Y.M.C.A. One-Wall Rules, June 1900

Court

The service wall should be approximately in the proportion of four (4) for height to five (5) for width. The side lines of the court should run at right angles to the service wall. The court should be approximately two and one-half times as long as the service wall is high, divided into two equal parts by a line running parallel with the service wall, which line is the service line. A space three feet square shall be marked in the outer court in both corners, formed by the service line and the side lines; these spaces shall be termed the "partners' boxes."

Ball

For the majority of Association courts the regular tennis ball is best.

Game

The game shall consist of twenty-one points, and may be played by two, three or four persons.

Rule 1 Right to serve

The choice for the right to serve shall be decided by toss.

Rule 2 Server and receiver

The player serving the ball shall be termed the server, and the player to whom the ball is served the receiver.

Rule 3 Change of server

At the end of the first service the server shall become the receiver and the receiver the server, and so on alternately in all subsequent services of the game.

Rule 4 Service

The ball must be served from behind the service line within the court. The server may stand with one foot in front of the service line. On the service the ball must be struck from a bounce behind the service line, hit the service wall and then land in the outer court (beyond the service line).

Rule 5 Fault

A fault consists of a ball not served over the service line, or a ball served over the back or side lines. Two consecutive faults shall retire the server. A fault cannot be returned.

Rule 6 Receiver ready

The server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. After a server has been retired he shall be given sufficient time to get into position before play is resumed. If the latter attempts to return the service he shall be deemed ready.

Rule 7 Service when receiver not ready

A service or fault delivered when the receiver is not ready counts for nothing.

Rule 8 Ball in play

The ball is in play on leaving the server's hand, except as provided for in Rule 5.

Rule 9 Server scores

The server wins a point if the receiver fails to return the service or ball in play so that it drops outside the court; or if the receiver loses as provided by Rule 16. Only the side serving scores.

Rule 10 Loss of service

The server loses his service if he serves two consecutive faults; or if he fails to return the ball in play; or if he returns the ball in play so that it falls outside of the court; or, if in attempting to serve, he fails to strike the ball; or if the ball, when served, fails to strike the service wall first; or if he otherwise loses as provided by Rule 16.

Rule 11 Ball on the line

A ball falling on the line is regarded as falling inside the court.

Rule 12 Four-handed and three-handed games

In a four-handed game, the side serving first is allowed but one service at the commencement of the game. After the first service each side is allowed two consecutive services, the two partners alternating in turn. The server's partner must stand in one of the "partners' boxes" until the ball strikes the service wall on each service. In a three-handed game the single player shall have every alternate service.

Rule 13 Ball striking a player

If the ball, when served, strikes the server or his partner, it retires the server. If it strikes the receiver or receiver's partner, before or after bouncing, it becomes non-playable and counts a point for the server. If the ball in play strikes a player it shall count against such player.

Rule 14 Hinder

A hinder is—

(a) When the player is prevented by the proximity of a spectator from properly returning the ball.

(b) When a player interferes with another in such a manner as to prevent him from properly returning the ball.

(c) When the ball strikes any apparatus within the court lines and such apparatus is not higher than the service wall. A hinder shall count nothing.

Rule 15 Foot and hand

The use of the foot is debarred. Only one hand may be used in striking the ball, and it may be struck but once on the return. Violation of this rule shall count against the player so doing.

Rule 16 Officials

The officials shall be a referee, scorer, and linesman.

(a) The Referee shall decide all questions pertaining to the serving of the ball and its return, and shall be judge of hinders and faults, and shall decide all questions not covering these rules. His decision shall be final on all questions.

(b) The Scorer shall keep a correct record of the points made and shall keep the contestants informed as to the progress of the game.

(c) The Linesman shall decide when the ball is in or out of court, and report to the referee.