This is a compilation of strategies that you may/will want to employ. Since this is a new game, there are guaranteed to be many more strategies than the ones that are listed here. As you read on, I think you will find that the game is not just a physical game but can be mentally challenging as well.

Fielding Strategies

"Cannon Fodder"

If you have a good outfield, or even a decent one, this strategy is the way to go. The whole idea is that, at the starting of the game only, you allow the the first 2 Kickers to load the bases.

Now this might not seem like a wise thing to do in regular kickball or baseball, but in Mojo Kickball, this is pretty crafty. The reason: As soon as you get a Kicker "out", that Kicker is going to become a Chaser and start harrassing your Outfielders. But, if you make sure to get as many balls in your possesion without getting anyone "out" and invoking a Chaser, you have set yourself up with all a lot of good balls that you can easily use to get your opponents out with.

For an added, devastating effect, let the runners make it to Third Base and collect all 6 balls. This is called a "Shut-down".

"Shut-down"

This is the deadliest strategy of the game. It is also the hardest to implement. Performing a "Shut-down" involves getting all 6 balls. If the Outfielders are in possession of all 6 balls, there will be no balls to pitch, and the Kickers cannot score any runs -- indefinitely. In order to get all 6 balls, your priority has to change from getting runners "out" to simply collecting balls and keeping them away from the Chaser. It's a risky trade-off but it pays off big-time when it is implemented successfully.

This strategy makes a perfect counter to "Bodyguard".

"Huddle Scuttle"

Oh crap, you screwed up. Somehow the Kickers have managed to get all 6 balls back. Meaning you guys have no balls to get any runners out. What's worse, the Runners are using the "Go Fetch" strategy and are ruining your lives. How do you get a ball back into the Outfield's posession without that pesky Chaser tagging you as soon as you touch the ball?

This is the strategy for that. You know that the Kickers are kicking toward the Chaser, so get as many people as you can spare to follow the Chaser around. When the ball comes your way, don't touch it immediately, just "huddle" around it after it comes to a complete stop. The Chaser can't interfere with the play at all until one of you touches the ball, so you've got about 10 seconds for someone on the opposite side of the huddle to snatch the ball and get away from the Chaser as fast as they can. Neat huh?

"The Cat Toy"

Introduced by one of our new players, the Cat Toy is an effective strategy against the "Go Fetch".
Let's assume that pesky Chaser is hunting you down as you get close to a kicked ball. Try batting the ball with your hand or your foot toward another Fielder. The Chaser may NOT touch you until after you have come in contact with the ball. And if you're only in contact with the ball for a second, then there's no way the ball can be declared "dead".

The only issue with this of course, is if you bat the ball and there is nobody there to catch it before it touches the ground. So you will probably want to have 1 or 2 Fielders nearby.

"The Town Crier"

Thanks to Ryan, one of our Mojo enthusiasts, for this one. In this strategy, you set one or two people to be "Town Criers". A Town Crier simply follows around a Chaser and announces him to the other Fielders whenever the Chaser gets too close. That way there are no nasty surprises. The added benefit is that the Town Crier can act as an outfielder to throw to when the Chaser gets close.

"Decoy"

Let's say the Kicking Team is playing "Go Fetch" and are doing a damn good job of it. You need a way to throw off that pesky Chaser. And fast. Send one or two people to run at the ball like they were going to field it, bend down and not field it after all. The Chaser will run after them hopefully, giving someone else enough time to pick the ball up safely. This is great for people who don't have any fielding skills but can contribute greatly to their team with a good fake-out.

"Monkey in the Middle"

This is less of a strategy and more common sense. But I'll put it down anyway. If you have an annoying Chaser that is constantly running around with boundless energy, you should consider playing "Monkey in the Middle" with him. Simply get a few teammates and pass the ball over his head as he runs toward each of you trying to tag you. That should wear him out good.

General Fielding Tips

• If you have a ball, try to congregate around the bases as much as possible.
• Good passing to your teammates is worth an awful lot of unnecessary running.
• Chaser's are constantly swapping out and passing the Yellow Belt to each other. Use that time to get more runners "out" if you can.
• Don't be afraid to hold onto balls and let Kickers advance to the next base. Ultimately, your only concern is whether or not they score.

Kicking Strategies

"Bodyguard"

Let's say you're not the fastest Chaser in the world, or you're simply not into the whole "running thing". No problem. Just because you're the Chaser doesn't mean that you actually have to "chase". You can simply protect the runner. That's right. DON'T chase the ball-wielding Outfielders. Just protect the runner/Kicker as he runs/walks the bases. You can do this by simply standing between your buddy the Kicker and any Outfielder who wants to get him "out".

Granted, if the Outfielder throws the ball at the Kicker and you can't deflect it before it hits the Kicker, the Kicker will be "out". But the good news is that if the Outfielder throws the ball at your buddy, the ball is gonna probably hit the ground. Which means it will be a dead ball. Which means you can retrieve it and send it back to the Pitcher.

For double-protection, use your Outfield Chaser to help protect the Runner from Outifielders in the Outfield (as opposed to the Infield) with balls.

"Go Fetch"

This has varying degrees of difficulty. If the Outfield has no balls and no Kicker is on base, the Kicker can simply kick the ball in the general direction of the Chaser. The Chaser can't touch the ball or interfere with play, but as soon as an Outfielder touches the ball, the Chaser will be that much closer to the Outfielder to 'tag' him and retrieve the ball.

This is most effective strategy for Kickers in the game, although by not putting multiple balls on the field in rapid succession, the Chaser is limited to helping one runner at a time.

Additionally, if you're Kicker has some good ball control, you can put your Chaser and your Outfield Chaser in the Outfield and hunt down Outfielders who get the ball. That's 2 people setup for Go Fetch.

This awesome strategy can still be countermanded by the Huddle Scuttle.

"The Nipper"

If the Outfielders are trying to perform a "Shut-down" or a "Cannon Fodder" play at the beginning of the game before there is a Chaser on the field, then it might be wisest for the Kickers to simply get themselves "out", so that they can get a Chaser out there to wreak havoc.

So how do you get "out" if the Outfielders won't get you "out", and you can't "strike out"? Easy. Simply put two runners on the same base. If there are two runners who put themselves on the same base, then the incumbent runner (the one who was there first) is "out". Once you have a man "out", you then have a Chaser.

There's nothing much to this strategy as you can see. But the important thing to note is that, if you notice the other team deliberately not getting you "out" in order to collect more balls, then why not have each runner run all the way to Third Base? Get as many runs in as you can before you feel the need to send in a Chaser.

Naturally, if you don't feel like getting your own guys "out", you can always wait until the Outfield has 3 balls. But you will have to call "Mayhem" if you want any of your balls back.

"The Taunter"

This is a common strategy that can be regularly deployed throughout the game, so it's probably one of the most effective Kicking strategies there is.

Let's suppose that there is a Runner on first base. First base is being anxiously guarded by an Outfielder with ball in hand, ready to tag the Runner just as soon as he leaves that base. The Chaser is busy somewhere else and can't help the first base runner at this time. Meanwhile, you've just kicked a fair ball into the outfield and so you have to run toward first base. Or DO you?

The answer is no. No you don't. Why head toward certain doom? Why endanger your Runner on first base if you don't have to? You may leave or stay on Home Plate once you've kicked, but nothing says you have to run toward your next base. In fact, just stop on the baseline. That's right. Have the Pitcher stop pitching temporarily and just stand there.

Now that pesky first base Outfielder has a decision to make. Either he can run in and get you as you stand vulnerable on the baseline, or he can wait there in hopes that the Runner will try to run to second base. Tough decision. Particularly when the Chaser will certainly come by first base again at some point to chase him away.

But maybe you should even make the decision harder for him. Start running toward him, and then back away as he comes toward you. Lure the Outfielder away from your Runner on first base! After all, who cares if he gets you out. By luring him far enough away from first base, you've allowed your Runner the opportunity to advance to second. And that's how the game is played!

Important note: You can do this on ANY base! Try luring Outfielders who are protecting the later bases to try to get you out on the earlier bases. Essentially feel free to run backward on any baseline.

The only time you will get out, is if you:

• Go too far outside the baseline.
• Cross another Runner's path (i.e change the Running order).
• Land on the same base as another Runner.

"Catch Monkey"

When the Fielders have a lot of balls, you may want to call Mayhem. OR you may want to find a way to try to get the balls back some other way. This is one of those ways. Send a fast, agile Kicker along the baselines with your Chasers. Your Chasers essentially will not concentrate on trying to get the Runner to score a run, but rather to get the Fielders to throw as many balls as they can at that Runner. The Runner (the Catch Monkey) will catch as many balls as he/she can and get as many of the balls dead for the next Runner.
This could also be implemented as a "Train" of "Catch Monkeys" for even more effectiveness.

"The Train"

This works well if implemented carefully with Blitzkrieg. The first step is to load the bases. Namely first and second.

Once you have enough Runners lined up and ready to go, have them all run like banshees altogether on the baseline with your Chasers protecting them the entire way. You will probably lose some Runners to the Outfielders, but there's safety in numbers. And you're bound to get some through. Or at least make the Outfield lose all their balls trying to get them "out".

Two tips to remember for this strategy are to:

• Don't let your runners run out of order or they will be called "out".
• Use your Outfield Chaser to help protect the Runners around the bases.

"The TailGunner"

If you're having problems even getting one run, then it's time to slow down. This is a good strategy for either getting a run, or at worst, getting your balls back without having to call "Mayhem".

The idea is simple. Instead of running with the Chaser in front of you scaring away Outfielders from getting you "out", why not make it hard for them? Try getting them to throw the ball at you. That way, they're all but sure to lose a ball back to you.

The best way to do this is obviously to keep your Runner close to the Chaser. Do this by having the Runner place his hand on the back of the Chaser as they trot/jog/walk briskly toward the next base. Of course, Outfielder will try to tag a Runner "out" from behind. And that's why the Runner should be faced somewhat in the opposite direction as they approach the next base. The Runner should stay low.

The result: Outfielder's can't get close enough to the Runner without the Chaser flipping around and tagging them which makes them more inclined to throw the ball at the Runner. If the Runner is facing the oncoming ball, he/she has a much better chance of catching the ball, and thus becoming more of a threat to the Outfielder.

Pitching Strategies

Sure, the Pitcher is on the same side as the Kickers, but since good pitching is such a good hingepoint to the game, I just decided to give him/her their own section.

"Freeway"

If all balls have been retreived from the Outfielders, or if the Outfielders have no balls, any Kicker on base can freely run the bases and score a run.

What does that mean from the Pitcher's standpoint? Well, the Pitcher certainly doesn't want to give another ball to the Outfielders, so a smart Pitcher will stop Pitching until all the Kickers on base have finally scored, or are near Third base.

"Blitzkrieg"

You're noticing that the Outfielders are busy with the runners. Perhaps you have runners that are making their way to Third Base and they are trying to stop them. Well, anytime that the Outfield seems distracted, or involved in another part of the game, you can use this opportunity to 'catch them with their pants down' so to speak.

In this strategy, you simply use this opportune time to pitch as many balls as you can in rapid succession. Thus, putting balls-a-plenty out on the field and creating total havoc.