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Official 4 Square Rules

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Foursquare is a popular playground game that combines elements of volleyball and tennis. It's played on a square court divided into four equal squares. Here's how to play:

Objective:

The primary goal is to remain in the highest-ranked square (Square 1) for as long as possible. Players are eliminated for various reasons, including missing the ball, letting it bounce twice, or hitting it out of bounds.

Basic Rules:

  1. Serving: The player in Square 4 (the server) underhand serves the ball into another square. The ball must bounce once in the receiving square before being hit back.

  2. Hitting the Ball: Players must hit the ball with their hand after it bounces once in their square. The ball can only be hit once per play.

  3. Elimination: Players are eliminated for various reasons:

    • Missing the ball

    • Letting the ball bounce twice in their square

    • Hitting the ball out of bounds

    • Catching or holding the ball

  4. Rotation: When a player is eliminated, they move to the back of the line and the remaining players move up one square.

Additional Rules (May Vary):

  • Server's Control: The server often has additional privileges or restrictions, such as calling for a "school bus" (all players run to the center) or determining whether "popcorns" (throwing the ball in the air before hitting it) are allowed.

  • Scoring: Some variations involve scoring points based on time spent in a particular square or winning a set number of rounds.

Foursquare is a game with many variations, and the specific rules can differ depending on where you play. The most important thing is to have fun and be active!

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