The Four Square tournament’s rules on custom rules state:

Making it 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. When in four square, the player may call specific rules which become part of the game at the beginning of each serve and last only for that round. After each round, she must call the rules again or it is considered that the rules fall back on the published Standards and no special rules apply. It is enough simply to say, “Same rules” or “Ditto” to let the other players know that the custom rules still apply to this round.

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 may be used:

• 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 for emergency recoveries.
• 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.
• 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.
• More to Come: As our league evolves you will find more custom rules listed here. If you want to contribute or make suggestions, please email us or visit the forums.

*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.