Clause history · American four-wall
Rule 4 Rule 4: how the wording changed
10 rulebooks state this rule, from 1873 to 1931. The wording was reworded or changed 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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 4, part 1 of 6
Begins: “In a double match the striker's partner shall stand…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
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 Read the rule
17 March 1889 The Sun Four-Wall Rules
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
Compared with The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889.
In a double match the striker'sThe server’s partner shall standwith his back against either side wallinside of the ace line, with his back to either the right or left wall, until the service ballleavesstrikes the frontwall; failing to do so is foul.wall.15 words added, 21 removed.
- 1903 Deshong Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall (DESHONG side line)) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 4, part 2 of 6
Begins: “The winner of the toss shall stand inside of…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
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
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
centrecenter 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
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
centercentre of thecourt)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
He shall serve it to the player or players beyond the ace line.
- 1886 Spalding Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 17 March 1889 The Sun Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 4, part 4 of 6
Begins: “An ace is when a server sends the ball…”
1893 Deshong Four-Wall Rules
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
Compared with Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893.
An ace is made when
athe server sends the ball to any part of theoutercourt 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 (American four-wall (DESHONG side line)) Unchanged automatic Same words as Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893. Read the rule
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 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 Read the rule
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923.
FirstThe first service shall be determined by the toss of acoin or in any other manner agreed by the contestants.coin.3 words added, 11 removed.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 4, part 6 of 6
Begins: “In a match or tournament first service shall alternate…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
In a match or tournament first service shall alternate each game.
- 1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
All rules: clause history. The family tree is at Rulebooks.