You can make the squares any size you want, but make sure you have enough room to play. Make the squares about 5 feet (1.5 m) per side for most players, although adults might enjoy the challenge from 8 feet (2.4 m) squares. The squares should be numbered clockwise starting with 1. This means the 1 and 4 squares will be diagonal from each other, as will the 2 and 3 squares. Some people use the letters A, B, C, and D instead of numbers, while others use titles of royalty, such as Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. As a "playground game" this game has spawned an incredible amount of local variations over the decades.  If you’re playing by the standard rules, make sure everyone knows what exactly they are before starting. While often one school might have "standard rules" the new kid might think the "standard rules" are something else entirely. If you’re playing by variations, or if the server is allowed to make up rules during the game, make sure everyone is aware of this and agrees to it.     {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Play-Four-Square-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-Four-Square-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Play-Four-Square-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid36378-v4-728px-Play-Four-Square-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}  Having everyone on the same page before the game starts will help prevent disputes during the game that could ruin the fun. The players don’t have to stay in their square the entire time, but they should stay close in order to defend their area. The server should bounce the ball once in their own square, then hit the ball so that it goes diagonally to the lowest-ranked square. The receiver can then hit the ball in any direction they choose.  Many people play Four Square so that the 4 square is the highest-ranked square, and therefore the server’s square. If this is the case, the server should stand in the 4 square and hit the ball towards the 1 square. Some people play the game so 1 is the highest-ranked square and 4 is the lowest. In this case, the serve would go from the 1 square towards the 4 square. The serve always goes in the same direction. After the serve, the receiver should allow the ball to bounce one time in their square, then should hit it in whatever direction they choose. If they don’t hit the ball correctly or it goes out of bounds, that is a “fault,” and one fault is allowed per round. If the receiver misses the serve twice in a round, they are eliminated. The round lasts until a player is eliminated. Once the ball is in play, whoever’s square the ball lands in should be the next to hit it. The ball is considered “in play” after someone touches it but before it lands in another square, meaning players can hit the ball in the air. You must hit the ball before it bounces a second time.  If a player hits the line with the ball or hits the ball so it does not land in another player’s square, that player is out.  If a player hits a ball after it has landed in another player’s square, the person who hit the ball is out. This is called “poaching.” Players are not allowed to carry, catch, or hold the ball during play. However, they may repeatedly bounce the ball off of their hands in order to avoid breaking this rule.
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One-sentence summary -- Mark 4 squares on the ground. Number the squares from 1 to 4. Make sure everyone agrees on the rules before you start playing. Have a player stand in each square. Serve the ball from the highest-ranked square to the lowest. Allow one fault for the receiver per round. Take turns hitting the ball after it bounces in your square. Hit the ball with any part of your hand but do not catch it.


Once the news is out, you may need to continue the conversation with your children as new decisions are made or as they slowly process the changes. Let them know that your door is open and that you will try your best to listen and answer any questions they may have. If you don't know the facts yet on your future living situation, tell them only what you know for sure. Then, say that you are still working out some of the details. Let them know that you will tell them as soon as you know. Never make assurances that you can’t stand behind, such as that they won’t have to change schools or that they will still see their friends every day. Tell your children's teachers, counselors, babysitters and other caregivers, the parents of their close friends, and any other adults they see regularly about your divorce plans. Your heads up will help them to understand that any significant changes in your child's behavior may be linked to your divorce. Ask these adults to keep you informed of any changes in your child’s behavior or mood. If your child is having trouble opening up about their feelings or struggling to deal with the changes, offer to enlist the help of a counselor. This may be the counselor at their school or a mental health professional in your community. A counselor can be a great source of comfort and advice for children who have trouble discussing their feelings with their parents—who very well may be the cause of these feelings. If either parent starts dating again soon after the divorce, your children should not be introduced to the partner until they are used to their parents being divorced. It will be difficult for the children to accept a new partner when they haven't even accepted the divorce yet.
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One-sentence summary --
Expect to revisit the discussion in the coming days and weeks. Don't promise things you can't deliver. Alert their teachers and school administrators. Take them to see a counselor. Avoid involving them in your new relationship.