BIG BALL RULEBOOK

ONE WALL COMPETITIVE RULES FOR PLAYERS, REFS, AND HOSTS.
ONE WALL OFFICIAL RULEBOOK

Newest Rule Changes

Swipe sideways to see the latest updates.

Update #1
All movement out of the path of the ball is open to be called as a block.
Update
All block calls are appealable using your stoppages.
Update
You can communicate with your partner, but you cannot make calls like “2 bounces” or “under” for them.
Update
You’re allowed to communicate on your own shot only.
Update
A screen does not result in a short serve by itself.
Update
Block calls by a player and block calls by the ref end the play immediately.
Update
Each team is allowed one referee change per tournament.
Update
No warnings will be given to any player competing above C level.
🧱

Court, Ball & Gear

Know the space and equipment before you start ripping serves.

📐 Court Dimensions
Layout
  • 1
    Wall: 20 ft wide, 16 ft high (standard big ball one-wall court).
  • 2
    Floor: 20 ft wide, 34 ft long (wall to long line).
  • 3
    Short line: 16 ft from the wall; splits service and receiving zones.
  • 4
    Out lines: Any ball landing outside the sidelines or past the long line is out.
🏐 Official Ball
Ball
  • 1
    The official ball is the Ultra Penn blue big ball for all divisions.
  • 2
    If the ball breaks or bounces abnormally, the ref may replace it and replay the rally.
  • 3
    Either side may request a ball check between rallies.
🎯

Serving

How to start the rally, what’s legal, and when to re-serve.

📍 Legal Serve
Basics
  • 1
    Server must stand in the service zone with both feet behind the short line on the toss and strike.
  • 2
    Ball must hit the front wall first, then land beyond the short line, inside sidelines and long line.
  • 3
    If the served ball hits a player who had no chance to get out of the way, call a re-serve.
⛔ Faults & Out Serves
Calls
  • 1
    Short serve: lands on or before the short line.
  • 2
    Long serve: lands past the long line without a legal touch.
  • 3
    Two consecutive faults = loss of serve (side out or partner change in doubles).
📊

Scoring & Match Format

How points, games, and matches are decided.

🎮 Game & Match
Format
  • 1
    Standard games: play to 21 points. Finals may be played to 25 points (host will post format).
  • 2
    Only the serving side can score a point (traditional scoring), unless the host posts rally scoring.
⏱️ Stoppages, Timeouts & Appeals
Clock
  • 1
    Each team has 3 stoppages per game.
  • 2
    A stoppage can be used as a 1-minute timeout or as an appeal.
  • 3
    If you use a stoppage as an appeal and you are right, you keep that stoppage. If the appeal is wrong, you lose it.
  • 4
    You cannot drink on wipes. After 3 needed consecutive wipes, you must put on gloves or forfeit.
🔁

Rallies & Hinders

What keeps the rally alive and when to replay or award the point.

✅ Legal Returns
Play
  • 1
    Ball must be struck with the hand or fist before the second bounce.
  • 2
    Ball must reach the front wall directly or after legal side / ground contact.
🚫 Blocks, Crosses & Hinders
Replay / Point
  • 1
    Any movement by a player near the ball can be called by the striker as a Block or a Cross.
  • 2
    Block: the defender moves away from the ball’s natural path, opening the lane. This is generally normal play unless there is contact or a clear safety issue.
  • 3
    Cross / leaning in: the defender moves into the ball’s path or leans in, crowding the striker’s swing. This can be ruled an avoidable hinder and the point may be awarded to the striker.
  • 4
    Unavoidable collisions in normal positions may be replayed as a hinder at the ref’s discretion.
🚑

Injury Rules

How to handle accidental and avoidable injuries.

🩹 Accidental Injury
Time
  • 1
    Ref may allow reasonable injury time if a player is struck by the ball or collides accidentally.
  • 2
    If a player cannot continue after the allowed time and the injury is not caused by another player’s fault, normal forfeit rules may apply as posted by the host.
⚠️ Fault-Based Injury & Rough Play
Discipline
  • 1
    If a player is injured by the fault of another player and cannot continue, both teams are disqualified from that match.
  • 2
    A losing team from the previous round involving those two teams may be brought back by coin toss to fill the bracket.
  • 3
    Deliberate and dangerous plays (swinging at players, intentional contact, etc.) can result in a technical or an immediate forfeit, at the ref’s discretion.
⚖️

Roles & Conduct

Everyone has a job: players, refs, and hosts.

Swipe sideways to see “As a Player”, “As a Referee”, and “As a Host”.
🧍‍♂️ As a Player
Responsibility
  • Know the rules and respect them.
  • Call double bounces, wrist balls, and obvious errors on yourself.
  • Clear space after your shot so your opponent has a fair swing.
  • Stay on time: be ready after breaks, timeouts, and between games.
🧑‍⚖️ As a Referee
Authority
  • Control the match from first serve to last point. Your call stands.
  • Stop play immediately for safety when needed.
  • Apply time rules, technicals, and hinders consistently to both sides.
  • Use your judgment on appeals and injuries to keep the match fair.
🏟️ As a Host
Event
  • Provide playable courts, working balls, and clear brackets and schedules.
  • Post or share this rulebook and enforce it the same way for everyone.
  • Support refs, handle disputes off the court, and maintain a respectful environment.
Handball United · Official One Wall Big Ball Rulebook
🏗️ Three Wall
Coming Soon
Three-wall Big Ball rules will appear here. Wall switcher is working; replace this placeholder with the full three-wall rulebook when you’re ready.
🏟️ Four Wall
Coming Soon
Four-wall Big Ball rules will appear here. Wall switcher is working; replace this placeholder with the full four-wall rulebook when you’re ready.

Appeal a Rule

Don’t agree with a rule or have a suggestion? Tell us what you’d change and why.

One Wall Three Wall Four Wall
This form submits to Google Forms. Entry IDs are wired to the correct fields for this form.

FAQ

Quick answers to the calls players and refs ask the most.

What ball is used in all divisions? +
We use the Ultra Penn blue big ball as the official ball for all divisions at this event.
How many stoppages does a team get per game? +
Each team gets 3 stoppages per game. You can use a stoppage as a 1-minute timeout or as an appeal. If your appeal is correct, you keep that stoppage.
Can I change the referee? +
Each team is allowed one referee change per tournament. Once you’ve used it, you can’t request another ref change.
Can my partner call “2 bounces” or “under” for me? +
You can talk to your partner, but they cannot make calls like “2 bounces”, “under”, or similar for you. You’re allowed to communicate on your own shot only.
How do I suggest a rule change? +
Use the Appeal a Rule form right above this section. Pick the correct wall format, explain which rule you’re appealing, and tell us why you think it should change.