# Rule 3 Toss for first hand (Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886, historical)

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

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.

## Mentioned here

- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/3.md)

## Relationships

- Player relates to Court: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.

Rulebook: [Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/spalding-fourwall-1886.md)

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.