Introduction to Two-Ball
Other ball games have very specific rules which are still commonly known today, so I won’t introduce those. However, two-ball is a brilliant game that has almost disappeared.
What do I need?
A high wall to bounce balls against, brick is ideal, uneven walls are usable but much much harder to play against.
Two balls. They’ve got to be small enough that they can be comfortably caught in one hand, and preferably not too bouncy because that makes them much harder to catch. Hard foam stress balls and cheap tennis balls are both good.
Alternatively, an easy version of two-ball can be played against the ground-- but it’s much more fun against the wall!
How do I play?
Two-ball against the wall is much like juggling. It takes a lot of practice to get right, but it’s worth it-- it’s a good skill to show off.
In this I am assuming you are right handed. Do the opposite if you are left-handed. To begin, throw the ball in your right hand up against the wall. Do this with your palm facing up.
Pass the ball from your left into your right, do this with with your left palm facing down, so that as you pass it both hands are cupped around the ball.
A second before you catch the ball that is coming back from the wall, throw the ball in your right hand.
This is done round and round in a circle, when you can do it quickly you can officially two-ball!
Video is from Pathe’s ‘School Games by Girls’ (1972)
