# Handball codes compared

The newest edition of each code (2026). Pick a year to see the rules as they stood then.

- American four-wall: Four-wall (USHA, 2025)
- One-wall, small ball: One-wall (USHA, 2025)
- Three-wall: Three-wall (USHA addendum, 2025)
- Wallball, big ball: USWA playing rules
- Irish 60x30 hardball: Gaelic Rules

## Concepts

- **Appeals and finality**: American four-wall: rule 3.7, 3.4/C: Appeals on listed calls to line judges; three unsuccessful per game (3.7 C says 'one-wall matches'); protests; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.7, 3.4/C: Appeals on listed calls to line judges; limited per game; protests of interpretation ['hinder serve' for 'screen serve' in 3.7]; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 7, 8); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 14, 23, 28)
- **Ball from the wall hits a player**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/G, 4.8/C: Touching the ball before its second bounce (other than the returner) = point/out against; moving into the ball = avoidable; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/G, 4.8/C: Touching the ball before its second bounce (other than the returner) = point/out against; moving into the ball = avoidable; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Ball hits an official or spectator**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.4/B.1: Ball hitting an official or spectator before the wall: judged as if not touched (see text); Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/A.2, 4.6/D.4: If the shot would obviously not have reached the front wall, the hit player wins the rally; otherwise a dead-ball hinder; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/A.2, 4.6/D.4: If the shot would obviously not have been fair, the hit player wins the rally; doubt = dead-ball hinder; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 5); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 21)
- **Ball hits the hitter or his partner**: American four-wall: rule 4.5/C, 4.6/D.5: Ball hitting the hitter's partner = failure to return (server side: out); One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/D.5, 4.5/C: Ball hitting the hitter's partner = failure to return; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15, 22)
- **Ball: broken ball**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/A.2, 4.6/J: Broken ball on serve or rally: replay; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/A.2, 4.6/J: Broken ball on serve or rally: replay; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Ball: selection by the referee**: American four-wall: rule 2.2/B.6: Ball approved by the referee for each match; may change balls; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.2/B.6: Ball approved by the referee for each match; may change balls; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Ball: specification**: American four-wall: rule 2.2: USHA official balls; 1 7/8 in, 61 g, rubber or synthetic, colour optional; rebound spec; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.2/A, 2.2/B, 2.2/C: USHA approved balls; 1 7/8 in, 61 g (red); rebound spec; lighter/larger by entry; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 5)
- **Ball: wet ball**: American four-wall: rule 2.3/D, 4.6/I: Ball to be kept dry; deliberate wetting = out or point; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.3/D, 4.6/I: Ball to be kept dry; deliberate wetting = out or point; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11, 17); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Catching or stopping the ball**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/D.3: An intentionally caught serve is a touched serve = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/D.3, 4.6/H: Intentionally caught serve = out; don't catch balls assumed out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 4); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 13, 20)
- **Ceiling and overhead obstructions**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/C.4, 4.6/D.3: Ceiling in play in the rally; ceiling serve = fault; ball into a ceiling opening = failure to return; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.8, 4.3/D.8: Top edge of the wall is out; Three-wall: rule 4.7: Three-wall courts with ceilings: 'anything goes' when the ball hits the ceiling (house rule under court hinders); Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Change of serve**: American four-wall: rule 1.4, 4.5: Out: one rally in singles, two in doubles; listed ways outs are made; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.4, 4.5: Out: one rally in singles, two in doubles (both partners serve); Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Conduct and player code**: American four-wall: rule 3.5, 5.6: Presumptive code of integrity; self-enforcement; tournament conduct, coaching; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.5, 5.6: Presumptive code of integrity; self-enforcement; tournament conduct, coaching; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule Rpurpose, Rp1, Rp2, Rp3, ...); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: dimensions**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/A: 20 ft wide, 20 ft high, 40 ft long; back wall at least 14 ft recommended; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/A, 2.1/A.1, 2.1/A.2: Wall 20 x 16 ft; floor 20 ft wide, 34 ft to back edge of long line; Three-wall: rule 2.1: Same 20 x 20 x 40 ft, side walls 44 ft recommended; no back wall; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 3, 4)
- **Court: line marking**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/B: 2-in lines; white or red recommended; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B: 2-in lines; white, yellow or red recommended; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: long (back) line**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.2: 'Long line', back edge 34 ft from the wall; Three-wall: rule 2.1: Long line added: outer edge 40 ft from the front wall (no back wall); Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 2)
- **Court: receiving and playing zones**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.6, 2.1/B.7: Receiving zone behind the short line; playing zone inside side and long lines; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: run-off area around the floor**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/A.2: Border of at least 10 ft (ideally 20 ft beside, 16 ft behind); outdoor fence; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: service zone**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/B.2, 2.1/B.3: Service line 5 ft in front of the short line; zone between the outer edges of the two lines; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.4, 2.1/B.5: Zone between short line and service markers (service line midway to long line); Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: short line (minimum serve length)**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/B.1: Short line, outside edge 20 ft from the front wall; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.1: Short line, back edge 16 ft from the wall; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 1)
- **Court: towels and wiping**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/C: Towel available in tournaments; procedure and abuse; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/C: Towel available in tournaments; procedure and abuse; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: wall surface and top**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.3, 2.1/B.8: Optional top line 16 ft; top edge of wall not part of the court (out); Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 4)
- **Doubles: serving order and first hand**: American four-wall: rule 4.2/A, 4.3/D.6, 4.5/F: Order declared; first server alone serves first time up; out-of-order serve; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.2/A, 4.3/D.6, 4.5/F: Order declared; first server alone serves first time up; out-of-order serve; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9)
- **Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn**: American four-wall: rule 4.2/A: Not necessary to alternate serves to the opponents; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.2/A: Not necessary to alternate serves to the opponents; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Drugs, alcohol and smoking**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 16); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Equipment: dress and uniform**: American four-wall: rule 2.4: Shirt, shorts, socks, shoes; colour, wet shirts, lettering, shoes, headband; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.4: Shirt, shorts, socks, shoes; colour, wet shirts, headband [2025 drops the duplicate outdoor-shirt sentence]; Three-wall: rule 2.4: Shirts not required outdoors unless the opponent asks; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Equipment: eye protection**: American four-wall: rule 2.5: Court-sport eyewear compulsory; violations are technicals; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.5: Court-sport eyewear compulsory; violations are technicals; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Equipment: gloves**: American four-wall: rule 2.3: Gloves compulsory; light-coloured soft hitting surface; no foreign substances; wet gloves changed; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.3: Gloves compulsory (optional in big ball); style, foreign substances, wet gloves; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 17); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **First service (toss)**: American four-wall: rule 4.1/A: Toss; the other side serves first in game 2; tiebreaker by points; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.1/A, 3.4/A.6: Toss; other side serves first in game 2; tiebreaker by points; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 1); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9)
- **Forfeits for no-show, late start and defaults**: American four-wall: rule 3.4/D, 3.4/D.2, 3.4/D.4, 3.4/D.5, ...: No show, late-start points, three technicals, partial forfeits, defaults; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.4/D, 3.4/D.2, 3.4/D.4, 3.4/D.5, ...: No show, late-start points, three technicals, partial forfeits, defaults; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Game length**: American four-wall: rule 1.5: 21 points (games 1-2), tiebreaker to 11; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.5: 21 points (games 1-2), tiebreaker to 11; 15/21/25 by entry; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 6)
- **Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat**: American four-wall: rule 1.1: Singles, cutthroat (practice only), doubles; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.1: Singles, cutthroat (practice), doubles; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9, 16)
- **Hinder fault (serving side)**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.75: Serving side that creates a hinder starts the next serve with a fault; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Injury time**: American four-wall: rule 4.10/C: Up to 15 minutes cumulative; blood and concussion procedures; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.10/C: Up to 15 minutes cumulative; blood and concussion procedures; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Lines: ball on a line**: American four-wall: rule 2.1/B.3, 4.3/C.2: Zone between the lines' outer edges; a serve on the short line is short; One-wall, small ball: rule 2.1/B.5, 4.3/C.2: Zones include their lines, but a serve on the short line is short (reverses Brokaw's 'line is good' for the short line); Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Match format**: American four-wall: rule 1.5: Best of three games, the third an 11-point tiebreaker; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.5: Best of three games, third an 11-point tiebreaker; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 7, 8)
- **Obstruction: benefit of the doubt**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/B: Doubt goes to the player attempting to retrieve (Interpretation 12); One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/A.2, 4.7/B: Doubt goes to the player trying to retrieve; doubt on a ball hitting an opponent = hinder; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen)**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/A.4, 4.7/A.5, 4.7/B, 4.8/E: Screen ball and straddle ball = dead-ball hinders; referee 'liberal' against play the opponent cannot see; moving across the line of vision = avoidable; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.8/E: Moving across the opponent's line of vision = avoidable hinder; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: duty to give way**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/B, 4.8/A, 4.8/B: Defensive side must yield fair access; failure to move and blocking = avoidable hinders ['moving directly in front']; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/B.1, 4.8/A, 4.8/B, 4.8/E: Player farther from the wall must get out of the way; failure to move, blocking, view obstruction = avoidable ['moving directly in front']; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/C: Both players entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance (wording close to A.A.U. 1923 R22); One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/C: Both players on a side entitled to a fair, unobstructed chance; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: interference by one's partner**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/B: It is not a hinder when a player hinders his/her partner; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: legal block by position**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/B.1: Standing still is NOT a hinder: the 'legal' hinder, 'the essence of the one-wall game'; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference**: American four-wall: rule 4.8, 4.5/E, 4.6/D.6: Avoidable hinders (failure to move, blocking, moving into the ball, pushing, distraction, stroke interference, equipment) = out or point; intent irrelevant ['moving directly in front']; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.8, 4.5/E, 4.6/D.6: Avoidable hinder = out or point; intent irrelevant ['moving directly in front']; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 5); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 24)
- **Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder)**: American four-wall: rule 4.7, 4.7/A.3, 4.7/A.6, 4.7/A.7, ...: Dead-ball hinders (contact, back-swing, safety holdup, other); rally replayed, prior fault voided [2025 drops the 2020 rule that a court-hinder shot unable to reach the wall loses the rally]; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7, 4.7/A.3, 4.7/A.5, 4.7/A.6, ...: Dead-ball hinders (contact, back-swing, safety holdup, other); rally replayed [2025 drops the 2020 rule that a court-hinder shot unable to reach the wall loses the rally]; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 24)
- **Obstruction: who calls hinders**: American four-wall: rule 4.7/D, 4.7/A.6, 4.7/A.7: Referee's call; players may call only back-swing and safety holdups; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.7/A.1, 4.7/D: Referee's call; players may call only back-swing and safety holdups [the 2025 court-hinder change is under interference-replay]; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 7, 19); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 23, 24)
- **Officials: line official**: American four-wall: rule 3.6: Two line judges; signals; majority on appeals; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.6: Four line judges; signals; majority on appeals; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Officials: referee's charge and powers**: American four-wall: rule 3.4, 3.4/A, 3.4/B, 3.4/F: Principal official; pre-match duties, decisions, spectators, other rulings; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.4, 3.4/A, 3.4/B, 3.4/F: Principal official; pre-match duties, decisions, other rulings; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Officials: scorer**: American four-wall: rule 3.8: Scorer, when used, keeps a record of serves, outs, points; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.8: Scorer, when used, keeps a record of serves, outs, points; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Officials: who officiates**: American four-wall: rule 3.1: Tournament director designates chief of referees, floor manager, referees, line judges; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.1: Tournament director designates chief of referees, floor manager, referees, line judges; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 17, 23, 28)
- **Penalty: disqualification, suspension and bans**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 21); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Penalty: leaving the court**: American four-wall: rule 3.4/D.3: Match may be forfeited; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.4/D.3: Match may be forfeited; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 8); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical)**: American four-wall: rule 4.9: Technical: one point deducted; warnings; three = forfeit; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.9: Technical: one point deducted; warnings; three = forfeit; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 8, 13, 17); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Penalty: refusing the referee's decision**: American four-wall: rule 3.4/D.1: Match may be forfeited; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.4/D.1: Match may be forfeited; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Rally: ball landing out**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/H, 4.6/D.3: Ball into the gallery or through an opening in a side wall (or ceiling) = out or point; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/H: Ball outside the side lines or past the long line = out or point; Three-wall: rule 4.6, 4.6-2: Out-of-court rule (4.6 H) deleted; a 'long ball' past the long line is a failure to return; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 14, 25, 27)
- **Rally: failure to return**: American four-wall: rule 1.3, 4.6/D, 4.6/E, 4.5/D: Listed failures (two bounces, not reaching the front wall, gallery, etc.) = out or point; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.3, 4.6, 4.6/D, 4.6/E, ...: Listed failures (two bounces, not reaching wall, gallery, etc.) = out or point; Three-wall: rule 4.6: Adds a failure: 'long ball' that passes the long line before bouncing; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Rally: one touch only**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/C: Touched only once by one player; both partners may swing; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/C: Touched only once by one player; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12)
- **Rally: play before the second bounce**: American four-wall: rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.1: Fly or first bounce; two bounces before the hit = failure to return; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.1: Two bounces before the hit = failure to return; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12)
- **Rally: swing and miss, further attempts**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/F: Repeated attempts until the second bounce; partners too; hinders on continuing attempts; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/F: Repeated attempts until the second bounce; partners too; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Replays and play stoppages**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/K, 4.6/L: Foreign object, player stoppage; after any replay the server has two serves; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/K, 4.6/L: Foreign object, player stoppage; after any replay the server has two serves; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18, 19); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Return of serve: on the fly**: American four-wall: rule 4.4/B: Fly return once the ball passes the short-line plane; body not over the plane before contact; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.4/B: Fly return allowed once the ball passes the short-line plane; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Return: front wall before floor**: American four-wall: rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.2: Return reaches the front wall before the floor, directly or off side walls, back wall or ceiling; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.2: Return must reach the wall before the floor and rebound into the playing zone; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Scoring: who scores and the unit**: American four-wall: rule 1.4: Serving side scores by an ace (untouched serve) or by winning a rally; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.4: Serving side scores by an ace (untouched serve) or by winning a rally; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Serve hits a player**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/D.3: Served ball touching the server, or the partner out of position, on the rebound = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/D.3: Served ball touching the server or partner on the rebound = out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19)
- **Serve: dead-ball serves and court hinders**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/A, 4.3/A.1, 4.3/A.3, 4.7/A.1: Court hinders (incl. wet-wall house rule), broken ball, wrong score: serve replayed [2025 drops the 2020 court-hinder rule of 4.7 A.1]; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/A, 4.3/A.1, 4.3/A.3, 4.7/A.1: Court hinders, broken ball, wrong score: serve replayed [2025 drops the 2020 court-hinder rule of 4.7 A.1]; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: faults on the rebound (walls, ceiling, out of court)**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/C.3, 4.3/C.4, 4.3/C.6: Three-wall serve, ceiling serve and out-of-court serve are faults; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: faults that lose the serve**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/C, 4.3/D.4, 4.5/B: Any two consecutive fault serves (of any kind) = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/C, 4.3/D.4, 4.5/B: Any two fault serves (of any kind) = out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: foot fault**: American four-wall: rule 4.1/C, 4.3/C.1: 'Foot fault' is a fault serve (server outside the zone; partner out of the service box); One-wall, small ball: rule 4.1/C, 4.3/C.1: 'Foot fault' named; server or (doubles) partner out of position; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 3); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: how it is put in play**: American four-wall: rule 4.1/D, 4.3/C.7, 4.3/C.8, 4.3/C.10: Complete stop, bounce in the zone, strike before the second bounce; faults for bounce errors; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.1/D, 4.3/C.4, 4.3/C.5, 4.3/D.10: Complete stop, bounce in zone, strike before second bounce; faults for bounce errors; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 10, 18)
- **Serve: landing outside the side lines**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/D.9: Outside serve = out; Three-wall: not in this edition; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: long**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/C.5: Long serve: rebounds to the back wall before the floor; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/C.3: Long serve: lands behind the long line; Three-wall: rule 4.3: Long serve: passes the long line before the floor (no back wall); Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18, 26)
- **Serve: missed serve**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/D.1: Total miss (or ball touching the body) = out serve; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/D.1: Total miss (or ball touching body) = out serve; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: must hit the front wall first**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/D.2, 4.3/D.5: Non-front serve and crotch serve = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/D.2, 4.3/D.5: Non-front serve and crotch serve = out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: playing a fault serve**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/C.3: Receivers must not catch a serve assumed long (fault is called, not played); Three-wall: rule 4.3: Receivers must not catch serves assumed long; the referee awards a point for failure to return; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19, 26)
- **Serve: positions of the other players**: American four-wall: rule 4.2/B, 2.1/B.4: Partner erect, back to the nearer side wall, both feet in the 18-in service box; violation = foot fault; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.2/B: Partner outside the side lines, astraddle the service line; violation = foot fault; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 2); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 16)
- **Serve: receiver's position**: American four-wall: rule 4.4/A, 2.1/B.5: At least 5 ft behind the short line (restraining lines) until the serve is hit; violation = point; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.4/A: Receivers behind the service line until the ball passes the short line; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 17)
- **Serve: screening / moving on the serve**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/B, 4.3/B.1, 4.3/B.2, 4.3/C.9: 'Screen serves' (ball close to server or partner; straddle ball); two consecutive = fault; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/B, 4.3/B.1, 4.3/B.2, 4.3/C.6, ...: Hinder serve (moving on service, straddle ball); two consecutive = fault; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9, 20); Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19)
- **Serve: server's position**: American four-wall: rule 4.1/C: Anywhere in the service zone; no foot beyond either line until the ball passes the short line; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.1/C: Anywhere in the service zone; stay in it until the ball passes the short line; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: short**: American four-wall: rule 4.3/C.2: Short serve: lands in front of, or on, the short line; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.3/C.2: Short serve: lands in front of, or on, the short line; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18, 26)
- **Striking: hand only**: American four-wall: rule 1.2, 4.6/B: Either hand or fist; wrist, arm or body = violation; One-wall, small ball: rule 1.2, 4.6/B: Either hand or fist; wrist/arm/body = violation; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Striking: one hand at a time**: American four-wall: rule 4.6/A: Only one hand at a time; two hands together = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.6/A: Only one hand at a time; two hands together = out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15)
- **Talking during the rally**: American four-wall: rule 4.8/F.1: Same rule as one-wall: brief doubles communication only; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.8/F.1: No need to talk except brief doubles communication; otherwise an avoidable hinder may be called; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 7); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Time between games**: American four-wall: rule 4.10/D: Five minutes; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.10/D: Five minutes; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Time between rallies and service delay**: American four-wall: rule 4.1/B, 4.1/E, 4.3/D.7: Serve only after the score; 10 s for receiver and server; service delay = out; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.1/B, 4.1/E, 4.3/D.7: 10 seconds for receiver and server after the score; service delay = out; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 2, 6); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Timeouts and postponement**: American four-wall: rule 4.10/A, 4.10/B, 4.10/E: Player timeouts, equipment timeouts, postponed games resume; One-wall, small ball: rule 4.10/A, 4.10/B, 4.10/E: Three one-minute timeouts per 21-point game; equipment timeouts; postponed games resume; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Tournament administration**: American four-wall: rule 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, ...: Scheduling, consolation, notices, court changes, regionals, eligibility, round-robin tiebreakers; One-wall, small ball: rule 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, ...: Scheduling, consolation, notices, court changes, regionals, eligibility, round-robin tiebreakers [2025 adds 'eye protection is mandatory for all USHA events' to the tiebreak rule]; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 14); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Tournament draw**: American four-wall: rule 5.1: At least two days before; seeding approved by committee or director; One-wall, small ball: rule 5.1: At least two days before; seeding approved by committee or director; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: not in this edition; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Tournament officials**: American four-wall: rule 3.1/A, 3.1/B, 3.2, 3.3, ...: Tournament director, chief of referees, removal of officials, floor manager; One-wall, small ball: rule 3.1/A, 3.1/B, 3.2, 3.3, ...: Tournament director, chief of referees, removal of officials, floor manager; Three-wall: as in four-wall (Four-wall (USHA, 2025)), not restated; Wallball, big ball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 10); Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition

## What the codes share

- Shared (28): Appeals and finality; Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall; Ball hits the hitter or his partner; Ball: specification; Change of serve; Court: long (back) line; Court: service zone; Court: short line (minimum serve length); Court: wall surface and top; First service (toss); Game length; Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference; Officials: who officiates; Rally: ball landing out; Rally: play before the second bounce; Scoring: who scores and the unit; Serve: faults on the rebound (walls, ceiling, out of court); Serve: faults that lose the serve; Serve: how it is put in play; Serve: landing outside the side lines; Serve: must hit the front wall first; Serve: playing a fault serve; Serve: positions of the other players; Serve: receiver's position; Serve: short; Striking: hand only; Time between games; Time between rallies and service delay
- Converging (53): Ball from the wall hits a player; Ball: broken ball; Ball: selection by the referee; Ball: wet ball; Catching or stopping the ball; Ceiling and overhead obstructions; Conduct and player code; Court: dimensions; Court: line marking; Court: towels and wiping; Doubles: serving order and first hand; Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn; Equipment: dress and uniform; Equipment: eye protection; Equipment: gloves; Forfeits for no-show, late start and defaults; Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat; Hinder fault (serving side); Injury time; Lines: ball on a line; Match format; Obstruction: benefit of the doubt; Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen); Obstruction: duty to give way; Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim; Obstruction: interference by one's partner; Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder); Obstruction: who calls hinders; Officials: line official; Officials: referee's charge and powers; Officials: scorer; Penalty: leaving the court; Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical); Penalty: refusing the referee's decision; Rally: failure to return; Rally: one touch only; Rally: swing and miss, further attempts; Replays and play stoppages; Return of serve: on the fly; Return: front wall before floor; Serve hits a player; Serve: dead-ball serves and court hinders; Serve: foot fault; Serve: long; Serve: missed serve; Serve: screening / moving on the serve; Serve: server's position; Striking: one hand at a time; Talking during the rally; Timeouts and postponement; Tournament administration; Tournament draw; Tournament officials
- Unique (6): Ball hits an official or spectator (One-wall, small ball); Court: receiving and playing zones (One-wall, small ball); Court: run-off area around the floor (One-wall, small ball); Drugs, alcohol and smoking (Wallball, big ball); Obstruction: legal block by position (One-wall, small ball); Penalty: disqualification, suspension and bans (Wallball, big ball)