Handball codes compared, 1920
The rules in force in 1920, one column per code. Each cell is the code's newest edition on or before 1920.
Concepts come from the research crosswalk. Wording is shown only for editions whose text is republished on this site; for the Irish (GAA) and wallball (USWA) rules a cell says the concept is in the rules, with the rule number where known, and no wording. A code appears from its first edition on record. The Irish column holds the 1903 hardball rules only; later Irish editions are not yet in the comparison. Terms as of a year has the glossary; the family tree of the rulebooks shows how the editions descend from one another.
Year
| Concept | American four-wall Four-wall (A.A.U., 1920) | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appeals and finality | Yes, rule 32 Referee's decision final | Yes, rule 45, 46 Appeal from the referee to the umpire on interpretation; umpire final | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 14, 23, 28) |
| Ball from the wall hits a player | Yes, rule 17, 18 Ball touching a player on the way back loses the point for him | Yes, rule 11 Ball off the board striking an opponent = against the side struck | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Ball hits an official or spectator | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 47 Legal ball striking referee or umpire is 'dead', no advantage | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall | Yes, rule 17 If it still reaches the front wall it is in play (not a hinder) | Yes, rule 13 Called a 'hinder'; two on one service = point or putout against the side making them | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 21) |
| Ball hits the hitter or his partner | Yes, rule 19 Hitting a partner loses the point (except partner in serving position) [1920 text differs: R19 guide only: 'Hitting a partner with the ball' -> 'with a ball' (1922 handbook as 1920)] | Yes, rule 12 Ball off the board striking the hitter or his partner = against that side | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 15, 22) |
| Ball: selection by the referee | Yes, rule 5 Referee selects a new ball if players cannot agree | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Ball: specification | Yes, rule 2 Standard rubber handball (Spalding No. 101 used at nationals) [1920 text differs: R2 revision (capitalisation only): 'Standard Rubber hand ball.' -> 1922 handbook 'standard Rubber hand ball.'; guide only: 'standard rubber handball. (Spalding's No. 101 ball is used in the national championship tournaments.)'] | Yes, rule 52 1 7/8-2 in, 2-2 1/4 oz, gum and carbon, 30 psi | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 5) |
| Ball: wet ball | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 51 Referee may stop play, dry the ball, resume with a serve | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Catching or stopping the ball | Yes, rule 11 Catching/stopping the serve before the floor = hand out | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 13, 20) |
| Change of serve | Yes, rule 16 'Hand out' [1920 text differs: R16 guide only: 'the adversaries' play' -> 'the adversary's play' (1922 handbook as 1920)] | Yes, rule 8, 9 'Server is out, and in doubles the side is out' (putout) | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Court: dimensions | Yes, rule 1 Four walls about 24 x 48 ft, ceiling at least 25 ft; other courts allowed for now [1920 text differs: R1 revision: 'approximately 24 feet by 50 feet' -> '24 feet by 48 feet' (1922 handbook and 1923 guide)] | Yes, rule 53, 54, 55 Board 20 ft wide x 10 ft high; floor 20 x 26 ft; field 55 x 40 ft overall | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 3, 4) |
| Court: line marking | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 54 Lines red, 2 in wide; floor smooth, not polished | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Court: long (back) line | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 7, 54 'Front line' 26 ft from the board (back edge of the floor); serve landing beyond it is long | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 2) |
| Court: run-off area around the floor | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 55 'Field' 55 x 40 ft including the floor, on all sides but the board | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Court: service zone | Yes, rule 7 Between the short line and the service line | Yes, rule 2 Ball dropped anywhere in the court beyond the service line (far side from the board) | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Court: short line (minimum serve length) | Yes, rule 7 'Short line' (one of two serving lines; mapping to ace line unproven, H-67) | Yes, rule 54 'Service line' midway between board and front line (13 ft); also the short mark | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 1) |
| Court: wall surface and top | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 53 Board of tongued-and-grooved boards on studding, painted white, no lines; surround sounds different | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 4) |
| Doubles: alternating service and positions | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 26, 30 Partners alternate service and defensive positions; alternate positions each game | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Doubles: serving order and first hand | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9) |
| Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn | Yes, rule 26 Customary, not compulsory | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Equipment: gloves | Yes, rule 34 Only soft material or soft kid/cloth gloves; no hard material [1920 text differs: R34 1922 handbook misprint 'gloves of id or cloth' (also in the 1923 handbook); guide 'kid' as 1920] | Yes, rule 50 Gloves compulsory, made to keep sweat off the ball | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| First service (toss) | Yes, rule 4 Coin toss or any agreed manner decides first service | Yes, rule 31 Coin toss, then a 'play for the service' rally | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9) |
| Game length | Yes, rule 3 21 points (unit renamed) | Yes, rule 28 21 points | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 6) |
| Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat | Yes, rule 19, 22 Doubles / 'four handed match' provided for again [1920 text differs: R19 guide only: 'Hitting a partner with the ball' -> 'with a ball' (1922 handbook as 1920) | R22 revision: 'a decision on a hinder or covered ball even though' -> 'a decision on a hinder even though' (guide adds a comma: 'hinder, even though'); second paragraph: 1922 handbook misprints 'practice' as 'ractise' (guide 'practice'); closing quotation '"could not get it".' -> '"could not get it."' (1922 and 1923)] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9, 16) |
| Injury time | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 38 Referee may grant minutes; over five needs the other side's consent | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Lines: ball on a line | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 49 Ball on any line is good; doubtful balls served again | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Match format | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 40 Best three of five in important or championship games | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 7, 8) |
| Obstruction: benefit of the doubt | Yes, rule 23 Claimed hinders generally allowed unless clearly none | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen) | Yes, rule 22, 24 Referee 'liberal' against play where the adversary cannot see the ball; 'covered balls' named but undefined [1920 text differs: R22 revision: 'a decision on a hinder or covered ball even though' -> 'a decision on a hinder even though' (guide adds a comma: 'hinder, even though'); second paragraph: 1922 handbook misprints 'practice' as 'ractise' (guide 'practice'); closing quotation '"could not get it".' -> '"could not get it."' (1922 and 1923)] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: duty to give way | Yes, rule 20, 23 Right to an unobstructed opportunity; side that played must keep out of the way [1920 text differs: R20 revision: second sentence deleted: 'If a player is prevented by an adversary from seeing the ball until too late to get in position, it is called a covered ball and shall be played over.'] | Yes, rule 21, 22, 23, 27 Limits on blocking: right of way past the service line; no passing between ball and opponent | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim | Yes, rule 22 Either partner entitled to a hinder decision [1920 text differs: R22 revision: 'a decision on a hinder or covered ball even though' -> 'a decision on a hinder even though' (guide adds a comma: 'hinder, even though'); second paragraph: 1922 handbook misprints 'practice' as 'ractise' (guide 'practice'); closing quotation '"could not get it".' -> '"could not get it."' (1922 and 1923)] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: interference by one's partner | Yes, rule 25 No hinder when interfered with by a partner [1920 text differs: R25 revision: 'a hinder or covered ball when interfered with' -> 'a hinder when interfered with'] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: legal block by position | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 19, 20, 25 A player may place the ball to block the opponent; blocking must end when the ball leaves the hand | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference | Yes, rule 21 Intentional hinder: point against the offender [1920 text differs: R21 revision: 'the ball is covered intentionally or' deleted ('When, in the opinion of the referee, a player is hindered intentionally ...')] | Yes, rule 37 Unfair blocking or intentional interference: fine of 1-5 points | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 24) |
| Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder) | Yes, rule 20 Unintentional interference = hinder, played over [1920 text differs: R20 revision: second sentence deleted: 'If a player is prevented by an adversary from seeing the ball until too late to get in position, it is called a covered ball and shall be played over.'] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 24) |
| Obstruction: who calls hinders | Yes, rule 24 Referee decides all hinders and covered balls without appeal | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 23, 24) |
| Officials: line official | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 44 Umpire watches balls on or near the side lines (and unfair play) | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Officials: referee's charge and powers | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 33, 34 Charge of the game, decisions, penalties; may move anywhere in the field, not the court | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Officials: scorer | Yes, rule 29 'Score keeper' next to the referee; duties unstated | Yes, rule 44 Umpire keeps the score | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Officials: who officiates | Yes, rule 29 Referee and score keeper | Yes, rule 32 A referee and an umpire | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 17, 23, 28) |
| Penalty: leaving the court | Yes, rule 30 Forfeits the series unless the referee excuses it [1920 text differs: R30 guide only: 'During Tournament' -> 'During tournament'] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical) | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 37, 42, 43 'Fine' of 1-5 points subtracted (unfair blocking, fighting, repeated unfair acts) | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Penalty: refusing the referee's decision | Yes, rule 33 Forfeits the match | Yes, rule 39 Fine one point per minute of delay, then game forfeited 21-0 | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Rally: ball landing out | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 17 Return landing outside the court = point or putout against the hitter | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 14, 25, 27) |
| Rally: failure to return | Yes, rule 16 Outside fails = tally; server fails = hand out [1920 text differs: R16 guide only: 'the adversaries' play' -> 'the adversary's play' (1922 handbook as 1920)] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Rally: one touch only | Yes, rule 28 No second touch by the player or his partner | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 12) |
| Rally: play before the second bounce | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 16 All balls from first bounce or fly; serve first bounce only | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 12) |
| Rally: swing and miss, further attempts | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 14 In doubles, after a complete miss the partner may play it | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Return of serve: on the fly | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 5, 16 Serve must not be played on a fly, first bounce only | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Return: front wall before floor | Yes, rule 15 Returned to the front wall before the floor; floor and wall together = miss | Yes, rule 10 Returned balls must touch the board before the floor | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Scoring: who scores and the unit | Yes, rule 16 Tally for the serving side when the outside fails to return any ball [1920 text differs: R16 guide only: 'the adversaries' play' -> 'the adversary's play' (1922 handbook as 1920)] | Yes, rule 48 Points only by the serving side; 'putouts' by the other side | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Serve hits a player | Yes, rule 14 Partner in position struck by the serve: not a hand out | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19) |
| Serve: faults that lose the serve | Yes, rule 9 Three short balls = hand out | Yes, rule 8 Two consecutive short/long serves = server (side) out | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: foot fault | Yes, rule 8 Once = short ball; twice in succession = hand out | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Serve: how it is put in play | Yes, rule 6 Bounced, struck on the first bounce; several attempts allowed | Yes, rule 2, 3 Ball dropped or thrown to the floor, struck on the first bound | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 10, 18) |
| Serve: landing outside the side lines | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 9 Server out at once (side out in doubles) | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: long | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 7 Landing beyond the front line is 'long' | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18, 26) |
| Serve: missed serve | Yes, rule 6 Missing the ball puts the server out | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: must hit the front wall first | Yes, rule 10 Ceiling, floor or side walls first = hand out ('roof' -> 'ceiling') | Yes, rule 10 All served and returned balls touch the board before the floor | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: playing a fault serve | Yes, rule 12, 13 Optional to accept a short ('fair ball'); server side may stop a short [1920 text differs: R12 revision: 'if a short ball be attempted' -> 'if a short ball is attempted'] | Yes, rule 15 Short/long/wide balls may be played on; appeal after the rally | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19, 26) |
| Serve: positions of the other players | Yes, rule 14, 19 Partner between the lines, back to the wall; not a hand out if struck [1920 text differs: R19 guide only: 'Hitting a partner with the ball' -> 'with a ball' (1922 handbook as 1920)] | Yes, rule 1, 24 All players outside the court until the ball is in play; server's partner may stand between opponents | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 16) |
| Serve: receiver's position | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 1 Players outside the court (in the field) until the ball is in play | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 17) |
| Serve: screening / moving on the serve | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 24 Server's partner must move away from the served ball | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19) |
| Serve: server's position | Yes, rule 7 Between short line and service line; not over the service line | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Serve: short | Yes, rule 9 'Short ball' (undefined) | Yes, rule 4, 6 Must cross the service line; landing before it is 'short', serve again | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18, 26) |
| Striking: hand only | Yes, rule 27 Kicking not allowed (no penalty stated) | Yes, rule 18 Front of either hand only | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Striking: one hand at a time | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 15) |
| Time between games | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 41 Not more than ten minutes | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Time between rallies and service delay | Yes, rule 31 Reasonable time after each rally, then a ten count [1920 text differs: R31 guide only: 'After a completion' -> 'After the completion'; 'the referee or the other player' -> 'the referee or other player'] | Yes, rule 35, 36 No delay over one minute without the referee's consent; referee may order play | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Tournament draw | Yes, rule 35 Immediately before the contest; boxing-rules method [1920 text differs: R35 guide only: adds '(See A.A.U. Official Handbook—Spalding's Athletic Library.)'] | Not in this edition | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
| Win by two at 20-all | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 29 At 20-all a side must score two consecutive points on one service | No edition yet | No edition yet | Not in this edition |
What the codes share
45 concepts appear in more than one code, 26 in only one.
Shared (35)
In two or more codes, each with it from the first edition of its line on record.
- Appeals and finality (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball hits the hitter or his partner (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball: specification (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Catching or stopping the ball (American four-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Change of serve (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Court: long (back) line (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Court: service zone (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball)
- Court: short line (minimum serve length) (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Court: wall surface and top (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- First service (toss) (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Game length (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat (American four-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Lines: ball on a line (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Match format (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Officials: who officiates (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: ball landing out (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: failure to return (American four-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: one touch only (American four-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: play before the second bounce (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Scoring: who scores and the unit (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve hits a player (American four-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: faults that lose the serve (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: how it is put in play (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: landing outside the side lines (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: long (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: must hit the front wall first (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: playing a fault serve (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: positions of the other players (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: receiver's position (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: screening / moving on the serve (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: short (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Striking: hand only (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball)
- Time between rallies and service delay (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball)
Converging (10)
In two or more codes, at least one of which added it in a later edition of its line (first year per code shown).
- Ball from the wall hits a player (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 1920)
- Court: dimensions (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 1920)
- Equipment: gloves (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916)
- Obstruction: duty to give way (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916)
- Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder) (American four-wall 1893, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903)
- Obstruction: who calls hinders (American four-wall 1903, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903)
- Officials: scorer (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916)
- Penalty: refusing the referee's decision (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916)
- Return: front wall before floor (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 1920)
- Serve: missed serve (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then American four-wall 1920)
Unique (26)
Only one code has it.
- Ball hits an official or spectator (One-wall, small ball)
- Ball: selection by the referee (American four-wall)
- Ball: wet ball (One-wall, small ball)
- 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)
- Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn (American four-wall)
- Injury time (One-wall, small ball)
- Obstruction: benefit of the doubt (American four-wall)
- Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen) (American four-wall)
- Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim (American four-wall)
- Obstruction: interference by one's partner (American four-wall)
- Obstruction: legal block by position (One-wall, small ball)
- Officials: line official (One-wall, small ball)
- Officials: referee's charge and powers (One-wall, small ball)
- Penalty: leaving the court (American four-wall)
- Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical) (One-wall, small ball)
- Rally: swing and miss, further attempts (One-wall, small ball)
- Return of serve: on the fly (One-wall, small ball)
- Serve: foot fault (American four-wall)
- Serve: server's position (American four-wall)
- Striking: one hand at a time (Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Time between games (One-wall, small ball)
- Tournament draw (American four-wall)
- Win by two at 20-all (One-wall, small ball)