The Official USHA Handball Rules, 1999
Rule 1.1 Types of
games. Four-wall
handball may be played by two, three or four players. When played by two, it is
called singles; when played by three, cutthroat (See Interpretation
No.1); and
when played by four, doubles.
Rule 1.2
Description. Handball is
a competitive game in which either hand or either fist may be used to serve and
return the ball.
Rule 1.3
Objective. The objective
is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable
to keep the ball in play. A rally is won when one player is unable to return the
opponent's shot to the front wall before it touches the floor twice, or when a
player returns the ball so that it hits the floor before striking the front
wall.
Rule 1.4 Points and
outs. Points
are scored only by the serving side when it serves an ace (un-returnable serve)
or wins a rally. When the serving side loses one rally in singles or two rallies
in doubles, it loses the serve. Losing the serve is called an "out".
Rule 1.5 Game, match,
tiebreaker. A
match is won by the first side winning two games. The first two games of a match
are played to 21 points. In the event each side wins a game, a tie-breaker is
played to 11 points.
Rule 2.1 Courts. The
specifications for the standard four-wall handball court are:
A. Dimensions. The
court is 20 feet wide, 20 feet high and 40 feet long, with back wall
recommended minimum height of 14 feet.
B. 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:
1.) Short line.
The short line is parallel to the front and back walls. Its outside
edge is 20 feet from the front wall.
2.) Service line. The service line
is parallel to the short line and its outside edge is 5 feet in front of the
outside edge of the short line.
3.) Service zone. The service zone
is the area between the outer edges of the short and service lines.
4.) Service boxes. A service box
is located at each end of the service zone by lines which have outside
measurements of 18 inches from, and parallel to, each side wall.
5.)
Receiver's restraining lines. Five
feet back of the outside edge of the short line, lines should be marked on the
floor extending at least 6 inches from the side wall. These lines, parallel to
the short line, may also be marked as a broken line extending from side wall to
side wall.. (See Rule 4. 4.A).
Rule 2.2 Ball
A. Specifications.
1.) Material. The material should
be rubber or synthetic material.
2.) Color. Color is optional.
3.) Size. 1 and 7/8-inch diameter,
with l/32-inch variation.
4.) Weight. The ball shall be
58-62 grams, with a variation of 2 grams. A lighter ball
may be used for any division provided it is USHA approved and is
specified on the entry blank.
5.) Rebound. Rebound from free
fall, 70-inch drop to a hardwood floor is 48 to 52 inches at a temperature of 68
degrees F.
B. Selection. A new ball must be
selected by the referee for use in each match in all tournaments. During a game
the referee has the authority to change balls if he deems it necessary. Though
it is the referee's decision, he should honor requests when made by both sides
or when he detects erratic bounces.
Rule 2.3 Gloves.
A. General. Gloves must be
worn.
B. Style. Gloves must be light in
color and made of a soft material or leather. The fingers may not be webbed,
connected or removed.
C. Foreign
substances. No foreign
substance, tape or rubber bands shall be used on the fingers or on the palms on
the outside of the gloves. Metal or hard substances may not be worn under the
glove if, in the opinion of the referee, it creates an unfair advantage (See
interpretation No. 2).
D. Wet Gloves. Gloves must be
changed when they become sufficiently wet to moisten the ball. This is the
referee's decision. Gloves with holes that expose the skin may not be worn. It
is the player's responsibility to have an ample supply of dry gloves.
Rule 2.4 Uniform.
A. General. All parts of the
uniform, consisting of a shirt, shorts, socks and shoes, must be clean at the
beginning of a match. Only customary handball attire, in the referee's judgment,
can be worn. Players may not play without shirts. Shirts must be full length,
not cut off in the torso.
B. Color. Color is optional.
Unusual patterns that affect the
opposing player's view of the ball or distract him may not be worn.
C. Wet shirts. Referee may demand
that a wet shirt be changed. Players must have an ample supply of dry shirts.
D. Lettering and insignia. Lettering
or insignia in poor taste is not allowed.
E. Shoes.
Shoes must have soles that do not mark or damage the
floor.
F. Headband (sweatband). Players
must have access to a headband. They
will not be required to wear it unless the referee deems it necessary to help
keep the floor from getting wet.
Rule 2.5 Eye protection.
A. General. Protective eye wear
must be properly worn at all times during play. The USHA recommends that players
select lensed eye protection
designed for court sports, with polycarbonate lenses of at least 3 m.m. center
thickness.
B.
Violations. Failure to wear
appropriate protective eyewear properly will result in a technical (see
Rule 4.9),
and the player will be charged a timeout to secure eyewear. The second violation
in the same match will result in a forfeit. (See Interpretation No.
3).
Rule 3.1 Tournament director. All
tournaments shall be managed by a tournament director, who shall designate the
officials. Whenever possible, the officials should include a chief of referees,
a floor manager, match referees and linesmen.
A. Responsibilities. The
tournament director is responsible for overseeing the entire tournament. He, or
his delegated representative, shall be present at all times.
B. Rules briefing. Before all
tournaments, all officials and players should be briefed on rules and on local
court hinders or other regulations. This briefing should also be in writing. The
current USHA rules will apply and be made available. Any modifications made by
the Tournament Director should be stated on the entry form, and be available to
all players at registration. It is also recommended that referee clinics be held
before all USHA-sanctioned tournaments.
Rule 3.2 Chief of referees. The
chief of referees is in charge of assigning referees to all tournament matches.
Rule 3.3 Removal of
referee. One or more players may request that a referee be replaced. The
decision to do so is at the sole discretion of the tournament director or chief
of referees. Special consideration should be given to such a request if all
players are in agreement.
Rule 3.4 Referee.
A. Pre-match duties. Before each
match begins, it shall be the duty of the referee to:
1.) Playability. Check on adequacy
of preparation of the handball court with respect to playability.
2.) Equipment. Check on
availability and suitability of all materials necessary for the match, such as
handballs, towels, scorecards, pencils and a timepiece.
3.) Assisting officials. Check
readiness and provide instructions to assisting officials.
4.) Court hinders. Explain court
hinders, if any, to players. (See Rule
4.3.A.).
5.) Inspect gloves, uniforms and eye
protection. Remind players to have an adequate supply of extra gloves and
shirts. Inspect compliance of gloves and hands with rules. Remind players that
failure to wear eye protection properly will result in a technical, and a second
violation in a forfeit.
6.) Start game. Introduce players,
toss coin to determine order of serve and signal start of game.
7.) Time. The assigned referee
should be present 15 minutes before match time.
8.) Two-minute warning. Give a
two-minute warning before the match and before each game.
9.) Scoring. Announce the scores
before each rally. (See Rule 4.1.E).
B. Decisions. The referee shall
make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to
change his call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all
final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or
three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee,
the referee should consider reversing his call.
1.) Spectators. The referee shall
have jurisdiction over the spectators, as well as the players, while the match
is in progress. (See Rule 5.6)
C. Protests. Any decision
involving a rules interpretation may be protested before the next serve. It will
then be resolved by the chief of referees or tournament director. Judgment calls
may not be protested. If the player's protest is upheld, the proper ruling will
be made. If the player's protest is not upheld, the player shall be charged with
a timeout. If the player is out of timeouts, he will be charged with a
technical.
D. Forfeitures. A match may be
forfeited by the referee when:
1.) Flagrant unsportsman-like conduct.
Any player refuses to abide by the referee's decision or engages in flagrant
unsportsman-like conduct.
2.) Three technicals. A player or
side receives three technicals in a match, or two technicals for failure to
properly wear eye protection.
3.) Leaving the court. Any player
leaves the court at a time not allowed by these rules without permission of the
referee.
4.) Failure to report.
a. No show. Any player for a
singles match, or any team for a doubles match, fails to report to play.
b. Late start penalty. If a player
is not ready to play (or resume play) on time, the opponent shall be awarded one
point. The opponent will then be
awarded one additional point for each full minute of delay of game up to 10
minutes. The match shall then be forfeited. This applies to the start of the
match, between-game timeouts, timeouts during a game and glove-change timeouts.
Players should stay within earshot of the referee to help prevent the
delay-of-game penalty. It is the obligation of the players to be ready to resume
play on time even if the referee fails to give time warnings.
If the matches are on, or ahead of schedule, the players must be in the
court warming up at least 10 minutes before the assigned match time to assure a
prompt start. If running behind, the players must be dressed and ready to enter
the court for a maximum 10-minute, in-court warm up.
If a player shows up less than 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time,
his warm-up time will be reduced accordingly. The tournament director may permit
a longer delay if circumstances warrant.
E. Defaults. A player or team may
be forfeited by the tournament director or official in charge for failure to
comply with the tournament or host facility's rules while on the tournament
premises, for failure to referee or for any other improper conduct on the
tournament premises.
F. Other rulings. The referee
shall rule on all matters not covered in the USHA Official Rules. However, the
referee may be overruled by the chief of referees or tournament director, the
latter of whom shall have final authority.
Rule 3.5 Line judges.
A. Linesmen. If possible, two
linesmen will be used in all matches, positioned at the most advantageous
viewpoints. A linesman's opinion is based on his agreement or disagreement
with the referee's call. If a linesman is uncertain, he should abstain from
expressing an opinion.
B. Duties and responsibilities. Linesmen
are designated to help decide appealed calls. In the event of an appeal, and
after a very brief explanation of the appeal by the referee, the linesmen must
indicate their opinions of the referee's call. The signal to show agreement with
the referee is arm extended with thumb up, disagreement is shown by thumb
pointing down. The signal to show no opinion or that the line judge is unsure,
or his view was blocked, is arm extended with an open hand and palm down. Line
judges should not signal until the referee acknowledges the appeal and asks for
a ruling.
C. Result of response. If both
line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. If both line judges
disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his ruling. If only one line
judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand,
reverse his call or call for a replay.
Rule
3.6 Appeals.
A. Appealable calls. The server
may appeal a short or other service fault. He may also appeal receiving line
violations. If his appeal is upheld, the server is awarded the serve over. If he
had one short, the call would cancel the previous fault call, and he would be
awarded two serves, because he was judged to have made a legal serve. If, in the
opinion of the referee, the ball could not have been returned, a point shall be
awarded the server. If the appeal is not upheld, the call would be two shorts, a
side out.
After the rally has ended, either player may appeal on a double-bounce call
or non-call, kill shots called good, killshots called no good and court hinders.
The outcome may result in a point being awarded, a side out, or a replay
depending on the linesmen's opinions. If both linesmen disagree with the
referee's call or non-call, the call is reversed or replayed. After the rally
has ended, either player may appeal faults and skip serves not called. If he
wins the appeal, he is awarded the appropriate call.
At no time may a player appeal a screen serve, hinder (other than court
hinders), technicals or other discretionary calls.
B. How to appeal. A player must
make appeals directly to the referee before the referee announces the score. The
referee will then request the opinion of the linesmen.
The referee may also appeal to the linesmen himself if he is uncertain of his
own call, and may then maintain, reverse or nullify his own call. A replay shall
be called if the referee believes it is necessary in the interest of fairness.
Rule 3.7 Scorers. The scorer, when
utilized, shall keep a record of the progress of the game in the manner
prescribed by the tournament director. As a minimum, the progress record shall
include the order of serves, outs, and points.
Rule 3.8 Floor manager. The floor
manager informs players of their court assignments and times.
Rule 4.1 Serve.
A. Order. In singles, the player
winning the toss of a coin serves first in the first game.
The other player serves first in the second game.
If a tiebreaker is necessary, the player who scored the higher total of
points in the first two games serves first.
If both players score an equal number of points in the first two games,
another coin toss will be made to determine which player serves first.
In doubles, the side winning the toss of a coin chooses to serve or receive
in the first game. The other side shall choose for the second game. If a
tiebreaker is necessary, the team scoring the higher total of points in the
first two games shall choose. If both teams score an equal number of points in
the first two games, another coin toss will be made to determine
which team has the choice.
B. Start. Games are started by the
referee announcing play ball, and then the score, 0 0.
C. Place. The server may serve
from any place in the service zone. No part of either foot may touch the floor
beyond the outer edge of either line of the service zone. Server must remain in
the service zone until the served ball passes the short line. Violations are
called foot faults." (See Rule 4.3
C.1.).
D. Manner. The server must come to
a complete stop in the service zone before beginning the serve. The serve is
begun by bouncing the ball to the floor in the service zone. Although the server
may bounce and catch the ball several times before serving, when actually
beginning the serve the ball must be struck on a single bounce. If a player
allows the ball to bounce more than once after a single drop and then hits it, a
fault will be called (See Rule 4.3
C.8). The ball must be struck by the server's
hand or fist so that it hits the front wall first and on the rebound hits the
floor behind the short line, either with or without touching one of the side
walls. If the server bounces the ball outside the service zone as he begins his
serve, a fault will be called (See Rule 4.3
C.7).
E. Time. A serve may not be made
until the referee has announced the score (See Rule
3.4.A.9). The referee shall
call point or side out as soon as a rally ends. The receiver then has up to 10
seconds to assume a receiving position. When the receiver has assumed a
receiving position or 10 seconds have elapsed, whichever occurs first, and the
server has had reasonable time to get to his serving position, the referee shall
announce the score and the server must serve (strike the ball) within 10
seconds.
If the first serve results in a fault or
screen, the referee shall give the receiver a reasonable time to take a
receiving position and then the referee shall announce "second serve"
after which the server must serve within 10 seconds. (See Interpretation No.
4).
Rule 4.2 Doubles.
A. Server. At the beginning of
each game in doubles, each side informs the referee of the order of service,
which must be followed throughout the game. Only the first server on the first
serving team may serve the first time up. This
player must continue to serve first throughout the game. When the game's first
server is put out on his initial serve, the side is out. Thereafter, both
players on each side shall serve until an out for each occurs. It is not
necessary for the server to alternate serves to the opponents.
B. Partner's position. On each
serve, the server's partner shall stand erect with his back to the nearer
side wall and with both feet on the floor within the service box until the
served ball passes the short line. Violations are called
foot faults."
Rule 4.3 Defective serves.
Defective serves are of four types
and result in the following:
A. Dead-ball serves. A dead-ball
serve results in no penalty and the server is given another serve without
canceling a prior illegal serve. This occurs in the following situations:
1.) Court hinders.
If a served ball takes an erratic bounce due to a court obstruction
or wetness (before the serve has become a legal serve) a court hinder is called
and the serve is replayed. (See Rule 3.4.A.4 )
2.)
Broken ball. If the ball is determined to have broken on the serve, a new
ball shall be substituted, and the serve shall be replayed.
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. (See Interpretation No.
5). Also,
if the served ball hits the servers partner on the fly rebounding from the
front wall or from the front wall and a side wall while the servers 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.
2.) Straddle balls. A legally
served ball that travels between the legs of the server is an automatic screen.
C. Fault serves. The following
serves are fault serves, and any two that are hit before a legal serve is
executed result in an out:
1.) Foot fault.
a.) The server begins the service
motion with one or both feet touching the floor
outside the service zone (See Rule 4.1.C).
b.) The server leaves the service
zone before the served ball passes the short line.
c.) In doubles, when the server's
partner is not in the service box with both feet on the floor and his back to
the nearer side wall from the time
the serve is begun until the ball passes the short line.
2.) Short serve. Any serve that
first hits the front wall and on the rebound hits the floor in front of, or on,
the short line either with or without touching one side wall.
3.) Three-wall serve. Any serve
that first hits the front wall and then hits any two other walls before hitting
the floor.
4.) Ceiling serve. Any serve that
hits the front wall first and then touches the ceiling.
5.) Long serve. Any serve that
first hits the front wall and rebounds to the back wall before touching the
floor.
6.) Out-of-court serve. Any serve
that first strikes the front wall and then rebounds out of the court without
touching the floor.
7.) Bouncing ball outside service
zone. Any serve that is struck on a bounce that was made outside the service
zone. (See Rule 4.1 D)
8.) Not hitting ball on first bounce
from a single drop. (See Rule 4.1 D).
9.) Two consecutive screen serves. Two
consecutive screen serves result in a fault. This is the only fault call that
cannot be appealed.
D. Out
serves. Any of the
following results in an out:
1.) Missed serve. Any attempt to
strike the ball on the first service bounce that results in a total miss, or in
the ball touching any part of the server's body other than the striking hand.
2.) Non-front serve. Any served
ball that does not strike the front wall first.
3.) Touched serve. Any served ball
on the rebound from the front wall, before bouncing on the floor, that touches the server, or touches
the server's partner when both of the partners feet are not touching the
floor inside the service box or when the partners back is not to the nearer
side wall. This includes a serve
that is intentionally caught. When the partner is hit by the serve when he is
not in his legal position, the out serve
penalty supersedes the partner's foot fault (See Interpretation No.
6).
4.) Two consecutive fault serves.
(See Rule 4.3 B).
5.) Crotch serve. Any serve that
hits a crotch in the front wall is an out. All balls hitting the crotch of a
wall and the floor shall be considered to have hit the floor first. A serve that
rebounds on the fly from the front wall into the crotch of the back wall and the
floor is a legal serve, as is a three-wall crotch serve.
6.) Out-of-order serve. In
doubles, when either partner serves out of order, the points scored by that
server will be subtracted and an out serve will be called. If the second server
serves out of order, the out serve will apply to the first server and the second
server will resume serving. If the player designated as the first server serves
out of order, a sideout will be called (See Interpretation No.
7).
7.) Service delay. The server
fails to serve the ball within 10 seconds after the referee has announced the
score.
Rule 4.4 Return of serve.
A. Receiving position. The
receiver or receivers must stand at least five feet behind the short line, as
indicated by the receivers restraining lines, until the ball is struck by the
server. Any violation of this rule results in a point for the server.
(See Rule 2.1.B.5)
B. Fly return. In making a fly
return, the receiver may play the ball anytime after it passes over the back
edge of the short line and no part of
his body may extend on or over the plane of the back edge of the
short line when contacting the ball. A violation results in a point for the
server. After contacting the ball, the receiver may step on or over the short
line without penalty.
C. Legal return. After the ball is
legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball
either on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the
floor the second time, to return the ball to the front wall either directly or
after it has touched one or both side walls, the back wall, the ceiling, or any
combination of those surfaces. A returned ball may not touch the floor before
touching the front wall. A ball may be played off the back wall as well as the
front wall, provided the ball does not touch the floor a second time. Failure to
make a legal return results in a point for the server.
Rule 4.5. Changes of serve. A
server continues serving until he or his 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:
A. Out
serve. The server makes an
out serve under Rule 4.3 D.
B. Fault serves. The server makes
two fault serves before executing a legal serve under Rule 4.3 C.
C. Hits partner. The server hits
his partner with an attempted return.
D. Return failure. The server or
his partner fails to keep the ball in play by returning it as required by Rule
4.4 C.
E. Avoidable hinder. The server or
his partner commits an avoidable hinder (See
Rule 4.8).
F. 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.
Rule 4.6 Rally. When the ball is
legally returned and kept in play after a legal serve is executed. Play during
rallies must be in accord with the following rules:
A. One hand. Only the front or
back of one hand may be used at any one time to return the ball. Using two hands
together or any portion of the body other than the hand to hit a ball is an out.
B. Wrist ball. The use of any
other part of the body to return the ball, including the wrist or arm above the
player's hand, is a violation, even though the wrist or arm may be covered by a
glove.
C. One touch. In attempting
returns, the ball may be touched only once by one player. In doubles, both
partners may swing at the ball, but only one may actually hit it.
D. Failure to return. Any of the
following constitutes a failure to make a legal return during the rally:
1.) The ball bounces on the floor twice before being hit.
2.) After contact, the ball fails to reach the front wall before
touching the floor.
3.) The ball caroms off a player's hand or fist into the gallery or
into any opening in a side wall.
4.) A ball that obviously did not have the velocity or direction to
hit the front wall strikes an opponent.
5.) In doubles, a ball struck by one player hits that player's
partner.
6.) Committing an avoidable hinder (See Rule
4.8).
E. Effect of failure to return. Each
violation results in an out or point. Any violation not detected by the referee
must be called by the offending player.
F. Return attempts.
1.) Singles. If a player swings at
but misses the ball in play, the player may repeat his attempts to return the
ball until it touches the floor the second time.
2.) Doubles. Both players on a
side are entitled to attempt to return the ball. If one player swings at but
misses the ball, both he and his partner may make further attempts to return the
ball until it touches the floor the second time.
3.) Hinders. In singles or
doubles, if a player swings at but misses the ball in play, and, in his or his
partner's continuing attempt to play the ball before it touches the floor a
second time, an opponent commits unavoidable interference, a hinder is called (See Rule
4.7).
G. Touching the ball. Except as
provided in Rule 4.7 A.2, any touching of a ball before it touches the floor the
second time by a player other than the one making a return is a point or out
against the offending player.
H. Out-of-court ball. Any ball
returned to the front wall that on the rebound or on the first bounce goes into
the gallery or through any opening in a side wall is declared dead and the serve
replayed.
No return. Any ball not returned
to the front wall that caroms off a player's hand or fist into the gallery or
into any opening in a side wall shall be an out or point against the player
failing to make the return.
I. Dry ball and gloves. Every
effort must be made to keep the ball dry. Deliberately wetting the ball results
in an out or point. The ball may be inspected by the referee at any time. If a
player's gloves are wet to the extent that they leave wet marks on the ball, the
player must change to dry gloves on a referee's timeout. This is strictly a
referee's judgment. If a player wishes to change to dry gloves, he must hold the
palms of his hands up to the referee and obtain the referee's permission to
change. He may not leave the court without the referee's permission. Two minutes
are allowed for glove changes. The referee should give a one-minute warning, but
the player is still responsible to be back in the court within two minutes.
J. Broken ball. 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. The referee or any player may request that the ball
be examined. If the referee decides the ball is broken, a new ball must be put
into play and the point replayed. Once a succeeding serve is attempted, the
previous rally stands. (See Interpretation No.
8).
K. Play stoppage. If a foreign
object enters the court, or any other outside interference occurs, or if a
player loses a shoe or other properly worn equipment, the referee shall stop the
game if it interferes with the continuance of play or poses an immediate danger.
However, safety permitting, one rally-ending attempt should be allowed (See Rule
4.8 H), (See Interpretation No.
9).
L. Replays. Whenever a rally is
replayed for any reason, the server is awarded two serves. A previous fault is
voided.
Rule 4.7 Dead-ball hinders. Dead-ball
hinders should be called when interference affects the play. (See Rule
4.6.F.3).
A. Situations
1.) Court hinders. If, after the
ball has been legally served, in the
referee's opinion, an erratic bounce is caused by a court obstruction, a court
hinder should be called. The player should not stop play at any time in
anticipation of a call. Included in court hinders is the ball that hits a wet
spot on the floor, walls or ceiling, causing it to skid. This is the referee's
call, not the player's. (See Interpretation No.
10).
2.) Ball hits opponent. When a
returned ball touches an opponent on the fly before hitting the front wall, and
the shot obviously would not have reached the front wall on the fly, the player
who is hit by the shot will be awarded the rally. If the ball had any chance of
reaching the wall, or if there is any doubt in the official's mind as to whether
the ball would have reached the front wall, a dead-ball hinder will be called.
3.) Body contact. If body contact
occurs and the referee believes it was sufficient to stop the rally, either to
prevent injury or because the contact distracted or prevented a player from
being able to make a reasonable return, a hinder will be called. Except for the
offensive player stopping play during his back-swing, physical contact is not an
automatic hinder. It is the judgment of the referee as to whether the contact
impeded the play.
4.) Screen ball. Any ball
rebounding from the front wall so close to the body of a defensive player that
it interferes with or prevents the offensive player from having a clear view of
the ball. The referee should be careful not to make the screen call so quickly
that it takes away an offensive advantage.
5.) Straddle ball. When a ball
passes between the legs of a player on the side that just returned the ball, if
there is no fair chance for the opposing player to see or return the ball. This
is not automatic.
6.) Back-swing hinder. A player
may not stop play, except on physical contact during his back-swing. He may
immediately say "Contact" if he wants a contact hinder. If he
elects to hit the ball, no contact call will be permitted. The defensive player
may not stop play if contact occurs during his opponent's back-swing.
7.) Safety holdup. Any player
about to execute a return who believes he will strike his opponent with his hand
or arm may immediately stop play and request a dead-ball hinder. This call must
be made immediately and is subject to approval by the referee. The referee must
grant the hinder if he believes the holdup was reasonable and the player
otherwise might have been able to return the shot. The referee might also call
an avoidable hinder if warranted.
8.) Other interference. Any other
unavoidable interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see
or return the ball.
B. Avoidance. While attempting to
return the ball, a player is entitled to a fair chance to see and return the
ball. It is the duty of the defensive side that has just served or returned the
ball to move so the offensive side may go straight to the ball and not be
required to go around an opponent. In the judgment of the referee, however, the
offensive player must make a reasonable effort to move toward the ball and have
a reasonable chance to return the ball before a hinder is called. The referee
should be liberal in calling hinders to discourage playing the ball in such a
way that an opponent cannot see it or swing at it until it is too late. When a
player attempts a killshot in front of himself and his position interferes with
his opponent's attempt to retrieve the ball, the referee should give the benefit
of any doubt as to whether the ball was retrievable to the defensive player. It
is not a hinder when a player hinders his partner. (See Interpretation No.
11).
C. Doubles. Both players on a side
are entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance at the ball. Either one could
have been entitled to a hinder even though it naturally would be his partner's
ball and even though his partner may have attempted to play the ball and has
already missed (not touched) it.
D. Effect. A hinder call stops the
play and usually voids any situation that follows, such as the ball hitting a
player who stopped playing because of the call. However, if, in the opinion of
the referee, his call was not responsible for the player being hit by the ball,
the referee may overrule the hinder call and declare either a point or sideout.
The only hinders a player may call are specified in Rules 4.7 A.
6., and
4.7 A.7., and are subject to approval by the referee. Whenever a dead-ball
hinder is called, the rally is replayed and any previous fault on the server is
voided.
Rule 4.8 Avoidable hinders. An
avoidable hinder results in an out or a point (See Rule
4.5.E), depending on
whether the offender was serving or receiving. Player intent has no bearing on
an avoidable call. An avoidable hinder should be called only when a hinder could
have been avoided with reasonable effort. Avoidable hinders are called when:
A. Failure to move. A player does
not move sufficiently to allow his opponent his shot. (See Interpretation No.
12).
B. Blocking. A player moves into a
position that effects a block or crowds his opponent about to return the ball;
or, in doubles, one partner creates a hinder by moving in front of an opponent
as his partner is returning the ball. (See Interpretation No.
13).
C. Moving into ball. A player
moves into the path of and is struck by the ball just played by his opponent. (See Interpretation No.
14).
D. Pushing. A player forcibly
pushes an opponent during a rally. (See Interpretation No.
15).
E. View obstruction. Moving across
an opponent's line of vision just before he strikes the ball. (See
Interpretation No. 16).
F. Distraction. Any avoidable
distraction or intimidation that would interfere with the offensive player or
team. (See Interpretation No.
17).
G. Stroke interference. Any
positioning that would not allow the opponent to use a normal stroke. This
especially applies to a player moving in too close and being hit by, or
restricting the follow-through of, the player hitting the ball. (See
Interpretation No. 18).
H. Improper equipment. The loss of
any improperly worn equipment, or equipment not required on court, that
interferes with the play or the safety of the players. (See Interpretation No.
19).
Rule 4.9 Technicals. A technical
is assessed for unsportsman-like conduct or for improperly wearing eye
protection. If a referee issues a technical, one point shall be deducted from
the offender's score. The technical has no effect on service changes or sideouts.
If the technical occurs between games or when the offender has no points, the
result will be that the offender's score will be a negative one. Three
technicals in a match, or two for eye protection infractions, on a player or
side will result in a forfeiture.
A. Types. Some examples of actions
that may result in technicals are:
1.) Too frequent complaints made against the referee's judgment.
2.) Abuse of appeal privileges.
3.) Profanity.
4.) Excessive arguing.
5.) Threat of any nature to opponent or referee.
6.) Excessive or hard striking, throwing or kicking of ball between
rallies. (See Interpretation No.
20).
7.) Failure to properly wear eye protection.
8.) Protests lost in the absence of timeouts.
9.) Anything considered to be unsportsman-like behavior.
B. Warnings. If a player's
behavior is not so severe as to warrant a technical, a technical warning may be
issued without a point deduction and should be accompanied by a brief
explanation of the reason for a warning. A technical warning may precede the
penalty of a technical but is not necessary.
Rule 4.10 Rest periods.
Timeouts. Any player may request a
timeout, but not after the referee has announced the score or called second
serve after a fault. Timeouts must not exceed one minute. Three timeouts are
allowed each side per 21-point game. Two timeouts are allowed during an 11-point
game. Timeouts may be called consecutively. Players may leave the court during a
timeout.
B. Equipment timeout. At the
discretion of the referee, equipment timeouts may be granted for shoes that come
off during play, broken shoelaces, torn equipment, wet gloves, wet shirts, wet
floor, or other reasons. Players are not charged for such timeouts, and two
minutes is the maximum allowed.
C. Injury. No timeout shall be
charged to a player who is injured during play. An injured player shall not be
allowed more than a cumulative total of 15 minutes of injury timeout during a
match. If the injured player is unable to resume play after a period totaling 15
minutes, the match shall be awarded to the opponent. Injury timeouts shall be
allowed only for injuries that occur accidentally during the match. Pre-existing
injuries, illnesses, fatigue or cramps do not warrant injury timeouts. For any
injury, the tournament director or committee, after considering any available
medical opinion, must determine whether the injured player may be allowed to
continue.
D. Between games. Five-minute rest
periods are allowed between games. Players may leave the court.
Rule 5.1 Draws. If possible, the
draw shall be made at least two days before the tournament begins. The seeding
method shall be approved by the committee or director.
Rule 5.2 Scheduling.
A. Preliminary matches. Contestants
entered in both singles and doubles may be required to play both events on the
same day or night with little rest between matches. If possible, the schedule
should provide a player at least one hour rest period between all matches.
Final
matches. Where one or more players have reached the finals in both
singles and doubles, it is recommended that the singles match be played first,
and a rest period of not less than one hour be allowed between the finals in
singles and doubles.
Rule 5.3 Consolation matches. Each
entrant should be entitled to participate in a minimum of two matches.
Therefore, players who lose their first matches should have the opportunity to
compete in a consolation bracket. In draws of fewer than seven players, a
round-robin bracket may be offered. Consolation matches may be waived at the
discretion of the tournament director, but this waiver should be in writing on
the tournament application.
Rule 5.4 Notice of matches. After
the first round of matches, it is the responsibility of each player to check the
posted schedule to determine the time and place of each subsequent match. If any
change is made in the schedule after posting, it shall be the duty of the
tournament director to notify affected players of the change.
Rule 5.5 Tournament management. In
all USHA-sanctioned tournaments, the tournament director and/or the national
USHA official in attendance may decide on a change of courts before, during or
after any tournament game if such a change will accommodate better spectator or
player conditions.
Rule 5.6 Tournament conduct. In
all USHA-sanctioned tournaments, the referee is empowered to default a match if
a player conducts himself in a manner detrimental to the tournament or the game
of handball. This includes the authority of the referee and/or tournament director to remove
distractive or abusive people, and to
default a match if such individuals are not removed.
Rule 5.7 Regional and national
tournaments.
A. Regional tournaments. Regional
tournaments are to be held each season. A map defining the boundary lines of
each region will be drawn and made available to USHA area commissioners.
1.) Residence. Players may play
only in the regional tournament for the region in which they live, with one
exception. If the site of a neighboring regional tournament is closer to a
player's city of residence than the site of the tournament in his own region, he
may choose to play in either the closest regional tournament or in the
tournament for his own region. However, he may play in only one of the two.
B. Collegiates.
The purpose of the USHA-sponsored collegiate competition is to give college
players a chance to showcase their talents under ideal conditions, and to assist
in the promotion of college handball. The Collegiate Eligibility Rules are
printed in Handball Magazine each year with the official entry blank.
C. Juniors. The purpose of the
USHA Junior program is to promote a worthwhile competition on the local and
national levels, and to stimulate an ideal introduction to the game. It is
encouraged for Junior events to be held in conjunction with all USHA-sanctioned
tournaments.
Rule 5.8 Eligibility. All entrants
in any USHA event must be current USHA members.
A.) Age group divisions. In any
division designated by a minimum age (Seniors, Masters, etc.), the entrant must
reach the proper age on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which he
participates. For example, a player who is 39 is allowed to enter the Masters
(40-plus) if he turns 40 before December 31 of the year in which the tournament
is scheduled. In any division designated by a maximum age (Juniors, Challengers,
etc.), the player cannot have passed the age of eligibility until the scheduled
end of the tournament. For example, a player entering the 15-and-under division
cannot reach his 16th birthday until the tournament is scheduled to
end.
Above rules amended Jan. 31, 1999
As is the case with any written rule book for any sport, certain rules need
clarification or interpretation for specific instances or further explanation. The
following interpretations are preceded by the sections of the rules to which they pertain.
We hope these interpretations will help clear up any questions you've had about the
rules and aid you in Playing by the Rules!
"Cutthroat" is not an official tournament game. It is a game devised
for use in practice with three players. There are a number of ways to play
cutthroat, and the rules for singles should apply to the player playing without a partner,
just as the rules for doubles should apply to two players playing as a team.
A player should be allowed to protect a bone bruise on his hand. If some kind of
thin bandaging material is not sufficient, he should be allowed to use a coin or some
other type of hard material, so long as the referee does not believe it gives him an
unfair advantage, in which case the material would be disallowed. Any such
protection must be worn under the glove and must be approved by the referee before play
begins.
If the referee is doing a proper job, there should never be a technical called for
failure to wear eye protection properly. If the referee sees that a player is about
to serve and is not wearing eye protection, the referee should immediately stop the game
and inform the player who is about to create the violation. The referee should not
let a player play without eye protection in place. If the player refuses to abide by
this rule, the match shall be forfeited. Sometimes, however, the referee may not
notice the eye protection infraction until after a rally has begun. If this occurs,
the referee should stop play immediately and call a technical against the player in
violation. The referee should also inform the player that a second violation will
result in the match being defaulted.
After the rally is over, the referee should immediately call "point" or
"sideout". The receiver then has 10 seconds to assume his ready position,
but the server should only have "reasonable time" to get set. The server
should not be allowed to stall by slowly retrieving the ball. As soon as the
receiver is "ready" and the server has had reasonable time to retrieve the ball,
the referee should call the score, at which time the server has 10 seconds in which to
make contact with his service attempt.
If the receiver is in his ready position and the referee believes that the server is
taking too much time retrieving the ball and assuming his serving position, the referee
should call the score. The server will then have 10 seconds in which to serve.
If the receiver is not in his ready position after 10 seconds have elapsed from the
time the referee calls point or sideout, the referee should call the score and the server
may serve immediately or may take up to 10 seconds, whether or not the receiver is ready.
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 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 his 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 receiving position
is in the center of the court. However, if the receiver positions himself 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 in the middle of the
balcony whenever possible so that he will have the same angle of view as the receiver.
The best answer to this dilemma is: When in doubt, call a screen.
Even though the foot fault occurs before the out serve, the out serve penalty takes
precedence and shall be enforced. Another example: A server foot faults when
contacting the ball and the ball does not hit the front wall first. Again, the out
serve penalty should be enforced. For this reason, a referee should wait until after
the ball is served to call a foot fault.
In doubles, the server should not be called out if his partner intentionally catches
the ball in self-defense. However, if the server's partner catches a served ball
that otherwise would not have hit him, an out is the proper call.
If the referee is doing a proper job, there should be no out-of-order serves. The
referee should keep the players informed as to which player is the server. If the
referee sees that a player is about to serve out of order, the referee should immediately
stop the player from serving and inform the team as to which player should be the server.
If, however, a player does serve out of order, the "out-of-order" rule
shall apply.
The ball does not have to be completely broken to have the point replayed. A ball
that is starting to crack will often have an erratic bounce. The referee should call
for a replay only if he determines that a ball has cracked sufficiently to cause an
erratic bounce. If a player suspects a ball has cracked, he should immediately toss
it to the referee for inspection. The player should not push or squeeze the ball.
This is the referee's responsibility and he will make the replay call if necessary.
In most cases, if a foreign object (such as a ball from an adjacent court) enters the
court, the referee should immediately stop play and call a hinder because of the
distraction and for safety reasons. However, it might happen that a player would
lose a shoe, headband or even a glove. In these cases, the referee should allow the
opposing player one opportunity to hit a rally-ending shot if all of the following
conditions are met:
- The referee believes the opposing player is in no danger of stepping on the lost object;
- The opposing player does not appear to be distracted by the lost object;
- And the opposing player apparently has an opportunity to hit an offensive, rally-ending
shot.
If the player is allowed the one offensive shot, one of the following calls should be
made immediately afterward: If the player skips the ball in, that player loses the
rally. If the player hits a kill shot or pass shot that cannot be retrieved, that
player should be awarded the rally. If the player who lost the equipment is able to
retrieve the shot, a hinder should be called.
Balls that skid on wet walls or floors are court hinders, assuming that the player was
in position to make a return had the ball bounced truly. However, a house rule may
prevail for courts that tend to be very humid, causing the ball to frequently skid on the
walls. In such circumstances, hinders should not be called for balls skidding on
walls. The referee must inform the players before such a house rule will apply.
Balls that skid on a wet floor will always be called hinders, regardless of the
condition of the court, again assuming that the player was in position to make a return
had the ball bounced truly.
The referee must remember that if the ball is judged to be un-retrievable, a hinder
should not be called no matter what kind of interference takes place. However, if
the referee is in doubt, the benefit of that doubt should go to the player attempting to
retrieve the ball and the hinder should be called.
The legal position a player can assume when the opponent is hitting the ball from
behind that player is at an angle to the left or right side of the ball being hit, as long
as that position is assumed before the opponent begins his stroke.
A player must move out of the way of his opponent even though it may mean moving to an
undesirable court position. It is no excuse that the player claims he did not know
where his opponent was. He must move. This is also the case when a player
gives his opponent a back-wall setup. It is the obligation of the first player to
look over his shoulder and, if necessary, move out of the way. A player cannot line
up directly in front of his opponent's back-wall shot. If a player assumes such a
position and there is a collision, or if the player is struck by the ball, the hinder is
avoidable.
This call is just the opposite of the "failure to move" avoidable hinder.
When a player "creates" a hinder by his movement, it is also avoidable.
Sometimes a player, in his effort to get into a better court position, will cause
contact with an opponent who is about to hit the ball, or a player will move in so close
to an opponent who is hitting the ball as to cause a possibility of body contact. In
either case, an avoidable hinder should be called.
It is also an avoidable hinder if one player, just as his partner is hitting the ball,
moves directly in front of an opponent creating a hinder.
This avoidable hinder may occur almost anywhere on the court, but it usually happens in
two particular areas:
- A player is hitting a back-wall shot and, just as he hits the ball, his opponent moves
into the path of the ball and is struck by it. This is avoidable. In this
case, the referee must use his judgment and not call an avoidable if he feels the ball was
"miss-hit" and that the defensive player was moving into a non-hindering
position in which he would not have been hit if the ball had been hit truly.
- A player has an offensive setup and his opponent is trapped close to a side wall.
In his effort to get into a more favorable position, the defensive player moves into the
path of the ball and is hit. This is avoidable.
This avoidable hinder may occur when a player pushes a player, no matter how slightly,
who is about to hit the ball, or when a player forcefully pushes a player in his attempt
to get into position for his shot. An accidental push of a slight nature by an
offensive player should not be called avoidable.
Generally, this type of avoidable hinder occurs after a player has hit the ball and
finds himself out of position or pinned against a side wall. In his effort to move
into a better court position, he crosses the eventual path of the ball just before the
ball reaches his opponent, thereby obstructing the opponent's view of the ball.
This avoidable hinder should be called against a player who attempts to verbally
intimidate his opponent, or moves in very close to an opponent in an attempt to
"catch his eye".
Also, a player cannot say anything while an opponent is playing the ball. This is
also true in doubles. Teammates may talk to each other when it is their turn to hit
the ball, but cannot talk when it is the opponent's turn to hit the ball.
Sometimes a player will verbally reprimand himself after hitting a poor shot while the
rally is still in progress. If the referee believes such behavior is distracting
enough to the opponent as to affect his play, an avoidable hinder should be called.
A player hitting the ball is entitled to stroke the ball without being in danger of
contacting an opponent during the stroke. The stroke includes the back-swing
as well as the follow-through of the arm. If a player is contacted by the
follow-through motion of the player hitting the ball, an avoidable hinder should be
called, assuming the player who was hit could have avoided the interference with
reasonable effort. This interference might not have affected the shot, but it
doesn't matter if the ball reaches the front wall or not. This avoidable hinder must
be called for safety reasons.
Playing too close can cause serious injury, and the referee should forfeit the
offending player if this type of positioning continues.
Improperly worn equipment include eye protection that requires some type of strap in
order to stay on the head. Failure to wear such a strap could be considered
improperly worn equipment. Gloves that are not snugly attached might also be
improperly worn equipment.
Equipment not required could be items such as a baseball cap or jewelry.
If the opponent is hit or narrowly missed by the ball, a technical should be called.
On the other hand, if it is the first offense, and the opponent was in no danger of
being hit, a technical warning should be issued.
Eye Protection Is
Mandatory in All USHA Events!!
