FOUR SQUARE
There are many places in the country people play competitive four square games, many of them are middle school playgrounds, after school programs, and summer camps. Official rules and guidelines vary. Having a set of standard rules is beneficial as other active four square communities can compete on the same playing field. One set of rules posted on the internet comes from the Becket Chimney Corners YMCA in Becket, MA. http://www.squarefour.org/rules
The Goal of the game of 4-Square
Four-square is played with a rubber ball on a court made of four adjacent squares.
The objective in four-square is advance to the highest
square on the court by eliminating other players with a rubber ball. When the
ball is bounced into your square you must then bounce it back out without
hitting twice in your own square, otherwise you are out. The ball is bounced
from one square to another and players are eliminated for hitting the ball
incorrectly, into the wrong square, playing out of turn, or by causing other
specific errors. The object is to eliminate players in higher squares so that
you can make it to the 'four square' and score the most points Once at the
highest ranking square, a player scores points and has the privilege of serving
the ball to start each round. Any number of players may wait in a line outside
the court for their turn to play.
The Court
Four-square is played on a square court divided into four smaller squares of
equal size that meet in the center. Different communities or groups use
different size courts, ranging from 12 or 16 to 24 feet (7.3 m).
Court sizes are often adjusted to be appropriate for age or skill level.
The squares each have a rank order. Squares are numbered 1 through 4. New players enter into square number 1 and the ball is served out of square number 4. Players may stand, walk or run anywhere in the court, though it is best to stay in a position to protect your own square. Squares can also be assigned names instead of numbers. An example might be: The square with the highest rank is called the 'King' (sometimes the 'Ace'). The other squares sometimes have names, and sometimes do not or simply go by the numbers. The #2 square may be called the 'Prime Minister', or the other three may be called the 'Queen', 'Prince', and 'Princess'. Use your imagination in naming the squares.
The outermost lines of the court are considered fair play and the ball may land on any portion of an outside line and still be in play. The inside lines can be designated as out-of-bounds and balls landing on any portion of an inside line are in error, or the ball can be replayed (do over) should it hit an inside line. A popular abbreviation of these rules is known as 'inside out, outside in'. Balls landing outside the court are considered errors as well.
The serve
Each round of the game begins with the player in the top square serving the ball to the lowest square. The serve is always delivered from the back corner of the square. The serve is intended to put the ball into play fairly and must be reasonably returnable by the first receiving player. From this point on, regular game play follows until a player is eliminated.
Regular game play
The player in the fourth square begins the game by serving the ball. Players allow the ball to bounce in their square once, and the occupant of that square must return the ball to any other player's square by hitting or striking the ball with their hands. Once the ball lands in a new player's square, that player must return it, and so forth, until a player makes an error and is eliminated. Each time a player is knocked out, that square becomes vacant and all players move up to a higher numbered square to make the first square available for an incoming player. Eliminated players must go to the end of the line and await their next turn in play. The game continues like this until time runs out or a winner is determined through any number of methods.
Errors and
elimination
Players may be eliminated for the following
errors:
- A player hits the ball into an opponent square without it first bouncing in their own square.
- A player hits the ball out of bounds.
- A player allows the ball to bounce more than once in their square.
- A player fails to hit the ball properly into another player's square.
- A player hits the ball more than once before returning it to another square.
- A player violates one of the many special rules the players invent.
Eliminated players leave the court and all remaining players move up to the next highest square, a new player joins in the lowest square.
Customized Rules
By creating special rules the game can be tailored to
be played using your own style and help you to enjoy the game. This is where most of the fun and complexity
of game comes from. As a group the players may create specific rules which
become part of the game. These rules should be discussed and agreed upon prior
to beginning games. Some examples
follow:
- Double Taps: This means any player may hit the ball two times in the air after it has bounced once in her square. Similar to a one person volleyball team, this is an effective technique for setting yourself up for a spike.
- Body Language: This rule allows players to use any part of their body to hit the ball. Some players like this because of the added use of feet for emergency recoveries.
- Black Jack: If a player catches the ball cleanly before it lands in their square, the player who hit the ball is out. It usually forces the game to be played low and fast and creates a different dynamic. If this is played with Double Taps, you must still catch the ball on the first hit.
- Underhand: The means that all hits are with an open hand, palm up, below the waist. This brings the game down low to the ground and makes your quads ache the next day. "Underhand" is stereotypically associated with beginners, but in four square even the best players sometimes can't survive a round of underhand.
- Jungle Rules: This is more of an “anything goes” type of game play. The allowance of double taps, catching and throwing, rebounding from walls, use of any body part for hits. The possibilities are unlimited, but safety of players must always be kept in mind.
Sources:
http://www.squarefour.org/rules
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_square
http://www.partygamecentral.com/pgcstandard/gametmpstd.asp?gn=FOUR+SQUARE
The International 4-Square League – Official Rulebook - http://www.4squareleague.com/