How to Play Ladder Ball
Ladder Ball, also called Bolo Ball, Ladder Toss or Ladder Golf, is similar to horseshoes and originated in American campgrounds. Two ladders are set up across from each other and two golf balls connected by rope, or bolos, are tossed at the ladder rungs alternately by two teams. Points are scored by hanging the "bolo" on a rung. Points are cross cancelled out when opposite teams occupy the same rung or if your bolo is knocked off by the opposite team.
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Instructions
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Place the ladders 15 to 40 feet apart, depending on the age and skill of the players and the location where you are playing. The toss line is the front of the base.
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Arrange the players into two teams of two. One person from each team lines up behind the toss line. You can also play with just two people, who alternately walk from one side to another. The first player tosses all three of their bolos, followed by their opponent.
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Toss the bolos underhand, overhand or side arm at the rung. The goal is to have the bolo wrap itself around one of the rungs and potentially score a point. It must wrap around one of the three rungs and not the side of the ladder. Play defensively by knocking off the other teams bolos or cross canceling their point by landing on the same rung.
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Score the round once both players have thrown all three bolos each. The points awarded are awarded by determining how many bolos stay on the rung. Any singular bolo on the top rung scores three points. The middle rung gets two points and the bottom rung gets one point.
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Add bonus points to the score if certain patterns are achieved. If all three bolos are on a rung with no opponent's bolos, it is called a "hat trick" and the team gets a bonus point, in addition to the rung's points. A "full rack" is a bolo on each of the three rungs with no opponent interference and it also gets a bonus point. The most points that can be scored in a round are 10 points, which is when all three bolos are on the top rung with no competitor bolos present. The three bolos are given 3 points each plus one bonus point. The winner of each round is the first to toss.
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Win the game by playing to 21 exactly in multiple rounds. The last round score does not count until it adds to 21 exactly. If 3 points are needed to achieve 21 points and 5 points are scored instead, none of the 5 points are allowed for that round. If play goes into overtime, a 2 point lead is needed to win.
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Tips & Warnings
Some players allow for the bolo to be bounced off the ground. Determine whether you will allow this before play starts.
You can also play a certain number of rounds or for a set amount of time rather than to the score of 21.
Children should not play Ladder Ball. Throwing the golf ball bolos can be dangerous and you could be injured if you are hit by one.
