Hoops: If you're playing on a basketball court, a team might free all their prisoners by throwing a dodgeball into the opposing team's basketball hoop.

Prisoners Can Still Play

In some versions of Prisonball, players in prison aren't just waiting to be freed. They can still be part of the action!

• Attacking from Prison: Prisoners might be allowed to pick up balls and throw them at the opposing team. However, they usually can't step onto the main court.
• Order of Release: If prisoners can throw balls, they might be released in the order they were put into prison. So, the first player jailed is the first one freed.

Different Ways to Play

Just like many popular games, Prisonball has lots of variations. Here are some of the most common ones:

Ghost Variation

This version is sometimes called Ghost. In Ghost, the prison area is much bigger. It stretches along the sides and behind the opposing team's court.

• No Release: A big difference here is that players cannot be released from prison. Once you're in, you're in for the game!
• Attack from All Sides: Even though prisoners can't get out, they can still collect balls and throw them at the other team. This makes the game super exciting because teams can be attacked from all four sides as more players get jailed.
• Winning the Game: The last team with a player not in prison wins the game.

Nationball Rules

Nationball is a variation that started in places like coastal Los Angeles. It has some unique rules:

• One Ball Game: This game is often played with just one ball.
• Starting Goalie: One player from each team starts in the "prison" area. This player acts as a goalie. They get an extra life and are the only ones allowed to return to the main court if they are hit.
• Getting Out: A thrown ball must hit another player and then hit the ground to count as an "out." If a ball is caught, the thrower is out and goes to prison.
• Headshots: Headshots usually don't count. But if a player ducks and then gets hit in the head, it counts as an out.
• Special Releases: Sometimes, if only one player is left on a team, and they can avoid being hit for 30 throws, all their jailed teammates can return to the main court.

Jail Ball or Jailbreak

Jail Ball or Jailbreak is another popular version. It uses the goal boxes on a court as "jails."

• Getting Out of Jail: When a player gets out, they go to jail. To get out of jail, they must hit an opposing player with a ball. If they succeed, they are released, and the player they hit goes to jail. This version has been played since at least 1966.

Benchball Variation

In Britain, especially in scout groups and physical education classes, a variation called benchball is played.

• Bench Prison: In this game, players who are in prison stand on a bench behind the opposing team. This makes it a bit easier for them to get out of jail because they have a better view and throwing angle.
• Not the Original: It's important to know that this is different from the original game of benchball, which is more like netball.

See also

In Spanish: Balón prisionero para niños