Recky is a playground ball game played in a small area of south-east England, with few similarities to other sports. The origins of the game are obscure, but its name is thought to derive from the slang 'rec' for Recreation Ground. It can be played with any number of players above one, on any sized pitch, so long as the borders of the pitch are decided before play starts. It is not a team game, every player plays for themself. It does not work well on grass, as the ball will be slowed down. Players are gradually declared 'out of the game' according to the rules below, until only a single player remains. That player is declared the winner.

Balls

Round balls should be used, and not oval ones such as Rugby balls or American footballs. Footballs¹ can be used, but are generally considered too big. Tennis balls are good, but even better are mini-footballs.

The Serve

The initial serve is the only time in the game a player may touch the ball twice in a row. The serving player launches the ball vertically in the air, then intercepts it with the palm of their hand as it falls back to earth and deflecting it towards the other players. This is much the same as in tennis, with the palm of the hand taking the place of the tennis racket.

Other players then continue play by hitting the ball with the palm of their hand towards one another. Note however, that actually holding the ball is not permitted - except when catching someone out - only hitting it is allowed.

Ways to be sent out

Double touch

Any player who touches the ball twice in a row, or touches it with both hands, is sent 'out', and cannot rejoin until the beginning of a new match. Any player who touches the ball must wait until another player has touched or hit it before hitting it again. This ensures a single player does not dominate the game.

Out of Pitch

If the ball leaves the pitch, whoever is to blame for the ball leaving is 'out'. For example, if a player hits the ball to an area of the pitch where there isn't anyone who could deflect it, the player who hit it is out. However, if a player hits it towards another player, and that player fails to react in time and the ball leaves the pitch, the player who failed to deflect it is out, not the one who hit it.

The Out of Pitch rule is the one that leads to most players getting 'out' and leads to most arguments about whose fault it is.

Footer

If the ball touches the foot of any player, that player is out. This ensure players do not simply kick the ball towards one another, making it difficult to keep the ball in the pitch.

Catch out

The rarest and most satisfying way to get someone out is to 'catch' them out. Provided that the ball has not touched the ground since the last player hit it, a player can make them 'out' by catching the ball with one hand. ². Note that a player cannot be caught just after they serve.

When a player is declared out, they leave the pitch and game resumes with a serve. When only one player remains, he or she is declared the winner.

Refereeing

No referee is used, any disputes are resolved by the players themselves. In the event of a prolonged disagreement, one or both of the players involved will walk off in a huff and play will resume with the remaining players.

Recky Tactics

• Never hit up into the air, or you risk being caught out.
• When hitting the ball, always aim for another player's feet, and hit it as hard as you can. If it remains on target the player will be out, and even if the player does dodge it the player may be out anyway if the ball then leaves the pitch.
• Unless the ball is already heading your way, always try to stay as far away from it as possible. This ensures that if the next player hitting it directs it towards you, you have maximum time to prepare to deflect it, and avoid it if necessary (for instance, if it is going to hit your feet).
• If the ball is coming at you at a very fast speed, you may only be able to stop it moving, and not make it go in another direction. If this happens, get away from the ball as fast as you can once you have stopped it. If you simply stand near it once you have stopped it³ another player will hit it towards your feet at close range, almost guaranteeing that you will be sent out. If the footer rule doesn't get you, then the Out of pitch rule will when you fail to stop it leaving the pitch. This is a particularly important tactic if only two players are left in the game, and generally means those players are continually swapping ends of the pitch.

Alternative Rules

Variable pitches

Depending upon the markings on the ground, some players may choose to play with a square pitch while there are three or more players, and then switch to a rectangular pitch once only two players are left in, with the players starting at opposite ends.

Extended footer rule

Instead of being declared out only if the ball hits a players foot, they are out if it hits them anywhere below the knee.

Multiple lives

Players are not out the first time they break a rule, but instead lose a 'life', and are out when they have no lives left. This rule is used particularly when there are only a few people playing.