# Handball codes compared, 1903

The rules in force in 1903, one column per code. Each cell is the code's newest edition on or before 1903.

- American four-wall: Four-wall (A.A.U. revised rules, 1903)
- One-wall, small ball: no edition yet
- Three-wall: no edition yet
- Wallball, big ball: no edition yet
- Irish 60x30 hardball: Gaelic Rules

## Concepts

- **Appeals and finality**: American four-wall: rule 10: Appeal decided promptly; final; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 14, 23, 28)
- **Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall**: American four-wall: rule 6: Hinder narrowed: ball strikes the server before reaching the opponent, or the opponent during service; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 21)
- **Ball hits the hitter or his partner**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15, 22)
- **Ball: specification**: American four-wall: rule 3: 'Full regulation Spalding ball', same size and weight; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 5)
- **Catching or stopping the ball**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 13, 20)
- **Change of serve**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Conduct and player code**: American four-wall: rule 13: Gentlemanly conduct at all times; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: dimensions**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 3, 4)
- **Court: long (back) line**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 2)
- **Court: service zone**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Court: short line (minimum serve length)**: American four-wall: rule 4: 'Ace line' (same); 'outer court' -> 'court'; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 1)
- **Court: wall surface and top**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 4)
- **Doubles: serving order and first hand**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9)
- **Equipment: dress and uniform**: American four-wall: rule 14: Properly clothed, neat appearance; bare feet barred; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Equipment: gloves**: American four-wall: rule 14: Gloves allowed; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **First service (toss)**: American four-wall: rule 2: Players toss for position; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9)
- **Game length**: American four-wall: rule 1: 21 aces; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 6)
- **Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9, 16)
- **Lines: ball on a line**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Match format**: American four-wall: rule 1: Games per 'set' fixed by the Committee; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 7, 8)
- **Obstruction: duty to give way**: American four-wall: rule 6: Each player must give way and in no way interfere; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference**: American four-wall: rule 6: Same; ace 'shall count'; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 24)
- **Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder)**: American four-wall: rule 6: Same; effect unstated; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 24)
- **Obstruction: who calls hinders**: American four-wall: rule 12: The scorer is a judge of hinders and fouls; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 23, 24)
- **Officials: referee's charge and powers**: American four-wall: rule 11: Referee decides serving, returns, shorts, aces, hand outs; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Officials: scorer**: American four-wall: rule 12: Scorer keeps 'a correct tally of the aces' and informs players; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Officials: who officiates**: American four-wall: rule 11: A referee and a scorer; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 17, 23, 28)
- **Penalty: refusing the referee's decision**: American four-wall: rule 12: Disobeying referee or scorer = disqualified; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Rally: ball landing out**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 14, 25, 27)
- **Rally: failure to return**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Rally: one touch only**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12)
- **Rally: play before the second bounce**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12)
- **Scoring: who scores and the unit**: American four-wall: rule 4: Same, as its own rule; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 11)
- **Serve hits a player**: American four-wall: rule 6: Serve striking the opponent = hinder (reversed); One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19)
- **Serve: faults that lose the serve**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: foot fault**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: how it is put in play**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; 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: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: long**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18, 26)
- **Serve: missed serve**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: must hit the front wall first**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18)
- **Serve: playing a fault serve**: American four-wall: rule 7: May play it 'should he so desire'; must be returned if it reaches the wall; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19, 26)
- **Serve: positions of the other players**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 16)
- **Serve: receiver's position**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 17)
- **Serve: screening / moving on the serve**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 19)
- **Serve: server's position**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Serve: short**: American four-wall: rule 4, 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 18, 26)
- **Striking: hand only**: American four-wall: rule 7: Foot debarred for all balls; foul; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition
- **Striking: one hand at a time**: American four-wall: rule 8: 'At a time' added; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15)
- **Time between rallies and service delay**: American four-wall: rule 9: Same, singles; One-wall, small ball: no edition yet; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition

## What the codes share

- Shared (17): Appeals and finality; Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall; Ball: specification; Change of serve; Court: short line (minimum serve length); First service (toss); Game length; Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference; Officials: who officiates; Rally: failure to return; Rally: play before the second bounce; Scoring: who scores and the unit; Serve hits a player; Serve: faults that lose the serve; Serve: must hit the front wall first; Serve: playing a fault serve; Serve: short
- Converging (4): Match format; Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder); Obstruction: who calls hinders; Striking: one hand at a time
- Unique (29): Ball hits the hitter or his partner (Irish 60x30 hardball); Catching or stopping the ball (Irish 60x30 hardball); Conduct and player code (American four-wall); Court: dimensions (Irish 60x30 hardball); Court: long (back) line (Irish 60x30 hardball); Court: service zone (American four-wall); Court: wall surface and top (Irish 60x30 hardball); Doubles: serving order and first hand (Irish 60x30 hardball); Equipment: dress and uniform (American four-wall); Equipment: gloves (American four-wall); Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat (Irish 60x30 hardball); Lines: ball on a line (Irish 60x30 hardball); Obstruction: duty to give way (American four-wall); Officials: referee's charge and powers (American four-wall); Officials: scorer (American four-wall); Penalty: refusing the referee's decision (American four-wall); Rally: ball landing out (Irish 60x30 hardball); Rally: one touch only (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: foot fault (American four-wall); Serve: how it is put in play (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: landing outside the side lines (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: long (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: missed serve (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: positions of the other players (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: receiver's position (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: screening / moving on the serve (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: server's position (American four-wall); Striking: hand only (American four-wall); Time between rallies and service delay (American four-wall)