Okay, so I’ve been seeing this “crossnet” thing popping up all over my social media, and it looked like a blast. It’s basically like four square, but with volleyball, and I figured, why not give it a shot? My friends and I are always looking for something to do outdoors, and this seemed perfect.
First things first, I ordered the set online. It came with the net, the poles, and the lines to mark the court. Setting it up was the first hurdle.
Setting Up This Thing
- We laid out all the pieces in the backyard. Let me tell you, it looked a bit intimidating at first, like a giant spider web of ropes and poles.
- We started by figuring out where the center would be, and then we staked in the four corners of the outer square. This was important to get the dimensions right.
- Then, we assembled the poles. They were pretty easy to click together, but it took a second to realize some were slightly different heights.
- Next, the fun part – putting up the net. We attached it to the top of the poles, and it took some adjusting to get the tension right. We didn’t want it too saggy or too tight.
- Finally, we put down the inner lines to create the four squares.
Honestly, the whole setup took us about 30 minutes, mostly because we were goofing around. If you’re focused, you could probably do it in 15-20.
Playing the Game
Once it was set up, we jumped right in. The basic rules are similar to four square. You’re in the “4” square, which is the serving square, and you serve the ball diagonally to the “2” square. Then, it’s all about keeping the ball in play and trying to get people “out” by making them mess up.
We played for hours. Seriously. It’s way more of a workout than you’d think. We were diving, jumping, and laughing the whole time. We definitely made up some of our own rules as we went along, which made it even more fun.
Some key moments I recorded:
- My friend Sarah tried to spike the ball and completely whiffed.
- I managed to save a ball that was almost out, and we ended up winning that point.
- Lots of disagreements on whether balls were in or out, which is pretty standard.
My Takeaway
Overall, it was a huge success. The crossnet game is definitely going to be a regular thing for us now. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and a great way to get some exercise without feeling like you’re actually exercising. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, new outdoor activity. And Clean up was simple. We just reverse-engineered what we did to build it. We disassembled the poles, pulled up stakes, and neatly put away.
Next time, I will plan a party or a group play.
