1. The basic rules of kickball are based upon softball, which of course are based upon baseball, with a few exceptions.

2. The kickball ball is inflatable and must be red. If you can't find a red ball you can use another color.

3. The ball is rolled from the "pitcher" to home plate. The "kicker" then tries to kick the ball. Hence the name.

4. There are no "balls" but the pitched ball must come close to home plate. A pitch will be deemed a "bad pitch" If it does not come within a distance to the plate of less than the height of the kicker, or if it does not traverse its course with a prescribed minimum number of bounces. The at-kick team can demand a "new pitcher" if more than ten (10) bad pitches are made in a row. More complicated pitching rules, including guidelines for pitch requests, are negotiable before the start of the game.

5. There are no strikes.

6. Four fouls is an out.

7. A "double-kick" is an out (if it hits one leg of the kicker, then another part of the kicker's body). This is often referred to as the "Darwin" rule.

8. If the ball touches a runner at any time (except when he or she first kicked it) when the runner is not legally tagged up on a base, then the runner is out.

9. A fielder may throw the ball at a runner in an attempt to get them out by means of the previous rule. Runners are allowed to dodge such attempts, but runners may not stray from the baseline.

10. Stealing is usually not allowed. Neither are lead-offs. If the pitcher has the ball and is on the pitcher's mound, then all runners must stop advancing and stay on their bases. Runners may not start running to the next base until the ball is kicked.

11. Most other softball rules apply, including the catching of fly-balls, force-outs at first and other bases, the "one base on an overthrow" rule, ground-rule doubles, and of course, the infield fly rule. Any of these rules can be disregarded, however, if they are beyond the mental abilities of the players.

12. All rules are open to negotiation before, during, and after the game.

Slightly deflated balls are much easier to catch than fully inflated ones.

Slightly deflated balls also tend to have more interesting flight trajectories.

The placement of the bases is key to an enjoyable game. If the bases are too far apart then it is a fielder's game, and few if any runs will be scored. If the bases are too close then it is a runner's game and the innings may take a very long time. After the game has started it may be advisable to change the locations of the bases to better suit such factors as the number of fielders, the competence of the athletes, and the prevailing weather and terrain conditions.

Bunts are problematic and it should be decided upon before the game starts whether or not to allow them. A bunt is usually defined as a kicked ball that is not foul, but does not pass the line between first and third bases.

Runners wishing to avoid being pelted by the ball as they run between bases may opt to use the international "duck and cover" position to protect themselves. This proves to be quite an effective technique for personal injury protection, however it is a somewhat less effective strategy for winning the game, or indeed, the respect of one's fellow teammates.