ECLIPSE BALL
Eclipse Ball is the hottest new racquet and ball sport created in the heart of America.
Eclipse Ball began in 1988. The idea for a black and white ball came from a grandfather,
who was a baseball player in the early 1900’s. In those days, the pitcher might try an old
trick and smear black on part of the ball. This gave the pitched ball a corkscrewing
appearance as it went spinning through the air, and quite often, confused the batter just
enough to make him miss. This corkscrewing effect also adds to the element of
uncertainty in the Eclipse Ball game. Both aggressive and non-aggressive players work
well together in this game. A light touch is as important to the strategy of winning as a
fiercely hit return.
Eclipse Ball was designed to have the camaraderie of volleyball, the spontaneity of
badminton, and the excitement of tennis, with rules designed with fun
and action in mind. The fundamental ideas behind Eclipse Ball are a desire for a game
with vigorous volleys that aren't terminated easily and a second chance that can extend
these delirious volleys even more.
OBJECT OF THE GAME:
 The object of the game is to score 21 points.
 Points are won by the SERVING TEAM EXCEPT IN A “PLAY – IT”
SITUATION.
 Games must be won by at least 3 points.
 Winner is determined by the best 2 out of 3 games.
TO BEGIN THE GAME:
 Typically there are 4-6 players per team but as few as one on each team can play, or
more than 6 if needed.
* The court size for teams is the same as a standard volleyball setup (green lines on
main court or the gray lines if playing width of our courts,) with standard badminton
size for singles. Net height is 8 feet.
THE SERVE:
 Eclipse Ball is started by a team member who THROWS the ball over the net thus
beginning the volley for the serve, the ball must go over the net 3 times. THE
WINNER OF THE VOLLEY WINS THE SERVE.
 All serves must be underhand with once bounce from ¾ court or further back.
(Orange line is playing on main court or black sideline is playing width of our courts)
 The server has only one chance to get the ball over the net.
 A ball that lands on the line is always good.
 Balls that hit the net and go over while serving or volleying are always good.
 Rotate players as in volleyball, ______________.
 When beginning the 2nd or 3rd game, the team that lost the previous game serves first.
RETURN OF SERVE:
 The Eclipse Ball is usually hit with the racquet, however it is not against the rules for
players to use their hands or heads to keep the ball in play. It is against the rules to
catch the ball and throw it.
 Players cannot score on a double hit, (hitting the ball up to themselves and slamming
it over) however other players may set you up for a slam. Team work and passing the
ball between players is encouraged.
 During play the ball is allowed to bounce ONCE IN BOUNDS ANY NUMBER OF
TIMES BETWEEN HITS (WITH A MAXIMUM OF 2 CONSECUTIVE HITS
PER PLAYER,) AND TWICE IN BOUNDS, ONCE ON EACH SIDE, PER
VOLLEY. The second double bounce results in a loss of serve or score.
 A player must not enter the opposite team’s court in any way to recover the ball; this
includes their racquet. You may come up to and equal with the net, but not over or
under it.
“PLAY – IT” SITUATION:
 A “Play-it” situation is possible when on the teams is at fault and the opposite team
whishes to keep the ball in play. This is done to gamble for extra points or merely for
the fun of extending the volley.
 Each time that one team is at fault (they might hit the ball out of bounds), members
from the opposite team have the option of returning the ball but they must shout,
“Play – it!” first before returning it. If a team fails to shout, “Play-it” on an
opposite team’s fault, and keeps the ball in play, the game is continued as usual, with
only the serving team being able to score.
 This will alert all players that the ball is still in play and is worth 2 points. Both
teams have the opportunity to rack up 2,4, 6 or even more points in one extended
volley. This way either team can score on “Play-its.”
 “Play-its” are NOT allowed on serves.