Equipment Guide

This guide covers all the equipment needed to play quadball, from mandatory safety gear to field setup requirements.

Personal Player Equipment

All players must have the following to participate:

Stick
A rigid pole made of plastic, such as a PVC pipe
Length: 98-102 cm
Diameter: 25-35 millimeters
Players must be properly mounted on their stick to participate in play (stick straddled between legs)
Mouthguard
Required for all players during gameplay
Must be properly fitted and meet safety standards
Cannot be removed during active play
Headband
Indicates player position and must be worn on forehead
Colors: White (chasers), Green (keeper), Black (beaters), Yellow (seekers)
Must be clearly visible and securely attached
Team Jersey
Each player must have a unique number (0-99)
Numbers must be clearly visible on the back
Team colors should be distinct from opponents

Cleats
Football, rugby, or soccer cleats work best
Metal studs only permitted if they meet strict safety requirements (max 21mm length, min 10mm tip diameter, no sharp edges) AND venue gives explicit permission
Protective Gear
Knee pads and shin guards (especially for chasers/keepers)
Padded shorts or compression gear
Elbow pads for beaters
Gloves
Improve grip on balls and stick
Protect hands during contact

Volleyball
Standard volleyball
Circumference: 65-67 cm
Properly inflated (not too hard, not too soft)
Primarily used by chasers and keepers, though any defending player may carry it back to their keeper after a goal
Dodgeballs (3 total)
Rubber playground balls
Circumference: 68-70 cm
Must maintain round shape when thrown
Thrown by beaters to knock players off stick, but only beater can catch a live dodgeball to avoid being knocked off and get the thrower out
Flag
Ball (such as tennis ball) with 65-69mm diameter and 55-60g weight, held within fabric sleeve
Attached to flag runner's shorts
Visible length: 25-30 cm
Sought by seekers only

Hoops (6 total)
Three heights per goal: Short (89-93 cm), Medium (135-139 cm), Tall (181-185 cm)
Inner diameter: 81-86 cm
Must be sturdy enough to withstand contact
Cannot be made of metal or concrete
Field Markings
Boundary lines marking 33m x 60m rectangle
Midfield line
Keeper zone lines (11m from midfield)
Goal lines (16.5m from midfield)
Various other markings for positioning

All padding, braces, and other non-standard additional equipment must be presented to head referee for approval before each game
Penalties for illegal equipment vary based on the violation, ranging from temporary removal from play to carded offenses and possible game ejection
Equipment modifications for medical/religious reasons require pre-approval

Conducted before each game by referees
Players cannot enter play with non-compliant equipment and must correct issues immediately; if discovered mid-play, player must leave pitch to fix equipment before returning
Equipment discovered illegal during play requires immediate correction

Teams should bring backup equipment (extra sticks, mouthguards)
Tournament organizers typically provide balls, hoops, and at least 10 equal sticks for both teams
Players responsible for personal protective equipment

For new players wanting to try quadball:

Essential ($30-50) - Rigid plastic pole, such as PVC pipe (stick) - Basic mouthguard - Colored headband/bandana - Athletic clothing with number

Recommended ($50-100) - Quality mouthguard - Cleats suitable for grass/turf - Basic protective padding - Team jersey

Advanced ($100+) - Professional-grade protective gear - Multiple sticks (backup) - Specialized quadball gloves - Full protective padding set

Clean equipment after each use
Inspect sticks regularly for cracks or damage
Replace mouthguards if damaged or after illness
Check headbands for secure attachment
Store balls partially inflated in dry conditions (not fully inflated, not so flat they can be gripped in one hand)

Ready to play? Check out What is Quadball? for sport basics or jump to Basic Rules for gameplay fundamentals.