Abstract: A ball game recreational or training device comprises a cartridge (1) adapted to be held in a user's hand. The cartridge (1) houses a reel (21) on which a tether (3) such as a braided rope is wound. The free end of the tether (3) emerges from the cartridge (1) and a ball (5), e.g. a soccer ball, is secured to it. A force applied to the ball (5), e.g. by kicking, causes the tether (3) to unwind from the reel (21). The reel (21) is spring-loaded for automatic rewinding of the tether (3). The cartridge (1) is also provided with a thumb-actuatable button (7) by which the flight of the ball (5) away from the user may be arrested.