# Rule 2 Aces, returns and service: how the wording changed (American four-wall (DESHONG side line))

2 rulebooks state this rule, from 1893 to 1903. No rewording or change was found.

## How to read this

- Added words are marked [+ like this +]; removed words [- like this -].
- Each rulebook says what kind of change it is: unchanged, punctuation only, moved, reworded or changed.
- A program matched each clause with the one before it. Automatic matches were made by the program alone; machine-reviewed ones were also checked by a second program. A person has not checked either.

## Rulebook by rulebook

| Date | Rulebook | Clauses, by kind of change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1893 | Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893 | 4 first recorded |
| 1903 | Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1903 | 4 unchanged |

## The wording

### Rule 2, part 1 of 4

Begins: “Then there are the “Scotch twist,” a high service…”

- **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic).

  > Then there are the “Scotch twist,” a high service that sends the ball around the court in an irritating fashion, and a towering ball, that does not commence to drop until reaching the corners, and then continues its fall close to the wall.

- 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic).

### Rule 2, part 2 of 4

Begins: “There are a few players, but they can be…”

- **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic).

  > There are a few players, but they can be counted upon one’s fingers, who can serve the ball to the right and left without changing their position.

- 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic).

### Rule 2, part 3 of 4

Begins: “This requires a great deal of skill and experience,…”

- **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic).

  > This requires a great deal of skill and experience, but it can be done effectively, and should be seen oftener in practice.

- 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic).

### Rule 2, part 4 of 4

Begins: “A low sharp service that can be placed at…”

- **1893, Deshong Four-Wall Rules**: First recorded (automatic).

  > A low sharp service that can be placed at a side angle of the court without any rise to the ball, or sent to the extreme outside corners, is particularly destructive.

- 1903, Deshong Four-Wall Rules: Unchanged (automatic).

All rules: [clause history](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/).