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Dirty Nine Square
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Dirty Nine Square is a very elaborate version of four square: get the people in the other squares out to move up into the ‘nine square’, also called center, server, or king square. This can be done by performing different moves, which fake or overpower an opponent. History Dirty Nine Square, or "Dirty Nine," by all accounts, did not have an organized beginning, but rather evolved organically. This amoeba of a game was invented in the late 90s by the campers and staff of Westminster Woods, nestled in the redwood forest of California. Nobody knows exactly how it came to be, but there are theories. Ground zero for Dirty Nine Square is the large cement driveway in front of the Dining Hall. The cement was poured in big square slabs, separated by thin wooden beams. The flattest portion of the driveway is layed out in a 3x3 square. It is believed that a regular game of four-square was expanded on this convenient pattern in order to allow more players, thus making a game with nine squares. Playing Field and Equipment The Dirty Nine Square court is made up of 9 squares, layed out in a 3x3 grid. Each square should be approximately 3' x 3' in dimension. All squares should be of uniform size. The ground should be relatively level and the surrounding area should be relatively free of obstacles in order to protect the players, however, some variations are to be expected and can be utilized to the players advantage. If at all possible, vehicles should be kept away from the playing court, or numerous "Game Off" calls will be utilized. If at all possible, sharp tools and implements should be kept away from the playing court, or numerous dirty nine games will be cut short. Duct tape does not patch rubber well. Asphalt makes an excellent surface for Dirty Nine Square as it provides an excellent bounce for the ball and can be swept of any rocks or other items that affect play or damage the ball. Dirty Nine is played with a large rubber ball, approximately 2' in diameter. If being played with younger players, a smaller ball is recommended. The ball should be small enough that it can be moved quickly by pushing it or striking it, but large enough that it is impossible to hold with only one hand, and difficult to catch with two. Rules & Methods When played "Old school," the basic rules of four-square still apply. The ball hits your square and then you hit it into another. One bounce per square. Order of Play The player in the 9th square (known as the Server) establishes the rules of the game. The Server puts the ball in play by bouncing it once in her square and hitting it into another square. The recipient of the ball continues play by hitting the ball into another square after ensuring that it has touched their square only once. Play continues until one (or more) of the following occur: The ball bounces a 2nd time after bouncing in a square without being touched. The ball bounces out of bounds. A rule, set by the Server, is violated. Once play stops, the player who faulted is eliminated and returns to line. All players behind the eliminate square advance one square. "Do-overs" are highly discouraged. The Server can settle any dispute. Eliminated players are encouraged to accept their elimination in order to facilitate quick play and expidite their chance for redemption. The nine squares are in accordance with the picture. The person in the nine square has the right to set all the rules. Some centers find it helpful to set one of the four 'foundations', lay as many 'add-ons', 'square specific', and 'general rules' as desired, and nix any 'givens' if desired. Others choose to make up rules in a more free form manner. All rules must be set before play commences. As surviving into the 9th square shows a prowess at the game, and has the privilege of establishing the rules of play, the objective of the game is to advance to the center. This can only be done by having the previous center eliminated, meaning the center is often a target. The Four Foundations Nine Square has four 'foundations', if you will, on which other rules are placed. These are: Old School - Completely basic four-square style. Players cannot hold or catch the ball. Only the hands and arms may be used to strike the ball. Open or closed hands may be used. Other body parts cannot be purposefully used to manipulate the ball (unintentional use of other body parts is permissible, and often hilarious). Bodyball - Players are prohibited from using their hands for play. Players may use any part of the body except for shoulders down (or elbows depending on the server). With this foundation, "juggling" the ball by striking it multiple times to keep it airborne after it's struck your square, is usually permited, thought a limit on the number of strikes may be placed. Leprosy - In this foundation players have six limbs: head, chest, two arms, and two legs. On one turn the player may hit the ball only once with each limb, but need not use all six. Once the player has continued the ball into another aquare his limbs reset and can be used again once the ball returns to his square. Full Dirty - The name says it all. You may do absolutely anything as long as it still touches your square only once. Players often hold the ball and advance it into other players squares before attempting to eliminate them. While this sounds like an unfair advantage, other players can physically block entrance into their square or even steal the ball from another player's possession. ---- The Add-ons On top of one of the foundations, the nine square can lay any of these rules: (or any rule of their creation) Backstops - With this rule in place the ball may hit you first, then your square. If you would like you may hit it an additional time after the backstop. Double-Touch - The ball hits your square then you touch it. With this rule you may touch it again. Vollies - In this rule the ball does not have to touch your square. However, if you strike the ball out of bounds, you, not the player who's square it last touched, are eliminated. Square Stealing - This is where if an opponent leaves their square to hit the ball you may take their square, forcing them to have yours instead. ---- The Givens These are names of moves maneuvers that are allowed unless the server says differently. No Holds - Unless the center has declared "full dirty" or allowed holds, it is illegal to hold or catch the ball with the arms or other body parts. Throwing the ball by striking it with an open hand and following through is not considered a hold, though the center has full discretion on declaring if a "throw" oversteps the line and becomes a "hold". Spin - By striking the ball with a lot of spin, it is possible to get it to veer wilding to one side, or even back toward the hitter. This is not a hold, however, the center can outlaw this maneuver. Bitting the (Gentle) Hand - There are two forms of this rule, both derived from the expression, "bitting the hand that feeds you". - Bitting the Hand - If a person gives the ball to you in any way you may not get them out right then. If you do you are out instead. - Bitting the Gentle Hand - If a person kindly gives you the ball then the rules above apply. However, if a person tries to get you out and fails, you may get them out. Shielding - This is where you hit the ball in someones square and then stand between the them and the ball, preventing them from touching it. Stealing the Serve - For this, backstops must be called. When the server tosses the ball to a person you run and bumb it into your square, stealing the serve, and then continue play. Cherry Bombs - Also known as "slams", this is where you slam it in a persons square, making it too high for them to reach. No Typewriters - Typewriters are the most common of the manuevers that involve a player striking the ball into another square and then touching it after it has bounced in another player's square. Typewriters involve rapidly dribbling the ball in other square to achieve the 2 bounces necessary for elimination. Other variations include the aptly named "Cheap Shot" where the player touches the ball into another square, and then throws it in the opposite direction, often far from the playing court. Typewriters and other variations on this rule are forbidden unless the center square enables them. ---- Square Specific Rules These are rules that are apply rules to specific squares or how players advance through the squares Suicide - If a square in announced a "Suicide Square", then if you get that person out, you are out. Kamikaze - If a square is a "Kamikaze Square" then if you get that person out, you are both out. This has also been called a "Mass Suicide" square. Looting - If a player (other than the center) eliminates any other player, he claims the eliminated players square. Other players advance normally. Variations include "Upward Mobility" where players only loot higher squares or the variety where the center claims the square of players s/he eliminates, but retains the rule setting and serving privleges of the center square. Square Stealing - When rules allow players to leave their square, either to chase the ball or in an attempt to eliminate other players, if Square Stealing has been declared, any player, or observer, may enter a square that has been fully vacated by its owner. In order to vacate a square, a player must be completely outside the square. In order to claim a square, a player must get both feet inside the boundaries of the square. If the owner of a square reenters his square before it has been claimed, he'll retain the square. He retains the square by having any body part enter the square. Ties go to the owner (remember, the center has the right to settle disputes). If two players, neither of whom own the square, attempt to claim the same square, the square will be claimed by the 1st to establish both feet in the square. If a square is stolen, the previous owner may claim any open square. If no squares are open (due to observers stealling vacant squares), the displaced player is eliminated. If the owner of a square is eliminated while his square is stolen, he is eliminated from play, but his square is still retained by the successful square stealer. Stealing Square 1 - Unless the 1st player in line is grossly negligent of their right to enter the game, no player may steal square one from a player waiting in line. ---- General Rules These are rules that are declared that have a general impact on the game. They are not moves, but guidelines. ?????'s Delight - The blank spot is inserted with a word that desribes people. Let's say "Girls Delight" was called. That means that if someone who is not a girl gets out, all people who are not girls get out. Snake-Eye - This is a very interesting rule. If the server says "snake-eye", he/she removes him/herself from the game to watch on the sidelines. He/she still has complete control over the rules and can take back "Snake-Eye" if desired. From here on the eight square serves the ball (but is not the server) and the nine square itself counts as out-of-bounds. 
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