Overview

Coulee is a rally sport that is played individually against a single opponent or between two teams of two players each.
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The players hit a 6” rubber ball with their hands or another part of their arms, before or after 1 bounce, to return the ball to their opponent’s Inzone in effort to earn points. The winner of the game is the first player to earn 5 downs.

A Coulee match usually lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.

Scoring

A Coulee game is a race to earn 5 downs. A game consists of a minimum of 5 rounds and a maximum of 9 rounds.
A down is earned by winning a round.
Each round ends when one player
reaches 15 points. That player that reached those 15 points won the round.

The Count

Before every serve, the Server must announce the current point value, or count, before making the next serve. The count is made of two numbers; the Receiver’s points followed by the Server’s points (e.g. “Seven. Six.”)

To start the round, the Server call out “Zeros” or “Zeros to Start” as neither player has any points.
If after the first serve the Receiver wins a point. The Server will remain and will call “One. Zero,” before the next serve.
If after the next serve, the Server wins the point, the players will remain on their side and the Receiver will become the Server. The new Server will call, “One. One.”

Gameplay

Determine which player serves the first round of the game.
The Server stars the round by serving the ball from the Serving Zone into the Receiver’s Center Box.
The Receiver attempts to return the ball into the Server’s Inzone.
A return is any hit or attempt to hit the ball by a player with either hand, or any part of their arm, to make the ball land in their opponent’s Inzone.
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A return can be performed with one hand or two hands as long as both hands hit the ball at the same time.
The players return the ball and play continues until one player cannot return the ball to their opponent’s Inzone. The player who last returns the ball to their opponents Inzone earns a point.
If the ball hits the line, the ball has landed in. The line is always in.
If the ball is served and it does not land in the Receiver’s Center Box, or the Server commits any serving faults, the Receiver earns a point.
The player who earns a point receives the next serve.
Once 1 player has earned 15 points, that player has earned a Down. The round has concluded.
The loser of the previous round serves first in the next round.
After every 2 rounds, the players take a 1.5 minute water break and change sides of the court.
Play until 1 player has 5 Downs (or won 5 Rounds).

Server

A Player must serve the ball to start each play. This player is called the Server. Once the Server knows the Receiver is ready, the Server calls the count (the current score for the turn) and then serves the ball.
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The Server must perform the following actions for a legal serve:

Keep both feet within the Serving Zone.
Both feet must remain on the ground throughout the serve; during the toss and until the ball lands in the Receiver’s Center Box. Feet can rock on a heel or drag along the ground but not be lifted.
Toss the ball underhanded in the air, with one hand and above the waist. Strike the once ball with one or two hands.
Server must be standing; no squatting or kneeling.
A serve can be performed in a variety of actions:
⁃ Underhand
⁃ Closed-handed
⁃ Overhand
⁃ Open handed
⁃ Backhanded
After the ball has bounced in the Receiver’s Centerbox, the bottom of the ball must bounce at least to the height of the Receiver’s kneecap.

Receiver

The Receiver during the serve:

The Receiver can stand anywhere on their side of the court to receive the serve and can also move during the serve.
The Receiver is automatically deemed “ready to receive” if the Receiver has at least one foot in their Serving Zone and are facing the Server. If the Receiver is outside of their Serving Zone, the Receiver must signal that they are ready to the Server with a polite hand gesture.
To receive the serve the Receiver can either return the serve after 1 bounce from the Centerbox or volley the ball before it lands in the Centerbox.

Faults

Serving Faults

If the Server performs any of the following actions during their serve, that player gives a point to their opponent.

The served ball does not land in Receiver’s Centerbox.
The Server’s feet are not within the Serving Zone during the serve.
The Server lifts one of their feet after the toss and before the ball lands in their opponent’s Centerbox.
The Server tosses the ball and swings to strike the ball but misses the ball.
The Server bounces the ball in the air, instead of tossing it.
The Server tosses the ball with two hands.
The ball does not bounce to at least the height of the Receiver’s knee height (bottom of kneecap) after the ball bounces in the Receiver’s Centerbox.
The Server is not facing the the Receiver during the serve.

Play Faults

If a player performs any of the following actions during play, that player gives a point to their opponent.

Steps in or touches the Coulee during play.
Catches the ball.
Hits the ball with any part of their body that is not their hands or arms.
Hits the ball twice consecutively.
Allows the ball to bounce twice on their side or Inzone.
Returns the ball out of bounds.

This sounds cool, now how do I play?

Download the How to Play Guide.

Overview

Scoring

The Count

Gameplay

Server

Receiver

Faults

Serving Faults

Play Faults

etiquette

getting started

equipment

Coulee Ball

Hoop

Gloves

Shoes

Chalk

30’ Measuring tape

The Court

How to make the court.