Handball

Clause history · American one-wall, small ball

Rule 4.8 Avoidable hinders: how the wording changed

48 rulebooks state this rule, from 20 June 1990 to 26 January 2025. The wording was reworded or changed 26 times.

How to read this page

Rulebook by rulebook

The table has one row per rulebook; each date jumps to its wording below.

Every rulebook this rule appears in, in date order, with the kinds of change found
DateRulebookClauses, by kind of change
20 June 1990USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 199012 first recorded
14 October 1994USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 199412 first recorded
31 January 1999USHA Four-Wall Rules, 31 January 199910 unchanged, 2 punctuation only
31 January 1999American four-wall, 31 January 199910 unchanged, 2 punctuation only
2000USHA One-Wall Rules, 200012 unchanged
9 March 2001USHA One-Wall Rules, March 200112 unchanged
7 October 2001USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 200112 unchanged
8 April 2002USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 200212 unchanged
20 August 2002USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 200212 unchanged
19 January 2005USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 200412 unchanged
1 April 2005USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 20055 first recorded, 3 unchanged, 1 punctuation only, 7 reworded, 1 changed
15 April 2005USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 20054 unchanged, 3 punctuation only, 4 reworded, 1 changed
June 2006USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 200612 unchanged
June 2006American one-wall, small ball, June 200617 unchanged
June 2006USHA One-Wall Rules, June 200617 unchanged
May 2007USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 200712 unchanged
13 October 2007American three-wall, 13 October 20074 unchanged, 3 punctuation only, 4 reworded, 1 changed
June 2008USHA One-Wall Rules, June 200812 unchanged
2012USHA Four-Wall Rules, 201212 unchanged
2014USHA Four-Wall Rules, 201412 unchanged
January 2014USHA One-Wall Rules, January 201412 unchanged
6 February 2015USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 201512 unchanged
6 February 2015USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 201511 unchanged, 1 punctuation only
6 February 2015USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 20154 unchanged, 3 punctuation only, 4 reworded, 1 changed
22 January 2017USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 201712 unchanged
22 January 2017USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 201712 unchanged
22 January 2017USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 201712 unchanged
27 January 2019USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 201912 unchanged
27 January 2019USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 20191 first recorded, 11 unchanged, 1 punctuation only
12 July 2019American four-wall, 12 July 201912 unchanged
12 July 2019American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 201913 unchanged
26 January 2020USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 202012 unchanged
26 January 2020USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 202013 unchanged
20 September 2020USHA One-Wall Rules, September 202013 unchanged
21 September 2020USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 202012 unchanged
22 January 2021USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 202112 unchanged
22 January 2021USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 202113 unchanged
9 December 2021USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 202112 unchanged
23 January 2022USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 202212 unchanged
23 January 2022USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 202213 unchanged
27 November 2022American four-wall, 27 November 202212 unchanged
17 January 2024American four-wall, 17 January 202412 unchanged
26 January 2024USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 202412 unchanged
26 January 2024USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 202413 unchanged
17 July 2024American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 202413 unchanged
26 January 2025USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 202511 unchanged, 1 changed
26 January 2025USHA One-Wall Rulebook, 26 January 202512 unchanged, 1 changed
26 January 2025USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 202511 unchanged, 1 reworded

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 4.8, part 1 of 18

Begins: “An avoidable hinder results in an out or a…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point (See Rule 4.5.E), depending on whether the offender was serving or receiving.

    Interpretations

    41 interpretations attached.

    • New here A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he did not know where his opponent was.
    • New here He must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives his opponent a back-wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the first player to look over his shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of his opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or if the player is struck by the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court, but it usually happens in two particular areas:
    • New here A player is hitting a back-wall shot and, just as he hits the ball, his opponent moves into the path of the ball and is struck by it.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "miss-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup and his opponent is trapped close to a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player cannot say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment include eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point, depending on whether the offending side was serving or receiving.

    Interpretations

    33 interpretations attached.

    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a "legal" hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "mis-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes an opponent, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes an opponent in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player can not say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the backswing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with
    • New here reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 33 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here (See Interpretation No. 12).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 13).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 14).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 16).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 17).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 2000.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  10. 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 41 carried over unchanged.

  11. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point, point ( See Rule 4.5.E ), depending on whether the offending side offender was serving or receiving.

    7 words added, 3 removed.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  12. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  13. June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  14. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  15. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  16. May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  17. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  18. June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 33 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  19. 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged; 5 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s back-wall shot.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  20. 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  21. January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  22. 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  23. 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.

    An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point ( See (See Rule 4.5.E ), 4.5.E), depending on whether the offender was serving or receiving.

    2 words added, 4 removed.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 26 carried over unchanged; 11 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  24. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 11 carried over unchanged; 30 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  25. 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  26. 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  27. 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  28. 27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  29. 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point (See ( See Rule 4.5.E), 4.5.E ), depending on whether the offender was serving or receiving.

    4 words added, 2 removed.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 29 carried over unchanged; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  30. 12 July 2019 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  31. 12 July 2019 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  32. 26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  33. 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  34. 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  35. 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  36. 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  37. 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 2 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  38. 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  39. 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  40. 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  41. 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  42. 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 27 November 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  43. 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 17 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  44. 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3)

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  45. 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  46. 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  47. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  48. 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

Rule 4.8, part 2 of 18

Begins: “Player intent has no bearing on an avoidable call.”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    Player intent has no bearing on an avoidable call.

    Interpretations

    41 interpretations attached.

    • New here A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he did not know where his opponent was.
    • New here He must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives his opponent a back-wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the first player to look over his shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of his opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or if the player is struck by the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court, but it usually happens in two particular areas:
    • New here A player is hitting a back-wall shot and, just as he hits the ball, his opponent moves into the path of the ball and is struck by it.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "miss-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup and his opponent is trapped close to a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player cannot say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment include eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    Player intent has no bearing on an avoidable call.

    Interpretations

    33 interpretations attached.

    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a "legal" hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "mis-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes an opponent, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes an opponent in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player can not say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the backswing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with
    • New here reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 33 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here (See Interpretation No. 12).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 13).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 14).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 16).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 17).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 2000.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  10. 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 41 carried over unchanged.

  11. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  12. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  13. June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  14. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  15. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  16. May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  17. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  18. June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 33 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  19. 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged; 5 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s back-wall shot.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  20. 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  21. January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  22. 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  23. 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 26 carried over unchanged; 11 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  24. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 11 carried over unchanged; 30 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  25. 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  26. 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  27. 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  28. 27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  29. 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 29 carried over unchanged; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  30. 12 July 2019 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  31. 12 July 2019 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  32. 26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  33. 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  34. 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  35. 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  36. 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  37. 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 2 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  38. 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  39. 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  40. 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  41. 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  42. 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 27 November 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  43. 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 17 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  44. 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3)

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  45. 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  46. 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  47. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  48. 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

Rule 4.8, part 3 of 18

Begins: “An avoidable hinder should be called only when a…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    An avoidable hinder should be called only when a hinder could have been avoided with reasonable effort.

    Interpretations

    41 interpretations attached.

    • New here A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he did not know where his opponent was.
    • New here He must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives his opponent a back-wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the first player to look over his shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of his opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or if the player is struck by the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court, but it usually happens in two particular areas:
    • New here A player is hitting a back-wall shot and, just as he hits the ball, his opponent moves into the path of the ball and is struck by it.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "miss-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup and his opponent is trapped close to a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player cannot say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment include eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    An avoidable hinder should be called only when a hinder could have been avoided with reasonable effort.

    Interpretations

    33 interpretations attached.

    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a "legal" hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "mis-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes an opponent, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes an opponent in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player can not say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the backswing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with
    • New here reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 33 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here (See Interpretation No. 12).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 13).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 14).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 16).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 17).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 2000.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  10. 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 41 carried over unchanged.

  11. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  12. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  13. June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  14. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  15. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  16. May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  17. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  18. June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 33 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  19. 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged; 5 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s back-wall shot.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  20. 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  21. January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  22. 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  23. 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 26 carried over unchanged; 11 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  24. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 11 carried over unchanged; 30 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  25. 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  26. 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  27. 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  28. 27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  29. 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 29 carried over unchanged; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  30. 12 July 2019 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  31. 12 July 2019 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  32. 26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  33. 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  34. 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  35. 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  36. 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  37. 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 2 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  38. 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  39. 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  40. 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  41. 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  42. 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 27 November 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  43. 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 17 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  44. 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3)

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  45. 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  46. 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  47. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  48. 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

Rule 4.8, part 4 of 18

Begins: “Avoidable hinders are called when:”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    Avoidable hinders are called when:

    Interpretations

    41 interpretations attached.

    • New here A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he did not know where his opponent was.
    • New here He must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives his opponent a back-wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the first player to look over his shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of his opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or if the player is struck by the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court, but it usually happens in two particular areas:
    • New here A player is hitting a back-wall shot and, just as he hits the ball, his opponent moves into the path of the ball and is struck by it.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "miss-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup and his opponent is trapped close to a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player cannot say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment include eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    A player moving as late as possible to avoid getting hit by the ball is not creating an avoidable hinder (See Rule 4.7B1).
    Avoidable hinders, which should not be confused with "legal" hinders (See Rule 4.7B1) are called when:

    Interpretations

    33 interpretations attached.

    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a "legal" hinder.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup.
    • New here In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was "mis-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes an opponent, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes an opponent in his attempt to get into position for his shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself out of position.
    • New here In his effort to move into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to "catch his eye".
    • New here Also, a player can not say anything while an opponent is playing the ball.
    • New here This is also true in doubles.
    • New here Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
    • New here Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the rally is still in progress.
    • New here If the referee believes such behavior is distracting enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the backswing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted by the follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with
    • New here reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here 1.
    • New here 2.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    A player moving as late as possible to avoid getting hit by the ball is not creating an avoidable hinder (See Rule 4.7B1).
    Avoidable hinders, which should not be confused with "legal" hinders
    (See Rule 4.7B1) are called when:

    no words changed.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 33 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here (See Interpretation No. 12).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 13).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 14).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 15).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 16).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 17).
    • New here (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 2000.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, March 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 7 October 2001.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 8 April 2002.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    7 interpretations attached; 7 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  10. 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    42 interpretations attached; 41 carried over unchanged.

  11. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    A player moving as late as possible to avoid getting being hit by the ball is not creating an avoidable hinder hinder. (See Rule 4.7B1).
     4.7 B.1) Avoidable hinders, which should not be confused with "legal" “legal” hinders
    (See Rule 4.7B1) rule 4.7 B.1), are called when:

    8 words added, 6 removed.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  12. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  13. June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 16 January 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  14. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  15. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  16. May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  17. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 13 carried over unchanged; 28 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent's back-wall shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  18. June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 33 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  19. 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged; 5 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s back-wall shot.
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  20. 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2012.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  21. January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  22. 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  23. 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.

    A player moving as late as possible to avoid being hit by the ball is not creating an avoidable hinder. (See Rule 4.7 B.1) Avoidable hinders, which should not be confused with “legal” "legal" hinders (See rule 4.7 B.1), are called when:

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 26 carried over unchanged; 11 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  24. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 11 carried over unchanged; 30 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his/her stroke.
    • New here A player must move out of the way of the opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here It is no excuse that the player claims he/she did not know where the opponent was.
    • New here He/she must move.
    • New here This is also the case when a player gives the opponent a back wall setup.
    • New here It is the obligation of the defensive player to look over his/her shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way.
    • New here A player cannot line up directly in front of the opponent’s shot on a straight path to the front wall, parallel to the side walls.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position or pinned against a side wall.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8.H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.

  25. 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  26. 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  27. 22 January 2017 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 6 February 2015.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  28. 27 January 2019 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  29. 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    A player moving as late as possible to avoid being hit by the ball is not creating an avoidable hinder. (See Rule 4.7 B.1) Avoidable hinders, which should not be confused with "legal" “legal” hinders (See rule 4.7 B.1), are called when:

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 29 carried over unchanged; 7 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  30. 12 July 2019 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    39 interpretations attached; 39 carried over unchanged.

  31. 12 July 2019 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  32. 26 January 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  33. 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  34. 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  35. 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  36. 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  37. 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 2 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  38. 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  39. 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, December 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  40. 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  41. 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  42. 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 27 November 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

  43. 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 17 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  44. 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3)

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  45. 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  46. 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 40 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  47. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  48. 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    40 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

Rule 4.8, part 5 of 18

Begins: “doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or…”

  1. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    doesn't matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  3. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, part 6 of 18

Begins: “This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.”

  1. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  3. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, part 7 of 18

Begins: “Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the…”

  1. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  3. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, part 8 of 18

Begins: “this type of positioning continues.”

  1. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    this type of positioning continues.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  3. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, part 9 of 18

Begins: “This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.”

  1. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player "creates" a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. June 2006 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

  3. June 2006 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 1 April 2005.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    34 interpretations attached; 34 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, part 10 of 18

Begins: “Of course, players can make calls against themselves at…”

  1. 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    Of course, players can make calls against themselves at any time, such as double bounces, wrist balls, etc.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached.

    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 A: Interpretation No. 13
    • New here The player standing further from the wall must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an undesirable court position.
    • New here If a player assumes such a position and there is a collision, or there is interference with the stroke of the player trying to strike the ball, the hinder is avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 B: Interpretation No. 14
    • New here This call is just the opposite of the “failure to move” avoidable hinder.
    • New here When a player “creates” a hinder by his/her movement, it is also avoidable.
    • New here Sometimes a player, in the effort to get into a better court position, will cause contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact.
    • New here In either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
    • New here It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his/her partner is hitting the ball, moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder, not to be confused with a “legal “ hinder .
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 C: Interpretation No. 15
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court.
    • New here A player has an offensive setup; in his/her effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the path of the ball and is hit.
    • New here This is avoidable.
    • New here In this case, the referee must use judgment and not call an avoidable if he/she feels the ball was “mis-hit” and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering position in which he/she would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 D: Interpretation No. 16
    • New here This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly, who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in the attempt to get into position for his/her shot.
    • New here An accidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 E: Interpretation No. 17
    • New here Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and finds himself/herself out of position.
    • New here In the effort to move into a better court position, he/she crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the ball reaches the opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent’s view of the ball.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F: Interpretation No. 18
    • New here This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to move in very close to an opponent in an attempt to cause a distraction.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 F.1: Interpretation No. 19
    • New here In doubles, allowable “brief communication” shall be construed to be any reasonable variation of “yours,” “mine,” or “leave it,” consisting of very few syllables.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 G: Interpretation No. 20
    • New here A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of contacting an opponent during the stroke.
    • New here The stroke includes the back-swing as well as the follow-through of the arm.
    • New here If a player is contacted during any part of the stroke by the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with reasonable effort.
    • New here This interference might not have affected the shot, but it doesn’t matter if the ball reaches the wall or not.
    • New here This avoidable hinder must be called for safety reasons.
    • New here Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the offending player if this type of positioning continues.
    • New here This does not affect the rules on legal hinders.
    • New here Part 4, Rule 4.8 H: Interpretation No. 21
    • New here Improperly worn equipment includes eye protection that requires some type of strap in order to stay on the head.
    • New here Failure to wear such a strap could be considered improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be improperly worn equipment.
    • New here Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 12 July 2019 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 27 January 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  3. 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable.
    • New here See Rule 4.7.A.3.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    38 interpretations attached; 38 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  5. 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 2 earlier ones no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    • New here An incidental push of a slight nature by an offensive player should not be called avoidable. (See Rule 4.7.A.3)

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    37 interpretations attached; 37 carried over unchanged.

  9. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.

    Interpretations

    36 interpretations attached; 36 carried over unchanged; 1 earlier one no longer attached.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

Rule 4.8, item A

Begins: “A. Failure to move. A player does not move…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    A. Failure to move.
    A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot. (See Interpretation No. 12).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot (See Interpretation No. 12).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    A. Failure to move.
    A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot. (See Interpretation No. 12).

    no words changed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    A. Failure to move.
    A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot. (See Interpretation No. 12).

    no words changed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot (See Interpretation No. 12).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his his/her opponent his shot his/her shot.

    3 words added, 3 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Changed machine-reviewed

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his his/her opponent his his/her shot. (See Interpretation No. 12). This may include serves.

    6 words added, 6 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Changed automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his his/her opponent his his/her shot. (See Interpretation No. 12). This may include serves.

    6 words added, 6 removed.

  11. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  12. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Changed automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    A. Failure to move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow his his/her opponent his his/her shot. (See Interpretation No. 12). This may include serves.

    6 words added, 6 removed.

  13. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item B

Begins: “B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    B. Blocking.
    A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder, by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball (See Interpretation No. 13).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    B. Blocking.
    A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    no words changed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    B. Blocking.
    A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    no words changed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder, by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball (See Interpretation No. 13).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder, hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his his/her partner is returning the ball ball.

    4 words added, 4 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his his/her partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    2 words added, 6 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his his/her partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    2 words added, 6 removed.

  11. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  12. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his his/her partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

    2 words added, 6 removed.

  13. 21 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic

  14. 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall)

    Changed machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving directly in front of an opponent as his/her partner is returning the ball.

    1 word added.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  15. 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook

    Changed machine-reviewed

    Compared with American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his/her partner is returning the ball.

    12 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  16. 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

    B. Blocking. A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his/her opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving directly in front of an opponent as his/her partner is returning the ball.

    1 word added.

Rule 4.8, item C

Begins: “C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    C. Moving into ball.
    A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    C. Moving into ball.
    A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    no words changed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    C. Moving into ball.
    A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    no words changed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his his/her opponent.

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his his/her opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    1 word added, 5 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his his/her opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    1 word added, 5 removed.

  11. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  12. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    C. Moving into ball. A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his his/her opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

    1 word added, 5 removed.

  13. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item D

Begins: “D. Pushing.”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    D. Pushing.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    13 words added.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    13 words added.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) 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. Read the rule

  7. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  9. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    4 words removed.

  10. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  11. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    D. Pushing. A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

    4 words removed.

  12. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item E

Begins: “E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    E. View obstruction.
    Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball (See Interpretation No. 16).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    E. View obstruction.
    Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    no words changed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    E. View obstruction.
    Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    no words changed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball (See Interpretation No. 16).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he he/she strikes the ball ball.

    2 words added, 2 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he he/she strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    1 word added, 5 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he he/she strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    1 word added, 5 removed.

  11. June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule

  12. 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's opponent’s line of vision just before he/she strikes the ball.

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  13. 3 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule

  14. 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's opponent’s line of vision just before he/she strikes the ball.

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  15. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    E. View obstruction. Moving across an opponent's opponent’s line of vision just before he he/she strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

    2 words added, 6 removed.

  16. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item F

Begins: “F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    F. Distraction.
    Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team (See Interpretation No. 17).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    F. Distraction.
    Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    no words changed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    F. Distraction.
    Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    no words changed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team (See Interpretation No. 17).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team team.

    1 word added, 1 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    4 words removed.

  11. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  12. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    F. Distraction. Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

    4 words removed.

  13. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item G

Begins: “G. Stroke interference. Any positioning that would not allow…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    G. Stroke interference.
    Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke.
    This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by or restricting the follow-through of the player hitting the ball (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    G. Stroke interference. A player moves into position that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by or restricting the follow-through of the player hitting the ball (See Interpretation No. 18).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    G. Stroke interference.
    Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke.
    This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by by, or restricting the follow-through of of, the player hitting the ball ball. (See Interpretation No. 18).

    3 words added, 3 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    G. Stroke interference.
    Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke.
    This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by by, or restricting the follow-through of of, the player hitting the ball ball. (See Interpretation No. 18).

    3 words added, 3 removed.

  5. 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Unchanged automatic

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994.

    G. Stroke interference. A player moves into position that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by or restricting the follow-through of the player hitting the ball (See Interpretation No. 18).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  6. 5 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  7. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Changed machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    G. Stroke interference. A player moves into position Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by by, or restricting the follow-through of of, the player hitting the ball ball.

    5 words added, 8 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    G. Stroke interference. Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by, or restricting the follow-through of, the player hitting the ball. (See Interpretation No. 18).

    4 words removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  9. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  10. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    G. Stroke interference. Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by, or restricting the follow-through of, the player hitting the ball. (See Interpretation No. 18).

    4 words removed.

  11. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  12. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    G. Stroke interference. Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by, or restricting the follow-through of, the player hitting the ball. (See Interpretation No. 18).

    4 words removed.

  13. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

Rule 4.8, item H

Begins: “H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn…”

  1. 20 June 1990 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    First recorded automatic

    H. Improper equipment.
    The loss of any improperly worn equipment,or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players (See Interpretation No. 19).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  2. 14 October 1994 USHA One-Wall Rules

    First recorded automatic

    H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players (See Interpretation No. 19).

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  3. 31 January 1999 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    H. Improper equipment.
    The loss of any improperly worn equipment,or equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players players. (See Interpretation No. 19).

    3 words added, 2 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  4. 31 January 1999 American four-wall (American four-wall)

    Punctuation only automatic

    Compared with USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990.

    H. Improper equipment.
    The loss of any improperly worn equipment,or equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players players. (See Interpretation No. 19).

    3 words added, 2 removed.

  5. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 2000 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 14 October 1994. Read the rule
    • 9 March 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 7 October 2001 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 8 April 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 20 August 2002 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 19 January 2005 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

  6. 1 April 2005 USHA One-Wall Rules

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with USHA One-Wall Rules, 20 August 2002.

    H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players (See Interpretation No. 19). constitutes an avoidable hinder.

    4 words added, 4 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  7. 15 April 2005 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall)

    Reworded machine-reviewed

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players. (See Interpretation No. 19). players constitutes an avoidable hinder.

    5 words added, 5 removed.

    Read this rule in the rulebook

  8. 4 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2006 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) 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. Read the rule
    • May 2007 USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006.

  9. 13 October 2007 American three-wall (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with American four-wall, 31 January 1999.

    H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players. (See Interpretation No. 19). players constitutes an avoidable hinder.

    5 words added, 5 removed.

  10. 6 more rulebooks with the same words
    • June 2008 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2006. Read the rule
    • 2012 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, May 2007. Read the rule
    • 2014 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • January 2014 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, June 2008. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 2014. Read the rule
    • 6 February 2015 USHA One-Wall Addendum Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, January 2014. Read the rule

  11. 6 February 2015 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall)

    Reworded automatic

    Compared with USHA Three-Wall Addendum, December 2004.

    H. Improper equipment. The loss of any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players. (See Interpretation No. 19). players constitutes an avoidable hinder.

    5 words added, 5 removed.

  12. 24 more rulebooks with the same words
    • 22 January 2017 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 6 February 2015. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2017 USHA One-Wall Addendum 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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 27 January 2019 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017. Read the rule
    • 12 July 2019 American four-wall (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 (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as American four-wall, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 12 July 2019. Read the rule
    • 20 September 2020 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 21 September 2020 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2020. Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 22 January 2021 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, September 2020. Read the rule
    • 9 December 2021 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 23 January 2022 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 22 January 2021. Read the rule
    • 27 November 2022 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022.
    • 17 January 2024 American four-wall (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2024 USHA Four-Wall Rules (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Read the rule
    • 26 January 2024 USHA One-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA One-Wall Rules, 23 January 2022. Read the rule
    • 17 July 2024 American one-wall, small ball Unchanged automatic
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (American four-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Four-Wall Rules, 26 January 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA One-Wall Rulebook Unchanged automatic Same words as American one-wall, small ball, 17 July 2024. Read the rule
    • 26 January 2025 USHA Three-Wall Addendum (American three-wall) Unchanged automatic Same words as USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 22 January 2017.

All rules: clause history. The family tree is at Rulebooks.