USHA Three-Wall Addendum, 26 January 2025

Current rules

Current rules, as of 26 January 2025

Issued by: United States Handball Association
Date: 26 January 2025 (the date the rules took effect)
Code: American three-wall
Form: Addendum: changes to the four-wall rules

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

Printed as changes

This addendum was printed as changes to USHA Four-Wall Rulebook (26 January 2025). It is shown here as printed: the changes only, not merged into the full text. Read it next to that rulebook.

Three-Wall Addendum

Rule 2.1 Courts

The specifications for the standard three-wall handball court are:

Dimensions

The dimensions are: 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with side walls recommended length of 44 feet.

Lines and zones

Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with 2-inch-wide lines. Recommended colors are white or red. The lines shall be marked as follows:

Add 6) Long Line. The outer edge of the long line is 40 feet from the front wall and runs parallel with the front wall and service zone lines.

Rule 2.4 General

General

Shirts are not required for outdoor play unless opponent requests one be worn.

5) Long Serve. Any served ball that first hits the front wall and rebounds past the outer edge of the long line before touching the floor. During tournament play, receivers must not catch long serves that they assume to be long. Referee will award point for failure to return.

Rule 4.6 Rally

Under D. Failure to Return.

Add 7) Long Ball. The ball hits the front wall but doesn’t bounce until it passes the outer edge of the long line.

Rule 4.6-2 Rally

Delete H. Out-of-court ball.

Rule 4.7 Situations

Under 1) Court Hinders.

Add a) Ceiling House Rule. On three-wall courts with ceilings, since no two are the same anything goes when the ball hits the ceiling, either on the way to the front wall or on the way back from the front wall. This is similar to the “House Rule” in four-wall.

Terms in this rulebook

Each glossary term this rulebook uses, with the rules that use it (matched on the wording of its date).

About this rulebook

Printed title: Three-Wall Addendum - Changes from Four-Wall Rules
Rules or sections: 6
Source: USHA Four-Wall Rulebook page, 'Three-Wall Addendum: Changes from Four-Wall Rules', https://www.ushandball.org/four-wall-rulebook/; captured 2026-10-28. Used with written permission.