Handball

Credits

The rules on this site come from the U.S. Handball Association, and the older rulebooks from libraries and archives that have digitised them.

U.S. Handball Association

The rules text and court specifications on this site are the work of the U.S. Handball Association (USHA), the custodians of the sport in the United States, and are used with the USHA’s written permission. The condition of that permission is to cite US Handball (ushandball.org) as the source and give credit for any content used. Pages that show USHA material say so. Many of the referee questions were written by us from the USHA rulebook.

The USHA runs on its members. Please support them: become a member.

Championship results

The championship results in the History section come from the lists below, each credited to the body that keeps it. See the championships.

Historical rulebooks

57 older rulebook editions are shown on this site, each as printed and marked as not the current rules (browse them). The copies we read were digitised by libraries and archives, and we thank the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, for captures of the USHA’s own earlier web pages (34 editions); the Internet Archive, for digitised handbooks (7 editions); the Library of Congress, for digitised books (7 editions); the HathiTrust Digital Library, for digitised guides (5 editions); Chronicling America at the Library of Congress, for historic newspaper pages (3 editions); Google Books, for page text of one guide (2 editions). Editions published in the United States before 1931 are in the public domain; the others are listed with their own basis below. No individual supplier of a copy is named in the research record, so none is credited here.

Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) (9)

The A.A.U. rules, as printed in its own handbooks and in the Spalding handball guides.

Y.M.C.A. and the Athletic League (4)

Rules printed in the Athletic League of the Y.M.C.A. handbooks and a Honolulu Y.M.C.A. notice.

Early publishers and newspapers (6)

Rules published by Ed James, Spalding, Deshong and Brokaw, and rules printed in newspapers.

U.S. Handball Association (USHA), earlier editions (38)

Earlier USHA rulebooks, used with the USHA’s permission. The copies we read are web captures of the USHA’s own site, or copies of its rulebook on other sites.

  • 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official United States Handball Association Handball Rules With Interpretations and One-Wall and Three-Wall Addendum Revised 1991, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    19 May 1998 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 27 August 2001 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 22 November 2002 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations 1995, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    31 January 1997 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 31 January 1997 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official USHA Handball Rules, 1999, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    14 September 2000 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations 2000, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    10 November 2000 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations 2000, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    9 March 2001 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 October 2001 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 June 2002 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The New and Official United States Handball Association One-Wall Rules With Interpretations, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    2 October 2002 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 5 February 2004 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 16 April 2004 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • December 2004 USHA Three-Wall Addendum

    Printed as
    Three-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 October 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 19 January 2005 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 16 January 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official USHA Handball Rules, 2005, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    4 January 2006 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 21 July 2006 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 13 October 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official USHA One-Wall Handball Rules, 2005, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    10 February 2006 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes

    Printed as
    Schedule 1: These are the rules changes passed by the USHA Board, June 2006, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    4 September 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 13 October 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Official USHA One-Wall Handball Rules (2005 rules with the June 2006 Board changes incorporated), United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    4 September 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 4 January 2011 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes

    Printed as
    Schedule 2: These are the rules changes passed by the USHA Board, May 2007, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 October 2007 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Current Official USHA One-Wall Handball Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    28 July 2011 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 28 July 2011 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • May 2010 USHA Four-Wall Abridged Rules

    Printed as
    Handball Rules (Abridged for Curriculum), United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    USHA rulebook (PDF) (ushandball.org)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official USHA Handball Rules, 2012, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    2 July 2012 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 29 January 2014 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    The Official USHA Handball Rules, 2014, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    15 July 2014 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Official USHA One-Wall Handball Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    12 January 2015 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 14 November 2015 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 3 May 2015 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Official USHA Handball Rulebook With Interpretations, One-Wall and Three-Wall Addendums, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    USHA rulebook (PDF) (pnwhandball.org)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Printed as
    One-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    USHA rulebook (PDF) (pnwhandball.org)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum

    Printed as
    Three-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    USHA rulebook (PDF) (pnwhandball.org)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    30 March 2017 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Printed as
    One-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    30 March 2017 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum

    Printed as
    Three-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    30 March 2017 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    4 May 2019 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 13 December 2019 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    4 May 2019 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 13 December 2019 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 May 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 5 August 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    13 May 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 5 August 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    21 September 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 2 December 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    20 September 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 2 December 2020 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    28 February 2021 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 4 August 2021 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    28 February 2021 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 11 May 2021 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    9 December 2021 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 22 January 2022 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    2 July 2022 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 23 February 2024 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    20 August 2022 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 28 February 2024 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    Four-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    15 June 2024 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 24 January 2025 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

  • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Printed as
    One-Wall Rulebook, United States Handball Association
    Copy read from
    27 May 2024 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine); 9 February 2025 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
    Rights
    Used with the written permission of the U.S. Handball Association.

Rules texts issued by other bodies are not republished here.

Software and artwork

The game uses the open-source software and artwork below under their licences. The full notices are in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.txt.