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(Part 1) The Game
The Game
Rule 1.1 Types of games. One-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.
Part 1, Rule 1.1: Interpretation No. 1:
“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.
Rule 1.2 Description. Handball is a competitive game in which either hand or either fist may be used to hit 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 legally. (See Rule 4.4C)
Rule 1.4 Points and outs. Points are scored by the serving side when it serves an ace (a serve which is untouched by the receiver’s hand) or wins a rally (except as provided by Rule 3.4.D.4.b, Late start.) When the serving side loses one rally in singles or two rallies in doubles, it loses the serve (except as provided by Rule 4.2.A, Server.) 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 decided by the first side to reach 21 points. In the event each side wins a game, a tiebreaker is played and decided by the first side to reach 11 points. (See Rule 4.1.A)
a.) Other formats. A match can also be won by the first side winning the appropriate number of points, whether it be 15, 21, or 25 point games, as long as it’s specified on the entry.
(Part 2) Courts and Equipment
Courts and Equipment
Rule 2.1 Courts. The specifications for the standard one-wall handball court are:
A. Dimensions. Drawings of standard one-wall courts and their surroundings are on file with the U.S.H.A. on www.ushandball.org. The dimensions of a standard one-wall handball court are:
1) Wall. The wall shall be 20 feet wide (from the outside edge of one side line to the outside edge of the other side line) and 16 feet high including any top line. Courts should be numbered
2) Floor. The floor shall be 20 feet wide from the outside edges of the sidelines. It shall be 34 feet from the wall to the back edge of the long line. The side lines should extend at least 10 feet. beyond the long line. There also should be a minimum border of at least 10 feet (but ideally 20 feet of floor beyond each side line, as well as 16 feet beyond the long line) to allow for playing space. In addition, to keep from losing the ball, outdoor courts should be surrounded by a 12-16 foot high 1-inch chain link fence.
B. Lines and zones. Handball courts shall be divided and marked on the floors with 2-inch wide lines. Recommended colors are white, yellow, or red. The lines shall be marked as follows:
1) Short line. The short line runs parallel to the wall, between the side lines, with its back edge 16 feet from the wall.
2) Long line. The long line runs parallel to the wall, between the side lines, with its back edge 34 feet from the wall.
3) Top line. The top line runs parallel to the floor, between the side lines, with its top edge 16 feet from the floor (See 2.1B8).
4) Service markers. There shall be service markers, lines of at least 6 inches in length extending inward from the side lines, parallel to the short and long lines and located midway between them. The imaginary extension of these lines across the court indicates the service line (See Rule 4.4A).
5) Service zone. The service zone is the floor inside and including the short, service, and side lines.
6) Receiving zone. The receiving zone is the floor area behind the short line, inside and including the side and long lines.
7) Playing zone. The playing zone is the floor area between the wall and the outside edges of the side and long lines.
8) Wall edge. The top edge of the wall, if any, is not part of the court. A ball striking the top edge is an out.
C. Towels. In tournament play a towel should be made available for wiping moisture on the court surfaces. Reasonable time should be allowed by the referee for this purpose only. Players should obtain a towel and proceed directly to the surface to be wiped, then directly return the towel. Players are not to interrupt this procedure to wipe any part of their body or eye guards. The respective 10 seconds allowed per Rule 4.1.E.Time and regular time outs are for this purpose.
In the event the referee determines reasonable time is being exceeded or abused he/she shall request the towel be returned, then declare “play ball” and proceed explicitly per Rule 4.1.E.Time; that is, the receiver shall be allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to assume a receiving position, after which the score shall be called and the server allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to put the ball in play.
Any failure to adhere to or abuse of this procedure may be subject to Rule 4.9.A.9 Technical. At no time is a player allowed to leave the court except at the referee’s direction to directly obtain a towel and return directly to the court. A player otherwise leaving the court is subject to Rule 3.4.D.3) Forfeitures.
Rule 2.2 Ball.
A. Only USHA official and/or approved-balls shall be used in all USHA events.
B. Current Specifications. USHA Red or White label ball as specified for event:
1) Material. The material should be rubber or synthetic material.
2) Color. Color is optional.
3) Size. 1 and 7/8-inch diameter, with a variation of 1/32-inch, plus or minus.
4) Weight. The USHA Red label ball shall be 61 grams, with a variation of 3 grams, plus or minus. The USHA White label and/or big balls can weigh less.
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.
6) Selection. A ball should be approved 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.
C. Other specifications. A lighter and/or larger ball may be used for any division provided it is USHA approved and is specified on the entry blank.
Rule 2.3 Gloves.
A. General. Gloves must be worn to keep the ball dry.
1.) Big ball. Exclusively in big ball matches, gloves are optional. However, players must have access to gloves. They will not be required to wear them unless the referee deems it necessary to help keep the floor and/or the ball from getting wet.
B. Style. Gloves must be light in color on the usual hitting surfaces and made of a soft material or leather with wetness easily detected by visual inspection. Gloves must be full-fingered and the fingers may not be webbed, connected or removed. Any gloves which provide an unfair advantage are not allowed, and must be replaced at the referee’s direction.
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 (or bare hand). Metal or hard substances may not be worn under the glove if, in the opinion of the referee, such creates an unfair advantage.
Part 2, Rule 2.3 C: Interpretation No. 2:
A player should be allowed to protect a bone bruise on the hand. If some kind of thin bandaging material is not sufficient, the player should be allowed to use a coin or some other type of hard material, so long as the referee does not believe it creates 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.
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. Shirts are not required for outdoor play unless requested by opponent or referee. 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. Shirts must be full length, not cut off in the torso. Shirts are not required for outdoor play unless requested by opponent.
1) Sleeveless shirts are allowed until such time as the referee deems it necessary to help keep the floor from getting wet, then the player must change to a dry shirt.
B. Color. Color is optional. Unusual patterns that affect the opposing player’s view of the ball or cause a distraction 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 graphics. Lettering or graphics in poor taste are 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. Recognizing that protective eye wear cannot guarantee 100% safety from eye injuries resulting from playing handball, protective eye wear designed for court sports must be properly worn at all times on the court. The USHA recommends that players select unaltered lensed eye wear, with specifications that meet or exceed either ASTM, ANSI or Snell standards.
B. Violations. Failure to wear appropriate protective eyewear properly will result in a technical ( see Rule 4.10 ), and the player will be charged a timeout to secure protective eyewear. The second violation in the same match will result in a forfeit.
Part 2, Rule 2.5 B: Interpretation No. 3
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 or receive 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.
(Part 3) Officials and Officiating
Officials and Officiating
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 line judges.
A. Responsibilities. The tournament director is responsible for overseeing the entire tournament. The tournament director, or his/her delegated representative, shall be present at all times.
B. Rules briefing. The current official USHA rules as posted on the USHA web site will apply and be made available. Any modifications made by the tournament director must be approved by the USHA and stated on the entry form, and/or 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 all aspects of tournament referees, including assigning referees to all tournament matches, as well as all aspects relating to the interpretation and application of the USHA rules. Whereas the tournament director has final authority in all aspects of the tournament, the Chief of Referees is chosen for USHA rules knowledge and should be consulted for official rulings. In the absence of a Chief of Referees the tournament director assumes all responsibility.</span
Rule 3.3 Removal of Officials. Any official may be removed from a match upon the agreement of both singles players or both doubles teams providing there is agreement by the chief of referees or the tournament director. In the event that an official’s removal is requested by one player or team and not agreed to by the other, the chief of referees or the tournament director may accept or reject the request. It is recommended that the match be observed before determining what, if any, action is to be taken. If the request for change is not upheld, the player or team making the request shall be charged with a timeout. If the player or team is out of timeouts, a technical shall be assessed. This is not applicable in the case where both singles players or both doubles teams are in agreement in the request for change.
Rule 2.2 Ball.
Rule 3.4 Referee.
A. Pre-match duties. The principal official for every match shall be the referee. The referee’s authority regarding a match begins once the players are called to the court. 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, scorecard, 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 and 4.7 A.1).
5.) Inspect gloves, uniforms and eye protection. Remind players to have an adequate supply of extra gloves and shirts, and access to headbands. 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 3.8 and 4.1E).
B. Decisions. The referee shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his/her call (See Rule 3.7 Appeals). 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/her call. Any reversal must be completed before the referee announces the score for the next rally. On the final rally of any game such reversal must come in a reasonable time after the rally, consistent with the amount of time that would normally transpire from the end of a rally to the subsequent calling of the score. The Chief of Referees and/or Tournament Director who has witnessed a violation of Rule 4.9 Technicals may enforce the application of the Technical (See Rule. 4.9 Technicals).
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). A ball that hits an official or spectator before hitting the wall shall be judged as if it had hit an opponent (See Rule 4.7A2). If a “non-seated” spectator or official interferes with a player in his attempt to play a ball, it is a hinder. In the interest of safety, when sufficient playing area cannot be provided, the referee may call a dead-ball hinder for interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see or return the ball (See Rule 4.7A7).
C. Protests. Any decision involving a rules interpretation may be protested before the referee announces the score for the next rally. 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, a technical shall be charged against the player.
D. Forfeitures. A match may be forfeited by the referee when:
1.) Flagrant unsportsmanlike-like conduct. Any player refuses to abide by the referee’s decision or engages in flagrant unsportsmanlike-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. Late start penalty points are not cumulative, and the match forfeiture provision shall be applicable only if the full 10-minute delay is consecutive. 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 the tournament schedule is 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, that player’s warm-up time will be reduced accordingly. The tournament director may permit a longer delay if circumstances warrant.
5.) Player forfeiture. A match must be played in its entirety with both players/teams on the court (See Rule 3.4.D.4.b). Partial forfeits, such as any player forfeiting the second game and progressing directly to a tiebreaker, are not allowed. A forfeit of any part of a match shall result in the forfeit of the entire match. In round robin format forfeit of one match will not require a forfeit from that event. A forfeit in one event shall not result in a forfeit of any other event.
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 Players.
A. Player Code. The USHA rules of handball place a presumptive code of integrity and honesty on each player. It is expected that players will always self-enforce violations not detectable by a referee. (See rule 4.6 E) Such instances would include, but are not limited to, double bounces, wrist balls, and to fairly represent injuries in the application of Rule 4.10.C. This presumptive Code is also applicable to abiding by the Spirit of Handball and the Code of Conduct as found in the appendix. This would include showing up at appointed times for matches, and abiding by the Rules of Handball.
Rule 3.6 Line judges.
A. Line Judges. There should be a line judge, positioned at the most advantageous viewpoints, for each of the side lines, the short line and the long line.
B. Duties and responsibilities. Line judge duties shall be to call “out” the balls that hit the floor or the wall off the court and to call faults on their respective lines as they occur. The short line judge may call skip balls, backswing hinders and two bounce returns at the discretion of the referee. If a line judge is uncertain, he/she should abstain from making a call. The referee may substitute his/her decision on a call.
Line judges also 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 line judges 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/her view was blocked, is arm extended with an open hand and palm down. Line judges shall not signal until the referee acknowledges the appeal and asks for a ruling.
C. Result of response. If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s call stands. Otherwise the call shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the call, the call shall stand. If a majority disagree with the call, the call must be reversed. If there is a tie, the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay.
Rule 3.7 Appeals.
A. Appealable calls. Any player may appeal a short or other service fault. Any player may also appeal receiving line violations. If the server appeals a short or other service fault, and the appeal is upheld, the server is awarded the serve over. If the server had one short, the call would cancel the previous fault call, and the server would be awarded two serves, because he/she 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. If, on the first serve, the server appeals a non-call of a short or other service fault, and the appeal is upheld, the server is awarded a second serve. After the rally has ended, either player may appeal on a double-bounce call or non-call, kill shots called good, kill shots called no good and court hinders. The outcome may result in a point being awarded, a side out, or a replay. After the rally has ended, either player may also appeal faults, restraining line violations, and skip serves not called. If the appeal is upheld, the player is awarded the appropriate call. In all one-wall matches, appeals are limited to three unsuccessful appeals per player/side per 21-point game and two unsuccessful appeals for shorter games. At no time may a player appeal a hinder 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, called “second serve” at the appropriate time after a fault serve, or called “first/second serve, one serve” at the appropriate time after a hinder serve, before the next rally. The referee will then request the opinion of the line judges. The referee may also appeal to the line judges if he/she is uncertain of his/her own call, and may then maintain, reverse or nullify the call in question. A replay shall be called if the referee believes it is necessary in the interest of fairness.
C. Number of Appeals. In all one-wall matches, appeals are limited to three unsuccessful (referee’s initial call stands), appeals per player/side per game for the first two games and two unsuccessful appeals per player/side for the tiebreaker. This limitation applies only to those appeals requested by a player/side, and once the unsuccessful limit is reached further requested appeals shall not be granted. All appeals imposed by rule shall not be affected and shall remain unlimited (see Rule 4.7.A.3 and Rule 4.8.F.1 Interpretation No. 19).