Rally
The short version
The exchange of shots after the serve, until the point ends.
From the rulebook
A rally is defined as when the ball is legally returned and kept in play after a legal serve is executed. Play during rallies must be in accord with the following rules:
— One-wall · Rule 4.6 Rally
How to do it
How to win a rally
A rally is the ball being legally returned and kept in play after a legal serve.
One-wall 4.6 (rule)Strike the ball with the front or back of one hand only. Using two hands together, in contact with each other, is an out.
One-wall 4.6(a) (rule)Do not return the ball with the wrist or arm above the hand; that is a violation, even if a glove covers it.
One-wall 4.6(b) (rule)Only one player may touch the ball on each return. In doubles, both partners may swing at it, but only one may strike it.
One-wall 4.6(c) (rule)Hit the ball before it bounces on the floor twice.
One-wall 4.6(d) (rule)One-wall: after you hit it, the ball must reach the wall and rebound into the playing zone.
One-wall 4.6(d) (rule)Four-wall: after you hit it, the ball must reach the front wall before touching the floor.
Four-wall 4.6(d) (rule)If you swing and miss, you may keep trying until the ball touches the floor a second time. In doubles, your partner may also try.
One-wall 4.6(f) (rule)A rally is won when one player is unable to return the opponent's shot legally.
One-wall 1.3 (rule)Each failure to make a legal return results in an out or a point.
One-wall 4.6(e) (rule)If the serving side wins the rally, it scores a point. If it loses, it loses the serve: after one lost rally in singles, or two in doubles (except as rule 4.2 A provides for the first server of a doubles game).
One-wall 1.4 (rule)
Quick Qs
Can I hit the ball with both hands?
No. Only the front or back of one hand may be used at any one time. Using two hands together, in contact with each other when the ball is struck, is an out.
One-wall 4.6(a) (rule)What happens if the ball breaks during a rally?
Play continues until the end of the rally. If the referee then decides the ball is broken, an approved ball is put into play and the point is replayed. Once the next serve is attempted, the previous rally stands.
One-wall 4.6(j) (rule)Can I catch a ball that I think is going out?
Not in one-wall tournament play: players must not catch balls they assume to be out, and the referee will award an out or point.
One-wall 4.6(h) (rule)Related
Where it shows up
- One-wall · Rule 1.3 Objective The objective is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in …
- One-wall · Rule 1.4 Points and outs … it serves an ace (a serve which is untouched by the receiver’s hand) or wins a rally (except as provided by Rule 3.4.D.4.b, Late start.) When the serving side loses…
- One-wall · Rule 2.5 Eye protection …however, the referee may not notice the eye protection infraction until after a rally has begun. If this occurs, the referee should stop play immediately and call a …
- One-wall · Rule 3.4 Referee …re the match and before each game. 9.) Scoring. Announce the scores before each rally. ( See Rule 3.8 and 4.1E).
- One-wall · Rule 3.7 Appeals …ault, and the appeal is upheld, the server is awarded a second serve. After the rally has ended, either player may appeal on a double-bounce call or non-call, kill s…
- One-wall · Rule 4.1 Serve …ore ( See Rule 3.4.A.9 ). The referee shall call point or side out as soon as a rally ends. The receiver then has up to 10 seconds to assume a receiving position. Wh…
- One-wall · Rule 4.3 Defective serves …l serve the score shall be corrected and the serve shall be replayed. Any prior rallies shall not be affected.
- One-wall · Rule 4.6 Rally A rally is defined as when the ball is legally returned and kept in play after a legal …
- One-wall · Rule 4.7 Dead-ball Hinders …ould not have been fair, the player who was hit by the shot will be awarded the rally . If there is any doubt in the official’s mind, a dead ball hinder shall be cal…
- One-wall · Rule 4.75 Hinder Fault During a rally, if a player on the serving side creates a hinder called by the referee, the se…
- One-wall · Rule 4.8 Avoidable hinders Pushing A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16 This avoidable hinder may occur when…
- One-wall · Rule 4.9 Technicals …or referee. 6.) Excessive or hard striking, throwing or kicking of ball between rallies. Part 4, Rule 4.9 A (6): Interpretation No. 22 If the opponent is hit or narrow…
Show 15 more
- One-wall · Rule 5.6 Tournament conduct …ressly prohibited from the time the referee announces the score to the time the rally ends, and is subject to the removal and default provisions of this rule. A. Jun…
- Four-wall · Rule 1.3 Objective The objective is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in …
- Four-wall · Rule 1.4 Points and outs … it serves an ace (a serve which is untouched by the receiver’s hand) or wins a rally (except as provided by Rule 3.4.D.4.b, Late start.) When the serving side loses…
- Four-wall · Rule 2.5 Eye protection …however, the referee may not notice the eye protection infraction until after a rally has begun. If this occurs, the referee should stop play immediately and call a …
- Four-wall · Rule 3.4 Referee … of serve and signal start of game. 9) Scoring. Announce the scores before each rally. (See Rule 4.1.E and 3.8).
- Four-wall · Rule 3.7 Appeals …ault, and the appeal is upheld, the server is awarded a second serve. After the rally has ended, either player may appeal on a double-bounce call or non-call, kill s…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.1 Serve …e (See Rule 3.4.A.9). The referee shall call “point” or “side out” as soon as a rally ends. The receiver then has up to 10 seconds to assume a receiving position. Wh…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.3 Defective serves …l serve the score shall be corrected and the serve shall be replayed. Any prior rallies shall not be affected.
- Four-wall · Rule 4.6 Rally A rally is defined as when the ball is legally returned and kept in play after a legal …
- Four-wall · Rule 4.7 Dead-ball Hinders …he front wall on the fly, the player who is hit by the shot will be awarded the rally. If the ball had any chance of reaching the wall, or if there is any doubt in t…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.8 Avoidable hinders Pushing A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16 This avoidable hinder may occur when…
- Four-wall · Rule 4.9 Technicals … or referee. 6) Excessive or hard striking, throwing or kicking of ball between rallies. Part 4, Rule 4.9.A.(6): Interpretation No. 22 If the opponent is hit or narrow…
- Four-wall · Rule 5.6 Tournament conduct …ressly prohibited from the time the referee announces the score to the time the rally ends, and is subject to the removal and default provisions of this rule.
- Four-wall · Rule 2.1-three Courts …sume to be long. Referee will award point for failure to return. Under Rule 4.6 Rally. Under D. Failure to Return. Add 7) Long Ball. The ball hits the front wall but…
- Four-wall · Rule 2.1-one Courts …tween the lines first and make it rebound into the playing zone. Under Rule 4.6 Rally. H. Out ball. Any ball in play, after the service, striking outside the side li…
Ref questions
A player lets the ball bounce twice before returning it.
Answer: Rally lost (two bounces / not-up)
The ball must be returned before the second bounce.
A return hits the floor before reaching the front wall.
Answer: Rally lost (skip)
A skip (floor before the front wall) loses the rally.
With no linesmen, the referee is unsure if a kill rolled out or double-bounced.
Answer: Replay
When genuinely unsure and alone, call a replay.