To Win a Match: Win 2 games in a best of 3 games series. Rules:
- A player can only hold on to the ball for 5 seconds. The defense has to count the five seconds out loud, or the team in possession is unaffected.
- A player can take only three steps with the ball in his/her possession.
- If the ball is intercepted, the intercepting team receives a point and possession. Exception: If the intercepted point would end the game, possession changes but no point is given and game play continues as usual.
- If at any point the ball touches the ground without a player having complete control of it, possession changes.
- During a change of possession, the team picking up the ball has to pick it up without the defense knocking it out of their hands. As soon as the player reaches to pick up the ball and touches it, the defense can swat it. This changes the possession again.
- If the defense touches the ball before the team receiving possession does, the team gaining possession gets to pick up the ball uncontested and complete a pass.
- Reasonable contact is always allowed.
- If 2 players are locked in a stalemate wrestling for the ball, play is stopped after a 5 second countdown and the possession is given to the player with the best handle on the ball. If it is too hard to judge possession, there is a jump ball.
- During a jump ball, the 2 players involved in the stalemate must try to jump and tip the ball out to their team while a third party tosses the ball straight up. Once the ball is tipped it is a free for all to pick up the ball.
* Garbageball is best played under muddy conditions.
