free printable
Crossnet Rules Card
A one-page crossnet rules card: how to play, how to score, and how to set it up. Hit print, fold it, and keep it with your set. Want the full walkthrough? See the Crossnet rules.
LAWNLEAGUES.COM
rules card Crossnet
Players4 (or rotate extras in)
Ages8+
Setup5 to 10 min
SpaceAbout 16 by 16 ft flat area
What you need
- A CROSSNET four-way net with the center pole and ground stakes
- A volleyball (a softer or lighter ball is friendlier for casual play)
- Four players, one per quadrant, plus anyone waiting to rotate in
- A reasonably flat patch of grass, sand, or hard court about 16 by 16 ft
- A way to keep score out loud, since you play to a set number of points
Scoring
- In the standard rules, only the player in square 4 (the king square) scores points
- The king scores one point each time they win a rally from square 4
- When you win a rally, the player who lost moves out and everyone below them rotates up one square
- A new player enters at square 1 every time someone is knocked out
- First player to reach 11 points, win by two, while in square 4 wins the game
- A friendly variation lets every player score a point whenever they win a rally, which speeds up casual games
How to play
- Set up the net. Assemble the four-way net so it forms a plus sign, stake it into the ground, and adjust the height. CROSSNET nets adjust for different ages and skill levels, so set it lower for kids and family play and higher for adults.
- Number the quadrants. The four squares are numbered 1 through 4. Square 4 is the king square and square 1 is where new players enter. One player stands in each quadrant to start.
- Serve from the king square. The player in square 4, the king square, serves by hitting the ball over the net into square 2 to start the rally. The receiving player must return it across the net.
- Rally like volleyball. Once the ball is in play, each player gets a single touch with their hands. You cannot bump it to yourself and hit it again, so one clean contact sends it over the net into any of the other three quadrants. Some casual groups loosen this and allow up to three touches per square, but the standard game is one touch.
- Win the rally, climb the squares. A player is out of a rally when the ball lands in their square, they hit it out of bounds, or they fault. When a player gets knocked out, everyone below them moves up a square and a new player enters at square 1.
- Score from the king square. In the standard scoring version, only the player in square 4 scores a point when they win a rally. Players in lower squares are fighting to climb up to square 4, not to score directly.
- Play to the target score. Play to 11 points, win by two, with only the king square scoring. The first player to hit 11 (and lead by at least two) from the king square wins the game. Then reset and start a new round so the next group can battle for the crown.
Set it up
There is no throwing distance like a tossing game. Players stand inside their own quadrant of a roughly 16 by 16 ft playing area, with the net forming a plus sign in the middle. Keep at least an arm's length of clearance around the outside of the net so players can move for the ball without colliding with furniture or fences. The net height itself is adjustable, so set it lower for younger or shorter players and raise it for a competitive adult game.