Swedish Stick Game (Kubb): Setup and Rules

The Swedish stick game is commonly known as kubb, an outdoor lawn game in which two teams throw wooden batons to knock over kubbs and, finally, the king. It is easy to learn, works on grass or sand, and combines aiming with simple team strategy; rules vary a little between sets and local versions, so agree on the details before starting.

Ingredients

For a standard two-team game, gather the following equipment. These are game pieces rather than food ingredients; a commercial kubb set usually includes them.

10 wooden kubbs, about 6 inches (15 cm) tall, arranged as five pieces for each team
1 king, usually a larger wooden block about 12 inches (30 cm) tall
6 wooden throwing batons, usually about 12 inches (30 cm) long
4 corner stakes to mark the playing area
1 rope or tape measure, optional, for laying out a 5-by-8-meter (about 16-by-26-foot) pitch
2 teams, with one or more players on each side; two to six players per team is a practical range for casual play

A flat, open patch of grass is the easiest surface for beginners. Sand can also work, although pieces may land and settle differently. Avoid hard pavement, nearby windows, parked cars, and areas where passersby could walk through the throwing lane. If your set has different-sized pieces, use the included king and batons and keep the kubbs consistent within the game.

Instructions

Mark out the pitch. Make a rectangle about 5 meters (16 feet) wide and 8 meters (26 feet) long. Put one team at each short end, called a baseline. Set a stake at each corner and place the king upright in the exact center. You can make a smaller pitch for children or a tight yard; the important thing is to mark the boundaries clearly and use the same dimensions for both teams.
Set the kubbs and choose who starts. Arrange five kubbs upright along each team’s baseline, spaced evenly between the side boundaries. These are that team’s base kubbs. Decide the first team with a quick toss or another fair method. Both teams should stand behind their own baseline when throwing, and everyone should stay clear of the area where batons may land.
Agree on the house rules before the first throw. For a straightforward beginner game, use six batons per turn, throw them underhand, and require players to stay behind the baseline. Decide how you will handle kubbs thrown out of bounds and whether a partly fallen piece counts as knocked down. A common casual rule is that a kubb must be fully down to count, but some groups count any piece that does not remain upright. Consistency matters more than choosing one universal version.
Take the opening turn. The starting team throws all six batons, one at a time, toward the other team’s five baseline kubbs. Use an underhand motion and send each baton end over end, lengthwise. Do not throw it like a spinning discus or sidearm; that is harder to control and can be unsafe. Players may share the six throws in whatever order the team agrees on, but each baton is thrown only once during that turn.
Move the knocked kubbs into play. The defending team collects any baseline kubbs knocked down. From behind its own baseline, it throws those kubbs into the opposing half of the pitch. The throwing team stands behind its baseline while the kubbs are tossed, and the pieces should land inside the boundaries. If a kubb lands out of bounds, use a consistent retry rule: many casual groups allow one more throw for that piece, then let the other team place it in the opposing half. Agree on placement limits before play, especially how close a placed kubb may be to the king or boundary.
Stand the field kubbs upright. Once all the tossed pieces are in bounds or placed under your agreed rule, stand them upright where they came to rest. They are now field kubbs. If several land close together, leave enough space to knock one down without accidentally toppling another. Do not move a kubb after it has been set upright unless a rule requires it; otherwise, teams could gain or lose an advantage by shifting its position.
Throw at field kubbs before baseline kubbs. The team that just received the kubbs now takes its turn with the six batons. It must first try to knock down every field kubb on its half of the pitch. If any field kubbs remain standing after the six throws, the other team gets a temporary forward throwing line: the nearest standing field kubb becomes the point from which the next turn may be taken. The team must still throw from behind that line and may not cross it. If all field kubbs fall, players throw from their baseline again.
Then target the baseline kubbs. After clearing all field kubbs, use any remaining batons in that turn to aim at the opposing team’s baseline kubbs. Any baseline kubbs knocked down are tossed into the other half at the end of the turn, then stood upright as new field kubbs. This order is central to the game: field kubbs must be cleared before a team can attack the opponent’s baseline pieces. If your group is learning, pause after each turn to confirm which pieces are field kubbs and which are still on a baseline.
Keep alternating turns and watch the king. Teams take turns repeating the field-kubb and baseline-kubb sequence. The king stays upright until one team has knocked down all of the opposing kubbs, including any field kubbs. Only then may that team aim at the king. The first team to knock down the king legally wins. If a team knocks over the king before clearing all of the other team’s kubbs, that team loses under the usual casual rule; check that everyone understands this before play begins.
Reset and play again if you like. Return the ten kubbs to their original baselines, put the king back in the center, and switch starting teams for the next round. For a match, decide in advance whether the winner is the first team to win one game or the first to win two out of three. Moving the starting team around helps keep a short series fair.

Tips

Practice the baton throw first. Aim for a smooth underhand release with the baton traveling end over end. A controlled, straight throw is more useful than throwing hard, and it is less likely to bounce unpredictably.
Make the pitch smaller for new players. A shorter distance makes it easier for children and first-timers to reach the kubbs. Keep the two baselines the same distance apart and clearly mark the boundaries, even on a small lawn.
Clarify out-of-bounds and leaning-piece rules. Sets and local rules differ on retries, placement, and whether a leaning kubb is down. A 30-second discussion at the start prevents disputes when a close throw affects the game.
Keep the throwing lane clear. Only the active team should be near the baseline, and nobody should retrieve pieces until all batons have stopped. Take turns collecting equipment rather than walking in front of a throw.

Serving Suggestions

Kubb is best treated as a relaxed outdoor activity rather than a game that needs a formal court or referee. Set it up at a picnic, beach day, backyard gathering, or park outing, leaving enough open space around the pitch for spectators. Keep drinks and picnic food well outside the throwing area so that players do not have to step around people or objects while aiming.

For a mixed-age group, pair experienced players with newcomers and let teammates take turns throwing. Younger players can throw from a closer line if everyone agrees to that adjustment before the game. If you are hosting several groups, rotate teams after each round and keep a simple score on paper. A single game is usually enough to teach the basic sequence; a short best-of-three match gives players a chance to adjust their aim without making the event feel overly competitive.

Variations

Short-yard version: Reduce the pitch length for a small lawn or younger players. Keep the king centered and the kubbs spread across their baselines. Do not change the distance for only one team; the same layout should apply in both directions.

Quick round: Use three baseline kubbs per team instead of five, while keeping the king, batons, and turn order the same. This shortens setup and play, though it changes the balance of the game. Say clearly whether the reduced number applies to every round.

Beginner-friendly throwing line: Mark a temporary line closer to the targets for new players, or allow a player to step forward only to a line chosen before play. Do not let players advance differently from throw to throw. A fixed adjustment keeps the game accessible without creating arguments about where a throw began.

Local rule set: Some groups use more formal tournament rules for throwing order, kubb placement, and boundary calls. If you are playing in a league or at an organized event, follow that event’s published rules instead of mixing them with casual house rules. Kubb is widely associated with Sweden, but accounts of its history and exact origins are uncertain, and modern rule sets are not identical.

Storage and Reheating

There is nothing to reheat: kubb is outdoor game equipment, not a cooked dish. After play, brush off grass, sand, or dirt and let damp wooden pieces air-dry fully before packing them away. Drying helps prevent the pieces from staying wet in a closed bag, which can lead to musty odors or damage over time.

Store the complete set in its case or a dry indoor cupboard, away from prolonged damp and direct sun. Count the six batons, ten kubbs, king, and four stakes before putting the set away so a missing piece is easy to find. If a wooden piece develops a splinter or crack, stop using it until it has been safely repaired or replaced; damaged wood can break during a throw. Follow any care instructions supplied with your particular set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Swedish stick game called?

It is generally called kubb. The name is often pronounced roughly like “koob,” though pronunciation varies. Kubb is played with wooden batons, kubbs, and a central king, and is commonly described as a Swedish lawn game.

How many people can play kubb?

Two teams can play with one or more people on each side. A casual game is manageable with two to six players per team, but larger teams can rotate throws. The team still uses the same six batons in a turn unless the group has agreed to a different format.

How long does a game take?

A first game often takes about 30 to 60 minutes, including time to learn the turn order and settle on boundary rules. Experienced players may finish more quickly, while careful play or a long match can take longer. Pitch size, skill, and the number of rounds all affect the timing.

Can kubb be played on sand or indoors?

Sand is a common option if it is firm enough for the kubbs to stand and there is space to throw safely. Indoor play is possible only in a large, clear area with soft or lightweight equipment and permission to use it; wooden batons can damage floors or injure someone. For most standard sets, an open outdoor surface is the practical choice.

Can the king be knocked down at any time?

No. In the usual rules, a team must first knock down all of its opponent’s kubbs, including field kubbs, before it can target the king. Knocking down the king too early usually means an immediate loss for the throwing team, so leave it upright until the other pieces are cleared.

Are there official rules for every kubb game?

There are organized and tournament rule sets, but casual games often use house rules, particularly for out-of-bounds kubbs and pieces that lean without falling completely. If a tournament or club is involved, follow its rules. For a backyard game, agree on these calls before the first throw and apply them the same way to both teams.

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