A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1903

Historical

Historical rulebook, 1903

Issued by: Amateur Athletic Union of the United States
Dated: 1903 (the year printed on the rulebook)
Code: American four-wall
Form: Full rulebook

Revised Handball Rules of the Amateur Athletic Union of America, For the Government of the National Championship in Singles

Rule 1 Game and set

Each game shall consist of twenty-one aces. The number of games to decide a set shall be determined by the Committee.

Rule 2 Toss

Before proceeding the players must toss for position.

Rule 3 The ball

The ball to be used shall be a full regulation Spalding ball, and must measure one and seven-eighth inches in diameter and weigh one and five-eighth ounces.

Rule 4 Ace

An ace is made when the server sends the ball to any part of the court beyond the ace line, and it is not returned to the front wall by an opponent.

All balls must be recovered on the first bound after reaching the floor. That is, a ball can take the circuit of the four walls before it can be termed returnable. The service is considered to be very difficult when the ball, after hitting the front wall, takes in either the side walls on a fly, bounds on the floor and then comes off the back wall; or after hitting one side wall bounds from the floor to the back wall, and thence to the other side wall. The great trouble in recovering these balls is that the force of their flight is expended when they come in contact with the last wall, and, therefore, drop dead to the floor. If the ball is returned to the front wall the server must recover it, either on the fly or first bound; if he fails the hand is out and his opponent becomes a server. It is allowable to serve at either side of the court, but always within the two parallel lines. Stepping beyond the inner line twice in succession, or hitting either side wall, roof or floor before striking the front wall, or serving three short balls in succession, shall cause the loss of a hand.

Rule 6 Hinders

While playing the game each player must give way to an opponent, and shall in no way interfere with the playing of the ball. Should the ball strike the server before reaching the opponent, or strike the opponent while in the act of being served, this shall be termed a hinder. Many of these might be deemed accidents, while again others might be intentional, and if so decided by the referee shall count as an ace against the player violating the rule, or a hand may be counted out.

Rule 7 Ball served inside the ace line; foot debarred

When a ball from the server drops anywhere inside of the ace line, the player has the privilege of playing it should he so desire, but in doing so the play counts the same as though the ball had been served regularly over the ace line, and if it reaches the front wall the ball must be returned by the opponent. In the return of all balls the use of the foot is debarred, and a player using the foot at any time will have committed a foul and the punishment will be the loss of an ace or a hand out.

Rule 8 One hand

Only one hand shall be used at a time in striking a ball, otherwise a foul is committed, and the punishment will be the loss of an ace or a hand out.

Rule 9 Change of hands

After a server shall have been retired he shall be given sufficient time to have gotten into position before play is resumed.

Rule 10 Appeals

If an appeal is made to the referee he must decide the point promptly. His decision on all questions shall be final.

Rule 11 Officials; referee

In presiding over the game, the officials shall be a referee and a scorer. The referee shall decide all questions pertaining to the serving of the ball and its return, and whether the ball be played short or fails to reach the front wall. He shall decide the aces made and shall be judge of the hand out.

Rule 12 Scorer

The scorer shall keep a correct tally of the aces made, and shall keep the contestants informed as to the progress of the game. He shall also be a judge of the hinders or fouls. Any disobedience to the orders of the referee or scorer by a player will result in his being disqualified from further competition.

Rule 13 Conduct

It is essential that a player conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner at all times.

Rule 14 Dress; bare feet; gloves

Before appearing in the court a player must be properly clothed, and it is imperative that he make as neat an appearance as possible. Playing in bare feet will be debarred. The use of gloves on the hands will be allowed.

Terms in this rulebook

Each glossary term this rulebook uses, with the rules that use it (matched on the wording of its date).

About this rulebook

Printed title: Revised Handball Rules of the Amateur Athletic Union of America, For the Government of the National Championship in Singles
Rules or sections: 14
Source: Handball and How to Play It (American Sports Publishing Co., ©1903), pp. 41-42 (Library of Congress, LCCN 04000015); reprinted from the same type in M. Egan, Hand Ball and How to Play It (©1914 printing, LCCN 13015574). Public domain.