Gameplay (Download Full Rulebook)

1. Players stand on opposite sides from their teammate on either side of the centerline. Players are free to move and toss from anywhere on their side of the playing field, but must toss from behind the Throwing Line.

2. Each player starts with two Bean Balls. They toss the Bean Balls in an effort to land them on the SKOREBOARD to score points.

3. Players toss one Bean Ball at a time, alternating between teams, until all Bean Balls are tossed. At the end of each round, points are tallied and the difference is awarded to that round’s winning team (cancellation scoring). In the event of a tied round, no points are awarded.

4. Games begin with a Face-Off. From anywhere on their side, players simultaneously toss one Bean Ball at the SKOREBOARD with a verbal “Three, Two, One, SKORE!” countdown. Whichever team scores more points tosses first (and can decide which teammate tosses first). In the event of a tie, players toss until they are out of Bean Balls. If still a tie, the team with the youngest player begins the first round.

5. Opening tosses always alternate sides between rounds. The previous rounds’ losing team tosses first the next. In the event of a tie, the team that last tossed first, tosses first again.

6. Opponents on the same side of the field toss before switching to the other side. For example, if Blue Team tosses first, the Red Team opponent on that same side tosses next, followed then by the Blue Team player on the other half of the centerline, then the Red Team player.

7. Games are played up to 15 points, but must be won by 2 or more points over the opponent.

8. Players cannot “block” a position along the Throwing Line. Players always have access to any position along their side’s half of the Throwing Line.

9. The last tossed ball must come fully to rest before the next player can toss.    

Miscellaneous

1. Players may toss the Bean Ball in any manner they would like. 

2. Players cannot jump from behind the 12’ circle and toss while in the air. Players’ feet must remain behind the 12’ circle while tossing. (Players can lean over the line).

3. A Bean Ball is live if it is on the SKOREBOARD. If a Bean Ball makes contact with the ground at any point, it’s a dead ball (and, if applicable, must be removed from the board).

4. The center hole can only be occupied by a single Bean Ball.

5. Live Bean Balls can be manipulated by other players' tosses.

6. If a player tosses out of turn, or from the wrong side of the playing field, that Bean Ball is removed from the board and the proper tossing order continues. If a Bean Ball tossed out of turn affects the state of the board, the opposing team gets to decide if the Bean Balls are returned to their original position on the board (Reset), or if play continues as is (Keep).

7. SKOREBOARD uses “cancellation scoring.” (For example, if Team A scores 5 points and Team B scores 2 points, Team A would be awarded 3 points for the round).

8. Bean Balls on the 2 point ring must be self supporting. If a Bean Ball is supported by a Bean Ball in the 1 point ring, remove the supporting Bean Ball. Where the Bean Ball comes to rest represents the point value.

9. There are no “sides'' to the SKOREBOARD. The centerline of the board only acts as a reference to split the field of play in half.


Terminology

Skore - A Bean Ball that lands in the center hole

Face-Off - Game phase to determine initial throwing order

Knockoff - Hitting off an opponent’s Bean Ball from the SKOREBOARD

Reset - After an out of turn toss that changes the state of the board, Bean Balls are 

put back to their original placement on the board

Keep - After an out of turn toss, play continues without a reset

Game Variants

1v1 - All rules are the same as standard play unless outlined below:

  • Players alternate and toss a total of four Bean Balls each.

  • Opponents stand on opposite sides of the field of play (one on each side).

3v3 -  All rules are the same as standard play unless outlined below:

  • Each team designates a “Rover” who is free to toss from anywhere behind the 360 degree Throwing Line (this player is not restricted to one side). 

  • The Rovers always are the two middle throwers in a team’s throwing order (never throw first or last).

  • Each player has two balls each, for a total of twelve Bean Balls in the game.

  • Games are played to 21 (still win by 2 or more).