The official game of bubbleball as created by the BBA plays faster, with more agility and strategy from players. For other beginner games please visit our game rules page.

Version 3.3 updated November 8, 2019

Objective

• First team to 4 quint points wins the match.

Length of Game

• Five 8 minute periods. Each called a quint
• Time stopped for time outs and injuries
• Two 3 minute time outs available for each team per match

Players

• Each team consists of 8 players. Modified versions with 6 v 6 and 4 v 4 also possible.
  • 4 ballers
  • 4 runners
• Substitutions can be made on the fly any time or during stoppage of play (similar to ice hockey)

Field

• The playing field is an outdoor field approximately 55 yards wide x 100 yards long (including two 10 yard star zones)
• The field is marked by boundary lines
• Two ends zones called star zones are marked by stars
• Circles (“pockets”) on the field are safe zones for runners. Runners can not be hit while in pockets.
• Area outside of pockets is called the Open Zone

Equipment

• 4 bubbleballs per team + extras
• 10 stars per team
• 1 size 4 soccer ball + extras
• 2 popup soccer goals
• 4 sets of knee and elbow pads (optional, recommended on turf fields) per team
• 4 flag football belts per team

Officials

• 1 referees
• 2 assistant referees

Game Rules

Setup / Kick Off

• Before kick off, team captains exchange stars
• Teams lay down the opposing team’s stars in their defending star zone
• Stars must be at least 3 yards apart
• Game ball placed at center field to begin with all players outside the center circle
• On whistle, players run for game ball (“the rush”) and begin play

Scoring

• 5 periods in a match (each period called “a quint”)
• Score 3 points if a baller scores a goal in net (“shooting for the moon”)
• Score 1 point if a runner places or smashes game ball on a star (“landing on the stars”). Game ball can not touch the ground before landing on a star
• First four quints are worth 1 quint point
• Fifth quint (“the comeback quint”) is worth 2 quint points
• Team with most points in a quint gets 1 quint point. Tied score, each team awarded 1 quint point.
• First team to 4 quint points wins the match.
• If team wins four quints, game over. If tie after five quints, play tie breaking quint, followed by sudden death extra time

Game Play

• In the center pocket & star zones runners can pick up the game ball to throw in any direction or use feet
• In the end pockets runners can touch / volley / throw the ball with hands but not hold onto it
• Outside pockets and star zones runners can only touch game ball with feet and may be tackled or hit
• Inside center pocket only, runners can not be hit.
• If runner possesses game ball and belt is pulled inside a pocket or star zone, turn over of ball.
• Ballers must release ball within 3 seconds if they possess the game ball and hit the ground
• Ball goes out of bounds. Receiving team player throw in.
• There are no corner kicks
• When point is scored, defending team must touch ball on star line then throw or kick
• Teams switch sides and may reposition stars only after the 2nd and 4th quints

Fouls and Penalties

A referee may award a free kick against a player either with or without the ball. 5 individual fouls leads to ejection.

• Illegal hit
  • Intentionally knocking down a player that is not in possession of game ball
  • Preventing a player from getting up
  • Knocking down a runner from behind
• Illegal tackle
  • Tripping
  • Grabbing
  • Kicking
  • Spearing
  • Window grabbing
  • Defensive runners can not pull belts of offensive runner in pockets. Pulls only allowed in star zone.
• Illegal start
  • Defensive player does not start play from behind the base line
• Illegal score
  • Runner can not score a goal
  • Baller can not score a star
• Illegal position
  • Flying wedge
  • Goaltending / sitting by baller
  • Offside if player is ahead of all defensive players before ball is passed.
  • No offside in star zone if there is a defensive player in the zone, no matter position
• Other
  • Delay of game
  • Player misconduct
  • Excessive holding of ball if knocked down

Terminology