Nine square castle is a game in which players attempt to advance through nine squares. The goal is to make it to the center square and defend this square as long as possible. It is similar in many ways to Four Square, which is played on the ground.
Game Setup
The game is set up as a nine-square grid. The first square is in the top left corner and the squares move inward from there. The number three square is in the top right-hand corner, the number five occupies the bottom right-hand corner, and the number seven takes up the bottom left-hand corner. The nine sits in the middle. Players waiting to enter the game stand outside the grid next to the number one square. The game setup remains the same for free play or 9 square competition matches.
How to Play
The player in the center square begins the game. They serve the ball to the player of their choice. The player who receives the ball must then hit it into another square. When doing so, they must ensure the ball exits through the top of the square. Each player can only hit the ball once during their turn. Play continues until a player is declared out.
How Players Are Eliminated
A player can be eliminated for several reasons. If they attempt to hit the ball to another player and miss, they are out. Any player who hits the ball out of the grid will be eliminated, and the same holds for a player who touches the ball more than once during
their turn. These rules are similar to those seen in Four Square. Furthermore, no player may touch the game structure while playing.
Eliminated players leave the game and enter the line by the number one square. They then wait until their turn comes to re-enter the game. Once a player is eliminated, every player in the grid advances forward one space to fill the square formerly occupied by the eliminated player. The new player takes the number one spot.
When all nine squares are filled, play resumes. The person in the center square serves the ball to restart the game.
How to Win
Players determine whether they wish to play for fun or competitively. If the game is played for fun, no points are kept. The goal is to see who can remain in the center space the longest.
This type of game may continue for hours. Players come and go freely. Anyone who makes it to the center square can win the game.
When the game is played competitively, if a player is eliminated, the individual occupying the center square receives a point. Points are tallied to determine the winner. Prior to the game, players must decide whether they want to declare a winner when the
first person reaches a set amount of points or if they want the winner to be decided by who earns the most points in a predetermined period.
Advanced Rules
As people try their hand at this game, they may want to be challenged. There are advanced rules that can be used, including a rule on blocking an attack and another on rebound shots. However, players should ensure they understand the basics before
implementing these rules.
Many people enjoy playing 9 Square today. It's a fun game that people of all ages enjoy. Try it today. Those who do often find they have a new outside activity they want to engage in regularly.