What Is Four Square?
Four Square is a fast-paced playground ball game played on a court divided into four equal squares. Players use their hands to hit a ball between squares with the goal of eliminating opponents and advancing to the highest-ranked square. Simple to learn yet endlessly competitive, the Four Square game has been enjoyed for decades and now features an official World Championship.
If you’re looking for official rules, competitive standards, or World Championship gameplay, you’ll want to visit our Rules of Four Square page, which goes into full detail.
What Is the Four Square Game?
The four square game is a playground ball game played on a square court divided into four equal sections. Each player occupies one square, and the goal is to stay in play by successfully returning the ball to another square.
Four Square is known for its simple setup, fast pace, and competitive rotation system. Players advance or drop in rank based on performance, which keeps the game moving and engaging.
How Many Players Do You Need to Play Four Square?
Four Square is played with four players on the court at a time. Additional players can line up and rotate in when someone is eliminated.
This rotating structure makes Four Square ideal for playgrounds, gym classes, and group play, allowing many participants to stay involved without long wait times.
Why Is Four Square So Popular?
Four Square remains popular because it is easy to learn, requires minimal equipment, and can be played casually or competitively. Oh, and it's super fun!
The game remains as a schoolyard favorite, but has also evolved into an organized competition, including the annual Four Square World Championship.
Players who want a deeper understanding of gameplay, and official standards should visit the official Four Square Rules page.
How Four Square Teaches Sportsmanship
In addition to being fun and a great method of excerise, Four Square helps kids develop important social and sportsmanship skills. Because the game relies on honesty, fair play, and quick rotation, players learn to follow rules, respect others, and handle both winning and losing gracefully.
Disputes are often resolved on the court through discussion or a monitor/official/referee, encouraging communication, patience, and mutual respect. These qualities make Four Square a favorite among teachers, parents, camps and playground supervisors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Four Square
Is Four Square a real sport?
Yes. While Four Square began as a playground game, it has evolved into a competitive sport with organized standards, official rules, and an annual Four Square World Championship.
What ball is used in Four Square?
Four Square is typically played with an 8.5 inch rubber playground ball inflated to 2 lbs. However, ball size, inflation, and material can vary depending on whether the game is being played casually or under competitive standards.
For official specifications and gameplay guidelines, visit our Rules of Four Square page. We also explore equipment, strategy, and variations in more depth on our blog.
Can I submit a question about Four Square?
Absolutely. If you have a question about how to play Four Square, equipment, rules, or competitive play, we encourage you to submit it. Select questions will be answered and featured in future blog posts and updates to this guide.