Players may hit the ball only once with their hands to return the ball over the net. We define “hands” as any area between a player’s wrists and fingertips, including the back of the hands. Players may not catch, carry or hold the ball at any time during play.
If your group decides, players can extend play by adding additional touches to each return such as bump, set, spike or our personal favorite: head, knees, and feet.

Each time a player is eliminated, that player leaves the court and all players advance to the highest number square. The lowest ranking square is then filled with a new player. All eliminated players leave the court and wait for their next turn to join in the 1 square.
These situations represent possible ways to be eliminated:

• Failing to hit the ball into another square
• Allowing the ball to hit the ground in their own square
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Hitting the ball incorrectly, such as holding, catching or carrying
• Hitting the ball out of turn (poaching)
• Violating any additional rules that players incorporate into their rallies

Squares are ranked highest to lowest, 4-1. There are two sets of lines on the court. Outside boundaries are the outermost edges of the entire court, while inside boundaries divide the individual squares.

• If a player lands the ball on any outside boundary, it is considered in play, and the player in that square is eliminated.
• Inside boundaries do not dictate if a ball is in or out. 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.
• The ball is always served from the 4th square to the 2nd. The player recieving the serve in the 2nd square is prohibited from spiking when returning the serve. After the 2nd square returns the ball, spikes are allowed.
• Each time the ball enters in a square, only the owner of the square must hit the ball into another square. Once the ball enters a square, only the owner of the square can touch the ball next. It the owner does not touch the ball, then he/she is out.
• If the player hits poorly or out of bounds, the player is out. If another player hits the ball not in his/her square before the owner of the square does, that other player is out. Points are scored each time a player remains in the 4th square without a mistake.

If there is a dispute that cannot be settled by the players, then the only proper way to resolve the disagreement is through the Showndown.
The Showdown is a mini game of two-square with no custom rules and the loser is eliminated.