Blacktop Games

Four Square

• Four square is a game that you can play on blacktop with any ball that has a good amount of bounce to it. Four players are required. Using chalk, create a square about six feet wide and six feet tall. Divide the square into four equal squares. Number the squares with one in the upper left, two in the upper right, three in the lower right and four in the lower left. Players then hit the ball to each other bouncing it on the blacktop with receiving players trying to hit the ball before it bounces a second time. If a player fails to do this or hits it outside of another player's square they are "out" and go to the fourth square with all other players moving up one.

Kickball

• Kickball is a variation on baseball played with a bouncy ball that players kick with their feet instead of hitting with a bat. The pitcher throws the ball on the ground to the kicker, who then kicks the ball. Defensive players then try and catch the ball or throw it to a baseman before the kicker reaches a base to score an out. Three outs end a team's turn. A missed ball is a strike, and three strikes end the kicker's turn. Points are scored by touching all four bases, as in baseball. Any markers that you can think of can be used as bases, or bases can be marked with chalk.

Dodgeball

• Dodgeball has a number of variants. The classic game is played by marking a field of play with a line down the middle. Teams of six or more occupy each side. If a player touches a ball without catching it, he is "out." The team with the last players standing wins. Another version separates half the players inside a circle and the other half on the outside. Players on the outside throw the ball at players on the inside, who then join the players on the outside until only one player remains inside the circle and the game is over.