Four Square Rules
Four square is played all over the world by all different communities. We've worked hard to
compile the most common rules from all the playgrounds of our childhoods and create a
benchmark for everyone. Having a set of standard rules means that each pocket of four square
groups can play together with common rules, yet still leave enough room for communities to
improvise.
The Object
The object of the game of four square is to eliminate players in higher squares so that you can
advance to the highest square yourself. Four square is played with a rubber playground ball on
a square court with four players, each occupying a quarter of the court. The ball is bounced
between players in squares until someone makes an error and is eliminated. Eliminated players
leave the court, all players advance to fill the empty squares, and a new player joins at the
lowest ranked square
The Ball
The official league ball is a textured 8.5 inch rubber playground ball inflated to 2 lbs. During
play, players may only hit the ball with their hands. We describe the "hands" as any area
between the player's wrists and her fingertips, including the backs of her hands. The ball may
be hit with open or closed fists in the same manner as official volleyball.
Players may not catch, carry or hold the ball at any time during play. Spinning the ball is allowed
as long as the hit that produces the spin is not a carry or other illegal hit. We get a lot of
questions about spins.
In all cases, players who strike the ball incorrectly are eliminated.
The Court
Four Square is played on a 16x16' court divided into four smaller 8x8' squares that meet in the
center. Squares are ranked from highest to lowest. Our league uses numbers 1 through 4, other
people use letters and even a few use the title of royalty. In all cases, the highest and lowest
ranked squares should be diagonal from each other.
There are two sets of lines on the court. "Outside lines" are the outermost edges of the entire
court, while "inside lines" refer to the line dividing individual squares of the court that cross in
the center.
Outside lines are in-bounds. If a player bounces the ball onto any outside line, it is still in
play. However, if the ball bounces outside of the outside line, it is out of bounds and the
player that last hit it is eliminated.
Inside lines are out-of-bounds. If a player hits a ball onto any inside line then that player is
out. This applies to ALL inside lines, not just the lines that border her square. If a ball touches
an inside line, the player that hit is last is eliminated.
Players are not required to stay in their portion of the court. They may stand, walk or run
anywhere on the court, though it is best to stay in a position to protect your own square.
Serving the Ball
The ball is always served from the highest ranked square to the lowest square. Squares one and
four are positioned diagonally across the court. The server must drop the ball and serve from
the bounce. The ball must be allowed to bounce once in the receiving square, then the
receiving player must hit the ball into another square of his or her choice. After the receiver
touches the ball, the ball is in play.
Serves are meant to place the ball fairly into play. Because the server must serve the ball the
same way each time, it is the receiving player who controls the first play of the game.
Faults
The receiver of the serve is allowed only one mistake on each round, we call this a fault. If the
receiver of the serve hits the ball incorrectly, or fails to hit the ball inbounds, then the receiver
is allowed to take a second serve. There is only one fault allowed per player per round.
We refer to a fault as "one bad", as in one bad return. However, if a player faults the second
time then it we call it "two bad". In other words, that is too bad for you.
Normal Game Play and Possession
Each time the ball bounces in a square, the owner of that square must hit the ball into another
square. No exceptions.
Once the ball touches down in a square, ONLY the owner of the square can touch the ball next.
If she does not, then she is out. If she hits it poorly or out of bounds, she is out. If another
player hits the ball before she does, at any time, the other player is out.
Once that player hits the ball once than any other player may hit it next. This means it is not
necessary to let the ball bounce again before another player hits it. The next player to touch the
ball is subject to all the normal rules.
Elimination
Each time a player is eliminated, that player leaves the court and all players advance to the
higher numbered square squares. The lowest ranked square is then filled with a new player. All
eliminated players leave the court and wait for their next turn to join in the lowest square.
These situations represent all the ways in which a player may be eliminated from the court.
Players are eliminated for:
 Failing to hit the ball into another square
 Allowing the ball to bounce more than once in their own square
 Hitting the ball out of bounds or onto an inside line
 Hitting the ball incorrectly, such as holding, catching or carrying
 Hitting the ball with a part of the body that are not hands
 Hitting the ball out of turn (poaching)
 iolating any number of local rules that are made up on the playground
Interference
If the ball is touched by another object which is not one of the four players or the floor, this is
called interference. The round is started again. Players waiting in line may not touch the ball
when in play.
The Showdown!
If there is a dispute that cannot be settled by the officials then the only proper way to come to
work out the disagreement is through the Showdown. The Showdown is mini-game of two
square with no custom rules and the loser is knocked out of the game. In the event of a
Showdown, there are no points or errors logged for the players, the winner of the showdown is
simply allowed to stay in the game.
Customized Rules
Advancing to into four square comes with the unique privilege of creating special rules which
tailor the game play to your own style and help you to stay in four square longer. This is where
most of the fun and complexity of game comes from, especially for children.
When in four square, the player may invoke special rules which become part of the game for
that one round. After each round, she must call the rules again or it is assumed that there are
no special rules required.
Many of the special, silly, and ridiculous rules would make it impossible to keep score in
competitive game play. As a compromise, only the following custom rules are used in our
Boston league:
Underhand: The means that all hits are with an open hand, palm(s) up. 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.
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.
Black Jack: If a player catches the ball cleanly before it lands in her 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.
Our league players enjoy combining these rules with each other for more complex play.
*Special, silly, and ridiculous rules are encouraged during all non-league play, especially during
the 1/2 hour warm up period at the start of each game. Check the forums for other interesting
rules added by our readers.
Score Keeping and Statistics
Stats from individual games are tracked for the whole season. The two lowest scores are
thrown out to reflect only the best play of the season. This also allows for league members to
miss up to two games and still maintain a competitive edge during the season. Awards are
given to players who score the highest averages, most points, and greatest improvement.
Here are the statistics we track in our Boston league:
Ent.: Entrance. This is the total number of times a player has stood in one square.
Svr.: Serve. This is the total number of times a player has been in four square and served the
ball.
Avg: Average. The cumulative ratio of the number of Serve to the number of Ent, how many
times in four square divided by the number of games played.
Adjust: Adjusted Average. The two lowest scores are dropped and the sum of the remaining
Avg's are divided by the number of season games minus two. This is the number which will
determine the high scores of the league.
Clobber: Clobber points. Similar to a judges merit score. A special point added at the judge’s
discretion for ultimately 'owning' another player on the court through great play,
demonstration of skill, strategy, or display of brute force.