Downball

For the similar Australian schoolyard game sometimes known as Downball, see Handball (schoolyard game).

Downball, also recognised as handball or four-square, is a ball game popular in Australian schools. It is also commonly played by the broader Australian population.

Downball being played in an Australian schoolyard

The game is officially played on a flat indoor court, with connected lined square zones of 2m x 2m, with matches involving anywhere between four and eight players. Downball is played with a rubber high bounce ball.

In an unofficial setting, the game can be conveniently adapted to any environments where square/rectangular-lined flat grounds can be found, including parking lots, driveways and footpaths. In these situations, players sometimes use a tennis ball (if it is all that is available).

Rules

Downball Australia play under the following rules.

Beginning a rally

• The King Square always serves to begin a rally, except after the ball has bounced on the line
• When serving, the King (or Queen) must bounce the ball in their own square first
• The serve must be above knee height
• The player must have both feet in their square when serving
• There are no faults

Playing a legal shot

A Spalding High Bounce Downball

• A player successfully continues a Downball rally when they return the ball by hitting it into their own square on the first bounce, with the second bounce landing in another players square
• Players can hit the ball before it bounces in their own square
• Players must use a flat hand when hitting the ball
• It is recommended that a player uses their hand - however, any part of the body can be used to play the ball, as long as the return shot bounces in the players own square first

Illegal shots and actions

Full/Straight

when a player hits the ball into another player's square, without bouncing it in their own square first

Double bounce/Dubs

when the ball bounces twice in a players square before OR after playing a shot

Out of bounds

when a player hits the ball outside of the playing lines

Double touch

when a player hits the ball with any part of their body more than once

Carry/Grabs

when a player hits the ball with a cupped hand

Roll(s)

when a player hits the ball and it rolls along the ground

Deterrence

when a player leaves their square to intentionally deter another player

Interference/Inter

when a player hits the ball after it has bounced in someone else’s square or if something/one enters the squares and affects the games outcome

Played Full/Straight

intentionally hitting the ball in attempt to continue the game after a Full/Straight whether they realised it was a Full/Straight or not.

Liner/Lines

• Occurs when the ball touches any part of the playing line that connects the playing squares
• When this happens, most times they redo the serve but other rules can be implemented.

Moving squares

• When a player is called out by a referee, they move to the bottom square, but if there are people in the line, they go to the back of the line (unless they're in King, they go to the bottom square regardless if there is people in the line or not.)
• When there is a substitute, the player called out moves to the substitute position, and the substitute moves into Dunce (the bottom square)

Square formation

• When 4-squares are in play - King, Queen, Jack, Dunce
• When 6-squares are in play - King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, Dunce
• When 8-squares are in play - King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, Dunce

(There can be two squares, which has just King and Dunce but not in professional.)

Downball Australia

The official logo of Downball Australia, the peak sporting body for Downball in Australia

In February 2020, the first officially recognised Downball organisation, Downball Australia, was created. Founder Noah Philp was a long-term player who had always wondered why the game wasn't a nationally recognised sport.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Downball Australia ran school workshops to help promote their upcoming tournament The eventual postponed inaugural tournament took place in 2022 and was a major success, with attendees from all across Victoria.

After receiving interest from schools, the association continued to expand the workshop program in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, Downball Australia partnered with VicHealth and School Sport Victoria to help provide workshops to schools in disadvantaged areas. Downball Australia also hosted a "Schools Downball Tournament", with 22 teams in attendance.

In 2024, the association will be partnering with further organizations to help expand the workshop and community club models as an official sporting body.

Programs

The winners of the 2023 Downball Australia Schools Tournament - Sacred Heart Primary School (Croydon)

Downball Australia run school workshops all across Australia. These sessions can cater for both primary and secondary students, and focus on the teaching of rules, skill level improvement and healthy lifestyles.

Annually, Downball Australia hosts the national schools tournament in Melbourne.

In 2024, Downball Australia is launching council-based weekly tournaments for primary school students.