# Rule 4 Service from the ace line (Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886, historical)

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

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.

## Mentioned here

- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/serve.md)
- [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md)
- [Front wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/front-wall.md)
- [Short line](https://handball.theperfectship.com/short-line.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)
- [Ace](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ace.md)
- [Wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/wall.md)
- [Floor](https://handball.theperfectship.com/floor.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/4.md)

## Relationships

- Player relates to Serve: mentioned together in 6 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Ball: mentioned together in 12 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Ace: mentioned together in 7 sub-rules.
- Serve relates to Ball: mentioned together in 6 sub-rules.
- Front wall relates to Ball: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.
- Front wall relates to Wall: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.
- Short line relates to Ball: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Short line relates to Ace: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Ball relates to Ace: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.
- Ball relates to Wall: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.
- No link to the other terms shown: Court, Floor.
- 14 weaker links (terms mentioned together in few sub-rules) are not drawn.

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.