# Rule 2.1 Courts: how the wording changed (American four-wall) 42 rulebooks state this rule, from 20 June 1990 to 26 January 2025. The wording was reworded or changed 11 times. ## How to read this - Added words are marked [+ like this +]; removed words [- like this -]. - Each rulebook says what kind of change it is: unchanged, punctuation only, moved, reworded or changed. - 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. ## Rulebook by rulebook | Date | Rulebook | Clauses, by kind of change | | --- | --- | --- | | 20 June 1990 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990 | 6 first recorded | | 31 January 1999 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 31 January 1999 | 1 unchanged, 2 punctuation only, 2 reworded, 1 changed | | 31 January 1999 | American four-wall, 31 January 1999 | 2 unchanged, 1 punctuation only, 2 reworded, 1 changed | | 19 January 2005 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004 | 4 unchanged, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | 1 April 2005 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005 | 1 first recorded | | 15 April 2005 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005 | 3 unchanged, 2 punctuation only, 1 reworded | | June 2006 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006 | 6 unchanged | | June 2006 | American one-wall, small ball, June 2006 | 1 unchanged | | June 2006 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006 | 1 unchanged | | May 2007 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007 | 6 unchanged | | 13 October 2007 | American three-wall, 13 October 2007 | 3 unchanged, 1 punctuation only, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | June 2008 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008 | 1 unchanged | | 2012 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012 | 3 unchanged, 3 punctuation only | | 2014 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014 | 6 unchanged | | January 2014 | USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014 | 1 unchanged | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015 | 6 unchanged | | 6 February 2015 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 unchanged | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 3 unchanged, 3 punctuation only | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017 | 6 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 1 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 6 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 5 first recorded, 6 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 unchanged | | 12 July 2019 | American four-wall, 12 July 2019 | 11 unchanged | | 12 July 2019 | American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2020 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020 | 11 unchanged | | 26 January 2020 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020 | 1 unchanged | | 20 September 2020 | USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020 | 1 unchanged | | 21 September 2020 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020 | 11 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 11 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 1 unchanged | | 9 December 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021 | 11 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 11 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 1 unchanged | | 27 November 2022 | American four-wall, 27 November 2022 | 11 unchanged | | 17 January 2024 | American four-wall, 17 January 2024 | 11 unchanged | | 26 January 2024 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 11 unchanged | | 26 January 2024 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 1 unchanged | | 17 July 2024 | American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 11 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA One-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 2025 | 11 unchanged | ## The wording ### Rule 2.1, part 1 of 11 Begins: “The specifications for the standard four-wall handball court are” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > The specifications for the standard four-wall handball court are - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > The specifications for the standard four-wall handball court [- are -] [+ are: +] 1 word added, 1 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > The specifications for the standard four-wall handball court [- are -] [+ are: +] 1 word added, 1 removed. - **19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > The specifications for the standard [- four-wall -] [+ three-wall +] handball court are: 1 word added, 1 removed. - **1 April 2005, USHA One-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > The specifications for the standard one-wall handball court are: 5 more rulebooks with the same words: - 15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - June 2006, American one-wall, small ball: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005. - June 2006, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005. - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006. - **13 October 2007, American three-wall**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > The specifications for the standard [- four-wall -] [+ three-wall +] handball court are: 1 word added, 1 removed. 31 more rulebooks with the same words: - June 2008, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. - 2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - January 2014, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. - 6 February 2015, USHA One-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. - 6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA One-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 27 January 2019, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019. - 12 July 2019, American one-wall, small ball: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019. - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. - 26 January 2020, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. - 20 September 2020, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. - 17 July 2024, American one-wall, small ball: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. - 26 January 2025, USHA One-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, part 2 of 11 Begins: “In the event the referee determines reasonable time is…” - **27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > In the event the referee determines reasonable time is being exceeded or abused he/she shall request the towel be returned, then declare “play ball” and proceed explicitly per Rule 4.1.E.Time; that is, the receiver shall be allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to assume a receiving position, after which the score shall be called and the server allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to put the ball in play. 11 more rulebooks with the same words: - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 2.1, part 3 of 11 Begins: “Any failure to adhere to or abuse of this…” - **27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > Any failure to adhere to or abuse of this procedure may be subject to Rule 4.9.A.9 Technical. 11 more rulebooks with the same words: - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 2.1, part 4 of 11 Begins: “At no time is a player allowed to leave…” - **27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > At no time is a player allowed to leave the court except at the referee’s direction to directly obtain a towel and return directly to the court. 11 more rulebooks with the same words: - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 2.1, part 5 of 11 Begins: “A player otherwise leaving the court is subject to…” - **27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > A player otherwise leaving the court is subject to Rule 3.4.D.3) Forfeitures. 11 more rulebooks with the same words: - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 2.1, item 2 Begins: “2.) Service line. The service line is parallel to…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > 2.) Service line. > The service line is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the outside of the short line. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 2.) Service line. [- > -] The service line is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the outside [+ edge +] of the short line. 1 word added. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 2.) Service line. [- > -] The service line is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the outside [+ edge +] of the short line. 1 word added. 5 more rulebooks with the same words: - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). - 15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - 13 October 2007, American three-wall: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - **2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. > [- 2.) -] [+ 2) +] Service line. The service line is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the outside edge of the short line. 1 word added, 1 removed. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > [- 2.) -] [+ 2) +] Service line. The service line is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the outside edge of the short line. 1 word added, 1 removed. 14 more rulebooks with the same words: - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, item 4 Begins: “4.) Service boxes. A service box is located at…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > 4.) Service boxes. > A service box is located at each end of the service zone by lines whose outside measurements are 18 inches from and parallel to each side wall. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 4.) Service boxes. [- > -] A service box is located at each end of the service zone by lines [- whose -] [+ which have +] outside measurements [- are -] [+ of +] 18 inches [- from -] [+ from, +] and parallel [- to -] [+ to, +] each side wall. 5 words added, 4 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 4.) Service boxes. [- > -] A service box is located at each end of the service zone by lines [- whose -] [+ which have +] outside measurements [- are -] [+ of +] 18 inches [- from -] [+ from, +] and parallel [- to -] [+ to, +] each side wall. 5 words added, 4 removed. 5 more rulebooks with the same words: - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). - 15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - 13 October 2007, American three-wall: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - **2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. > [- 4.) -] [+ 4) +] Service boxes. A service box is located at each end of the service zone by lines which have outside measurements of 18 inches from, and parallel to, each side wall. 1 word added, 1 removed. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > [- 4.) -] [+ 4) +] Service boxes. A service box is located at each end of the service zone by lines which have outside measurements of 18 inches from, and parallel to, each side wall. 1 word added, 1 removed. 14 more rulebooks with the same words: - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, item 5 Begins: “5.) Receiver's restraining lines. Five feet back of the…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > 5.) Receiver's restraining lines. > Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending 6 inches from the side wall. > These lines are parallel to the short line. (See Rule 4. 4.A). - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 5.) Receiver's restraining lines. [- > -] Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending [+ at least +] 6 inches from the side wall. [- > -] These [- lines are -] [+ lines, +] parallel to the short [- line. -] [+ line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side wall.. +] (See Rule 4. 4.A). 19 words added, 3 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > 5.) Receiver's restraining lines. [- > -] Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending [+ at least +] 6 inches from the side wall. [- > -] These [- lines are -] [+ lines, +] parallel to the short [- line. -] [+ line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side wall.. +] (See Rule 4. 4.A). 19 words added, 3 removed. - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > 5.) Receiver's restraining lines. Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending at least 6 inches from the side wall. These lines, parallel to the short line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side [- wall.. -] [+ wall. +] (See Rule 4. 4.A). 1 word added, 1 removed. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - **13 October 2007, American three-wall**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > 5.) Receiver's restraining lines. Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending at least 6 inches from the side wall. These lines, parallel to the short line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side [- wall.. -] [+ wall. +] (See Rule 4. 4.A). 1 word added, 1 removed. - **2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. > [- 5.) Receiver's -] [+ 5) Receiver’s +] restraining lines. Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending at least 6 inches from the side wall. These lines, parallel to the short line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side wall. (See Rule 4. 4.A). 2 words added, 2 removed. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > [- 5.) Receiver's -] [+ 5) Receiver’s +] restraining lines. Five feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the floor extending at least 6 inches from the side wall. These lines, parallel to the short line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to side [- wall.. -] [+ wall. +] (See Rule 4. 4.A). 3 words added, 3 removed. 14 more rulebooks with the same words: - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, item A Begins: “A. Dimensions. The court is 20 feet wide, 20…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > A. Dimensions. > The court is 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with back wall recommended minimum height of 14 feet. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > [- A. -] [+ A.) +] Dimensions. [- > -] The court is 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with back wall recommended minimum height of 14 feet. 1 word added, 1 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > A. Dimensions. [- > -] The court is 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with back wall recommended minimum height of 14 feet. no words changed. - **19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > A. Dimensions. The [- court is -] [+ dimensions are: +] 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with [- back wall -] [+ side walls +] recommended [- minimum height -] [+ length +] of [- 14 -] [+ 44 +] feet. 6 words added, 7 removed. - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > A. Dimensions. The court is 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with [+ the +] back wall [+ having a +] recommended minimum height of 14 feet. 3 words added. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - **13 October 2007, American three-wall**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > A. Dimensions. The [- court is -] [+ dimensions are: +] 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with [- back wall -] [+ side walls +] recommended [- minimum height -] [+ length +] of [- 14 -] [+ 44 +] feet. 6 words added, 7 removed. 18 more rulebooks with the same words: - 2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, item B Begins: “B. Lines and zones. Handball courts shall be divided…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > B. Lines and zones. > Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with 2-inch-wide lines. > Recommended colors are white or red. > The lines shall be marked as follows: 3 more rulebooks with the same words: - 31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 31 January 1999, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > B. Lines and zones. [- > -] Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with [- 2-inch-wide -] [+ 2-inch wide +] lines. [- > -] Recommended colors are white or red. [- > -] The lines shall be marked as follows: 2 words added, 1 removed. - June 2006, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - May 2007, USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes: Unchanged (automatic). - **13 October 2007, American three-wall**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > B. Lines and zones. [- > -] Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with 2-inch-wide lines. [- > -] Recommended colors are white or red. [- > -] The lines shall be marked as follows: no words changed. 3 more rulebooks with the same words: - 2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > B. Lines and zones. [- > -] Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with 2-inch-wide lines. [- > -] Recommended colors are white or red. [- > -] The lines shall be marked as follows: no words changed. 14 more rulebooks with the same words: - 22 January 2017, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. - 22 January 2017, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. - 27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. ### Rule 2.1, item C Begins: “C. Towels. In tournament play a towel should be…” - **27 January 2019, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > C. Towels. In tournament play a towel should be made available for wiping moisture on the court surfaces. Reasonable time should be allowed by the referee for this purpose only. Players should obtain a towel and proceed directly to the surface to be wiped, then directly return the towel. Players are not to interrupt this procedure to wipe any part of their body or eye guards. The respective 10 seconds allowed per Rule 4.1.E.Time and regular time outs are for this purpose. 11 more rulebooks with the same words: - 12 July 2019, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 21 September 2020, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 22 January 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 9 December 2021, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 23 January 2022, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 27 November 2022, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 January 2024, American four-wall: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2024, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Four-Wall Rulebook: Unchanged (automatic). - 26 January 2025, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). All rules: [clause history](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/).