| The ball used in a game of four square is somewhat open to personal preferences, but there are a few regulations. Firstly, the ball must be a playground type ball. NEVER use a basketball for four square. Also, if you can, try to find a ball with heavy, thick rubber. This makes the game much more controlled and therefore more enjoyable. If you want to be technical, it should be about 8.5 inches in diameter and weigh approximately 2-3 lbs., slightly deflated. |
| The four square arena consists of (suprise, suprise) four 4' by 4' squares put together to make one big 8' by 8' square. That's pretty obvious, and if you're here, you probably already know that. Also, there is a small (6" by 6") square in the middle (with one part in each other square) designated as the death square. The lines should be made out something that makes noise when you hit it (eg. masking tape, small mammals, etc.). That solves a lot of disputes over whether the ball bounced in or not (see II.A.1). Four square can technically be played on any semi-hard, bouncable surface, but a low rug works best because it allows you to dive for the ball with the least possible injury. |
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1. Four people play four square at any given time. The squares are numbered one to four in a clockwise direction. The one square is the server's square.
2. When you get out, you move to the back of the line. Everyone in a square below yours moves up one square, in a clockwise direction. The person in the front of the line moves into the four square. 3. The lines are always in. 4. If the ball hits any wall, car, meteor, etc., it is dead. 5. If the ball hits the ceiling or the death square, if no one is already out, the person who last touched the ball is out. |
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1. The server must serve with both feet completely out of the square.
2. You start the serve by bouncing the ball, then hitting it with the palm up. 3. The palm must be up when it makes contact with the ball, and the serve must be an upward motion of the arm. 4. In many arenas, there is a small square in the server's square, from which the server is supposed to serve or something. But that's only for little kids, not professionals like us. Ignore this kiddie square completely. |
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1. After the ball bounces in your square, you must hit it into someone else's square. If you do not hit it into someone else's square, you are out.
2. You may not hit the ball multiple times during one move. 3. You must play the ball between the time it first bounces in your square and the time when it bounces again. 4. You may not hold the ball; you must hit it and it should only be in contact with your body for a very brief moment. 5. If the ball hits you before bouncing and you are in the square, you are out. 6. If the ball hits you before bouncing and you are out of the square, the person who hit it is out. 7. If you hit the ball and it has not bounced in your square, you are out. This is called "stealing." 8. If you hit the ball and it lands on any tape bordering your square, you have hit it in your own square and you are out. 9. If the ball lands on the line between two squares, either party may play it. If neither plays it, it is a do-over. |
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1. You may not call anyone "Hag" during regular game play.
2. The line has no say in any and all decisions about the game currently being played. 3. If anyone gets Tricia out when she is in the server square, he or she is subject to punishment by the evil chairs. |
| Two Square is very convenient when you do not have enough people to play four square. It is more difficult than fore square, and therefore it helps you improve your four square skill. However, the most important reason for two square is for personal challenges. Unlike in four square, there actually is a winner and a loser. Two square is the methos by which you may move up in the standings as well. |
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1. Each player gets two adjacent squares, and keeps these same squares for the entire game.
2. The server must serve the same as in four square, except that the server must serve to the opposite square. The server must serve to the square opposite the square he bounces the ball in. If he bounces the ball on the tape between his own two squares, it is a do-over. 3. Whenever someone gets "out," they do not move anywhere. Instead, one of two things happens. If the person to "get out" was serving, the other player serves. If the person to "get out" was not serving, the server gets a point, and he serves again. 4. The first to reach a set number of points, usually 10, wins. |
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1. The server must serve with one foot on either side of the square.
2. Anyone found cackling during a four square game will be suspended for a time not less than 5 minutes. |