# Rule 7 (A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928, historical)

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

In serving, the ball must be bounced on the floor and struck on the first bounce. Missing the ball puts the server out. The server has the privilege of several, but not more than three attempts at bouncing the ball before serving. If the server bounces the ball more than three times before serving he shall be declared out. To be in play the ball must hit the front wall and rebound across the short line before striking the floor.

## Mentioned here

- [Server](https://handball.theperfectship.com/server.md)
- [Front wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/front-wall.md)
- [Short line](https://handball.theperfectship.com/short-line.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)
- [Wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/wall.md)
- [Floor](https://handball.theperfectship.com/floor.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/7.md)

## Relationships

- Server relates to Front wall: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Server relates to Ball: mentioned together in 8 sub-rules.
- Server relates to Wall: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Server relates to Floor: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Front wall relates to Ball: mentioned together in 6 sub-rules.
- Front wall relates to Wall: mentioned together in 6 sub-rules.
- Ball relates to Wall: mentioned together in 7 sub-rules.
- No link to the other terms shown: Short line.
- 8 weaker links (terms mentioned together in few sub-rules) are not drawn.

Rulebook: [A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/aau-fourwall-1928.md)

Source: Spalding's Official Handball Guide, ed. Robert L. Ripley (New York: American Sports Publishing Company, copyright 1928; Spalding 'Red Cover' Series No. 114R), pp. 31-33; Ohio State University copy (HathiTrust osu.32435000469544; Google Books 9jNMAQAAMAAJ), user-supplied whole-item PDF. Public domain.