Rule

USHA Four-Wall Rules · American four-wall

Rule 4.5 Changes of serve

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

Historical rulebook: not the current rules. The current rules are here (USHA Four-Wall Rulebook, as of 26 January 2025).

A server continues serving until he/she or his/her side makes an out. When the server or the side loses the serve, they become the receiver or receiving side, and the receiving side becomes the serving side; and so alternately in all subsequent services of the game. Outs are made by:

Out serve

The server makes an out serve under Rule 4.3.D.

Fault serves

The server makes two fault serves before executing a legal serve under Rule 4.3.C.

Hits partner

The server hits his/her partner with an attempted return.

Return failure

The server or his/her partner fails to keep the ball in play by returning it as required by Rule 4.4.C.

Avoidable hinder

The server or his/her partner commits an avoidable hinder (See Rule 4.8).

Second out

In doubles, the side is retired when both partners have been put out, except on the first serve of the game as provided in Rule 4.2.A.

Mentioned here

How this rule changed

See the wording of this rule in every rulebook, with the changes marked.

How these ideas connect in this rule

No link to the other terms shown: Receiver, Out serve. 21 weaker links (terms mentioned together in few sub-rules) are not drawn.