30 Must-Know Kickball Terms, Phrases and Slang (2024)

Rule the kickball field with the coolest lingo out there!

Ready to slide into the action like a champ?

Equip yourself with these 30 must-have terms to elevate your game talk from basic to boss.

Whether you’re aiming for home or cheering on your team, let’s get the kickball chatter started!

Must-Know Kickball Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Base
2. Bunt
3. Catcher
4. Double
5. Foul ball
6. Home run
7. Inning
8. Kick
9. Outfield
10. Pitcher
11. Runner
12. Strike
13. Tag out
14. Triple
15. Walk
16. Ball
17. Base coach
18. Dead ball
19. Fly ball
20. Force out
21. Line drive
22. Pop-up
23. Sacrifice
24. Side retired
25. Slide
26. Steal
27. Switch
28. Team captain
29. Tiebreaker
30. Wild pitch

#1 Base

A designated safe area on the kickball field where a runner can stand to avoid being tagged out by the opposing team. Each base must be touched by runners as they progress to score a run.

#2 Bunt

A strategic, light kick intended to barely send the ball into play and advance runners on base. Bunts can catch the opposing team off guard and are used to avoid powerful outfield kicks.

#3 Catcher

The defensive player positioned behind home plate, responsible for catching pitches that aren’t kicked. The catcher also plays a crucial role in preventing runs and tagging out players at home plate.

#4 Double

A play in kickball where the kicker successfully kicks the ball and reaches second base without being tagged out or thrown out, often resulting from a strong, well-placed kick.

#5 Foul ball

A kicked ball that lands outside of the designated fair play lines that extend from home plate to first and third base. Foul balls do not count as hits and can lead to a strike against the kicker.

#6 Home run

A powerful kick allowing the kicker to round all bases and score a run without being tagged or thrown out, typically sending the ball far into the outfield beyond reach of the defenders.

#7 Inning

A segment of the game consisting of both teams having a turn on offense (kicking) and defense (fielding). In kickball, an inning typically ends once three outs have been recorded against the kicking team.

#8 Kick

In kickball, the “kick” is analogous to a baseball pitch but involves a player kicking a rubber ball that has been rolled towards them by the pitcher. The goal is to kick the ball as effectively as possible to allow the kicker to advance to bases and score runs. The technique and point of impact on the ball can significantly affect its speed, direction, and the difficulty for fielders to handle it.

#9 Outfield

The area beyond the infield where outfielders position themselves to catch kicked balls. Outfielders must cover a lot of ground to prevent the ball from going past them and to support their infield teammates.

#10 Pitcher

The player who rolls the ball towards home plate to the kicker in kickball. The pitcher aims to make the ball difficult to kick far or accurately while avoiding rolling a ball that can easily result in a home run.

#11 Runner

A player who is currently advancing between bases or waiting on a base to run to the next after the ball is kicked. The runner tries to reach the bases safely without being tagged or forced out.

#12 Strike

A term for when the kicker either misses the ball or kicks it foul while attempting to kick a pitch that is deemed hittable. Three strikes result in an out, similar to baseball.

#13 Tag out

A defensive play where a fielder who is holding the ball tags a runner with it before the runner reaches the base. A successful tag out results in the runner being called out of play.

#14 Triple

A successful play where the kicker is able to reach third base without stopping after kicking the ball. It’s a display of both strong kicking ability and fast base running.

#15 Walk

Occurs when the pitcher throws four balls that the umpire deems un-kickable due to poor pitch quality. The kicker then advances to first base without the risk of being put out.

#16 Ball

In the context of kickball, a “ball” refers to a pitch that does not pass through the strike zone and which the kicker does not attempt to kick. The strike zone typically extends to the width of the home plate and the kicker’s knee to chest height when in a kicking position. If four balls are thrown to the same kicker, that kicker is allowed to walk to first base.

#17 Base Coach

A team member who stands near first or third base to signal and direct runners, helping them decide when to run for the next base. The coach’s guidance can be pivotal during close plays.

#18 Dead Ball

A term used when the ball is not in play, typically after plays have concluded or when an infraction occurs. No player can advance bases or score runs until the ball is live again.

#19 Fly Ball

A ball kicked high into the air, typically to the outfield. Fielders must track these balls carefully to make catches and prevent runners from advancing or scoring.

#20 Force Out

Occurs when a runner has to advance to the next base because the batter becomes a runner and there’s no unoccupied base for the previous runner to retreat to. The fielding team can get an easy out by stepping on the base before the runner arrives.

#21 Line Drive

A hard, low-flying ball kicked straight into the field. Line drives can be challenging for defenders to catch due to their speed and trajectory.

#22 Pop-up

A ball that’s kicked high into the air with a short travel distance, making it potentially easy to catch. Pop-ups often result in an out if caught by the defending team before touching the ground.

#23 Sacrifice

A play in which a batter purposefully kicks the ball to allow runners to advance bases, sacrificing their own opportunity to become a runner. It’s a strategic move to help the team score.

#24 Side Retired

A term used to indicate that all players on the offensive team have taken their turn and the inning has ended. It’s similar to ‘three outs’ in baseball, signifying a shift from offense to defense.

#25 Slide

A move players perform to reach a base safely, wherein they dive to the ground to avoid a tag. Sliding is a skillful technique used to maintain speed while decreasing the chance of being tagged out by a defender.

#26 Steal

A strategic play where a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is kicking the ball to the kicker. Steals require speed and timing, and can shift the momentum of the game by taking extra bases.

#27 Switch

An action taken by the defense to reposition players strategically based on the kicker or game situation. Teams switch fielders to optimize their defensive alignment, anticipating where the ball might be kicked.

#28 Team Captain

A person chosen to lead the team, responsible for strategic decisions like batting order and player positions. The team captain is also typically the liaison between the team and umpires or opposing teams.

#29 Tiebreaker

A rule or procedure used to determine a winner when the game is tied after the regulation number of innings. Tiebreakers vary by league but often involve additional innings or a count of kicks or baserunners.

#30 Wild Pitch

A wild pitch in kickball is similar to that in baseball. It occurs when the pitcher rolls the ball erratically, too high, too fast, or off target, making it difficult or impossible for the catcher to control. If the ball is deemed a wild pitch, runners on base may advance at their own risk.

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