Four square

Four square is a fun ball game.

You play on a large square court. It has four small boxes. One person stands in each box. Other people wait in a line.

You hit the ball with your hands. You must hit it into another box. Do not let the ball bounce twice. If you miss, you go to the back of the line.

People play this game at school. Some adults play it too. There is even a big world contest!

A group once played for 34 hours. That is a very long time! It is a great game to play with friends.

Four square is a popular ball game.

It is played on a square court. Two lines cross to make four small boxes. These boxes are often labeled 1 to 4.

One player stands in each box. Other people wait in a line. The player in square 4 serves the ball. You must hit the ball with your hands. You must hit it into a different box. Do not let the ball bounce twice in your box. You also must not hit the lines. If you miss, you go to the back of the line. The other players move up one square.

Many people love this game. It is easy to set up. It is common at elementary schools. Adults play it too. There is even a big world contest!

This event is in Maine. It has many different groups. There are groups for kids and adults.

People have even set world records. A group once played for 34 hours. This broke a record held by college students. Those students played for 30 hours. Other players once played for 29 hours. Four square is a game for everyone.

Four square is a fun ball game.

It is played on a square court. Two lines cross to make four small boxes. These boxes are often labeled 1 to 4 or A to D. People love this game because it is easy to play. You do not need much equipment to start. It is very popular at elementary schools. However, many adults play it in their communities too.

One player stands in each of the four squares. Other players wait in a line to take a turn. The player in square 4 serves the ball into another square. You must hit the ball with your hands. You must hit it into a different square. You might get out if you miss the ball. You can also get out if the ball bounces twice. Do not hit the ball out of the squares. You must not hit the lines either.

This game has a long history. We know it existed in the 1950s. Newspapers in the northeastern United States mentioned it then. A teacher's manual from 1953 describes the rules. These rules are the same ones used today. Some people think it came from an older game. This older game is called Jeu de paume. It was popular in France in the twelfth century.

There are many ways to play. Some people play nine square. This uses a 3-by-3 grid instead of four boxes. In that game, the middle square is the server. In Sweden, a similar game is called King Out. There is also a version like volleyball. In that version, players keep the ball off the ground.

People even hold big contests for the sport.

Since 2005, Bridgton Recreation has held a world championship. This event is in central Maine. It brings together players from the United States and other lands. There are groups for children, adults, and seniors.

People even break world records by playing for a long time. In 2012, 17 students from Needham High School played for 34 hours. This broke a record of 30 hours held by Manchester College students. Other players once played for 29 hours in 2008.

Four square is a popular global ball sport.

It is played on a square court divided into four equal sections. Two perpendicular lines cross the court to create these four boxes. Players usually label the squares with numbers 1 through 4 or letters A through D. The game is highly valued for its simplicity and accessibility. It requires very little equipment to begin. It also needs almost no setup time. Because rounds are short, players can end a game at any time. While it is a staple of elementary school playgrounds, many adults also play in various communities.

The mechanics of the game rely on quick reflexes and precise hand movements. One player occupies each of the four squares at a single time. All other interested players wait in a line outside the court. The player positioned in square 4 acts as the server. They serve the ball into one of the other three squares. Once the ball bounces in a square, the occupant must hit it into a different square. This cycle continues as players hit the ball back and forth. Each player must use their hands to strike the ball successfully.

Players must follow strict rules to avoid being eliminated from the court. An "out" occurs when a player fails to hit the ball into another square. You are also out if you allow the ball to bounce more than once in your square. Hitting the ball out of the court boundaries or onto a line results in an out. Other errors include catching, holding, or carrying the ball. Players can also be eliminated for hitting the ball out of turn or causing interference. In some specific versions, hitting the ball with only one hand is also a mistake. When someone is out, they join the back of the waiting line. All remaining players then advance to the next higher-numbered square. Square 1 is then filled by the next person in line.

There are several distinct variations of this sport that change how it is played. One version is called nine square, which utilizes a 3-by-3 grid. In nine square, the center square serves as the starting position for the ball. Another variation functions similarly to volleyball. In this version, the four players must work to keep the ball from ever touching the ground. Different regions also have their own names for similar games. In Sweden, a similar game is known as King Out. In other schoolyards, it might be referred to as handball.

The history of four square is documented back to at least the 1950s. Newspapers in the northeastern United States mentioned the game during that decade. A teacher's manual published in 1953 describes rules that are nearly identical to those used today. Some historians suggest the game may have evolved from a much older tradition. This potential ancestor is called Jeu de paume. That game was popular in France as early as the twelfth century. This connection shows how simple ball games can persist across many centuries.

Organized competition has turned this playground game into a structured international sport. Since 2005, Bridgton Recreation has sponsored the annual Four Square World Championship. This event takes place in central Maine and attracts participants from the United States and other countries.

The championship is divided into several specific categories. These include divisions for children, adults, and seniors. The tournament awards titles to the winners of each division. The event has seen growing visibility and participation over the years. It is now recognized as one of the most prominent organized competitions for the sport.

Athletes have even pushed the limits of human endurance through world record attempts. In 2012, a group of 17 Needham High School students and alumni set a major record. They played for 34 consecutive hours. This feat was assisted by 50 other Needham residents at different times. This broke the previous record of 30 hours held by 15 Manchester College students. Other notable endurance records include a 29-hour session by eight Argentinean players in 2008. A group of teenagers from Youngstown, Ohio, also previously held a 29-hour record. These numbers demonstrate the intense dedication found within the four square community.