# Rule 9 Referee (Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893, historical)

> **Historical rulebook: not the current rules.** The current rules are here: https://handball.theperfectship.com/rules/four-wall/

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.

## Mentioned here

- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/match-referee.md)
- [Appeal](https://handball.theperfectship.com/appeal.md)
- [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md)
- [Uniform](https://handball.theperfectship.com/uniform.md)
- [Point](https://handball.theperfectship.com/point.md)
- [Game, match, tiebreaker](https://handball.theperfectship.com/game.md)
- [Doubles](https://handball.theperfectship.com/doubles.md)
- [Field](https://handball.theperfectship.com/field.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/side-fourwall-american-deshong/9.md)

## Relationships

- Player relates to Appeal: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Court: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Game, match, tiebreaker: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- Court relates to Game, match, tiebreaker: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.
- No link to the other terms shown: Referee, Field, Uniform, Doubles, Point.

Rulebook: [Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1893](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/deshong-fourwall-1893.md)

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.