# Four-wall · Rule 4.3 Defective serves · B. Screen serves

A screen serve call stops play, and the server gets another serve. Two consecutive screen serves result in a “fault.”

1) Screen balls. If, in the referee’s judgment, the ball passes so close to the server or the server’s partner that the receiver’s view of the ball is obstructed, a screen should be called. Also, if the served ball hits the server’s partner on the fly rebounding from the front wall or from the front wall and a side wall while the server’s partner is in a legal position within the service box, it shall be treated as a screen serve. It is also a screen when any otherwise legally served ball passes behind the server’s partner, between the partner and the nearer side wall.

> Part 4, Rule 4.3.B.(1): Interpretation No. 5
>
> The receiver standing in the center of the rear court, two to four feet from the back wall, should have a clear view of the served ball as it rebounds from the front wall when it is approximately five feet in front of the service zone. This is a difficult call because there will be instances in which the receiver will be screened, but the ball has been hit so high that it is going to result in a back-wall setup and the receiver will have time to get into a good position to attempt his/her shot. The screen serve, like any other hinder, is based on interference affecting the play. In the case just mentioned, there is initial interference, but the receiver still has time to get into good position so that the momentary screen will not affect the play. In such a case, the referee should not make the call too quickly, but should watch the reaction of the receiver. If the referee feels that the receiver hesitates getting into position, a screen should be called. If, however, the receiver moves quickly and obviously is going to have time to get into good position for a back-wall shot, the screen should not be called.
>
> The receiver should be given the benefit of any doubt so long as his/her receiving position is in the center of the court. However, if the receiver positions himself/herself to one side of center or anticipates the serve is going to be hit to one side and moves in that direction too quickly, and the serve is hit to the opposite side, a screen should not be called. It is also important that the referee attempt to position himself/herself in the middle of the balcony whenever possible so that he/she will have the same angle of view as the receiver. The best answer to this dilemma is: When in doubt, call a screen.
>
> 2) Straddle balls. A legally served ball that travels between the legs of the server is an automatic screen.

## Mentioned here

- [Server](https://handball.theperfectship.com/server.md)
- [Receiver](https://handball.theperfectship.com/receiver.md)
- [Partner](https://handball.theperfectship.com/partner.md)
- [Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/match-referee.md)
- [Serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/serve.md)
- [Hinder](https://handball.theperfectship.com/hinder.md)
- [Fault serve](https://handball.theperfectship.com/fault-serve.md)
- [Court](https://handball.theperfectship.com/court.md)
- [Front wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/front-wall.md)
- [Back wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/back-wall.md)
- [Side wall](https://handball.theperfectship.com/side-wall.md)
- [Service zone](https://handball.theperfectship.com/service-zone.md)
- [Receiving line](https://handball.theperfectship.com/receiving-line.md)
- [Ball](https://handball.theperfectship.com/ball.md)
- [Service box](https://handball.theperfectship.com/service-box.md)

Source: USHA official rulebook, used with written permission — https://www.ushandball.org/