Franklin Ladderball

Game Rules

A regulation ladderball game is played to 21 points or nine rounds, whichever comes first. One round consists of both players tossing their four bolas in an alternating pattern. A player must win by two or more points. If the game is tied after nine rounds, additional rounds are played to determine a winner. The winner of each round shoots first in the next round. Players alternate tossing bolas until all tosses have been played.

Key Points

• The most effective way to toss your bolo is to place the lanyard between your middle and forefinger with the golf ball laying in between your fingers. A gentle underhand toss and release motion will give you the best chance of attaching the bolo to the target.
• Players alternate tosses until all bolas have been played.

Official Rules

Two Player Play

Players stand at opposite targets and toss in alternating turns. After player #1 tosses their first bolo at the target, player #2 then tosses one of their bolas. After both players have tossed all of their bolas, the round is over and a score is calculated. Both players can score points in the same round if their tossed bolas earned points. The player that scores the highest points tosses first in the next round. If no points were scored in the round, the player who tossed first in the previous round would continue to toss first.

Team Play

Two teams of 2 players each should be determined. Players on each team should stand at opposite targets. Players toss in alternating turns. After player #1 from team A tosses one of their bolas at the target, player #1 from team B then tosses one of their bolas. This alternating playing method continues for all players until all tosses have been played. After all bolas have been played, the round is over and a score is calculated. Both teams can score points in the same round if their tossed bolas earned points. The team that scored the highest points in the round tosses first in the next round. If no points were scored in the round, the team who tossed first in the previous round would toss first.

Scoring

• 1 Point: A bolo that lands on the top bar scores 1 point.
• 2 Points: A bolo that lands on the middle bar scores 2 points.
• 3 Points: A bolo that lands on the bottom bar scores 3 points.

Notes

• Injury to yourself or others may occur if bolas are used improperly. Please see proper tossing technique in "key points", #1.
• Do not attempt to wrap bolas around body parts.
• Adult supervision is recommended for younger players.
• The ladderball target is designed for normal game play, see official rules. Misuse of the ladderball target may result in personal injury and/or damage to the target. Do not sit or stand on the ladderball target.

Parts List

Assembly Instructions

GENERAL NOTE: Start by laying out all the pieces and organize them by type/size for each target.

Step 1: Assemble the Red Target Base

Take the two Red Large Weighted Tubes (A). Attach one Red L-connector (K) to each end of these tubes. Ensure all Red L-connectors (K) are oriented in the same direction.

Step 2: Add Red Medium Tubes

Insert one Red Medium Tube (H) into the other opening on each L-connector. Four Red Medium Tubes (H) and four L-connectors (K) are used in this step, connecting to the base tubes.

Step 3: Join Red Base Sections

Join the two assembled pieces using two Red T-connectors (J). Ensure the bottom of each T-connector is pointing away from the ground. Set this assembly aside for a future step.

Step 4: Prepare Red and Blue Uprights

Take one Blue Large Tube (E) and install two Red L-connectors (K) to each end, ensuring they are oriented the same direction. Take the White Large Tube (D) and the Red Large Tube (C) and install the remaining four Red T-connectors (J) onto each end, ensuring the connectors are oriented in the same direction.

Step 5: Complete Red Target Assembly

Take two Red Small Tubes (F) and insert one into each of the Red T-connectors (J) from Step 3. Then, press the assembled white large tube section (tubes D and C with J connectors) onto the installed red small tubes. Install two more Red Small Tubes (F) into the open T-connectors. Finish the assembly of the first target by installing the large blue tube assembly (tubes E with K connectors) onto the red small tubes.

Step 6: Assemble Blue Target Base

Now it's time to assemble the blue target. Take the two Blue Large Weighted Tubes (B). Attach one Blue L-connector (M) to each end of these tubes. Ensure all Blue L-connectors (M) are oriented in the same direction.

Step 7: Add Blue Medium Tubes

Insert one Blue Medium Tube (I) into the other opening on each L-connector. Four Blue Medium Tubes (I) and four L-connectors (M) are used in this step, connecting to the base tubes.

Step 8: Join Blue Base Sections

Join the two assembled pieces using two Blue T-connectors (L). Ensure the bottom of each T-connector is pointing away from the ground. Set this assembly aside for a future step.

Step 9: Prepare Blue and Red Uprights

Take one Blue Large Tube (E) and install two Blue L-connectors (M) to each end, ensuring they are oriented the same direction. Take the White Large Tube (D) and the Red Large Tube (C) and install the remaining four Blue T-connectors (L) onto each end, ensuring the connectors are oriented in the same direction.

Step 10: Complete Blue Target Assembly

Take two Blue Small Tubes (G) and insert one into each of the Blue T-connectors (L) from Step 8. Then, press the assembled white large tube section (tubes D and C with L connectors) onto the installed blue small tubes. Install two more Blue Small Tubes (G) into the open T-connectors. Finish the assembly of the second target by installing the large blue tube assembly (tubes E with M connectors) onto the blue small tubes.

Court Layout & Game Instructions

Court Diagram: The playing distance is indicated as 25ft (7.62m) from the target.

Getting Started

The game is started by selecting which player will go first. This is done by one player flipping a coin in the air and the opposing player guessing which side will land face up, heads or tails. If the opposing player guesses correctly, they can choose to go first or last. Players ages 13+ should stand 25ft (7.62m) from the target. The distance can be shortened if space is limited. Players ages 8-12 should stand 15ft (4.57m) from the target.