# Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893 (historical) > **Historical rulebook: not the current rules.** The current rules are here: https://handball.theperfectship.com/rules/four-wall/ **Historical rulebook, 1893** (not the current rules) - Issued by: not recorded - Date: 1893 (the year printed on the rulebook) - Code: American four-wall - Form: Full rulebook ## Contents - [Rule 1 Game](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/1.md) - [Rule 2 Aces, returns and service](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/2.md) - [Rule 3 The ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/3.md) - [Rule 4 Four-handed match](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/4.md) - [Rule 5 Hinders](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/5.md) - [Rule 6 Ball served inside the ace line; use of the foot](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/6.md) - [Rule 7 One hand](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/7.md) - [Rule 8 Change of hands](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/8.md) - [Rule 9 Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893/9.md) ## Rules and Explanations ### Rule 1 Game Twenty-one aces shall constitute a game. ### Rule 2 Aces, returns and service An ace is when a server sends the ball to any part of the outer court beyond the ace line, and it is not returned to the front wall by an opponent. All balls must be recoverd on the first bound after reaching the floor. That is, a ball can take the circuit of the four walls before it can be termed returnable. The service is considered to be very difficult when the ball, after hitting the front wall, takes in either the side walls on a fly, bounds on the floor, and then comes off the back wall; or after hitting one side wall bounds from the floor to the back wall, and thence to the other side wall. The great trouble in recovering these balls is that the force of their flight is expended when they come in contact with the last wall, and, therefore, drop dead to the floor. If the ball is returned to the front wall the server must recover it, either on the fly or first bound; if he fails the hand is out, and his opponent becomes a server. It is allowable to serve at either side of the court, but always within the two parallel lines. Stepping beyond the inner line twice in succession, or hitting either side wall, roof or floor before striking the front wall, or serving three short balls in succession, shall cause the loss of a hand. 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. 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. 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. This requires a great deal of skill and experience, but it can be done effectively, and should be seen oftener in practice. ### Rule 3 The ball The ball shall be 1⅞ inches in diameter and 1⅝ ounces in weight. The brilliancy of the game depends as much upon a good ball as a good pair of hands. An improperly made ball is discouraging to an expert; in fact, no one who has any regard for the safety of his hands, should indulge in the game without first testing the quality of the little sphere. While no general regulations have ever existed in regard to this matter, the Brooklyn Handball Club, the leading organization of the kind in the world, has adopted a standard ball which is recognized at all the prominent courts in America as the best for all purposes. It is constructed with as much care as the Spalding regulation baseball, or the standard cricket ball of England. The foundation is laid with a round bit of cork or solid rubber. That is wrapped with a thin strip of rubber, upon the top of which is rolled yarn of the finest character. The covering is of horsehide, neatly stitched. A great deal depends on the strength of the wrapping whether the ball will be lively, or just moderately so. Some players like plenty of life in the ball, some admire a hard dead ball, while men like Casey, Dunne, Courtney and other leading experts prefer a well made ball above anything else, one neither too hard nor too soft, but with a true and fairly lively bound. There is a great deal of time and labor expended in perfecting these little globes, and those of the best make are sold for $1 a piece. The Irish ball, as a general rule, differs considerably from the one used in America. They are smaller. and not near as much attention paid to the composition or finish. The harder the ball, the better an Irish expert likes it. As he depends chiefly upon service for his success, he wants a ball that will fairly batter down a front wall. That is the reason while seven-eighths of the players in Ireland at the present time object to the American style of playing the game and adopting their ball. Take the service away from them, and you destroy all the effects of their playing. ### Rule 4 Four-handed match In a four-handed match, parties winning the toss are allowed only one hand at the commencement. The server’s partner shall stand inside of the ace line, with his back to either the right or left wall, until the service ball strikes the front wall. All balls striking an opponent shall be a hinder. The server’s partner and one of the opponents generally stand side by side against the left hand wall, if the service is from the right. The recoverer is on the alert in the outer court the same as in a single-handed game. It is not compulsory, however, that the opponent of the server’s partner shall stand just outside of the ace line. He can go in the outer court and help his partner to recover service, but he may be more useful at the line, particularly to take all line service to the left on the fly. This is a very important position against a heavy server, because in a majority of instances it results in the disposing of the hand. ### Rule 5 Hinders A hinder is when a ball strikes your opponent and retards it from reaching the front wall. For instance, if the recoverer of service should strike either of his opponents with the ball on the way to its destination, it is termed a hinder. If said recoverer, however, strikes his partner instead of an opponent, it is an ace against him. Then again, if the server should be hit by his partner’s ball it is a hand out. A great many of these hindrances are accidents pure and simple, but in some instances they can be avoided, and, if in the opinion of the referee the hinder was intentional, an ace can be counted against the side committing it, or a hand be declared out just as the case may be. A server at work frequently hits his partner while standing within the ace line; this is also called a hinder. If a ball from a server strikes either of his opponents, before or after bounding, it becomes non-playable and is counted an ace. ### Rule 6 Ball served inside the ace line; use of the foot When a ball from the server drops anywhere inside of the ace line, the player has the privilege of using his hand or foot; if the hand is used, it counts the same as if it was served regularly over the line; if the foot, the striker or his partner has the privilege of stopping the ball before it reaches the front wall. If the ball after being struck with the foot gets to the front wall, the striker or his partner shall have to return it before stopping it. The use of the foot is not very frequent, and is not considered to be at all scientific. There is considerable talk of barring the play altogether. It is claimed that it would be difficult as well as dangerous to cultivate the style, and what effectiveness could be reached, would be more than offset by injuries to players. ### Rule 7 One hand Only one hand shall be used in striking the ball, otherwise a foul is committed, and the punishment is the loss of a hand or an ace. ### Rule 8 Change of hands After a server and partner shall have been retired, they must be allowed sufficient time to take their positions in the outer court. ### Rule 9 Referee All claims shall be decided by the referee, whose decisions are final. This is one of the most interesting features connected with the game as it is played in America. If there is a single-handed or double-handed match, a man is usually selected for referee who has the entire confidence of the principals and spectators, and strange to say that in all the important contests within the experience of the writer, it has never been a difficult matter to agree upon that official. And his labors are very exacting, too, and without he makes himself master of the situation at once, he will be in a far worse position than the poor umpire on a baseball field. But, a conflict between a handball player and a referee rarely occurs. If an appeal is made by a player, and sometimes it is done very vigorously, the referee generally decides the point quickly and with such firmness that convinces the player, that to dispute the decision would be useless and costly. The referee has the power to inflict various punishments upon those who violate the playing rules, and obedience to that official is considered to be imperative. While not being covered by the rules, it is incumbent upon each and every man to make as neat appearance as possible while in the court. This is carried out in almost every instance, and in no other athletic exercise is this feature so strictly observed. Twenty years ago men could play under any conditions—bare feet was a favorite with many, while in other instances scanty attire prevailed. If a man were to appear under these circumstances at the present time he would soon be told that he was not wanted. Most of the clubs in America has special uniforms, the Brooklyn Handball Club being the the first to establish such a proceeding. ## Terms in this rulebook - [Ace](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ace.md): 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 - [Appeal](https://handball.theperfectship.com/appeal.md): 6, 9 - [Back wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/back-wall.md): 2 - [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 - [Ceiling](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ceiling.md): 2 - [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md): 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 - [Doubles](https://handball.theperfectship.com/doubles.md): 4, 9 - [Field](https://handball.theperfectship.com/field.md): 9 - [Floor](https://handball.theperfectship.com/floor.md): 2 - [Foot fault](https://handball.theperfectship.com/foot-fault.md): 2 - [Four-wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/four-wall.md): 2 - [Front wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/front-wall.md): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - [Game, match, tiebreaker](https://handball.theperfectship.com/game.md): 1, 3, 4, 9 - [Hand-out](https://handball.theperfectship.com/hand-out.md): 2, 5, 7 - [Hinder](https://handball.theperfectship.com/hinder.md): 4, 5 - [Opponent](https://handball.theperfectship.com/opponent.md): 2, 4, 5 - [Partner](https://handball.theperfectship.com/partner.md): 4, 5, 6, 8 - [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md): 2, 3, 6, 9 - [Point](https://handball.theperfectship.com/point.md): 9 - [Receiver](https://handball.theperfectship.com/receiver.md): 4, 5 - [Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/match-referee.md): 5, 9 - [Serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/serve.md): 2, 6 - [Server](https://handball.theperfectship.com/server.md): 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 - [Service line](https://handball.theperfectship.com/service-line.md): 2 - [Short line](https://handball.theperfectship.com/short-line.md): 2, 4, 5, 6 - [Short serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/short-serve.md): 2 - [Side wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/side-wall.md): 2 - [Uniform](https://handball.theperfectship.com/uniform.md): 9 - [Wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/wall.md): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Printed title: Rules and Explanations Source: M. W. Deshong, The Game of Hand Ball and How to Play It (American Sports Publishing Co., 1893), pp. 12-18 (Library of Congress, LCCN ca05001384); reprinted from the same type as 'Handball Rules and Explanations' in Spalding's Official Sporting Rules (1894), pp. 134-137 (LCCN 05025091). Public domain.