# Rule 4.4 Return of Serve: how the wording changed (American one-wall, small ball) 50 rulebooks state this rule, from 20 November 1927 to 26 January 2025. The wording was reworded or changed 19 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 November 1927 | A.A.U. One-Wall Rules, 20 November 1927 | 1 first recorded | | 1931 | A.A.U. One-Wall Rules, 1931 | 1 punctuation only | | 20 June 1990 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990 | 3 first recorded | | 14 October 1994 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994 | 2 first recorded, 1 changed | | 31 January 1999 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 31 January 1999 | 1 punctuation only, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | 31 January 1999 | American four-wall, 31 January 1999 | 1 punctuation only, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | 2000 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 2000 | 2 unchanged, 1 punctuation only | | 9 March 2001 | USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001 | 3 unchanged | | 7 October 2001 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 2001 | 2 unchanged, 1 reworded | | 8 April 2002 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 2002 | 3 unchanged | | 20 August 2002 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002 | 3 unchanged | | 19 January 2005 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004 | 3 unchanged | | 1 April 2005 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005 | 1 unchanged, 1 punctuation only, 1 changed | | 15 April 2005 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005 | 1 unchanged, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | June 2006 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006 | 3 unchanged | | June 2006 | American one-wall, small ball, June 2006 | 3 unchanged | | June 2006 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006 | 3 unchanged | | May 2007 | USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007 | 3 unchanged | | 13 October 2007 | American three-wall, 13 October 2007 | 1 unchanged, 2 reworded | | June 2008 | USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008 | 3 unchanged | | 2012 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012 | 2 unchanged, 1 changed | | 2014 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014 | 3 unchanged | | January 2014 | USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014 | 3 unchanged | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015 | 2 unchanged, 1 reworded | | 6 February 2015 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 punctuation only, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | 6 February 2015 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015 | 1 unchanged, 2 reworded | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017 | 3 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 3 unchanged | | 22 January 2017 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017 | 3 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 3 unchanged | | 27 January 2019 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019 | 1 unchanged, 1 reworded, 1 changed | | 12 July 2019 | American four-wall, 12 July 2019 | 3 unchanged | | 12 July 2019 | American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2020 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2020 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020 | 3 unchanged | | 20 September 2020 | USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020 | 3 unchanged | | 21 September 2020 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020 | 3 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 3 unchanged | | 22 January 2021 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021 | 3 unchanged | | 9 December 2021 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021 | 3 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 3 unchanged | | 23 January 2022 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022 | 3 unchanged | | 27 November 2022 | American four-wall, 27 November 2022 | 3 unchanged | | 17 January 2024 | American four-wall, 17 January 2024 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2024 | USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2024 | USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024 | 3 unchanged | | 17 July 2024 | American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA One-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 2025 | 3 unchanged | | 26 January 2025 | USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 2025 | 3 unchanged | ## The wording ### Rule 4.4, item A Begins: “The receiver must stand back of the service line…” - **20 November 1927, A.A.U. One-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > The receiver must stand back of the service line until the ball passes the short line. - **1931, A.A.U. One-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with A.A.U. One-Wall Rules, 20 November 1927. > The receiver must stand back of the [- service line -] [+ service-line +] until the ball passes the [- short line. -] [+ short-line. +] 2 words added, 4 removed. - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > A. Receiving position. > The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the six-inch restraining line, until the ball is struck by the server. > Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule 2.1.B.5) - **14 October 1994, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with A.A.U. One-Wall Rules, 1931. > [+ A. Receiving position. +] The receiver [+ or receivers +] must stand [+ in +] back of the [- service-line -] [+ service line +] until the ball [+ from the wall +] passes the [- short-line. -] [+ short line. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. +] 25 words added, 2 removed. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > A. Receiving position. [- > -] The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the [- six-inch -] [+ receiver’s +] restraining [- line, -] [+ lines, +] until the ball is struck by the server. [- > -] Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule 2.1.B.5) 2 words added, 2 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > A. Receiving position. [- > -] The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the [- six-inch -] [+ receiver’s +] restraining [- line, -] [+ lines, +] until the ball is struck by the server. [- > -] Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule 2.1.B.5) 2 words added, 2 removed. - **2000, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994. > A. Receiving position. The receiver or receivers must stand in back of the service line until the ball from the wall passes the short line. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the [- server. -] [+ server (See Rule 2.1B5). +] 4 words added, 1 removed. 5 more rulebooks with the same words: - 9 March 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 7 October 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 8 April 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 20 August 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - **1 April 2005, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002. > A. Receiving position. [+ . +] The receiver or receivers must stand in back of the service line until the ball from the wall passes the short line. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server (See Rule [- 2.1B5). -] [+ 2.1 B.4). +] 3 words added, 1 removed. - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > A. Receiving position. The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the receiver’s restraining lines, until the ball is [- struck -] [+ hit +] by the server. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule [- 2.1.B.5) -] [+ 2.1.B.5). +] 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. > A. Receiving position. The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the receiver’s restraining lines, until the ball is [- struck -] [+ hit +] by the server. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule [- 2.1.B.5) -] [+ 2.1.B.5). +] 2 words added, 2 removed. 5 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**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. > A. Receiving position. [- . -] The receiver or receivers must stand in back of the service line until the ball from the wall passes the short line. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server (See Rule 2.1 B.4). 1 word removed. - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Reworded (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > A. Receiving position. The receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as indicated by the receiver’s restraining lines, until the ball is [- struck -] [+ hit +] by the server. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server. (See Rule [- 2.1.B.5) -] [+ 2.1.B.5). +] 2 words added, 2 removed. 24 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: 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 4.4, item B Begins: “B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > B. Fly return. > In making a fly return, the receiver must play the ball after it passes over the short line and no part of his body may extend on or over the plane of the short line when contacting the ball. > A violation results in a point for the server. > After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short line without penalty. - **14 October 1994, USHA One-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the receiver must play the ball after it passes over the short line, and no part of his body may extend on or over the plane of the short line when contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short line without penalty. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > B. Fly return. [- > -] In making a fly return, the receiver [- must -] [+ may +] play the ball [+ anytime +] after it passes over the [+ back edge of the +] short line and no part of his body may extend on or over the plane of the [+ back edge of the +] short line when contacting the ball. [- > -] A violation results in a point for the server. [- > -] After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short line without penalty. 10 words added, 1 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > B. Fly return. [- > -] In making a fly return, the receiver [- must -] [+ may +] play the ball [+ anytime +] after it passes over the [+ back edge of the +] short line and no part of his body may extend on or over the plane of the [+ back edge of the +] short line when contacting the ball. [- > -] A violation results in a point for the server. [- > -] After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short line without penalty. 10 words added, 1 removed. - 2000, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994. - 9 March 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - **7 October 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the receiver must play the ball after it [- passes -] [+ passes, from the wall, +] over the short line, and no part of his body may extend on or over the plane of the short line when contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short line without penalty. 4 words added, 1 removed. 3 more rulebooks with the same words: - 8 April 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 20 August 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - **1 April 2005, USHA One-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the receiver [- must play -] [+ may hit +] the ball [+ anytime +] after it [- passes, from -] [+ passes completely through +] the [- wall, over -] [+ plane of +] the [+ back edge of the +] short [- line, -] [+ line +] and no part of [- his -] [+ his/her +] body may extend on or over the plane of the [+ back edge of the +] short line [- when -] [+ until after +] contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver [+ and his/her partner +] may step on or over the short line without penalty. 23 words added, 9 removed. - **15 April 2005, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the receiver may [- play -] [+ hit +] the ball anytime after it passes [- over -] [+ completely through +] the [+ plane of the +] back edge of the short line and no part of [- his -] [+ his/her +] body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line [- when -] [+ until after +] contacting the ball. [+ In doubles, this also applies to the receiver’s partner. +] A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver [+ and his/her partner +] may step on or over the short line without penalty. 21 words added, 4 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. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, the receiver may [- play -] [+ hit +] the ball anytime after it passes [- over -] [+ completely through +] the [+ plane of the +] back edge of the short line and no part of [- his -] [+ his/her +] body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line [- when -] [+ until after +] contacting the ball. [+ In doubles, this also applies to the receiver’s partner. +] A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver [+ and his/her partner +] may step on or over the short line without penalty. 21 words added, 4 removed. - June 2008, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. - **2012, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, [+ or any other legal return, +] the receiver may hit the ball anytime after it passes completely through the plane of the back edge of the short line and no part of his/her body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line until after contacting the ball. In doubles, this also applies to the receiver’s partner. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver and his/her partner may step on or over the short line without penalty. 5 words added. - 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**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, or any other legal return, the receiver may hit the ball anytime after it passes completely through the plane of the back edge of the short [- line and -] [+ line; however +] no part of his/her body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line until after contacting the ball. In doubles, this also applies to the receiver’s partner. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver and his/her partner may step on or over the short line without penalty. 2 words added, 2 removed. - **6 February 2015, USHA One-Wall Addendum**: Changed (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. > B. Fly return. In making a fly [+ return or any other legal +] return, the receiver may hit the ball anytime after it passes completely through the plane of the back edge of the short line and no part of his/her body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line until after contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver and his/her partner may step on or over the short line without penalty. 5 words added. - **6 February 2015, USHA Three-Wall Addendum**: Reworded (automatic). Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004. > B. Fly return. In making a fly return, [+ or any other legal return, +] the receiver may [- play -] [+ hit +] the ball anytime after it passes [- over -] [+ completely through +] the [+ plane of the +] back edge of the short [- line and -] [+ line; however +] no part of [- his -] [+ his/her +] body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line [- when -] [+ until after +] contacting the ball. [+ In doubles, this also applies to the receiver’s partner. +] A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver [+ and his/her partner +] may step on or over the short line without penalty. 28 words added, 6 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. > B. Fly return. In making a fly [- return or any other legal -] return, the receiver may hit the ball anytime after it passes completely through the plane of the back edge of the short line and no part of his/her body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the short line until after contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the server. After contacting the ball, the receiver and his/her partner may step on or over the short line without penalty. 5 words 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. ### Rule 4.4, item C Begins: “C. Legal return. After the ball is legally served,…” - **20 June 1990, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > C. Legal return. > After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor the second time, to return the ball to the front wall either directly or after it has touched one or both side walls,the back wall, the ceiling, or any combination of those surfaces. > A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the front wall. > A ball may be played off the back wall as well as the front wall, provided the ball does not touch the floor a second time. > Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. - **14 October 1994, USHA One-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic). > C. Legal return. After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor a second time, to return the ball to the wall on or between the lines first and make it rebound into the playing zone. A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the wall. Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. - **31 January 1999, USHA Four-Wall Rules**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > C. Legal return. [- > -] After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor the second time, to return the ball to the front wall either directly or after it has touched one or both side [- walls,the -] [+ walls, the +] back wall, the ceiling, or any combination of those surfaces. [- > -] A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the front wall. [- > -] A ball may be played off the back wall as well as the front wall, provided the ball does not touch the floor a second time. [- > -] Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. 2 words added, 1 removed. - **31 January 1999, American four-wall**: Punctuation only (automatic). Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990. > C. Legal return. [- > -] After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor the second time, to return the ball to the front wall either directly or after it has touched one or both side [- walls,the -] [+ walls, the +] back wall, the ceiling, or any combination of those surfaces. [- > -] A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the front wall. [- > -] A ball may be played off the back wall as well as the front wall, provided the ball does not touch the floor a second time. [- > -] Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. 2 words added, 1 removed. 18 more rulebooks with the same words: - 2000, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994. - 9 March 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 7 October 2001, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 8 April 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 20 August 2002, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). - 19 January 2005, USHA Three-Wall Addendum: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - 1 April 2005, USHA One-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002. - 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: Unchanged (automatic). Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999. - 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**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. > C. Legal return. After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor a second time, to return the ball to the wall on or between the lines first and make it rebound into the playing zone. [- A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the wall. Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. -] 25 words removed. 5 more rulebooks with the same words: - 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**: Reworded (machine-reviewed). Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. > C. Legal return. After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor a second time, to return the ball to the wall on or between the lines first and make it rebound into the playing zone. [+ A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the wall. Failure to make a legal return results in a point for the server. +] 25 words added. 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/).