Downball being played in an Australian schoolyard

Downball, also recognised as Handball (New South Wales & Queensland) or Four-Square (Western Australia), is a ball game popular in Australian schools.[1] It is also commonly played by the broader Australian population.

The game is officially played on a flat indoor court, with connected lined square zones of 1.8m x 1.8m, 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 that's all they can get their hands on).

Rules

Official Downball 'Old School' Rules

Downball Australia play under the following rules.[2]

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
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
when a player hits the ball into another player's square, without bouncing it in their own square first
Double bounce
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
when a player hits the ball with a cupped hand
Roll
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
when a player hits the ball after it has bounced in someone else’s square

Liner

  • Occurs when the ball touches any part of the playing line that connects the playing squares
  • When this happens, the rally is forfeited and the Queen serves to restart the rally

Moving squares

  • When a player is called out by a referee, they move to the bottom square, regardless of their original position
  • 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

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.[3][4][5][6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Downball Australia ran school workshops to help promote their upcoming tournament[7] The eventual postponed inaugural tournament took place in 2022 and was a major success, with attendees from all across Victoria.[8][9]

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.[10][11] Downball Australia also hosted a "Schools Downball Tournament", with 22 teams in attendance.[12]

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Play and folklore" (PDF). museumsvictoria.com.at=PDF. 2016.
  2. ↑ "Old School Rules - Downball Australia" – via www.youtube.com.
  3. ↑ "Downball (AKA handball, foursquare) is still the recess king | Everyday Home | ABC Australia" – via www.youtube.com.
  4. ↑ "How a 16-year-old created a downball league in his community ⛹️‍♂️🥎 | Everyday | ABC Australia" – via www.youtube.com.
  5. ↑ "Downball League". Behind The News. Aug 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Remember downball? This 16-year-old's just started Australia's first official league". ABC Everyday. Jul 20, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Back again?! Mullum Skill Session - May 2022" – via www.youtube.com.
  8. ↑ "Our Inaugural Tournament: June 12 (Part 1)" – via www.youtube.com.
  9. ↑ "The Grand Finals: June 12 (Part 2)" – via www.youtube.com.
  10. ↑ "Map". Future Healthy.
  11. ↑ "School Games". www.ssv.vic.edu.au.
  12. ↑ "Downball Australia 2023 Primary School Tournament" – via www.youtube.com.
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