Clause history · American four-wall
Rule 3.4 Referee: how the wording changed
41 rulebooks state this rule, from 20 June 1990 to 26 January 2025. The wording was reworded or changed 12 times.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 June 1990 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990 | 1 first recorded |
| 31 January 1999 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 31 January 1999 | 1 changed |
| 31 January 1999 | American four-wall, 31 January 1999 | 1 changed |
| 19 January 2005 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004 | 1 unchanged |
| 15 April 2005 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005 | 1 reworded |
| June 2006 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006 | 1 first recorded, 1 unchanged |
| June 2006 | American one-wall, small ball, June 2006 | 1 punctuation only |
| June 2006 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006 | 1 first recorded |
| May 2007 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007 | 2 unchanged |
| 13 October 2007 | American three-wall, 13 October 2007 | 1 reworded |
| June 2008 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008 | 1 unchanged |
| 2012 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012 | 1 unchanged, 1 moved |
| 2014 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014 | 1 unchanged, 1 changed |
| January 2014 | USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014 | 1 unchanged |
| 6 February 2015 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015 | 1 unchanged, 1 punctuation only |
| 6 February 2015 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 moved, 1 changed |
| 6 February 2015 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 unchanged, 1 changed |
| 22 January 2017 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017 | 2 unchanged |
| 22 January 2017 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 2 unchanged |
| 22 January 2017 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 2 unchanged |
| 27 January 2019 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 unchanged, 1 moved |
| 27 January 2019 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 moved |
| 12 July 2019 | American four-wall, 12 July 2019 | 2 unchanged |
| 12 July 2019 | American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019 | 1 unchanged |
| 26 January 2020 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020 | 1 unchanged, 1 changed |
| 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 | 2 unchanged |
| 22 January 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 2 unchanged |
| 22 January 2021 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 1 unchanged |
| 9 December 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021 | 2 unchanged |
| 23 January 2022 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 2 unchanged |
| 23 January 2022 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 1 unchanged |
| 27 November 2022 | American four-wall, 27 November 2022 | 2 unchanged |
| 17 January 2024 | American four-wall, 17 January 2024 | 2 unchanged |
| 26 January 2024 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 1 unchanged, 1 changed |
| 26 January 2024 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 1 changed |
| 17 July 2024 | American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024 | 1 unchanged |
| 26 January 2025 | USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 2 unchanged |
| 26 January 2025 | USHA One-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 1 unchanged |
| 26 January 2025 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 2025 | 2 changed |
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 3.4, item 5
Begins: “5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in…”
June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes
5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.
June 2006 American one-wall, small ball (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006.
5.)5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.1 word added, 1 removed.
June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball)
5.) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.
- May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.
- June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.
Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.
3 more rulebooks with the same words
- 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
- 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.
5.)5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.1 word added, 1 removed.
4 more rulebooks with the same words
- 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.
- 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
- 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
- 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.
27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017.
Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.
27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.
5)5.) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.1 word added, 1 removed.
13 more rulebooks with the same words
- 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 (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. Read the rule
- 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
- 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
- 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
- 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
- 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
- 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
Compared with American four-wall, 17 January 2024.
5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match. In round robin format forfeit of one match will not require a forfeit from that event. A forfeit in one event shall not result in a forfeit of any other event.
31 words added.
26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
5.) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match. In round robin format forfeit of one match will not require a forfeit from that event. A forfeit in one event shall not result in a forfeit of any other event.
31 words added.
- 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball (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. Read the rule
26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.
5.) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.
In round robin format forfeit of one match will not require a forfeit from that event.
A forfeit in one event shall not result in a forfeit of any other event.no words changed.
26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)
Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.
5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match. In round robin format forfeit of one match will not require a forfeit from that event. A forfeit in one event shall not result in a forfeit of any other event.
31 words added.
Rule 3.4, item B
Begins: “B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with…”
20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules
B. Decisions.
The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules.
Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments.
In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his call.31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.
B. Decisions.
rules.rules and the referee has the authority to change his call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments.11 words added, 1 removed.
31 January 1999 American four-wall
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.
B. Decisions.
rules.rules and the referee has the authority to change his call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments.11 words added, 1 removed.
- 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic
15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change
hishis/her call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversinghishis/her call.2 words added, 2 removed.
- June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes Unchanged automatic
13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)
Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change
hishis/her call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversinghishis/her call.2 words added, 2 removed.
- 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his/her call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his/her call. The Chief of referees and/or tournament director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9. Technicals may enforce the application of the technical. (See Rule 4.9 Technicals).
27 words added.
6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his/her call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his/her call. The Chief of
refereesReferees and/ortournament directorTournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule4.9.4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of thetechnical.Technical (SeeRuleRule. 4.9 Technicals).6 words added, 6 removed.
6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum (American one-wall, small ball)
Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.
B.A. Decisions. The referee will be positioned behind the receiving side and shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to changehis/herhis call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments.In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his/her call. The Chief of Referees and/or Tournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of the Technical (See Rule. 4.9 Technicals).10 words added, 64 removed.
6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)
Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change
hishis/her call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversinghishis/her call. The Chief of Referees and/or Tournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of the Technical (See Rule. 4.9 Technicals).29 words added, 2 removed.
5 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. Read the rule
- 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum (American one-wall, small ball) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
- 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) 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. Read the rule
- 12 July 2019 American four-wall Unchanged automatic
26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules
Compared with American four-wall, 12 July 2019.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his/her
call.call (See Rule 3.7 Appeals). Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his/her call. Any reversal must be completed before the referee announces the score for the next rally. On the final rally of any game such reversal must come in a reasonable time after the rally, consistent with the amount of time that would normally transpire from the end of a rally to the subsequent calling of the score. The Chief of Referees and/or Tournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of the Technical (See Rule. 4.9 Technicals).61 words added, 1 removed.
8 more rulebooks with the same words
- 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 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 Read the rule
- 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Read the rule
26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)
Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his/her
call.call (See Rule 3.7 Appeals). Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his/her call. Any reversal must be completed before the referee announces the score for the next rally. On the final rally of any game such reversal must come in a reasonable time after the rally, consistent with the amount of time that would normally transpire from the end of a rally to the subsequent calling of the score. The Chief of Referees and/or Tournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of the Technical (See Rule. 4.9 Technicals).61 words added, 1 removed.
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