Handball
Rule

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Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886

Historical rulebook: not the current rules. The current rules are here (USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, as of 26 January 2025).

Historical

Historical rulebook, 1886

Issued by
not recorded
Dated
1886 (the year printed on the rulebook)
Code
American four-wall
Form
Full rulebook

Hand Ball

Rule 1 Game; ball

A game of hand ball shall consist of twenty-one aces, to be played with a ball about two inches in diameter.

Rule 2 Single and double games

A game to be played by two persons shall be called a single hand game, by four persons a double game.

Rule 3 Toss for first hand

When a match is made, be it double or single, the players (after entering the court) shall toss for the first hand, the winner to have one hand only in the first inning.

Rule 4 Service from the ace line

The winner of the toss shall stand inside of a line called the ace line (which is supposed to be in the center of the court) bound the ball on the floor, striking it with his hand against the front wall. He shall serve it to the player or players beyond the ace line.

Rule 4.5 Scoring

In scoring the game each player shall be credited with an ace according as it may be scored by "service" or "return."

Rule 5 Three short serves

The striker failing to strike the ball over the ace line three times in succession is a hand out.

Rule 6 Serve striking a side wall

If the striker when serving the ball strikes either side wall before striking the front wall, it is a hand out.

Rule 7 Stopping the ball after it leaves the front wall

If the striker or his partner stops the ball intentionally before it bounds after leaving the front wall, it is a hand out.

Rule 8 Stopping the ball on its way to the front wall

If the striker or his partner stops the ball intentionally while on its way to the front wall, it is a hand out.

Rule 9 Hinder

If a ball struck by the player strikes the striker or his partner, it is a hinder, and it shall be played over again.

Rule 10 Short serve: hand or foot

When a ball is served short to the player he has the privilege of striking it with his hand or foot; if struck with the foot and it fails to go upon the front wall it does not score for the striker. If struck with the hand and it fails to strike the front wall it is an ace for the striker.

Rule 11 Short serve returned with the foot

A ball that is served short to the player and he strikes it with his foot upon the front wall, the striker after returning it on the wall, has the privilege of preventing the player from striking it again.

Rule 12 Foot assisted by the hand

If a ball is struck with the foot and assisted by the hand on to the front wall, it is foul.

Rule 13 Obstruction

When the player is about to strike the ball and his opponent jostles him or gets in his way intentionally, it is an ace or a hand out.

Rule 14 Return of service

When a ball is served to the player, he shall strike it on the fly or first bound; failing to do so counts an ace for the striker.

Rule 15 Rest between games in a prize match

In a match for a prize the contestants are allowed one minute for refreshments at the expiration of each game before commencing another. The one failing to respond to the call of time loses the match.

Rule 16 Server's partner in a double match

In a double match the striker's partner shall stand with his back against either side wall, inside of the ace line, until the ball leaves the front wall; failing to do so is foul.

Rule 17 Serve over the back board

If a ball served to the player goes over the back board or strikes the gallery before bounding on the floor, it is a foul.

Rule 18 Calling time

The striker shall call time before serving the ball, and shall not serve the ball before the player or players are outside of the line.

Rule 19 Foul balls

In all cases when a ball is taken foul and the players play it or not it shall be decided as a foul ball.

Rule 20 Hand or foot only

In striking the ball the player shall not touch the ball with any part of his person other than the hand or foot, under a forfeit of an ace or hand out.

Rule 21 Server hitting himself or his partner

If the striker in serving the ball strikes himself or his partner with the ball and it goes over the ace line, it is at the option of the player whether he plays to it or not, as it can be called a hinder.

Rule 22 Courts without side walls

In case there are only boundary lines drawn, and no side walls, if the ball after striking the front wall rebounds outside the side boundary line, such ball is foul, and is a hand out.

Rule 23 Referee

All disputed balls shall be decided by a referee chosen by the players, whose decision in all cases shall be final.

Terms in this rulebook

Each glossary term this rulebook uses, with the rules that use it (matched on the wording of its date).

About this rulebook

Printed title
Hand Ball
Rules or sections
24
Source
"Hand Ball", in [George H. Benedict, comp.], Spalding's Hand Book of Sporting Rules and Training (Chicago and New York: A. G. Spalding & Bros., 1886), pp. 45-46 (Library of Congress copy, LCCN 05029206; Internet Archive spaldingshandboo00bene); reprinted, numbered and abridged, in the Houston Daily Post, 13 March 1898, p. 15 (sn86071197). Public domain.