# Rule 4.8 Avoidable hinders (USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990, historical)

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

USHA rules text used with permission of the U.S. Handball Association (ushandball.org); credit: U.S. Handball Association. Source: https://www.ushandball.org/

An avoidable hinder results in an out or a point (See Rule 4.5.E), depending on whether the offender was serving or receiving. Player intent has no bearing on an avoidable call. An avoidable hinder should be called only when a hinder could have been avoided with reasonable effort. Avoidable hinders are called when:

## A. Failure to move

A player does not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot. (See Interpretation No. 12).

## B. Blocking

A player moves into a position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball; or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent as his partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No. 13).

## C. Moving into ball

A player moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No. 14).

## D. Pushing

A player forcibly pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No. 15).

## E. View obstruction

Moving across an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball. (See Interpretation No. 16).

## F. Distraction

Any avoidable distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or team. (See Interpretation No. 17).

## G. Stroke interference

Any positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by or restricting the follow-through of the player hitting the ball (See Interpretation No. 18).

## H. Improper equipment

The loss of any improperly worn equipment,or equipment not required on court, that interferes with the play or the safety of the players (See Interpretation No. 19).

## Mentioned here

- [Player](https://handball.theperfectship.com/player.md)
- [Partner](https://handball.theperfectship.com/partner.md)
- [Opponent](https://handball.theperfectship.com/opponent.md)
- [Rally](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rally.md)
- [Hinder](https://handball.theperfectship.com/hinder.md)
- [Avoidable hinder](https://handball.theperfectship.com/avoidable-hinder.md)
- [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)
- [Point](https://handball.theperfectship.com/point.md)
- [Doubles](https://handball.theperfectship.com/doubles.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-onewall-smallball/4-8.md)

## Relationships

- Player relates to Opponent: mentioned together in 19 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Hinder: mentioned together in 18 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Court: mentioned together in 17 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Ball: mentioned together in 30 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Point: mentioned together in 12 sub-rules.
- Player relates to Doubles: mentioned together in 10 sub-rules.
- Opponent relates to Hinder: mentioned together in 11 sub-rules.
- Opponent relates to Ball: mentioned together in 18 sub-rules.
- Hinder relates to Ball: mentioned together in 18 sub-rules.
- Court relates to Ball: mentioned together in 10 sub-rules.
- Ball relates to Point: mentioned together in 11 sub-rules.
- No link to the other terms shown: Partner, Avoidable hinder, Rally.
- 26 weaker links (terms mentioned together in few sub-rules) are not drawn.

Rulebook: [USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/usha-fourwall-1990-06-20.md)

Source: The Official United States Handball Association Handball Rules With Interpretations and One-Wall and Three-Wall Addendum Revised 1991 (Wayback capture 19980519203944 of cohandball.com). USHA rules text, used with the USHA's written permission (letter not yet filed).