Buying guide for best tetherball sets
Tetherball is a classic playground game that you can easily put in your backyard. Unlike older tetherball sets, modern sets may be moveable or in-ground, and many sets have softer balls that don’t sting your hands quite as much as the older ones did.
Tetherball consists of a ball attached to a pole by a rope. It’s played by two people standing on opposite sides of the pole, with each player striking the ball in attempts to wrap the rope completely around the pole. The pole may be installed directly in the ground or attached to a moveable base, and this affects the price. Both setups work equally well, so you just need to decide whether a permanent or temporary installation is right for your yard. The height of the pole varies, as does the size of the ball. A shorter pole with a larger ball is generally better for young children.
Tetherball is an affordable and fun backyard game. To learn more about the different types of tetherball sets and their features, continue reading our buying guide. When you’re ready to buy, take a look at our top recommended tetherball sets.
Editors’ picks
Lifetime Portable Tether Ball Set
Editors’ Favorite
Pole Height: 8’ | Pole Material: Alloy steel | Base Material: Alloy steel | Permanent In-Ground Installation: No | Ball Pump Included: Yes
The Lifetime Portable Tether Ball Set offers a great middle-ground between permanent in-ground poles and lightweight sets. Its heavy-duty base makes it perfect for grass, concrete or even sand.
The pole and base are made of durable alloy steel, and the weather-resistant design protects it from rain. It comes with an 8-inch soft-touch tetherball and a 72-inch nylon cord with a steel hook for easy setup.
The pole's rigidity and stability make it a superior option compared to cheaper sets where the pole bends during rigorous play. The base is designed to withstand aggressive play, and you’ll get all the accessories you need to play right out of the box.
Gosports Backyard Tetherball Set
Great Value
Pole Height: 8’ | Pole Material: Steel | Base Material: Steel | Permanent In-Ground Installation: No | Ball Pump Included: Yes
If you’re looking for a cheap but reliable tetherball set for younger players to learn the basics, the Gosports Backyard Tetherball Set is a fantastic choice.
This set features an 8-foot steel pole with a steel plate for added stability. Setup is simple: drive the included stakes through the steel plate and into the ground. It works on sand and grass, and it comes with a tether ball and a rope. The ball and rope are designed to hang 2 feet above the ground, but you can adjust they eight based on your preference or skill level.’
Although it’s not as durable or rigid as other tetherball sets, it’s a solid starter set with an easy setup process, making it great for casual play.
Gamesun Portable Tetherball Set
Best with Water-Filled Base
Pole Height: 8’5” | Pole Material: Steel | Base Material: High-density plastic | Permanent In-Ground Installation: No | Ball Pump Included: Yes
Some bases are more of a hassle to set up since they require sand, but the Gamesun Portable Tetherball Set is much more convenient since all you need is a hose to fill it with water.
The pole is 8 feet, 5 inches tall, and the set includes a nylon rope, a carabiner, metal poles and steel stakes to help you get a stable setup. The square pole design prevents wobbling during aggressive play, and the included machine-sewn tetherball with wrap yarn is built for competitive or casual matches.
This is a fantastic portable midtier option for families who want something that’s easy to take on the go but also stable enough for hours of outdoor play.
Baden Champion Series Tetherball Set
Best In-Ground Set
Pole Height: 10.5” | Pole Material: Composite | Base Material: Plastic | Permanent In-Ground Installation: No | Ball Pump Included: Yes
The Baden Champions Series Tetherball Set includes everything you need for competitive or friendly matches. You’ll get a soft-touch tetherball with an attached rope, a durable steel pole and an air pump with a needle for quick inflation.
The pole reaches about 10.5 feet tall when assembled, providing a full-size setup for competitive kids, teens and adults of varying skill. It’s built with weather-resistant parts that can withstand rigorous matches, and setup is easy thanks to the three easy-click poles.
Designed for straightforward setup and dependable performance, this Baden tetherball set is a convenient option for backyards, schools, camps and recreational areas. Its complete design makes it easy to add an active, fast-paced game to outdoor gatherings.
BSN Outdoor Tetherball Set
Best Heavy-Duty Set
Pole Height: 12’ | Pole Material: Steel | Base Material: Not available | Permanent In-Ground Installation: Yes | Ball Pump Included: No
Portable sets are great for the beach or park, but they don’t offer the stability of the BSN Outdoor Tetherball Set. It’s a permanent in-ground tetherball set with a maximum pole height of 12 feet, making it ideal for experienced players.
The galvanized steel build gives this tetherball set superior durability over portable sets and lets children and youth players get a better feel for the game without worrying about stability issues. It installs 2 feet into the ground for a secure setup, and the simple two-piece design combines to create a single 12-foot pole.
If stability is your number-one concern, then you’ll love this tetherball set. It doesn’t offer the kind of versatility you’d get with portable sets, but it’s far more reliable and great if you plan on playing mostly at home.
Key considerations
In-ground vs. moveable
The two main types of tetherball set are in-ground and moveable (or portable).
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In-ground: These sets are installed in the ground either by inserting a sleeve into a hole in the ground for the pole or by securing the pole in the hole with cement. A cement base is the sturdiest option, but it has the obvious disadvantage that you can’t move the pole once it’s in position. In addition, most sets don’t include the cement needed for the job. Using a sleeve for the pole means you can remove the pole temporarily to mow the lawn or for other reasons.
- Moveable: In these sets, the pole is inserted into a heavy base often made of plastic and weighted with sand or water to keep steady. These aren’t nearly as sturdy as in-ground sets, but the setup is far easier and the tetherball set can be moved to different locations. These sets are a good choice for anyone who cares about their yard because you can relocate the set when the grass begins to show wear.
Tetherball set features
Location
Carefully choose where you position your tetherball set, especially if you opt for a permanent installation. A tetherball set needs a circular area of at least 20 feet in diameter around the pole. Bear in mind that you need vertical clearance as well, so avoid putting the pole near trees or branches. In addition, you can expect the grass around the pole to flatten or even die if the tetherball set is used regularly.
Ball
Though traditional tetherball sets use a volleyball on the end of the rope, some smaller sets use a tennis ball that players hit with plastic racquets. The premise of the game is the same — wrap the ball around the pole in your direction — but the game has a different feel. These smaller sets are best suited for young children.
Height
Standard tetherball poles are ten feet tall, but some sets may be as short as five. The right height depends on the age, height, and skill level of the players. In most cases, the taller pole is the best option for players of a range of ages.
Materials
The materials that make up the tetherball set play the biggest role in the price and determine how long the set will last.
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Pole: The pole is usually made of galvanized steel, which is sturdy and unlikely to rust. The pole may come as one segment or several smaller segments. While a pole with several segments is easier to store and transport, it isn’t as sturdy as a solid pole.
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Rope: The rope is typically made of durable braided nylon. This is standard in most sets, but the thickness of the rope may vary. Since a frayed rope is the most common issue with tetherball sets, look for a thick rope that will hold up well over time. Replacing a rope isn’t expensive, but it can still be a hassle.
- Ball: The ball should be made of rubber or nylon and be similar in size and weight to a volleyball. Rubber balls are soft but unlikely to last as long as a firm nylon ball. Look at how the rope attaches to the ball, too. If the loop sticks out of the ball, players could injure their hands when they hit the ball. Look for sets with the loop recessed into the ball.
How to play tetherball
Tether ball is played by two people standing on opposite sides of the pole. A line (sometimes imaginary) divides the play area into two halves. Players can’t cross this line during play. The goal of the game is to wrap the ball around the pole in your direction.
One player serves by tossing up the ball and hitting it with the palm or fist in the direction of their choice. This establishes which direction each player is attempting to wrap the rope around the pole.
After serving, the server can’t touch the ball until the receiver hits it or the ball wraps around the pole four times.
Either player may hit the ball any time it’s on their side of the line.
The player who completely wraps the rope around the pole wins.
Tetherball set prices
Inexpensive: Basic tetherball sets that cost $25 to $50 usually use a tennis ball and are played with plastic racquets. These are fairly short with a portable plastic base and make a good option for younger children. Some sets in this range may even be used indoors.
Mid-range: These sets cost $50 to $100 and range in height from five to ten feet and may be moveable or in-ground. Many sets in this range use rubber or nylon balls and have segmented or solid poles.
Expensive: In the $100 to $150 range are tetherball sets designed for permanent installation. The poles are usually solid galvanized steel, and the nylon rope is thicker than the rope on less-expensive models. This is the best price range for a playground tetherball set that will get regular use.
Tips
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Use a post hole digger. This can be a useful tool when creating the hole for the tetherball pole. Expect the lawn around the pole to turn into dirt because grass won’t be able to withstand regular wear.
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Consider sand. You can create a circle of sand around the pole to give your tetherball set a more attractive look. Tetherball can also be played on pavement.
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Keep the ball properly inflated. This will help prevent injury and reduce the chance of the ball bursting.
- Check the height of the pole. The length of the pole isn’t necessarily the height of the pole for play because a portion of the pole — usually about two feet — needs to be firmly anchored in the ground.
Other products we considered
While we think our top recommendations are the best tetherball sets on the market, there are a few other sets that use tennis balls and racquets that are worth covering briefly. For a simple backyard game that’s great for kids, there’s the Squirrel Products Swingball, which comes in three separate steel sections and has a weighted base that doubles as a carrying case. The spiral guide at the top of the pole helps the tether wrap neatly every time. For older kids or adults, there’s the Swingball All Surface PRO Set, which has a sturdier pole and larger racquets to accommodate older players. The base includes a score tracker, and the rackets can be stored on the pole itself.
FAQ
Q. How safe is tetherball?
A. Since it’s a low-contact sport, tetherball injuries are rare. The greatest risk of injury lies in being hit by the ball or getting rope burn if the rope wraps around your arm.
Q. Can tetherball be played solo?
A. Yes. This is a great way to practice your serve, and it can be a great source of exercise.
Q. Is it better to install the pole in soil or cement?
A. That depends on how soft the soil is in your yard and whether you’re okay with having a small area of cement in your yard. Removing the cement can be difficult, but if you have soft soil and want your pole to be as stable as possible, cement may be your best option.
