7.4 - Play Regulations

(a) All divisions follow the USAR’s basic one serve rules. Generally, a rally must be played for the receiver(s) to win a point or take possession of the serve.

(b) In doubles, the non-serving partner may take a position in the normal doubles box or outside the court beyond the back line or side line. If the non-serving partner hinders the receiving team on the return of serve, the referee may call a penalty hinder. In one wall, the non-serving partner may not step onto the playing zone of the court until serve has passed the short line.

(c) On the return of serve, the receiver(s) may not break the plane of the short line and doing so results in a point for the server.

(d) If the ball bounces on a side line or the back line on its first bounce, the ball is considered out. When the singles service line is used, a served ball that bounces on it is out. If the ball hits the beveled end of a side wall or the beveled top of the front wall or a side wall and remains in play, the shot is good. A ball that bounces over a side wall is legal, however, local rules may declare that such a shot is out when long-wall courts are used.

(e) Generally, there are no court hinders. Local rules, however, may designate a particular feature of the court as a court hinder. The elements of nature, such as sun, wind, rain, etc., may not serve as the basis for a hinder. A ball that strikes a light pole that is inside the playing area, but outside the “in” zone, without bouncing is considered out. However, if the ball first bounces “in”, and then hits such a light pole, it is a court hinder as soon as the ball touches the pole. A court hinder may also be called when a returned ball hits a light attached to the end of a side wall if the ball would have otherwise reached the front wall.

(f) A safety holdup (replay hinder) also includes consideration given to players on an adjacent court or any spectators who are not part of the stationary crowd. The player must be able to hit the ball prior to it reaching the stationary crowd. Any vehicle that enters the playing area can be grounds for a safety holdup. Parked vehicles are classified as part of the stationary crowd.

(g) Intentionally launching a ball following a rally is a technical foul for delay of game against the player who sent the ball sailing. This includes launching a ball prior to the referee or opponent confirming that it is broken.