Dozier's take on unwritten rules is silly and brilliant all at the same time

I know an 11-year-old who plays a game at school that he and his friends inaccurately call handball. Two players, one wall and one big, red ball. One player hits the ball against the wall, and before it bounces twice the next player must hit the ball to the wall, and so on. Fail to hit the ball to the wall, and you're out. The next challenger in line then gets to play.

This 11-year-old's mom was worried because her son was getting into a lot of loud, drawn-out arguments playing this game. Indeed, every time it was his turn, his opponent would say he'd made an illegal hit, he would protest, all the kids waiting in line would agree the hit was illegal, he would refuse to leave the court, and…