Handball (school)

School students in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji often play a style of handball (Also known as four square or - square, with the number in the latter determined by the amount of players) that is different from nearly all other types of handball. The game is played at recess, lunch or before and after school. It can also be played at home or anywhere that has a hard surface and at least one line. It has quick set-up time and simple rules, contributing to its popularity.

Unlike most types of handball, this version does not incorporate a wall, instead relying on lines on the ground. A typical handball court is a square split into four, usually by painted lines or expansion joints, with the highest and most prestigious position on the court being Ace, followed by King, Queen, then Dunce. The most radical change from American handball is that players must bounce the ball (usually a high-bounce rubber ball) in their own square first, until it is allowed to bounce into another player's square. Each player, if the ball bounces within their square, must then hit the ball with their hand, have it bounce within their own square once, and then an opponent's square. Failure to do so results in the player being relegated to the lowest position on the court, or the last of the players waiting to enter the court.

Due to the social nature of handball at school and the simplicity of playing, many variations to the rules can occur. For example, one group may play in a square of four while the next school over, the game is played in a straight line of six squares, radically altering the game. In addition, some variations of the game allow for the head or feet to be used to return the ball. As a result, this article only covers the most common rules and is not representative of every variation. In other words, the rules may vary between schools, but basic rules usually remain the same.