A.A.U. One-Wall Rules, 1931

Rule 1

Standard one-wall courts shall be 20 feet in width by 34 feet in length and the wall to be 16 feet in height. The short-line to be 15 feet from the board. That there shall be a line parallel to the short-line, or markers on the floor marking an imaginary line, 9 feet behind the short-line. This line will be known as the service line.

Rule 2

Specifications for standard handball:

Color—Black.

Diameter—1 7-8 inches, with 1-32-inch variation.

Weight—2.3 ounces, with a variation of .5-ounce.

Rebound—From 100-inch drop, 60 to 65 inches.

Compression—160 to 210 (Stevens Compression Machine, 18-lb. load).

Rule 3

Twenty-one points shall constitute a game. Preliminary matches shall be two out of three games; final matches shall be three out of five games. Losers in the semi-finals must play off for third place.

Rule 4

First service shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the referee. Service shall alternate for each additional game.

Rule 5

If the players cannot agree upon a ball a new ball shall be selected by the referee.

Rule 6

In serving, the ball must be bounced on the floor within the square formed by the two side-lines, the short and the service-line, and struck on the first bounce. Missing the ball puts the server out. The server has the privilege of several attempts at bouncing the ball before serving.

Rule 7

The server must stand between the short-line and the service-line before commencing his service, and must not step over the short-line, or outside of the side-lines, while serving. Stepping over short-line while serving shall be counted a fault, the same as a short or long ball. Doing so twice in succession shall be counted a hand out. The receiver must stand back of the service-line until the ball passes the short-line.

Rule 8

The server must serve the ball so that it will first strike the board and bounce from the board across the short-line and within or on the two side-lines and rear-line.

Rule 9

Two short balls in succession, or two long balls in succession, or a short ball and a long ball in succession, shall count as a hand out.

Rule 10

A ball served outside of the side-lines shall count as a hand out.

Rule 11

Hitting the ceiling, floor or any other part of the room before the front wall, while serving, counts as a hand out.

Rule 12

If either side catches or stops the ball on the service or play before it hits the floor, it counts as a hand out or a point against the offending side.

Rule 13

The receiver cannot play a short nor a long ball. The server or his partner may stop a short ball after it touches the floor and before it has been touched by the opposing side.

Rule 14

While his partner is serving, the player must stand outside of the side-lines and must not enter the court until the served ball has passed beyond him on its return from the front wall.

Rule 15

In doubles, each partner must serve his own hand. Failure to do so, shall count as the side out, and points scored on the last hand shall not count.

Rule 16

The receiver may strike the ball in returning same on the fly or on the first bounce.

Rule 17

After the receiver strikes the ball it must return to the front wall before hitting the floor and bound back into the court.

Rule 18

If the receiver fails to return the ball it counts as a tally for the side serving. If the server fails to return the adversary's play, it counts as a hand out.

Rule 19

If a player strikes the ball and it hits an adversary before striking the floor or the front wall, the ball is dead and the point must be played over.

Rule 20

If a ball before it is dead touches a player on the way back from the front wall, it is charged against the player touched and the ball is immediately out of play.

Rule 21

Hitting a partner with the ball immediately puts the ball out of play and it is charged against that side.

Rule 22

If a player is interfered with by his opponent he may claim a hinder, which shall be decided by the referee.

Rule 23

A player being interfered with by an opponent in playing the ball may claim a hinder unless his opponent, after having played the ball, shall have stood still, in which case no hinder shall be allowed. The decision of the referee shall govern.

Rule 24

In doubles both players on a side are entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance at the ball and either one is entitled to a decision on a hinder, even though it might be the partner's ball and notwithstanding that the partner may be attempting to play the ball or that he may have already missed it.

Rule 25

When in the opinion of the referee a player is hindered intentionally he should decide that point against the offending player.

Rule 26

It is the duty of the referee to decide all hinders without being appealed to by the players, as it is often distasteful to a player to make claims, especially in close cases, and failure to claim a hinder does not relieve the referee from the duty of rendering a decision.

Rule 27

During a play the ball may not be played by a player after it has been touched either by a partner or by himself.

Rule 28

A player may not claim a hinder when interfered with by his partner.

Rule 29

Kicking the ball is not allowed.

Rule 30

In all match games there should be a linesman on each line, a referee and a scorekeeper, who should sit next to the referee.

Rule 31

During tournament or match play, leaving the court without consent of referee forfeits the series. Between the first and second and between the fourth and fifth games there shall be a rest period of one minute without leaving the court. Between the second and third games and the third and fourth games there shall be a rest period of ten minutes, with the privilege of leaving the court. A player failing to resume play at the end of any of these rest periods may be disqualified by the referee and the match forfeited to his opponent.

Rule 32

After a 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 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.

Rule 33

The referee's decision is final.

Rule 34

Any player refusing to abide by the decision of referee forfeits the match.

Rule 35

Drawings may be made either 48 or 72 hours before the scheduled time of the contest and the method of drawing shall be approved by the handball committee.

Rule 36

If a ball strikes the ceiling or other obstruction either in going or coming from the front wall, it shall be charged against the player who struck the ball.

Rule 37

In the event that a player is incapacitated, the match must be forfeited to his opponent by the referee.

Rule 38

All officials for championship matches must be approved by the championship committee.

Rule 39

In championship, as well as all open tournaments, it shall be permissible for two unattached players to compete as a team in doubles events, provided they are members of the same sectional association of the A.A.U.