Directions for Brophy Gym 4 Square Rules

OBJECT

The object of four square: to hit the ball, after it has bounced once in a player's box, in to another player's box.

                                                              

• Players attempt to place the ball so that the receiver cannot return or play the ball.
  
• Each player is trying to advance one box and to become server. The server tries to stay in serving box.
  
• If the receiving player fails to hit the ball after one bounce she/he is out and players advance one box.
  
• If the sending player hits the ball in one's own box, she/he is out.
  

START

The server is the player in box four and starts the game. The server stands behind the diagonal line, bounces the ball to self and must hit the ball after the first bounce with two hands, little fingers touching, and underside of the ball. The ball must be served from behind the diagonal line and the server must remain behind the serving line until the ball has bounced in another box. The ball must bounce in either box 1, 2, or 3.

STRATEGIES

The best-placed balls are the ones that cannot be returned.
Place the ball in a corner far from the player. Balls that bounce deep in the corners are very hard to be returned. Some players play too far forward, place the ball near the outside line. Some play back, place the ball near the inside line.

Each player should send the ball to a player in a higher number box and all players should try to get the server out. Player 1 tries to get out 2, 3 and server. Player 2 tries to get out 3 and server. Player 3 tries to get out the server

ONE BOUNCE-ONE TAP
This is the basic four square rule. The ball must be hit into another box and the player must play the ball after one bounce and hit with one tap into another box.
The player is out if:

1. the ball is hit after the second bounce                                        
   
2. the ball lands outside a box                                                           
   
3. the player does not return the ball
   

RULES

• LINE BALLS
Outside line balls are good and to be played. Inside line balls bounce directly into one box and that player must play the ball.

• TRESPASSING Interfering with a ball in flight is not allowed.
Example:
If you are in box 3 and the ball is clearly going to box two you may not extend your arm into the path of the ball and interfere with the flight.
A player may not step into another box and play the ball.

• SAVING Play should stop immediately when someone is out. However, if this does not happen because another player readily plays the bounce of the
ball, play should continue. This refers to balls hit in the middle where the four boxes meet; otherwise the player is out. When play is stopped due to a different move, the “saved” player of the previous move is not out.

• RULES FOR SERVES.

1. The server stands behind the diagonal line.
   
2. The ball must be hit from behind the diagonal line
   
3. The player must remain behind the line until the ball bounces in another box.
   
4. The ball is to be hit with two hands, little fingers touching, and underside of the ball.
   
5. The ball must be hit in front of the player’s body.
   
6. The ball must bounce in another player’s box. The ball must be served between the knees and the head of the receiving player.
   

• DOUBLE TAP The ball must be hit with one tap after the first bounce. The ball should be hit with two hands, although sometimes it is necessary to hit with one hand and the player would not be out.
The player must tap the ball; it cannot be THROWN, PUSHED, HELD OR WHIPPED. THE BALL MUST BE PLAYED IN FRONT OF THE PLAYER’S BODY, NOT FROM THE SIDE.

• ONE BOUNCE The ball must be hit after the first bounce. Sometimes players hit the ball before it bounces and they would not be out. Strategically, the best-played balls are hit after the bounce.

• CHICKEN FEET hitting the ball so that it lands right on the player’s feet is permitted.
• EAGLE EYES Eagle eyes is looking at one player and hitting the ball to another player. This is permitted. However, if the player hitting the ball does an illegal move WITH THEIR HANDS THEN THEY ARE OUT.

• HEIGHT OF THE PLAYED BALL. Balls are to be hit so they are between the knees and the head of the receiver. This rule is for serves and all play.

• DO OVERS AND DELAYING PLAY ARE NOT ALLOWED. On every play a player is either in or out

• PLAYER POSITION. All players must remain inside the box. No plays from outside any box.

• HAND POSITION
The ball must be played in front of the body, little fingers touching or thumbs touching on the underside of the ball. The hands may not be crossed; the fingers may not be laced, cupped or fisted on any play including serves.
Back to Physical Education
Back to the Home Page