# Rule 15 Return of service (The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889, historical)

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

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.

## Mentioned here

- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/serve.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)
- [Ace](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ace.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/15.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.
- Serve relates to Ace: mentioned together in 3 sub-rules.
- Ball relates to Ace: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.

Rulebook: [The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/sun-fourwall-1889.md)

Source: "Following are the set rules of the game", in 'All About Handball', The Sun (New York), 17 March 1889, p. 7 (Chronicling America, sn83030272); reprinted in the Wichita Daily Eagle, 9 April 1889, p. 3 (sn85032490). Public domain.