how to play

CROSSNET is the world’s most engaging four square volleyball game. Featuring a centrally placed net á la volleyball and a four-quadrant court á la four square, CROSSNET makes you feel like a kid while providing enough of a challenge to engage the grown-up you. If you’ve just picked up your first set and are itching to get into gameplay, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re covering everything beginners need to know about CROSSNET, including how to play, how to set it up and how to master the rules so you dominate the competition every time you challenge your pals to a matchup. Planning a backyard tourney? We always recommend shooting this page to your friends in an email or text beforehand so they have an idea of what to expect.

How to Set Up CROSSNET

First up: set up.

Before you break out the volleyball, you’re going to need to put your CROSSNET set together. Luckily, it only takes five to ten minutes, and everything you need comes in the set. You don’t need a toolbox or any fancy gear. While CROSSNET is easy to set up by yourself, the process always moves a bit quicker if all four players help with setup. Start by watching our setup video and following the step-by-step instructions below.

Tip: When fully assembled, CROSSNET measures 13 feet by 13 feet, so keep this in mind when choosing a spot. Each square will end up measuring 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet.

• Determine the height. The CROSSNET net is height-adjustable, so you can customize it to your group. To adjust the height, you will connect the 20 steel tubes in various orders according to the guidelines below. 
  
• Connect poles. Connect poles according to the order listed below, starting with pole 1 on the ground.
  
• Men (7’11 5/8”): Connect poles 1-2-3-4-5.
  
• Women (7’4 1/8”): Connect poles 1-3-4-5.
  
• Kids (5’3/8”): Connect poles 1-2-3-5.
  
• Insert pole. Insert the center pole into the net and zip it shut.
  
• Build net. Start by building a traditional volleyball net with two opposite sides of the CROSSNET. Slip the steel tubes into opposite sleeves of the net (2x). Slip the eye bolt through the slot at the top of the net.
  
• Clip tension strings. Clip the tension strings to the top post at the eyelid bolt (2x).
  
• Stake tension strings. Have a partner hold the steel tube upright and pull tension strings. Press the peg into the sand or grass 45 degrees from the pole. Hold the other steel tube upright. Press the peg into the ground (2x).
  
• Repeat steps 3-7. You will now have one side of your CROSSNET built. Repeat steps 3-7 with the remaining two sides of the net. 
  
• Connect the outer boundary. Connect the outer boundary and the peg into the ground.
  
• Adjust the tension strings. Adjust the tension strings as needed.
  

How to Set Up CROSSNET H2O

• Lay out all the pieces. Organize the pieces into categories A, B, C and D to make identifying them a bit easier.
  
• A poles are the larger poles that help shape the net.
  
• B poles are the mid-length poles meant for the top section of each upright.
  
• C poles are the smaller footer poles with floaties attached to the pole.
  
• D poles are the shorter pieces for the bottom section of each upright.
  
• Create eight crossbars. Take two A poles (the largest poles) and put in a two-piece connector to make one crossbar. Repeat eight times. 
  
• Create the center upright. Assemble the center upright with one D pole, two five-way connectors, one six-way connector and one B pole. 
  
• Create the feet. Take four of the C poles (with the floaties attached) and connect to the four-piece connector to create one foot. Add one three-way connector and elbow. Repeat four times to create four feet. 
  
• Assemble the frame. Connect two crossbars from the center upright to one of the side feet. Repeat this four times to build the four-way frame. 
  
• Connect the nets. Velcro the sides of the nets to the upright.
  
• Put it in the pool. This one’s pretty self-explanatory! 
  
• Attach the anchor bags. Attach the anchor bags to each corner (you’ll do this four times total).
  
• Play! It’s time to inflate the neoprene ball and play!
  

How to Play CROSSNET

Here’s a basic rundown of how to play CROSSNET. 

Gather at least three of your friends and designate each quadrant as number one through four. Along with you, there should be one person in each square. You can have additional players too — just have them line up outside square one and they’ll step in when someone is eliminated.

The objective is to make it to the fourth square, where a player can serve and score. When in the fourth square, the player serves diagonally to the second square, who then returns the ball to any other square. Each player is only allowed one hit per return. When the ball lands on the ground, the player who misplays it is eliminated and either returns to the first square or the back of the line. 

The remaining players rotate clockwise. Whenever another player is eliminated, the fourth square receives a point. Players keep their points when eliminated. Play to 11 and win by two!

Designate Your Quadrants

The first thing you need to do before starting a round of CROSSNET is to designate your four quadrants. As mentioned, CROSSNET is a cross between four square and volleyball, so you’ll need, well…four squares. Pick your quadrants and assign them numbers one through four. After you’ve determined where your four quadrants will go, each player is assigned a number one through four and must occupy the corresponding quadrant. 

Gameplay and Rules

During gameplay, players engage in a four-way battle to eliminate each other, with the goal of having the ball land in their opponent’s square. Points are scored each time a player remains in the fourth square without a mistake. Here are the general rules for gameplay:

• Boundaries: Respect ’Em — When determining the four quadrants, it’s important to keep layout in mind,  Outside boundaries are the outermost edges of the entire court, while the lines within the outside boundaries divide the individual player’s squares.
• If a player lands the ball on any outside boundary, it is considered in play and the player in that square is eliminated. However, if the ball lands outside of the outer boundary, the player that last hit the ball is eliminated.
• I If a ball travels over the net and into a player’s square, they are responsible for returning and playing the ball.
• If the ball travels over the net, into a player’s square and then under the net into another player’s square, it is the responsibility of the first player to return the ball. 
• After making an attack hit, you are allowed to pass your hand beyond the net, but the contact must have been made within your own playing space.

• Serving: Diagonally, Please — The ball is always served diagonally from the fourth square to the second. The player receiving the serve in the second square is prohibited from spiking when returning the serve. After the second square returns the ball, spikes are allowed.
• Honor the Rules of the Ball — Each time the ball enters a square, only the owner of the square can touch it to another square. Once the ball enters a square, the owner of the square can touch the ball next. If the owner does not touch the ball, then they are out. 
• Players may not catch, carry or hold the ball at any time during play.
• If a player hits the ball poorly or out of bounds, the player is out.
• If another player hits the ball not in their square before the owner of the square does, that other player is out.
• Players may hit the ball only once with their hands to return the ball over the net. 
• If the ball hits the net and lands in the second square, it is a let. The person in the fourth square may redo the serve. Only one let is allowed per set.
• If the ball hits the net and lands outside of the second square, the person in the fourth square is eliminated and returns to the first square or back of the line.
• The ball is still playable if it hits a pole.
• Elimination: Stay in the Game — When a player gets eliminated, they must leave the court and all remaining players then advance to the next square. The lowest-numbered square is then filled by a new player. All eliminated players must wait for their next turn to join in the number one square.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Are Points Scored? 

Simple: Don’t get eliminated!

How are points scored in CROSSNET, you ask? It’s all about a magical place called square four. Yep, a point can only be scored when serving from square four, so you want to make sure you get there as many times as possible throughout the game. If you’re in the fourth square and you don’t get eliminated during a rally, you score a point. Games are played to a score of 11 points and you must win by at least two. Players keep their points when eliminated, so don’t underestimate those sneaky early departers.

How Are Players Eliminated?

You’re outta there!

The goal of the game is simple: don’t get eliminated! Easier said than done, right? You’ll get eliminated if you fail to follow the rules listed above. Some of the most common reasons people get eliminated from CROSSNET include hitting the ball into another square, allowing the ball to hit the ground in your own square, hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball with anything other than your hands or hitting the ball out of turn.

Who Can Play CROSSNET?

CROSSNET doesn’t discriminate.

How old do you have to be to play CROSSNET volleyball? This is one of those uniquely adaptable activities that’s surprisingly appealing to a broad age range, from 8 to 100+. In fact, we’ve designed it to be height-adjustable so it works for kids and adults. 

What the Heck Is a Showdown?

Go ahead, face-off!

We love a good showdown! And we know that sometimes you need to settle a dispute, especially when the competition is fierce. If you can’t resolve a dispute, you’re going to need to initiate a Showdown! The Showdown is a mini-game of two square where the loser is eliminated. Riff off this as much as you want.

What Do You Mean By ‘Hands?’

This game can get a little handsy.

Hands are your most valuable piece of equipment in CROSSNET. We define “hands” as any area between a player’s wrists and fingertips, including the back of the hands. The rules state that players may not catch, hold or carry the ball at any time during a round of CROSSNET. If your group decides, players can extend play by adding additional touches to each return, such as a bump, set, spike or—our personal favorite—a return with the head, knees or feet. We’re all about breaking the rules.

How Many People Can Play at Once?

It depends…how many friends do you have?

CROSSNET is one of the most unique backyard or beach games for the simple fact that you can involve as many people as you want, with as few as four players. Got a big group gathering on the beach? Looking for a crowd-pleasing activity for your physical education class, brewery or sports complex? This is the game for you.

While playing standard (single) CROSSNET, only four people play at a time, with one person in each quadrant. Additional players can form a line outside of the first square and enter once the volley is over. The player who is eliminated then returns to the back of the line with the remaining three players rotating to the necessary positions. You can let the line get as long as you want, but we’d recommend not going over 10 people per game.

If four people in play at once isn’t enough for you or you prefer to play as part of a team, you might want to consider using a CROSSNET Doubles Net. This add-on lets you turn your standard CROSSNET set into a doubles court, allowing you to play in teams with two people in each quadrant for a total of eight players in the game at once. Another big difference with the Doubles add-on is that, with this format, the game now allows for three hits per team. The Doubles Net is sold as an accessory and pairs with your original CROSSNET set.

Where Can You Play CROSSNET?

Pretty much anywhere — water, sand or grass.

CROSSNET is designed to be played pretty much anywhere, from the backyard to the pool to the gym. For the most part, the ground or flooring on which you play doesn’t really matter. With the right equipment, you can set up CROSSNET at the beach, in the grass or on the gym floor. You could even put it on carpeted floors if you really wanted — CROSSNET in the living room sounds amazing, right? — but we don’t recommend it if you’ve got anything fragile or fancy in the area.

We have the gear to set up CROSSNET indoors, outdoors or in the pool. Want to play indoors and out? If you already have the standard CROSSNET set, you can take it inside with an Indoor Base Set. If you’re starting from scratch, purchase the Indoor & Outdoor Bundle so you have the option to play it anywhere. If you want to set it up in the pool, grab CROSSNET H2O, which comes with floating bases that turn the pool into an aquatic arena for you and your most competitive friends. 

Making the Most of CROSSNET

At the end of the day, we want you to play CROSSNET however you want to play CROSSNET. Keep it regulation and adhere to the rules or make it casual and enjoyable for all-levels, all-ages play. Rules are important, especially if you’ve got a highly competitive group of players, but they’re also meant to be bent and broken. The beauty of CROSSNET is that it’s flexible — to your height, to your group of friends and to your unique style of play. So flex as much as you want and, most importantly, have fun!

Got more questions about playing CROSSNET? You can always reach out to us and we’ll be happy to answer them!