USHA Four-Wall Rule Changes, June 2006

Introduction

Under Part 1. Game, change:

Rule 1.4

Rule 1.4 Points and outs. Points are scored by the serving side when it serves an ace (a serve which is untouched by the receiver’s hand) or wins a rally (except as provided by Rule 3.4.D.4.b, Late start.) When the serving side loses one rally in singles or two rallies in doubles, it loses the serve (except as provided by Rule 4.2.A, Server.) Losing the serve is called an "out."

Rule 3.4

Under Rule 3.4 Referee D. Forfeitures, add:

5) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match.

Rule 4.1

Under 4.1 Serve, change:

Rule 4.3

Under 4.3 A. Dead-ball Serves, change:

2.) Broken ball. If the ball is determined to have broken before the serve has become a legal serve, an approved ball must be put into play and the serve shall be replayed. (See Rule 4.6.J)

Rule 4.6

Under 4.6, change:

If there is any suspicion that a ball has broken on the serve or during a rally, play continues until the end of the rally. An official or any player may request that the ball be examined by the referee. If the referee decides the ball is broken, an approved ball must be put into play and the point replayed. Once a succeeding serve is attempted, the previous rally stands. (See Rule 4.3.A.2)

Under Part 4, Rule 4.6.J, change:

Interpretation No. 8. The ball does not have to be completely broken to warrant a replay. A ball this starting to crack will often have an erratic bounce. The referee should call for a replay only if he/she determines that a ball has cracked sufficiently to cause an erratic bounce. If a player suspects a ball has cracked, he/she should immediately toss it to the referee for inspection. No player shall make any physical effort to determine if the ball is cracked or otherwise unplayable without the express consent of the referee. This is solely the referee's responsibility and he/she will make the replay call if necessary. At the referee’s discretion, if a ball is found to be unplayable due to the unauthorized physical efforts of any player, it shall be deemed to have been made unplayable by that player’s actions and not during the rally, and the preceding rally shall not be replayed.

Under 4.6, change:

L. Replays. Whenever a rally is replayed for any reason, the server is awarded two serves. All previous defective serves are voided.

Section ow-addendum

For the One-Wall Addendum (Changes from four-wall rules)

Section ow-4.3

Under 4.3 Defective Serves, add:

A dead-ball serve results in no penalty and the server is given another serve without canceling a prior defective serve or hinder fault.