The playbook

All articles

Rules explainers, league how-tos and game-day advice, written for adults who play for fun. Filter by topic or scroll the lot. Each guide covers the common rules; your local league's rulebook always has the final say.

A park notice board covered in league flyers next to a player checking a map of local leagues Leagues

How to find an adult rec league near you

Where leagues hide, what to ask before you pay, and how to pick one you will actually keep showing up to.
A player throwing a cornhole bag underhand toward a far board while a teammate cheers Rules

Cornhole rules and scoring, explained simply

Board setup, how cancellation scoring works, fouls, and the house rules that change from bar to bar.
A pitcher rolls a red ball toward a kicker on a dirt kickball diamond with fielders around Rules

Kickball rules for adult leagues: a first-timer's guide

Pitching, pegging, force outs, coed kicking orders and all the grown-up rules nobody explains on day one.
A pickleball court with the kitchen zone shaded, two players with paddles and a ball in the air Rules

Pickleball rules for beginners: serve, kitchen and scoring

The court, the serve, the two-bounce rule, the dreaded kitchen, and how to call a score like '4-2-1'.
A bowler releases a ball down a wooden lane toward ten pins, beside a score sheet with a strike and a spare Rules

How bowling scoring works (and what a league handicap is)

Strikes, spares, the tenth frame and league handicaps, with a worked example you can follow along with.
Two dodgeball teams in a gym, one player leaning away from a flying foam ball Rules

Dodgeball rules explained for adult leagues

The opening rush, catches, headshots and stalling rules: how grown-up dodgeball keeps the chaos fair.
A ball carrier running downfield while a defender pulls a yellow flag from their belt Rules

Flag football rules for beginners

Flags instead of tackles, no-run zones, rushing rules and how scoring works in a typical adult league.
An organiser with a clipboard next to a season calendar, cones, a whistle and a trophy Leagues

How to start a rec league from scratch

From group chat to fixture list: choosing a format, booking a venue, writing rules and keeping everyone coming back.
Five blank team jerseys hanging on a washing line above a light bulb while two teammates brainstorm Teams

How to pick a team name everyone actually likes

Brainstorm formulas, the scoreboard test, what to avoid, and how to settle the group-chat vote before registration closes.
A solo player with a name tag walks toward a waving team that has left a space open in its line-up Leagues

Joining a rec league as a free agent: what to expect

Signing up solo is normal. Here is how free agent placement works and how to go from stranger to teammate by week two.
An open sports bag with a water bottle, sunscreen, first-aid kit, snacks and sneakers spilling out Game day

What to pack in your rec league game-day bag

The essentials, sport-by-sport extras, and a small shared kit that saves the day for the whole team.
A captain wearing an armband in the middle of a team cheer, beside a clipboard of ticked tasks Teams

How to be a good rec league captain (without doing everything)

Recruiting, reminders, rosters and good vibes: the real job of a rec captain and how to share it out.
Three players warming up on a grass field with a lunge, a leg swing and an arm reach, beside cones and a stopwatch Game day

A simple warm-up routine for rec league players

A ten-minute dynamic warm-up you can do beside the field, with tweaks for court, field and lane sports.