Section 5: Rules of Play
Objective
The objective of Four Square is to advance to the King position (Square 4) and remain there for as many consecutive rounds as possible. Players advance by eliminating higher-ranked opponents through strategic ball placement, spin, and speed. A player is eliminated when they fail to properly return the ball to another player's square.
Starting a Round
Each round begins with the King serving the ball. The King drops the ball and hits it after one bounce, directing it into the Peasant's square (Square 1). The serve must bounce once in the Peasant's square before the Peasant can return it. Once the Peasant returns the serve, the ball is live and any player may hit it to any other player's square.
Basic Play
After the serve, players hit the ball back and forth between squares. On each hit, the ball must bounce exactly once in the receiving player's square. The receiving player must then hit the ball into another player's square before it bounces a second time in their own square. Play continues until a player commits a fault, at which point they are eliminated and the rotation occurs.
Serving Rules
- The King serves by dropping the ball and striking it after one bounce within their own square
- The serve must land in the Peasant's square (Square 1) in standard rules. Some variations allow the King to serve to any square
- The serve must be underhand. Overhand serves are not permitted on the opening serve
- The ball must clear the inside dividing line and land cleanly within the receiving square
- A serve that lands on a line, out of bounds, or fails to reach the receiving square is a fault on the server (King), and the King is eliminated
- The server may not fake a serve or excessively delay. The serve must be delivered within 5 seconds of the referee's (or group's) signal
Legal Hits
Players may strike the ball using any part of their hands or forearms. The following hit types are all legal unless specifically prohibited by King's Rules for the current round:
- Underhand hit: The most common technique. The player swings their open palm upward to loft the ball into another square. This is the standard hit for beginners and produces a predictable, high-arc trajectory
- Overhand hit (spike/slam): The player strikes the ball downward with an open palm or closed fist, producing a fast, low-bouncing shot. Overhand hits are legal during regular play but not on serves
- Slap: A quick, flat-handed strike that redirects the ball laterally with speed. Slaps are effective for changing the ball's direction suddenly
- Fist hit (punch/knuckle): Striking the ball with a closed fist. This produces a harder, less controlled shot. Legal in most rulesets but may be restricted by King's Rules
- Fingertip hit: Using the fingers to push or flick the ball. This allows for precise placement and spin but less power
- Two-handed hit: Using both hands clasped together (volleyball-style bump). Legal unless restricted
Carrying and Holding Violations
A "carry" occurs when a player's hand remains in contact with the ball for too long during a hit, effectively catching and throwing the ball rather than striking it. Carrying is illegal. The distinction between a clean hit and a carry is based on the duration and nature of the contact:
- A clean hit involves a single, instantaneous contact with the ball
- A carry involves the hand cradling, guiding, or redirecting the ball through extended contact
- If the ball visibly changes direction during a prolonged contact, it is a carry
- "Holding" or "catching" the ball (stopping it completely before redirecting) is always a violation
- Players may not scoop the ball from below and loft it; this is a carry
Lines
Line rules are among the most debated aspects of Four Square. The standard rules are as follows:
- Outside lines: A ball that lands on or outside the outer boundary line is out of bounds. The last player to touch the ball is eliminated
- Inside dividing lines: A ball that lands on an inside dividing line is out for the player who hit it. The hitter is eliminated because they failed to land the ball cleanly in a single square
- Line ownership: In some regional variations, inside lines "belong" to the lower-numbered square, meaning a ball landing on the line between Square 3 and Square 2 is considered in Square 2. This rule should be agreed upon before play begins
- Benefit of the doubt: In casual play without a referee, close line calls should generally favor the receiver (the ball is considered in). In competitive play, the referee's call is final
Double Bounces
If the ball bounces twice in a player's square before they hit it, that player is eliminated. The bounce must be within the player's own square. A ball that bounces once in a player's square and once outside the court is out of bounds, not a double bounce. Players must react quickly to prevent the second bounce, which is the primary source of eliminations in Four Square.
Interference
Interference occurs when an outside factor disrupts play. Common interference situations include:
- A player from the queue stepping onto the court during active play
- Another ball or object rolling onto the court
- A spectator or passerby obstructing a player's movement
- Wind or weather conditions significantly altering the ball's trajectory (outdoor play)
When interference is called, the point is replayed (a "redo" or "do-over"). The King re-serves. Any player may call interference, but frivolous or repeated interference calls may be penalized at the referee's discretion.
Cherry Bomb
A "Cherry Bomb" (also called a "slam," "spike," or "tomahawk") is a powerful overhand slam directed at another player's square. The ball is hit forcefully downward, causing it to bounce high and fast, making it difficult to return. Cherry Bombs are legal during regular play unless the King declares "No Cherry Bombs" as a King's Rule. In some rulesets, Cherry Bombs are only permitted after the ball has been in play for at least three hits (to prevent immediate elimination off the serve return).
Black Magic
"Black Magic" (also called "spinners" or "topspin") refers to hitting the ball with deliberate spin. The player strikes the ball with a brushing or rolling motion of the hand, causing it to curve, skip, or bounce unpredictably. Types of spin include:
- Topspin: The ball spins forward, causing it to accelerate after the bounce and stay low
- Backspin: The ball spins backward, causing it to slow down, bounce higher, or bounce backward after landing
- Sidespin: The ball curves left or right after bouncing, making it harder to predict the landing zone
Black Magic is legal by default but can be banned by King's Rules. Spinning the ball is considered an advanced technique and is one of the most effective strategies in competitive play.
Bus Stop
"Bus Stop" (also called "holding" or "trapping") is a technique where a player catches or traps the ball momentarily before releasing it. True Bus Stop (catching and throwing) is always illegal as it constitutes a carry. However, some house rules allow a brief "catch and release" (holding the ball for up to one second before hitting it). If Bus Stop is declared as a King's Rule, players may briefly hold the ball before striking it, adding a strategic pause to the game.
Around the World
"Around the World" is a King's Rule where the ball must travel to each square in sequential order (King to Queen to Jack to Peasant, or the reverse) rather than to any square. Players must pass the ball to the adjacent square in the declared direction. Hitting the ball out of sequence results in elimination. This rule adds a structured, rhythmic quality to the game and tests players' consistency rather than their ability to target specific opponents.
Friendlies and Unfriendlies
"Friendlies" (also called "tea party" or "gentle play") is a King's Rule where aggressive shots such as Cherry Bombs, hard spikes, and fast slams are prohibited. All hits must be moderate in force, promoting a rally-style game. "Unfriendlies" is the opposite: all aggressive techniques are explicitly permitted, including Cherry Bombs, Black Magic, and maximum-power shots. The King may declare either mode at the start of a round.
King's Rules
One of the most distinctive features of Four Square is the King's Rules system. At the start of each round (or each time a new King ascends), the King may declare one or more special rules that apply for the duration of that round. Common King's Rules include:
- No Cherry Bombs: Overhand slams are prohibited
- No Black Magic: Spinning the ball is prohibited
- Bus Stop allowed: Players may briefly hold the ball
- Around the World: Ball must travel in sequential square order
- Friendlies/Unfriendlies: Gentle or aggressive play declared
- Coconut: Players must hit the ball with closed fists only
- Pac-Man: Players must remain on the lines of the court while the ball is in play
- Bobblehead: Players may only use their heads to hit the ball (no hands)
- Categories: The King names a category (e.g., "colors," "animals") and each player must call out a unique item from that category before hitting the ball. Failing to name an item results in elimination
- Silent Ball: No talking is allowed during the round. Any player who speaks is eliminated
- Double Tap: Players must hit the ball twice in their own square (letting it bounce once between taps) before sending it to another square
King's Rules must be declared before the serve and cannot be changed mid-round. Rules must be reasonable and cannot target a specific player unfairly. If players collectively object to a proposed King's Rule, the King must choose a different rule or proceed with no special rules.
Showdown
"Showdown" is a method for resolving disputes when two players disagree about a call (such as whether the ball was in or out, or who touched it last). In a Showdown, the two disputing players face off in a one-on-one rally using only their two squares. The first player to commit a fault loses the dispute and is eliminated. Showdowns are typically initiated by mutual agreement or by the referee's decision. During a Showdown, the other two players step back and do not participate.
Popcorn
"Popcorn" (also called "babies" or "tiny taps") is a technique where a player hits the ball very softly, causing it to barely clear the line and bounce low in the opponent's square. Popcorn shots are legal but can be countered by King's Rules requiring minimum hit force or height. This technique is effective against aggressive players who position themselves far from the dividing lines.
Body Shots
If the ball strikes a player's body (other than their hands or forearms) while the ball is in play, the player who was struck is eliminated. Players may not intentionally use their body to block or redirect the ball. If a player hits the ball and it strikes another player above the shoulders, the hitter may be eliminated instead (see Safety Considerations).
Tipping
"Tipping" occurs when a player barely grazes the ball with their fingertips, failing to redirect it with a clean hit. In most rulesets, a tip counts as a touch, meaning if the ball then goes out of bounds or fails to land in a valid square, the tipper is responsible. Players should strive for clean, full-contact hits rather than tips.
Ball Recovery
When the ball leaves the court after an elimination, the eliminated player is typically responsible for retrieving the ball and delivering it to the King for the next serve. In organized play, ball retrievers or spare balls may be used to minimize downtime between rounds.