# Handball codes compared, 1916 The rules in force in 1916, one column per code. Each cell is the code's newest edition on or before 1916. - American four-wall: Four-wall (A.A.U. revised rules, 1903) - One-wall, small ball: One-wall (Brokaw, American Hand Ball, 1915) - 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: rule 45, 46: Appeal from the referee to the umpire on interpretation; umpire final; 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 from the wall hits a player**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 11: Ball off the board striking an opponent = against the side struck; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; 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 47: Legal ball striking referee or umpire is 'dead', no advantage; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **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: rule 13: Called a 'hinder'; two on one service = point or putout against the side making them; 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: rule 12: Ball off the board striking the hitter or his partner = against that side; 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: rule 52: 1 7/8-2 in, 2-2 1/4 oz, gum and carbon, 30 psi; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 5) - **Ball: wet ball**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 51: Referee may stop play, dry the ball, resume with a serve; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Catching or stopping the ball**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; 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: rule 8, 9: 'Server is out, and in doubles the side is out' (putout); 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 53, 54, 55: Board 20 ft wide x 10 ft high; floor 20 x 26 ft; field 55 x 40 ft overall; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 3, 4) - **Court: line marking**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 54: Lines red, 2 in wide; floor smooth, not polished; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Court: long (back) line**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 7, 54: 'Front line' 26 ft from the board (back edge of the floor); serve landing beyond it is long; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 2) - **Court: run-off area around the floor**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 55: 'Field' 55 x 40 ft including the floor, on all sides but the board; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Court: service zone**: American four-wall: rule 5: Same; One-wall, small ball: rule 2: Ball dropped anywhere in the court beyond the service line (far side from the board); 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: rule 54: 'Service line' midway between board and front line (13 ft); also the short mark; 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: rule 53: Board of tongued-and-grooved boards on studding, painted white, no lines; surround sounds different; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 4) - **Doubles: alternating service and positions**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 26, 30: Partners alternate service and defensive positions; alternate positions each game; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Doubles: serving order and first hand**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: not in this edition; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 50: Gloves compulsory, made to keep sweat off the ball; 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: rule 31: Coin toss, then a 'play for the service' rally; 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: rule 28: 21 points; 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: not in this edition; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 9, 16) - **Injury time**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 38: Referee may grant minutes; over five needs the other side's consent; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Lines: ball on a line**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 49: Ball on any line is good; doubtful balls served again; 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: rule 40: Best three of five in important or championship games; 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: rule 21, 22, 23, 27: Limits on blocking: right of way past the service line; no passing between ball and opponent; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Obstruction: legal block by position**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 19, 20, 25: A player may place the ball to block the opponent; blocking must end when the ball leaves the hand; 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: rule 37: Unfair blocking or intentional interference: fine of 1-5 points; 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: not in this edition; 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: not in this edition; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 23, 24) - **Officials: line official**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 44: Umpire watches balls on or near the side lines (and unfair play); Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Officials: referee's charge and powers**: American four-wall: rule 11: Referee decides serving, returns, shorts, aces, hand outs; One-wall, small ball: rule 33, 34: Charge of the game, decisions, penalties; may move anywhere in the field, not the court; 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: rule 44: Umpire keeps the score; 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: rule 32: A referee and an umpire; 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: point deduction (fine / technical)**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 37, 42, 43: 'Fine' of 1-5 points subtracted (unfair blocking, fighting, repeated unfair acts); Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Penalty: refusing the referee's decision**: American four-wall: rule 12: Disobeying referee or scorer = disqualified; One-wall, small ball: rule 39: Fine one point per minute of delay, then game forfeited 21-0; 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: rule 17: Return landing outside the court = point or putout against the hitter; 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: not in this edition; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 16: All balls from first bounce or fly; serve first bounce only; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 12) - **Rally: swing and miss, further attempts**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 14: In doubles, after a complete miss the partner may play it; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Return of serve: on the fly**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 5, 16: Serve must not be played on a fly, first bounce only; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Return: front wall before floor**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 10: Returned balls must touch the board before the floor; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Scoring: who scores and the unit**: American four-wall: rule 4: Same, as its own rule; One-wall, small ball: rule 48: Points only by the serving side; 'putouts' by the other side; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 8: Two consecutive short/long serves = server (side) out; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 2, 3: Ball dropped or thrown to the floor, struck on the first bound; 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: rule 9: Server out at once (side out in doubles); 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: rule 7: Landing beyond the front line is 'long'; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 10: All served and returned balls touch the board before the floor; 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: rule 15: Short/long/wide balls may be played on; appeal after the rally; 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: rule 1, 24: All players outside the court until the ball is in play; server's partner may stand between opponents; 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: rule 1: Players outside the court (in the field) until the ball is in play; 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: rule 24: Server's partner must move away from the served ball; 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: not in this edition; 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: rule 4, 6: Must cross the service line; landing before it is 'short', serve again; 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: rule 18: Front of either hand only; 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: not in this edition; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: in the rules, text not republished (rule 15) - **Time between games**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 41: Not more than ten minutes; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Time between rallies and service delay**: American four-wall: rule 9: Same, singles; One-wall, small ball: rule 35, 36: No delay over one minute without the referee's consent; referee may order play; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition - **Win by two at 20-all**: American four-wall: not in this edition; One-wall, small ball: rule 29: At 20-all a side must score two consecutive points on one service; Three-wall: no edition yet; Wallball, big ball: no edition yet; Irish 60x30 hardball: not in this edition ## What the codes share - Shared (32): Appeals and finality; Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall; Ball hits the hitter or his partner; Ball: specification; Change of serve; Court: dimensions; Court: long (back) line; Court: service zone; Court: short line (minimum serve length); Court: wall surface and top; First service (toss); Game length; Lines: ball on a line; Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference; Officials: who officiates; Rally: ball landing out; 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: how it is put in play; Serve: landing outside the side lines; Serve: long; Serve: must hit the front wall first; Serve: playing a fault serve; Serve: positions of the other players; Serve: receiver's position; Serve: screening / moving on the serve; Serve: short; Striking: hand only; Time between rallies and service delay - Converging (9): Equipment: gloves; Match format; Obstruction: duty to give way; Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder); Obstruction: who calls hinders; Officials: referee's charge and powers; Officials: scorer; Penalty: refusing the referee's decision; Striking: one hand at a time - Unique (24): Ball from the wall hits a player (One-wall, small ball); Ball hits an official or spectator (One-wall, small ball); Ball: wet ball (One-wall, small ball); Catching or stopping the ball (Irish 60x30 hardball); Conduct and player code (American four-wall); Court: line marking (One-wall, small ball); Court: run-off area around the floor (One-wall, small ball); Doubles: alternating service and positions (One-wall, small ball); Doubles: serving order and first hand (Irish 60x30 hardball); Equipment: dress and uniform (American four-wall); Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat (Irish 60x30 hardball); Injury time (One-wall, small ball); Obstruction: legal block by position (One-wall, small ball); Officials: line official (One-wall, small ball); Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical) (One-wall, small ball); Rally: one touch only (Irish 60x30 hardball); Rally: swing and miss, further attempts (One-wall, small ball); Return of serve: on the fly (One-wall, small ball); Return: front wall before floor (One-wall, small ball); Serve: foot fault (American four-wall); Serve: missed serve (Irish 60x30 hardball); Serve: server's position (American four-wall); Time between games (One-wall, small ball); Win by two at 20-all (One-wall, small ball)