# Rule 4 Rule 4: how the wording changed (American four-wall) 10 rulebooks state this rule, from 1873 to 1931. The wording was reworded or changed 3 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 | | --- | --- | --- | | 1873 | James's Four-Wall Rules, 1873 | 3 first recorded | | 1886 | Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886 | 2 unchanged, 1 punctuation only | | 17 March 1889 | The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889 | 1 unchanged, 1 punctuation only, 1 moved | | 1893 | Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893 | 1 first recorded, 1 reworded | | 1903 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1903 | 1 reworded | | 1903 | Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1903 | 2 unchanged | | 1 January 1920 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1 January 1920 | 1 first recorded | | 1923 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923 | 1 unchanged | | 1928 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928 | 1 first recorded, 1 changed | | 1931 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1931 | 2 unchanged | ## The wording ### Rule 4, part 1 of 6 Begins: “In a double match the striker's partner shall stand…” - **1873, James's Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > In a double match the striker's partner shall stand with his back against either side wall, inside of the ace line, until the ball leaves the front wall; failing to do so is foul. - 1886, Spalding Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **17 March 1889, The Sun Four-Wall Rules**: Moved (automatic). Compared with Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886. > In a double match the striker's partner shall stand with his back against either side [- wall, -] [+ wall +] inside of the ace line, until the ball leaves the front wall; failing to do so is foul. 1 word added, 1 removed. - **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889. > [- In a double match the striker's -] [+ The server’s +] partner shall stand [- with his back against either side wall -] inside of the ace line, [+ with his back to either the right or left wall, +] until the [+ service +] ball [- leaves -] [+ strikes +] the front [- wall; failing to do so is foul. -] [+ wall. +] 15 words added, 21 removed. - 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 4, part 2 of 6 Begins: “The winner of the toss shall stand inside of…” - **1873, James's Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > The winner of the toss shall stand inside of a line called the ace line (which is supposed to be in the centre of the court) bound the ball on the floor, striking it with his hand against the front wall. - **1886, Spalding Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with James's Four-Wall Rules, 1873. > The winner of the toss shall stand inside of a line called the ace line (which is supposed to be in the [- centre -] [+ center +] of the court) bound the ball on the floor, striking it with his hand against the front wall. 1 word added, 1 removed. - **17 March 1889, The Sun Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886. > The winner of the toss shall stand inside of a line called the ace line (which is supposed to be in the [- center -] [+ centre +] of the [- court) -] [+ court), +] bound the ball on the floor, striking it with his hand against the front wall. 2 words added, 2 removed. ### Rule 4, part 3 of 6 Begins: “He shall serve it to the player or players…” - **1873, James's Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > He shall serve it to the player or players beyond the ace line. - 1886, Spalding Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 17 March 1889, The Sun Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 4, part 4 of 6 Begins: “An ace is when a server sends the ball…” - **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > An ace is when a server sends the ball to any part of the outer court beyond the ace line, and it is not returned to the front wall by an opponent. - **1903, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893. > An ace is [+ made +] when [- a -] [+ the +] server sends the ball to any part of the [- outer -] court beyond the ace line, and it is not returned to the front wall by an opponent. 2 words added, 2 removed. - 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893. ### Rule 4, part 5 of 6 Begins: “First service shall be determined by the toss of…” - **1 January 1920, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > First service shall be determined by the toss of a coin or in any other manner agreed by the contestants. - 1923, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **1928, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923. > [- First -] [+ The first +] service shall be determined by the toss of a [- coin or in any other manner agreed by the contestants. -] [+ coin. +] 3 words added, 11 removed. - 1931, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). ### Rule 4, part 6 of 6 Begins: “In a match or tournament first service shall alternate…” - **1928, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > In a match or tournament first service shall alternate each game. - 1931, A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). All rules: [clause history](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/).