Clause history · American four-wall
Rule 15 Rule 15: how the wording changed
7 rulebooks state this rule, from 1873 to 1931. The wording was reworded or changed 1 time.
How to read this page
- Added words are underlined and sit inside [+ +].
Removed wordsare struck through and sit inside [- -].- Each rulebook says in words what kind of change it is: unchanged (same wording as the rulebook it was compared with); punctuation only (only punctuation, spacing or capitals differ); moved (same wording, in another place or under another number); reworded (the sense is the same, said in other words); changed (the rule now says something different).
- A program matched each clause with the one before it. Automatic matches were made by the program alone; machine-reviewed ones were also checked by a second program. A person has not checked either, so a wrong match is possible.
Rulebook by rulebook
The table has one row per rulebook; each date jumps to its wording below.
| Date | Rulebook | Clauses, by kind of change |
|---|---|---|
| 1873 | James's Four-Wall Rules, 1873 | 1 first recorded |
| 1886 | Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886 | 1 unchanged |
| 17 March 1889 | The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889 | 1 moved |
| 1 January 1920 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1 January 1920 | 4 first recorded |
| 1923 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923 | 4 unchanged |
| 1928 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928 | 4 first recorded, 1 reworded |
| 1931 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1931 | 5 unchanged |
The wording
Each part of the rule is followed on its own, oldest rulebook first. Rulebooks of other codes that borrowed the wording appear in their place by date.
Rule 15, part 1 of 9
Begins: “When a ball is served to the player, he…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
When a ball is served to the player, he shall strike it on the fly or first bound; failing to do so counts an ace for the striker.
- 1886 Spalding Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
17 March 1889 The Sun Four-Wall Rules
Compared with Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886.
When a ball is served to the
player,player he shall strike it on the fly or first bound; failing to do so counts an ace for the striker.1 word added, 1 removed.
Rule 15, part 2 of 9
Begins: “After the service the ball must be returned to…”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
After the service the ball must be returned to the front wall before hitting the floor.
- 1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 3 of 9
Begins: “Hitting the floor and front wall at the same…”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Hitting the floor and front wall at the same time counts as a miss.
- 1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 4 of 9
Begins: “The front wall must be hit first.”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
The front wall must be hit first.
- 1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 5 of 9
Begins: “If the outside fails to return the ball it…”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
If the outside fails to return the ball it counts as a tally for the side serving.
- 1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923.
If the
outside failsopponents fail to return the ball properly it counts as a tally for theside serving.server.4 words added, 4 removed.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 6 of 9
Begins: “After the ball is served the server's opponents must…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
After the ball is served the server's opponents must return the ball to the front wall.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 7 of 9
Begins: “The ball may be played on the fly or…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
The ball may be played on the fly or on the first bounce, but must strike the front wall after it is returned before hitting the floor.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 8 of 9
Begins: “If it strikes the front wall and floor at…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
If it strikes the front wall and floor at the same time it counts as a miss.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 15, part 9 of 9
Begins: “If the server or his partner in doubles fails…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
If the server or his partner in doubles fails to return the adversary's play properly the server is out.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
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