Not much from the 1960s is still popular today, but a classic playground game invented in the ’60s and adapted by Tyrone’s Phys Ed department, has become a favorite among Tyrone students.

Most people are familiar with the classic game of four square four players and a ball on a square court divided into quadrants.

Tyrone gym teachers Thomas Coleman, Marcus Owens, and Megan Hartman have transformed this old school game, updating and tweaking the rules to make it more intense.

“My favorite part of this game is the competitiveness,” said sophomore Tommy Hicks.

In their adaptation, instead of a small four square court, the class splits the gym into one giant game, with each team still having two players. By expanding the size of the playing field, the game becomes a mix of four square and another newer game, nitro ball.

There is only one strategy: Make it to the top.

The idea of this whole gym version of four square was invented last year with the help of a student teacher. She was teaching the original four square unit and came up with this new way of playing. She knew nitro ball is the student’s favorite unit, so she wanted to make four square more enjoyable too.

This game is played with two people in each square. The team in square one serves to square four, and they continue to hit the ball into other team’s square until one is out. It’s a constant rotation of teams, so the same team is able to play multiple times.

The rules of this new and improved game are simple: The ball has to bounce before setting up your teammate or before you hit it over into another team’s square. If the ball bounces twice in your square or you hit it out of bounds, you are out of the game. If you hit it into your side of the boundary your team is out.

“This big game was created to involve more teamwork. Nitro ball is such a big hit, so this is a good mix of the two,” said Hartman.

This game has quickly become a popular favorite in gym class, and the competition will never stop.