Beerball Rules 2024

The game of beer and ball.

Beerball diagram 1 of 4
1 of 4
  1. Setup and First Throw
  2. Throwing the Ball
  3. Drinking Rules
  4. Catching the Ball
  5. Interference
  6. Winning the Game
  7. Scoring and Progression
  8. Can Placement
  9. Player Equipment
  10. Fouls and Penalties
  11. Referee and Disputes
  12. Cheating
  13. Booking System
  14. Behaviour
  15. Prizes

1. Setup and First Throw

  • Two teams play against each other. Each team has a can placed on their side of a table.
  • The game begins with a coin toss to decide which team throws first.

2. Throwing the Ball

  • Players take turns throwing a ball at the opposing team's cans from behind their side of the table.
  • Your elbow must stay behind the edge of the table during throws.

3. Drinking Rules

  • You may only start drinking if your throw hits an opponent's can (this is considered a successful throw).
  • Drinking stops immediately when the opposing team retrieves the ball, places it on the table, and calls out “stop.”

4. Catching the Ball

  • If an opponent catches the ball after you've hit their can, you cannot drink. Instead, the catcher has the opportunity to drink.
  • The catcher can also run until tagged by someone from the opposing team. If tagged, the drinking stops.
  • A catch counts if it pings off the tinny and is caught before it hits the floor or table. If the ball hits a teammate before it is caught, it still counts as a catch.
  • Don't run outside the park.

5. Interference

  • You are not allowed to block an opponent from retrieving the ball.
  • However, if your teammate catches the ball, you are allowed to block opponents to prevent them from tagging the catcher. No physical wrestling or tackling is allowed.

6. Winning the Game

  • The first team to finish drinking both of their cans wins.
  • When you finish a can, you must hold it above your head to show it is empty.
  • If a can is not empty, it is returned to play, and the referee will decide when you can attempt to finish drinking it again.

7. Scoring and Progression

  • Players earn points based on the order they finish their drinks, scoring 3, 2, 1, or 0 points.
  • These points, known as the drink point average, are used for seeding in tournaments and for other matchup decisions.

8. Can Placement

  • Cans must be placed within a thumb's length from both edges of the table.
  • If only one can remains for a team, it should be moved to the centre of the table, still within a thumb's length of the edge.
  • Cans must start upside down and unopened.

9. Player Equipment

  • Each player must use a regulation sized tinny of at least 440ml.

10. Fouls and Penalties

  • Actions like tackling, illegal blocking, or drinking at incorrect times will result in penalties.
  • Penalties can include free drinks for the opposing team or, in severe cases, carding by the referee.
  • Spillage is lickage.

11. Referee and Disputes

  • The referee's decision is final. Each team can challenge one referee decision per game by performing a traditional dance, known as “judge time.”
  • Successful challenges can overturn a bad call.

12. Cheating

  • Cheating is not allowed and includes false accusations. If caught, penalties depend on the severity and frequency of cheating, ranging from extra drinks for the opposing team to a booking.
  • Cheating not caught during gameplay goes unpunished.

13. Booking System

  • Players receive an official warning before a yellow card is issued.
  • Two yellow cards equal a red card, leading to disqualification. However, the team can continue with a replacement player.
  • Judge times can contest bookings.

14. Behaviour

  • It's in a public park so no behaviour!
  • No wrestling without consent, and do it far away from the group.
  • Chun in a bucket or go to our house to chun in the toilet (not the sink).
  • Don't be too loud, Don't be a dick. Be mindful of the park users around us.

15. Prizes

  • Winners receive the Community Shield, engraved with their team name and date, which they keep until the next tournament.
  • Gold trophies are awarded to both players of the winning team.
  • Second and third place teams receive medals.
  • Special awards include a golden tinny for the best player and a brown tinny for the player with the lowest score.