One-Wall Handball Rules for Balls Same as Court Handball

American handball is a sport in which players use their hands to hit a small rubber ball against a wall so that it bounces off in such a way that their opponent cannot return it.

As with court handball (four-wall handball), the US Handball Association governs play of the sport within the US.  One-wall handball uses the same ball as court handball and plays the same rules regarding broken balls.

Rule 2.2 Ball.

A. Only USHA official balls shall be used in all USHA events .

B. Current Specifications. USHA Red Label ball:

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 ball shall be 61 grams, with a variation of 3 grams, plus or minus.

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 changes introduced in 2006 include the following:
Under 4.3 A. Dead-ball Serves, change:
2.) Broken ball. If the ball is determined to have broken before the serve has become a legal serve, an approved ball must be put into play and the serve shall be replayed. (See Rule 4.6.J)

Under 4.6, change:
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. An official or any player may request that the ball be examined by the referee. If the referee decides the ball is broken, an approved ball must be put into play and the point replayed. Once a succeeding serve is attempted, the previous rally stands. (See Rule 4.3.A.2)

Under Part 4, Rule 4.6.J, change:
Interpretation No. 8.  The ball does not have to be completely broken to warrant a replay.  A ball this starting to crack will often have an erratic bounce.  The referee should call for a replay only if he/she determines that a ball has cracked sufficiently to cause an erratic bounce. If a player suspects a ball has cracked, he/she should immediately toss it to the referee for inspection. No player shall make any physical effort to determine if the ball is cracked or otherwise unplayable without the express consent of the referee. This is solely the referee’s responsibility and he/she will make the replay call if necessary. At the referee’s discretion, if a ball is found to be unplayable due to the unauthorized physical efforts of any player, it shall be deemed to have been made unplayable by that player’s actions and not during the rally, and the preceding rally shall not be replayed.

References:
US Handball Association – www.ushandball.org
Photo – www.balleaumur.qc.ca/accueil-en.html