Roundnet vs Spikeball Rules Compared

Yes, roundnet and Spikeball are the same game. Roundnet is the generic name of the sport. Spikeball is the original brand and product that popularized it.

Both are played by two teams of two who hit a ball onto a round net. Each side gets up to three touches, and there are no boundaries after the serve. Serve rules, game length and a tournament-only No Hit Zone separate them.

We compared Spikeball's how-to-play rules page with the International Roundnet Federation (IRF) rules adopted on October 10, 2021. For the casual game on its own, see our Spikeball rules guide. More matchups are in our sport comparisons.

Roundnet vs Spikeball Side by Side

The Spikeball rules page and the IRF tournament rules agree on how a rally works and differ mainly on serving, game length and tournament-only rules. Imperial figures in the IRF column come from the IRF text or from our conversion of its metric numbers.

Detail	Spikeball rules page (casual)	IRF rules (tournament roundnet)
What the name means	The original brand and product	The generic name of the sport
Teams	Two teams of two, set up in a cross formation	Two teams of two
Touches per possession	Alternating between teammates	Up to three, alternating between teammates
Boundaries	Not stated in the sources we compared	None after the serve; 33 by 33 ft (10 by 10 m) of space recommended
Ball contact	Any body part; no catching or throwing	Any body part; no catching or throwing
Pockets	Legal in rallies, illegal on serves	Legal in rallies, illegal on serves; roll-ups legal
Starting distance	Everyone except the receiver at least 7 ft from the net; newer players may stand closer	Service line 7 ft (2.13 m) from the edge of the set; serving circle 8.5 ft (2.6 m) from center
Serve	Toss and hit onto the net; must come cleanly off the net	Toss must travel 4 in (10 cm) first; no higher than the receiver's shoulder
Serve faults and footwork	First fault gives a second serve; two faults give the point to the receiving team	Footwork limited to one step, with a foot grounded until the ball hits the net
Scoring	Rally scoring: serving or receiving team can win the point	Win by two unless otherwise specified; a hard cap may apply
Game length	Typically to 11, 15 or 21, chosen by the tournament director	Typically to 15 or 21
Net tension check	Ball dropped from 3 ft rebounds about 12 to 18 in	Ball dropped from 5 ft (1.5 m) bounces 20 in (50 cm)
No Hit Zone	Not stated in the sources we compared	Circle 3 ft (90 cm) from the set's center
Touching the set in a rally	Not stated in the sources we compared	Point lost
Hinders	Impeded player may call "hinder"	Impeded player may call "hinder" (Rules 6.4 to 6.7)
Rule text	Spikeball rules page	IRF rules adopted October 10, 2021

Shared Roundnet and Spikeball Rules

The rally works the same way under both rule sets. Teams start in a cross formation around the net, according to Spikeball's rules page. After the serve, the IRF rules say there are no sides or boundaries.

Under the IRF rules, a team gets up to three touches to return the ball onto the net. Then possession switches to the other team. Touches must alternate between teammates, so one player can never hit twice in a row.

A hit may use any part of the body, but the ball can't be caught or thrown (IRF Rules 5.2 to 5.3 and Spikeball's rules page).

The IRF rules (Rule 5.5.1) list four ways a team loses the point:

The ball hits the ground.
The ball's first contact with the set is the rim, the legs or the underside.
The ball bounces twice on the net.
The ball never exits the net.

Pockets are shots that change trajectory near the rim without touching it. Both rule sets allow them in rallies and ban them on serves. The IRF rules (Rule 5.5.3) also allow a roll-up.

Both rule sets cover hinders (IRF Rules 6.4 to 6.7 and Spikeball's rules page). A player who is impeded may call "hinder." The result is a replay or a point, depending on two questions: did the opponent try to avoid the interference, and was a good touch possible?

Serving Differences

The two published rule sets give different detail on serving. Spikeball's page sets a standard for casual play. The IRF rules add measured distances and limits on the toss, height and footwork.

Serving on Spikeball's Rules Page

On Spikeball's page, every player except the receiver starts at least 7 ft from the net. Newer players may stand closer. The server tosses the ball and hits it onto the net.

Spikeball's page says the serve must come cleanly off the net. A pocket or rim serve is a fault. A first fault earns a second serve, and two faults give the point to the receiving team.

On Spikeball's page, rotation follows the point. If the serving team wins, the server switches places with the partner and serves to the other receiver. If the receiving team wins, the next designated player serves.

Serving Under IRF Rules

The IRF rules (Rule 1.2.3) mark a service line 7 ft (2.13 m) from the edge of the set. They also mark a serving circle 8.5 ft (2.6 m) from the center.

Rules 4.4.3 to 4.4.8 then add these serve details:

The ball must travel at least 4 in (10 cm) from the release before the server strikes it.
The server must strike the ball and may not throw it.
Any force is allowed, and short serves are allowed.
The serve may not go higher than the receiver's shoulder in an athletic stance.
The server may take one step, and a foot must stay on the ground until the ball hits the net.

Scoring and Game Length

Both rule sets use points to a fixed target, and the published targets differ slightly. Spikeball's page describes rally scoring, where the serving or receiving team can win the point.

The two sources give different typical game lengths. Spikeball's page says games typically go to 11, 15 or 21, with the tournament director choosing. The IRF rules (Rule 3.4) say games typically go to 15 or 21.

Under IRF Rules 3.4.1 and 3.4.2, games must be won by two unless otherwise specified. A 14-14 game continues, for example, to 17-15. A tournament may instead set a hard cap, where the next point wins.

Tournament-Only Details

Two IRF rules apply in tournament play: the No Hit Zone and the ban on touching the set.

The No Hit Zone is a circle drawn 3 ft (90 cm) from the set's center (IRF Rules 1.2.4 and 5.6.3). A player who has touched the zone can't make the final hit of a possession until both feet are back outside it.

The second rule covers the set itself. Under IRF Rule 5.7, a player who touches the rim, legs or net during a rally loses the point.

Equipment and Net Tension

The IRF rules define an approved set and a tension test, while Spikeball's page gives its own tension check for casual play.

Under IRF Rule 1.1.2, an approved set has 5 rims, 5 legs and a net. Its diameter is 91.4 cm (about 36 in) and its height is 20.3 cm (about 8 in). The inch figures are our conversions.

The IRF ball (Rule 1.1.4) is inflated to 0.3 to 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI). Its circumference is about 12 in (30 cm).

The tension tests use different drop heights. Spikeball says a ball dropped from 3 ft (36 in) should rebound about 12 to 18 in. The IRF standard (Rule 1.1.3) drops the ball from 5 ft (1.5 m) and expects a 20 in (50 cm) bounce.

The ratios show how the two tests compare, by our arithmetic. The IRF rebound is 50 cm out of 150 cm, one third of the drop height. Spikeball's range is 12 to 18 in out of 36 in, one third to one half.

The IRF rules also give a space recommendation. The IRF rules (Rule 1.2.2) recommend at least 33 by 33 ft (10 by 10 m) per court, with no out-of-bounds. By our arithmetic, 10 by 10 m is 100 sq m (about 1,076 sq ft), and 33 by 33 ft is about 1,089 sq ft.

Governing Bodies and Events

Roundnet has governing bodies, and Spikeball runs its own events under its own name. Looper reports that the game is now generically called roundnet.

USA Roundnet describes itself as the National Governing Body for roundnet in the USA. It is volunteer-run, has eleven committees, and works with the International Roundnet Federation. Spikeball's own events now run as the Spikeball Tour Series.

The IRF rules used on this page were adopted on October 10, 2021, and the IRF updates its rules periodically. The IRF rules document is the 2021 text.

Rule Set Choice for Casual and Tournament Play

Neither rule set wins outright. Pick by where you plan to play.

Pick Spikeball's casual rules if:

You want the option of a game to 11.
Newer players in your group need to stand closer than 7 ft.
You want the serve rule from Spikeball's page: toss, hit and come cleanly off the net.

Pick IRF tournament rules if:

You plan to play in events that run on IRF rules.
You want a measured service line, a shoulder-height cap and a footwork limit.
You want the No Hit Zone and the set-touch rule in play from the start.

Our answer would change if the IRF publishes a new edition that alters serve rules, game length or the No Hit Zone. A change to Spikeball's rules page on the same points would change it too. If you are still deciding between sports, our new sport quiz and the new sports guides cover the options.

Spikeball Brand History

Spikeball began as a brand and product, and the game is now generically called roundnet. Toymaker Jeff Knurek created Spikeball, and the game was conceived in 1989, according to the Mount Vernon News.

Spikeball Inc. was created in 2008. The Mount Vernon News reported on July 2, 2022 that CEO Chris Ruder paid $800 for the trademark.

Ruder pitched the company on Shark Tank in the Season 6 finale, as Looper reports. Daymond John's offer for 20% of the company never closed. Looper also reports annual revenue of about $19M as of 2019.

Before your first game, set up the net and run the drop test from the rule set you chose. Then read our Spikeball rules guide and agree on casual or IRF rules before the first serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roundnet the same as Spikeball?

Yes, the game is the same. Roundnet is the generic name of the sport, and Spikeball is the original brand and product that popularized it. Two teams of two hit a ball onto a round net with up to three touches per side.

Is Spikeball called roundnet?

Yes, the game is now generically called roundnet, according to Looper. Spikeball remains the name of the company and its product. USA Roundnet describes itself as the National Governing Body for roundnet in the USA.

Are Spikeball rules the same as roundnet tournament rules?

The core rally rules match, but the details differ. Both use alternating touches and the same pocket rule. The IRF rules add a measured service line, toss and height limits on the serve, the No Hit Zone and a set-touch rule.

Can you play roundnet with a Spikeball set?

Yes, it is the same game: Spikeball is the original brand and product that popularized roundnet. For tournaments, the IRF rules (Rule 1.1.2) specify an approved set of 5 rims, 5 legs and a net, 91.4 cm across and 20.3 cm high. Whether a given brand's set is accepted at an event is not established here, so ask the tournament organizer before you bring your own set.

What is the No Hit Zone in roundnet?

The No Hit Zone is a circle drawn 3 ft (90 cm) from the set's center in IRF play. A player who has touched it can't make the final hit of a possession until both feet are back outside.

How many touches do you get in roundnet and in Spikeball?

The IRF rules give each team up to three touches. Under both rule sets, touches must alternate between teammates, so no player hits twice in a row.

How long is a roundnet game compared with a Spikeball game?

Spikeball's page lists games to 11, 15 or 21, and the IRF rules list 15 or 21. Under IRF rules, games are won by two unless otherwise specified, so 14-14 continues to 17-15. A tournament may set a hard cap where the next point wins.

Roundnet vs Spikeball Rule Differences

Roundnet vs Spikeball Side by Side

Shared Roundnet and Spikeball Rules