# Rule 31 (A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923, historical)

> **Historical rulebook: not the current rules.** The current rules are here: https://handball.theperfectship.com/rules/four-wall/

After the completion of a rally both players shall be allowed a reasonable time to get in position, after which the referee may call play. If the server fails to serve the ball after play is called the referee or other player may count ten as nearly as possible at the rate of one count per second and if the ball is not served before the completion of the count the server shall be declared out.

## Mentioned here

- [Server](https://handball.theperfectship.com/server.md)
- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/match-referee.md)
- [Serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/serve.md)
- [Rally](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rally.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/31.md)

## Relationships

- Server relates to Ball: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Referee: mentioned together in 7 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Serve: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Ball: mentioned together in 11 sub-rules.
- Referee relates to Ball: mentioned together in 5 sub-rules.
- Serve relates to Ball: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- No link to the other terms shown: Rally.

Rulebook: [A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/aau-fourwall-1923.md)

Source: Spalding's Official Handball Guide, 1923, ed. Robert L. Ripley (Library of Congress, LCCN 23002979), pp. 69-72; also printed in the Official Handbook of the A.A.U., 1923, section LXI. Public domain.