# Rule 3.6 Line judges: 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 6 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 | 3 first recorded | | 31 January 1999 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 31 January 1999 | 3 unchanged | | 31 January 1999 | American four-wall, 31 January 1999 | 3 unchanged | | 19 January 2005 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004 | 3 unchanged | | 1 April 2005 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005 | 1 first recorded | | 15 April 2005 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005 | 1 reworded | | June 2006 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006 | 1 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 | 1 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 | | 2014 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014 | 1 unchanged | | January 2014 | USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014 | 1 reworded | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015 | 1 unchanged | | 6 February 2015 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 changed | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 reworded | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017 | 1 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 1 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 1 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 changed | | 12 July 2019 | American four-wall, 12 July 2019 | 1 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 | | 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 | 1 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 1 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 1 unchanged | | 9 December 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021 | 1 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 1 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 1 unchanged | | 27 November 2022 | American four-wall, 27 November 2022 | 1 unchanged | | 17 January 2024 | American four-wall, 17 January 2024 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2024 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 1 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 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA One-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 1 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 2025 | 1 unchanged | ## The wording ### Rule 3.6, part 1 of 3 Begins: “If he wins the appeal, he is awarded the…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > If he wins the appeal, he is awarded the appropriate call. 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). ### Rule 3.6, part 2 of 3 Begins: “At no time may a player appeal a screen…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > At no time may a player appeal a screen serve, hinder (other than court hinders), technicals or other discretionary calls. 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). ### Rule 3.6, item C Begins: “C. Result of response. If both line judges signal…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > C. Result of response. > If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. > If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his ruling. > If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse his call or call for a replay. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > C. Result of response. [- > -] If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. [- > -] If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his ruling. [- > -] If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse his call or call for a replay. no words changed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > C. Result of response. [- > -] If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. [- > -] If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his ruling. [- > -] If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse his call or call for a replay. no words changed. - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). - **1 April 2005, USHA One-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > C. Result of response. If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s call stands. Otherwise the call shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the referee’s call, the call shall stand. If a majority disagree with the referee’s call, the call must be reversed. However, if only one official indicates disagreement with the referee’s call (whereas the other three officials have abstained), then this is a tie, in which case the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay. - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > C. Result of response. If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse [- his -] [+ his/her +] ruling. If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse [- his -] [+ the +] call or call for a replay. 2 words added, 2 removed. 4 more rulebooks with the same words: - 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 (automatic). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > C. Result of response. If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse [- his -] [+ his/her +] ruling. If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse [- his -] [+ the +] call or call for a replay. 2 words added, 2 removed. - June 2008, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. - **2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Unchanged (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. > C. Result of response. If both line judges signal no opinion, the [- referee's -] [+ referee’s +] call stands. If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his/her ruling. If only one line judge disagrees with the [- referee's -] [+ referee’s +] call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay. 2 words added, 2 removed. - 2014, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **January 2014, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. > C. Result of response. If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s call stands. Otherwise the call shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the [- referee’s -] call, the call shall stand. If a majority disagree with the [- referee’s -] call, the call must be reversed. [- However, if only one official indicates disagreement with the referee’s call (whereas the other three officials have abstained), then this -] [+ If there +] is a tie, [- in which case -] the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay. 2 words added, 25 removed. - 6 February 2015, USHA Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. - **6 February 2015, USHA One-Wall Addendum**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. > C. Result of response. [- If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s call stands. Otherwise the -] [+ The +] call shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) [- Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the call, the call shall stand. -] If [- a majority disagree with the call, the call must be reversed. If -] there is [- a tie, -] [+ no majority, +] the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay. 3 words added, 48 removed. - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Reworded (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > C. Result of response. If both line judges signal no opinion, the [- referee's -] [+ referee’s +] call stands. If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse [- his -] [+ his/her +] ruling. If only one line judge disagrees with the [- referee's -] [+ referee’s +] call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse [- his -] [+ the +] call or call for a replay. 4 words added, 4 removed. 4 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 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**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. > C. Result of response. [- The -] [+ If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s +] call [+ stands. Otherwise the call +] shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) [+ Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the call, the call shall stand. +] If [+ a majority disagree with the call, the call must be reversed. If +] there is [- no majority, -] [+ a tie, +] the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay. 48 words added, 3 removed. 19 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: 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. All rules: [clause history](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/).