Handball codes compared, 2025
The rules in force in 2025, one column per code. Each cell is the code's newest edition on or before 2025.
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 (USHA, 2025) | One-wall, small ball One-wall (USHA, 2025) | Three-wall Three-wall (USHA addendum, 2025) | Wallball, big ball USWA OFFICIAL RULES | Irish 60x30 hardball Gaelic Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appeals and finality | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 7, 8, 14) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 14, 23, 28) |
| Ball from the wall hits a player | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Ball hits an official or spectator | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 3.4/B.1 Ball hitting an official or spectator before the wall: judged as if not touched (see text) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 5) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 21) |
| Ball hits the hitter or his partner | Yes, rule 4.5/C, 4.6/D.5 Ball hitting the hitter's partner = failure to return (server side: out) | Yes, rule 4.6/D.5, 4.5/C Ball hitting the hitter's partner = failure to return | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 15, 22) |
| Ball: broken ball | Yes, rule 4.3/A.2, 4.6/J Broken ball on serve or rally: replay | Yes, rule 4.3/A.2, 4.6/J Broken ball on serve or rally: replay | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Ball: selection by the referee | Yes, rule 2.2/B.6 Ball approved by the referee for each match; may change balls | Yes, rule 2.2/B.6 Ball approved by the referee for each match; may change balls | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Ball: specification | Yes, rule 2.2 USHA official balls; 1 7/8 in, 61 g, rubber or synthetic, colour optional; rebound spec | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 5) |
| Ball: wet ball | Yes, rule 2.3/D, 4.6/I Ball to be kept dry; deliberate wetting = out or point | Yes, rule 2.3/D, 4.6/I Ball to be kept dry; deliberate wetting = out or point | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11, 18, 21) | Not in this edition |
| Catching or stopping the ball | Yes, rule 4.3/D.3 An intentionally caught serve is a touched serve = out | Yes, rule 4.3/D.3, 4.6/H Intentionally caught serve = out; don't catch balls assumed out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 4) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 13, 20) |
| Ceiling and overhead obstructions | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 2.1/B.8, 4.3/D.8 Top edge of the wall is out | Yes, rule 4.7 Three-wall courts with ceilings: 'anything goes' when the ball hits the ceiling (house rule under court hinders) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Change of serve | Yes, rule 1.4, 4.5 Out: one rally in singles, two in doubles; listed ways outs are made | Yes, rule 1.4, 4.5 Out: one rally in singles, two in doubles (both partners serve) | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Conduct and player code | Yes, rule 3.5, 5.6 Presumptive code of integrity; self-enforcement; tournament conduct, coaching | Yes, rule 3.5, 5.6 Presumptive code of integrity; self-enforcement; tournament conduct, coaching | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 8, 12, 23) | Not in this edition |
| Court: dimensions | Yes, rule 2.1/A 20 ft wide, 20 ft high, 40 ft long; back wall at least 14 ft recommended | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 2.1 Same 20 x 20 x 40 ft, side walls 44 ft recommended; no back wall | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 3, 4) |
| Court: line marking | Yes, rule 2.1/B 2-in lines; white or red recommended | Yes, rule 2.1/B 2-in lines; white, yellow or red recommended | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Court: long (back) line | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 2.1/B.2 'Long line', back edge 34 ft from the wall | Yes, rule 2.1 Long line added: outer edge 40 ft from the front wall (no back wall) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 2) |
| Court: receiving and playing zones | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 2.1/B.6, 2.1/B.7 Receiving zone behind the short line; playing zone inside side and long lines | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Court: run-off area around the floor | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 2.1/A.2 Border of at least 10 ft (ideally 20 ft beside, 16 ft behind); outdoor fence | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Court: service zone | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 2.1/B.4, 2.1/B.5 Zone between short line and service markers (service line midway to long line) | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Court: short line (minimum serve length) | Yes, rule 2.1/B.1 Short line, outside edge 20 ft from the front wall | Yes, rule 2.1/B.1 Short line, back edge 16 ft from the wall | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 1) |
| Court: towels and wiping | Yes, rule 2.1/C Towel available in tournaments; procedure and abuse | Yes, rule 2.1/C Towel available in tournaments; procedure and abuse | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Court: wall surface and top | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 2.1/B.3, 2.1/B.8 Optional top line 16 ft; top edge of wall not part of the court (out) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 4) |
| Doubles: serving order and first hand | Yes, rule 4.2/A, 4.3/D.6, 4.5/F Order declared; first server alone serves first time up; out-of-order serve | Yes, rule 4.2/A, 4.3/D.6, 4.5/F Order declared; first server alone serves first time up; out-of-order serve | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9) |
| Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn | Yes, rule 4.2/A Not necessary to alternate serves to the opponents | Yes, rule 4.2/A Not necessary to alternate serves to the opponents | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Drugs, alcohol and smoking | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 16) | Not in this edition |
| Equipment: dress and uniform | Yes, rule 2.4 Shirt, shorts, socks, shoes; colour, wet shirts, lettering, shoes, headband | Yes, rule 2.4 Shirt, shorts, socks, shoes; colour, wet shirts, headband [2025 drops the duplicate outdoor-shirt sentence] | Yes, rule 2.4 Shirts not required outdoors unless the opponent asks | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Equipment: eye protection | Yes, rule 2.5 Court-sport eyewear compulsory; violations are technicals | Yes, rule 2.5 Court-sport eyewear compulsory; violations are technicals | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Equipment: gloves | Yes, rule 2.3 Gloves compulsory; light-coloured soft hitting surface; no foreign substances; wet gloves changed | Yes, rule 2.3 Gloves compulsory (optional in big ball); style, foreign substances, wet gloves | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) | Not in this edition |
| First service (toss) | Yes, rule 4.1/A Toss; the other side serves first in game 2; tiebreaker by points | Yes, rule 4.1/A, 3.4/A.6 Toss; other side serves first in game 2; tiebreaker by points | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 1) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9) |
| Forfeits for no-show, late start and defaults | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Game length | Yes, rule 1.5 21 points (games 1-2), tiebreaker to 11 | Yes, rule 1.5 21 points (games 1-2), tiebreaker to 11; 15/21/25 by entry | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 6) |
| Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat | Yes, rule 1.1 Singles, cutthroat (practice only), doubles | Yes, rule 1.1 Singles, cutthroat (practice), doubles | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9, 16) |
| Hinder fault (serving side) | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 4.75 Serving side that creates a hinder starts the next serve with a fault | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19) | Not in this edition |
| Injury time | Yes, rule 4.10/C Up to 15 minutes cumulative; blood and concussion procedures | Yes, rule 4.10/C Up to 15 minutes cumulative; blood and concussion procedures | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) | Not in this edition |
| Lines: ball on a line | Yes, rule 2.1/B.3, 4.3/C.2 Zone between the lines' outer edges; a serve on the short line is short | Yes, 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) | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Match format | Yes, rule 1.5 Best of three games, the third an 11-point tiebreaker | Yes, rule 1.5 Best of three games, third an 11-point tiebreaker | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 7, 8) |
| Obstruction: benefit of the doubt | Yes, rule 4.7/B Doubt goes to the player attempting to retrieve (Interpretation 12) | Yes, rule 4.7/A.2, 4.7/B Doubt goes to the player trying to retrieve; doubt on a ball hitting an opponent = hinder | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen) | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.8/E Moving across the opponent's line of vision = avoidable hinder | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: duty to give way | Yes, 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'] | Yes, 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'] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 15) | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim | Yes, rule 4.7/C Both players entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance (wording close to A.A.U. 1923 R22) | Yes, rule 4.7/C Both players on a side entitled to a fair, unobstructed chance | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: interference by one's partner | Yes, rule 4.7/B It is not a hinder when a player hinders his/her partner | Not in this edition | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: legal block by position | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 4.7/B.1 Standing still is NOT a hinder: the 'legal' hinder, 'the essence of the one-wall game' | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference | Yes, 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'] | Yes, rule 4.8, 4.5/E, 4.6/D.6 Avoidable hinder = out or point; intent irrelevant ['moving directly in front'] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 5) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 24) |
| Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder) | Yes, 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] | Yes, 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] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 24) |
| Obstruction: who calls hinders | Yes, rule 4.7/D, 4.7/A.6, 4.7/A.7 Referee's call; players may call only back-swing and safety holdups | Yes, 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] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 7, 17, 20) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 23, 24) |
| Officials: line official | Yes, rule 3.6 Two line judges; signals; majority on appeals | Yes, rule 3.6 Four line judges; signals; majority on appeals | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Officials: referee's charge and powers | Yes, rule 3.4, 3.4/A, 3.4/B, 3.4/F Principal official; pre-match duties, decisions, spectators, other rulings | Yes, rule 3.4, 3.4/A, 3.4/B, 3.4/F Principal official; pre-match duties, decisions, other rulings | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Officials: scorer | Yes, rule 3.8 Scorer, when used, keeps a record of serves, outs, points | Yes, rule 3.8 Scorer, when used, keeps a record of serves, outs, points | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Officials: who officiates | Yes, rule 3.1 Tournament director designates chief of referees, floor manager, referees, line judges | Yes, rule 3.1 Tournament director designates chief of referees, floor manager, referees, line judges | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 17, 23, 28) |
| Penalty: disqualification, suspension and bans | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 12, 24, 25) | Not in this edition |
| Penalty: leaving the court | Yes, rule 3.4/D.3 Match may be forfeited | Yes, rule 3.4/D.3 Match may be forfeited | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 8, 14) | Not in this edition |
| Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical) | Yes, rule 4.9 Technical: one point deducted; warnings; three = forfeit | Yes, rule 4.9 Technical: one point deducted; warnings; three = forfeit | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 21, 23) | Not in this edition |
| Penalty: refusing the referee's decision | Yes, rule 3.4/D.1 Match may be forfeited | Yes, rule 3.4/D.1 Match may be forfeited | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Rally: ball landing out | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.6/H Ball outside the side lines or past the long line = out or point | Yes, 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 | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 14, 25, 27) |
| Rally: failure to return | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 1.3, 4.6, 4.6/D, 4.6/E, ... Listed failures (two bounces, not reaching wall, gallery, etc.) = out or point | Yes, rule 4.6 Adds a failure: 'long ball' that passes the long line before bouncing | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Rally: one touch only | Yes, rule 4.6/C Touched only once by one player; both partners may swing | Yes, rule 4.6/C Touched only once by one player | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 12) |
| Rally: play before the second bounce | Yes, rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.1 Fly or first bounce; two bounces before the hit = failure to return | Yes, rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.1 Two bounces before the hit = failure to return | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 12) |
| Rally: swing and miss, further attempts | Yes, rule 4.6/F Repeated attempts until the second bounce; partners too; hinders on continuing attempts | Yes, rule 4.6/F Repeated attempts until the second bounce; partners too | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Replays and play stoppages | Yes, rule 4.6/K, 4.6/L Foreign object, player stoppage; after any replay the server has two serves | Yes, rule 4.6/K, 4.6/L Foreign object, player stoppage; after any replay the server has two serves | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19, 20) | Not in this edition |
| Return of serve: on the fly | Yes, rule 4.4/B Fly return once the ball passes the short-line plane; body not over the plane before contact | Yes, rule 4.4/B Fly return allowed once the ball passes the short-line plane | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Return: front wall before floor | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.4/C, 4.6/D.2 Return must reach the wall before the floor and rebound into the playing zone | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Scoring: who scores and the unit | Yes, rule 1.4 Serving side scores by an ace (untouched serve) or by winning a rally | Yes, rule 1.4 Serving side scores by an ace (untouched serve) or by winning a rally | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11) |
| Serve hits a player | Yes, rule 4.3/D.3 Served ball touching the server, or the partner out of position, on the rebound = out | Yes, rule 4.3/D.3 Served ball touching the server or partner on the rebound = out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19) |
| Serve: dead-ball serves and court hinders | Yes, 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] | Yes, 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] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Serve: faults on the rebound (walls, ceiling, out of court) | Yes, 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 | Not in this edition | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Serve: faults that lose the serve | Yes, rule 4.3/C, 4.3/D.4, 4.5/B Any two consecutive fault serves (of any kind) = out | Yes, rule 4.3/C, 4.3/D.4, 4.5/B Any two fault serves (of any kind) = out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: foot fault | Yes, rule 4.1/C, 4.3/C.1 'Foot fault' is a fault serve (server outside the zone; partner out of the service box) | Yes, rule 4.1/C, 4.3/C.1 'Foot fault' named; server or (doubles) partner out of position | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 3) | Not in this edition |
| Serve: how it is put in play | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 10, 18) |
| Serve: landing outside the side lines | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 4.3/D.9 Outside serve = out | Not in this edition | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: long | Yes, rule 4.3/C.5 Long serve: rebounds to the back wall before the floor | Yes, rule 4.3/C.3 Long serve: lands behind the long line | Yes, rule 4.3 Long serve: passes the long line before the floor (no back wall) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18, 26) |
| Serve: missed serve | Yes, rule 4.3/D.1 Total miss (or ball touching the body) = out serve | Yes, rule 4.3/D.1 Total miss (or ball touching body) = out serve | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: must hit the front wall first | Yes, rule 4.3/D.2, 4.3/D.5 Non-front serve and crotch serve = out | Yes, rule 4.3/D.2, 4.3/D.5 Non-front serve and crotch serve = out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18) |
| Serve: playing a fault serve | Not in this edition | Yes, rule 4.3/C.3 Receivers must not catch a serve assumed long (fault is called, not played) | Yes, rule 4.3 Receivers must not catch serves assumed long; the referee awards a point for failure to return | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19, 26) |
| Serve: positions of the other players | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.2/B Partner outside the side lines, astraddle the service line; violation = foot fault | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 2) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 16) |
| Serve: receiver's position | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.4/A Receivers behind the service line until the ball passes the short line | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 17) |
| Serve: screening / moving on the serve | Yes, 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 | Yes, 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 | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 9, 22) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 19) |
| Serve: server's position | Yes, rule 4.1/C Anywhere in the service zone; no foot beyond either line until the ball passes the short line | Yes, rule 4.1/C Anywhere in the service zone; stay in it until the ball passes the short line | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Serve: short | Yes, rule 4.3/C.2 Short serve: lands in front of, or on, the short line | Yes, rule 4.3/C.2 Short serve: lands in front of, or on, the short line | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 18, 26) |
| Striking: hand only | Yes, rule 1.2, 4.6/B Either hand or fist; wrist, arm or body = violation | Yes, rule 1.2, 4.6/B Either hand or fist; wrist/arm/body = violation | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Striking: one hand at a time | Yes, rule 4.6/A Only one hand at a time; two hands together = out | Yes, rule 4.6/A Only one hand at a time; two hands together = out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 15) |
| Talking during the rally | Yes, rule 4.8/F.1 Same rule as one-wall: brief doubles communication only | Yes, rule 4.8/F.1 No need to talk except brief doubles communication; otherwise an avoidable hinder may be called | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 17) | Not in this edition |
| Time between games | Yes, rule 4.10/D Five minutes | Yes, rule 4.10/D Five minutes | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Time between rallies and service delay | Yes, 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 | Yes, rule 4.1/B, 4.1/E, 4.3/D.7 10 seconds for receiver and server after the score; service delay = out | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 2, 6) | Not in this edition |
| Timeouts and postponement | Yes, rule 4.10/A, 4.10/B, 4.10/E Player timeouts, equipment timeouts, postponed games resume | Yes, rule 4.10/A, 4.10/B, 4.10/E Three one-minute timeouts per 21-point game; equipment timeouts; postponed games resume | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 11, 21) | Not in this edition |
| Tournament administration | Yes, rule 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, ... Scheduling, consolation, notices, court changes, regionals, eligibility, round-robin tiebreakers | Yes, 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] | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 13) | Not in this edition |
| Tournament draw | Yes, rule 5.1 At least two days before; seeding approved by committee or director | Yes, rule 5.1 At least two days before; seeding approved by committee or director | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Not in this edition | Not in this edition |
| Tournament officials | Yes, rule 3.1/A, 3.1/B, 3.2, 3.3, ... Tournament director, chief of referees, removal of officials, floor manager | Yes, rule 3.1/A, 3.1/B, 3.2, 3.3, ... Tournament director, chief of referees, removal of officials, floor manager | Yes, as in four-wall (not restated) Four-wall (USHA, 2025) | Yes, in the rules; text not republished (rule 10) | Not in this edition |
What the codes share
81 concepts appear in more than one code, 6 in only one.
Shared (28)
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, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball hits the hitter or his partner (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Ball: specification (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Change of serve (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Court: long (back) line (One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Court: service zone (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall)
- Court: short line (minimum serve length) (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, 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, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Game length (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Obstruction: penalised (intentional / avoidable) interference (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Officials: who officiates (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: ball landing out (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Rally: play before the second bounce (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Scoring: who scores and the unit (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: faults on the rebound (walls, ceiling, out of court) (American four-wall, Three-wall)
- Serve: faults that lose the serve (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: how it is put in play (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: landing outside the side lines (One-wall, small ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: must hit the front wall first (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: playing a fault serve (One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: positions of the other players (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: receiver's position (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Serve: short (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Irish 60x30 hardball)
- Striking: hand only (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall)
- Time between games (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall)
- Time between rallies and service delay (American four-wall, One-wall, small ball, Three-wall, Wallball, big ball)
Converging (53)
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, then Three-wall 2025)
- Ball: broken ball (American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Ball: selection by the referee (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Ball: wet ball (One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Catching or stopping the ball (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Ceiling and overhead obstructions (One-wall, small ball 1923, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Conduct and player code (American four-wall 1903, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Court: dimensions (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 1920, then Three-wall 2025)
- Court: line marking (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Court: towels and wiping (American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Doubles: serving order and first hand (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Doubles: serving to each receiver in turn (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Equipment: dress and uniform (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Equipment: eye protection (American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Equipment: gloves (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Forfeits for no-show, late start and defaults (American four-wall 1889, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Game types: singles, doubles, cutthroat (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Hinder fault (serving side) (Wallball, big ball 2021, then One-wall, small ball 2025)
- Injury time (One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Lines: ball on a line (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Match format (American four-wall 1903, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: benefit of the doubt (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: blocking the view (covered ball / screen) (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: duty to give way (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: either doubles partner may claim (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: interference by one's partner (American four-wall 1920, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: unintentional interference replayed (dead-ball hinder) (American four-wall 1893, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Obstruction: who calls hinders (American four-wall 1903, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Officials: line official (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Officials: referee's charge and powers (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Three-wall 2025)
- Officials: scorer (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Three-wall 2025)
- Penalty: leaving the court (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Penalty: point deduction (fine / technical) (One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Penalty: refusing the referee's decision (American four-wall 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Three-wall 2025)
- Rally: failure to return (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Rally: one touch only (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Rally: swing and miss, further attempts (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Replays and play stoppages (Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Return of serve: on the fly (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Return: front wall before floor (One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 1920, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve hits a player (American four-wall 1889, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: dead-ball serves and court hinders (American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: foot fault (American four-wall 1893, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: long (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: missed serve (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: screening / moving on the serve (Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 1916, then Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Serve: server's position (American four-wall 1889, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Striking: one hand at a time (American four-wall 1893, then Irish 60x30 hardball 1903, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Talking during the rally (Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Timeouts and postponement (Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Tournament administration (Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
- Tournament draw (American four-wall 1920, then One-wall, small ball 1923, then Three-wall 2025)
- Tournament officials (Wallball, big ball 2021, then American four-wall 2025, then One-wall, small ball 2025, then Three-wall 2025)
Unique (6)
Only one code has it.
- 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)