American Paddleball Association Official Tournament Rules for One Wall Paddleball

Single Wall Paddleball is a game played by two teams in which a ball is struck by a paddle against a wall. The object of the game, is to strike the ball against the wall in such a manner that the opponents cannot return it. Each point or play is begun with the ball being served against the wall. The rallying continues back and forth until one side fails to return the ball in accordance with the rules.

The following are the recently revised one-wall paddleball rules as adopted by the American Paddleball Association.

Rule 1. The Game
1.1. Players. The game may be played by two or four persons.
1.2. Game. A game shall be won by the first side scoring 21 points, or by a score determined by the tournament director (i.e. 15, 25, 30)
1.3. Match. A match shall be won by a side winning the majority of the games.
1.4. Scoring. only the team serving may score serving points. When the receiving team makes an out, the serving team is awarded one point.

Rule 2. Court and Equipment
2.1. Court. The court shall be the fair playing surface of the wall and floor.
2.2. Wall. The wall shall be 20 feet in width 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.
2.3. Floor. The floor shall be 20 feet in width between the outside edges of the sidelines which shall be perpendicular to the wall lines. It shall be 34 feet from the wall to the back edge of the long line. The side lines should be extended at least 3 feet further from the wall, than the long line. There should be a minimum of at least 6 feet of floor outside each sideline and 10 feet in back of the long line to allow sufficient movement area for the players.
2.4. Short Line. There shall be a short line running parallel with the wall between the side lines, with its back edge 16 feet from the wall.
2.5. Service Markers. There shall be service markers (lines) at least 6 inches long, parallel to and midway between the long and short lines, extending inward from the side lines. The imaginary further extension and joining of these markers indicate the service line.
2.6. Lines. All lines shall be 1 1/2 inches in width.
2.7. Service Area. The service area is the floor area bounded by the short line, side lines, and service lines.
2.8. Receiving Area. The receiving area is the floor area in back of the short line, bounded by and including the long and side lines.
2.9. The Ball. The ball shall be rubber with a 1 7/8 inch diameter with a 1/32nd inch variance. The weight shall be 2 3/10 ounces with a 2/10th-inch variance. The rebound shall be 44 inches to 52 inches from a 70 inch drop at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.10. The Paddle. The paddle can be no longer than 17 1/2 inches and no wider than 9 inches. The paddle cannot have any stringing, such as that of a tennis racquet. Any paddle having a metal or exposed wood edge must be covered with enough tape to fully cover the edge of the paddle. The surface of the paddle may also be taped with an adhesive type material, but no rough textured surface can be created. A paddle found unfit to play by a referee will not be permitted for use in any tournament.
2.11. Attire. All players are requested to wear proper attire, preferably light or white in color. Doubles teams must wear matching attire. The tournament director will rule on any controversial attire.

Rule 3. Officials
3.1. Officials. For all championship matches, there shall be a referee, four linespersons and a scorer.
3.2. Referee. The referee shall:
  A) have exact knowledge of the playing rules, tournament regulations, and their proper enforcement and be responsible for the proper conduct of the game.
  B) decide upon all questions in accordance with the rules. The referee may exercise the option of consulting with the tournament director on all aspects of the rules.
  C) decide on all questions and interpretations not covered in these rules.
  D) check the playing area for suitability of play and establish any local ground rules relative to any deficiencies in the playing area.
  E) check the players attire and equipment.
  F) administer penalties in accordance with the rules.
  G) administer forfeitures when a) a player engages in unsportsmanlike conduct; b) a player leaves the court with out the referee's permission; c) a team fails to report for play (normally 15 minutes is allowed).
  H) introduce players and toss coin for choice of serving or receiving.
3.3. Linesperson. There shall be a linesperson for each of the side lines, the short line, and the long line. The linesperson shall:
  A) stand facing the line he/she is to call.
  B) call "out" if the ball strikes the wall or floor off the court.
  C) call faults on their respective lines.
  D) call decisions as quickly as is consistent with accuracy.
  E) be confident; however, feel free to yeild to the referee on an appeal request. (see rule 12)
3.4. Scorer. The scorer shall keep an accurate record of the score and shall keep the contestants informed as to the progress of the game. He shall announce the score after allowing the players time to return to their postion on the court.

Rule 4. Safety
4.1. Introduction. The game of One-Wall Paddleball is such that there must be great concern for the safety of all of the participants. It is, therefore, imperative to exercise an extreme degree of caution at all times. Because of the potential for dangerous situations, this committee includes an entire section of safety rules and regulations, thereby demonstrating the importance we place on playing and conducting a safe Paddleball game. It is the intent of this safety section to discourage or eliminate any reckless or wild player from participating in this sport. Safety is a primary concern in this sport and will be considered as such in any judgements that may arise.
4.2. Stopping Play. The referee will stop the play whenever he believes there is danger of a player being struck.
4.3. Striker's Obligation. If, in the judgement of the referee, a striker has a reasonable view of his opponent, , and the opponent does not move into the area of the striker's swing, it shall be the striker's obligation at all such times to avoid hitting his opponent with the paddle. Failure to do so will result in one or more of the penalties listed in Rule 11, at the discretion of the referee.
4.4. Safety Block. A striker must call "block" whenever he believes there is danger of hitting his opponent in the course of a normal swing. Upon the "block" call the striker must refrain from hitting the ball. Any player hiting in a situation where there is an obvious potential for injury will be penalized at the discretion of the referee in accordance with the penalties listed in Rule 11. The player calling "block" must be in position to have returned the ball. The referee must then rule on the block call. If the referee confirms the call, the point will be replayed. If the referee denies the call, the player or side who made the call will lose a point or service.
4.5. Backswing Contact. If an opponent unintentionally causes contact with a player's backswing, a block will be called.
4.6. Moving into Swing. Penalties, as listed in Rule 11, will be administered to any player moving into the swinging area of the striker regardless of intent or lack of intent or whether or not actual contact is made. (see Rule 9.1).
4.7. Follow Through Contact. If a player contacts an opponent in the course of a normal
follow-through, one or more of the following may occur at the referee's discretion :
  A) play will continue and no call will be made because neither player reacted significantly to the contract.
  B) the play will stand.
  C) the play will be stopped.
  D) penalties will be invoked due to violation

Rule 5. Service
5.1 Service. A) To decide which player shall serve first in singles, a coin is tossed and called. The winner of the toss may elect to serve or receive. B) To decide which team shall serve first in doubles, a coin is tossed and called.
The winners have the choice of the following: a) To serve first and be retired after making only one out, b) To receive first with the conditions stated in a) applying to the opposing team. If the teams are playing a match , the choice of serving or receiving first shall alternate from team to team with each new game.
5.2 Service Order. After the team which serves first is retired, the partners of each team will serve in successive order (one after the other).
5.3 Side Out. In doubles, the first server on a team will serve until his team makes one out. The second server will then serve until his team makes a second out. The side will then be retired and the opposing team will serve. In singles, each server will be retired after making one out.
5.4. Serving Position. The server must stand and remain within the service area at all times when in the act of serving (from his starting position to his concluding move.) Violation will be a fault except as in Rule 5.4 (A).
  A) The serving team cannot step backward beyond the service markers until the return of service. To do so will result in a loss of service.
  B) Only the server's paddle may extend over the short line and side lines.
  C) A fault will be called if the server's paddle extends over the imaginary service line.

5.5. Legal Service. In serving the ball, the ball is required to hit the wall
first and then rebound into the receiving area. Failure to do so will be an out except as in Rule 6.4 and 6.5.
5.6 Service Bounces. The server shall be permitted no more than three bounces before serving. Violation will result in a fault. In serving, the ball is required to be bounced on the floor and struck on the first rebound. Violation is a fault.
5.7. Service Miss. If the server strikes at the ball and misses it, he will be out.
5.8. Partner's Position. In doubles, the server's partner must stand off the court, between the extensions of the short line and the service line, while his teammate is serving. Violation will be a fault.
5.9. Partner's Service Entry. In doubles, the server's partner must not enter the court until the served ball passes him. Violation will be a fault.
5.10. No Service Restriction. In doubles, a served ball may pass on either side of the server's body. For singles service, refer to Rule 14.
5.11. Behind Partner's Back. A served ball may pass between the server's partner and short line.
5.12. Continuity of Play. Service must commence within five seconds after the score has been announced. Violation is a fault. The receiving team must also be ready to play in the same five seconds or a penalty may be administered.

Rule 6. Faults
6.1 Two Consecutive Faults. Two consecutive faults will be an out.
6.2. Fault Elimination. A fault will remain with a server until a point or an out is achieved. Blocks do not cancel faults. The following will cause the penalty of fault against the server.
  A) Foot Fault. Stepping out of the service area befoer completing the serve. Refer to Rule 5.4.
  B) Short Fault. Serving the ball in the court not past the short line. Refer to Rule 5.5.
  C) Long Fault. Serving the ball between and including the side lines past the long line. Refer to Rule 5.5.
6.3. Service Bounces. A) Bouncing more than three times before serving is a fault.B) Not striking the ball on the first rebound from the ground while serving is a fault. Refer to Rule 5.6.
6.4. Server's Paddle. If the server's paddle extends over the service line it is a fault.
6.5 Between the Legs. A served ball passing between the legs of the server or
his partner will be a fault.
6.6. Partner's Position. The server's partner not standing off the court between the extensions of the service line and the short line while his partner is serving is a fault. Refer to Rule 5.8.
6.7. Partner's Service Entry. If the server's partner enters the court before the served ball has passed him, it will be a fault. Refer to Rule 5.9.

Rule 7. Receiving Service
7.1. Receiver's Position. The receiving team can stand anywhere behind the service line and its extensions.
7.2. Returning Service. The player who is going to return a served ball must strike at the ball and complete his follow-through before crossing the service line with his body or paddle. Violation will be an out.
7.3. Returning Longs. The receiving team must allow all long faults which they do not wish to play to bounce. Any contact with a ball on the fly will be considered an attempt to play the ball.
7.4. Missed Fly Return. A served fly ball, struck at and entirely missed by the receiver, which strikes long, is a long fault.

Rule 8. General.
8.1. Legally Played Ball. A fairly played ball will be one that is struck inproper turn on a fly or on one bounce and hits the fair playing surface of the wall and floor, respectively. Violation will be an out.
8.2. Rally Order. Opposing teams must alternately strike the ball. Any team
hitting the ball consecutively will be out.
8.3. Out Overrides Block. A team which is struck with its own ball will be out, even if a block call has been made, except when neither receiver has a chance to play the ball.
8.4. Double Swing. A team may swing and miss any number of times at a ball until it has bounced twice.
8.5. Hand and Paddle. The paddle hand from the wrist down will be considered part of the paddle.
8.6. Switiching. The player is allowed to switch the paddle from hand to hand.
8.7. Loss of Paddle. A) Should a player lose his paddle, he is out. B) Should a paddle be accidently dislodged from a player's hand by an opponent, the play will stop and the rally replayed.
8.8. Late Appeal. Once a ball is served, no appeal can be entred in reference to any prior play.
8.9. Substitutions. Substitution of partners is not permitted once a tournament has started.
8.10. Conversation between Players. Conversations between players on the court shall be kept at a minimum. Excessive conversation will be penalized.
8.11. Time-Outs. A player or team is entitled to three one-minute time-outs in a game, or as many as the tournament director designates. Ten-second time-outs may be requested from the referee for wiping hands, glasses, or tying laces. Ten-second time-outs are awarded at the referee's discretion, and abuse of the request will result in a penalty. Time-outs may be taken consecutively.
8.12. Rest Periods. A five-minute period is allowed between the first and second game. Ten minutes is allowed between the second and third game. The
winning team upon completion of a semi-final match has the option of resting for one hour befoer playing the final match.
8.13. Interruption of Play. Play should be interrupted for reasons outside the game (i.e. stray ball, etc.), the rally will stop upon the referee's call to stop and any fault shall remain.
8.14. Passing Your Opponents. When a ball rebounds off the wall and passes both opponents, who have no chance for a play, and then hits the striking team without bouncing, the referee shall rule whether or not the ball would have landed fair or out. If the ball is judged to have landed fair, the point will be awarded to the striking team. Otherwise, the striking team will be out.
Similarly, if the ball passes both opponents, bouncec fair, and then hits either one of the striking team, the point will go to the striking team.
8.15. Ball Hitting Opponent. A block will be granted if a team strikes a ball and that ball on the way to the wall hits an opponent without bouncing, and the referee then judges that the ball would have been fair on the wall and floor. If the referee judges otherwise, the striking team is out.
8.16. In tentional Loss of Ball. Any player intentionally hitting or throwing the ball out of the playing area may be penalized, including forfeiture of the game, at the discretion of the referee.
8.17. Major Penalty Rules. If a fault on a serve is followed by an out call, the out will prevail. Refer to Rule 8.3.

Rule 9. Blocks
9.1. Ilegal Movement. When a player on a team which is striking, or has just struck the ball, moves in a manner which gives his team an advantage by causing interference with the opponent's ability to play, see, or move to the ball, the referee will call a halt to play and call an out on the team which made the illegal movement. (See Rule 4.6 also). Please note that only the referee can halt play for illegal movement. Play must continue until the call is made.
9.2. Safety Block. Refer to Rule 4.4.
9.3. Granting a Block. To call a block, a player must be in a position with body and paddle to strike the ball fairly, and he must do so in the absense of the referee's confirmation of the block call. If it is a safety block call, the player will refrain from striking at the ball and the referee will rule on the correctness of the call. (See Rule 4.4).
9.4. Between the Legs. A ball passing between the legs of an opponent will be a block only when the striker has a reasonable chance for a play and calls "block". 9.5. Backward Movement. The opposing team must give full freedom to a playermoving in a backward direction in persuit of the ball. Intentional violation will be an out. Accidental violation will be a block.
9.6. Taking Position. A player will be called out if he moves alongside or in front of an opponent while his partner is striking the ball.
9.7. Vision Block. No block shall be granted by the referee when a player's body blocks an opponent's visionof, or ability to strike the ball, that player shall be called out. (See Rules 4.6 and 9.1)
9.8. Blocking the Ball. A player will be called out if he intentionally uses his body or his paddle to prevent a ball from reaching the wall.
9.9. Blocking Persuit of the Ball. If a player deliberately moves to block an opponent's persuit of the ball, the player is out.
9.10. Moving into Swing. Refer to Rule 4.6.
9.11. Cutting Down Wall. Any movement that cuts down an opponent's opportunity to play the ball to the wall will be called out.
9.12. Pushing Off. A player will be called out if he intentionally pushes or pushes off an opponent.
9.13. Accidental Bumping. If a player, after striking the ball accidentally, bumps an opponent and in so doing prevents him from playing the next shot, a block will be called. However, if the ball is out, the player is out.
9.14. Major Penalty Prevails. A ball must land fair even after a block call made. An out ball is always an out ball regardless of any other call. (See Rule 8.17).

Rule 10. Outs or Points.
10.1. Outside Ball. After the serve, any ball in play which strikes outside
the side lines or past the long line is an out or point.
10.2. Not Hitting Wall. Any ball hitting the floor before the wall will be out.
10.3. Improper Return. If a player fails to legally and properly return the opponent's play, it shall be an out or point scored against him.
10.4. Hitting Twice. Refer to Rule 8.2.
10.5. Loss of Paddle. Refer to Rule 8.7.
10.6. Serving Out of Turn. Refer to Rule 5.2.
10.7. Illegal Service. Refer to Rule 5.2.
10.8. Service Miss. Refer to Rule 5.7.
10.9. Two Consecutive Faults. Refer to Rule 6.1.
10.10. Illegal Receiving. A receiver crossing the service line with his body or paddle before completing his follow-through will be out. Refer to Rule 7.2.
10.11. Delay of Game. Refer to Rule 8.17.
10.12. Excessive Conversation. Refer to Rule 8.10.
10.13. Taking Position Illegally. Refer to Rule 9.6.
10.14. Illegal Movement. Refer to Rule 9.1.
10.15. Intentional Backward Blocking. Refer to Rule 9.5.
10.16. Pushing Off. Refer to Rule 9.12.
10.17. Cutting Down Wall. Refer to Rule 9.11.

Rule 11. Penalties
11.1. Removal from tournament.
11.2 . Loss of game.
11.3. Loss of service or one or more points accompanied by a warning.
11.4. Warning.

Rule 12. Appeal Play
If, in the course of a game, a player disagrees with the call of an official, he may approach the head referee and request an appeal play. Should the head referee feel there is merit for the request, he will then ask the official who made the disputed call if he/she will yeild the call. If the officialrefuses, the head referee will inform the player that the appeal has been disallowed. Play will continue with no further discussion or comment. If the
official yeilds his/her call, the head referee may consult with one or more officials to reach a decision on the play. All officials are encourto yeild to an appeal request whenever any doubt exists in their minds as to the accuracy of a call made or if the play went unobserved by the linesperson involved. Players shall not discuss calls with linespersons at any time. Any person doing so will be penalized at the discretion of the referee.

Rule 13. Injuries
13.1. If a player becomes injured or unable to continue to play due to conditions other than an injury caused by an opponent, he shall be allowed an injury time-out not to exceed five minutes. If after five minutes, play has not resumed, that player or side shall default the game. If this occurs during a match, the player or side will default if they fail to report to play the next game by the normal time period allowed between games in a match.
13.2. If a player is injured by an opponent, and that opponent has been disqualified, the injured player or side will be awarded the win. However, if he is unable to play any of his subsequent matches he or his side will default.
13.3. If a player is injured by an opponent and the referee declares no violation or disqualification and the injured player after five minutes cannot resume play, he or his side shall default. If this occurs during a match, the player of his side will default if he fails to report to play the next game by the normal time period allowed between games in a match.

Rule 14. Singles Service
14.1. One Serve. In tournament play, only one service is permitted. Any fault therefore, results in an out.
14.2. Defining major service area, minor service area, and automatic fault area. The postion of the server's feet from the start to the conclusion of his/her serve shall divide the court into three areas: the major service area, the minor service area, and the automatic fault area.
Automatic Fault Area. The automatic fault area will be determined by drawing two imaginery lines perpendicular to the wall and parallel to the side lines which pass through the extreme right and left foot positions of the server.
If the server moves from his starting position to another point where the serve is completed, the entire area from start to finish will be an automatic fault area.
Major Service Area. The major service area of the court will be the larger of the two areas to either the left or right of the automatic fault area.
Minor Service Area. The minor service area of the court will be the smaller of the two areas to either the left or right of the automatic fault area. If, in the opinion of the referee, the server during his serve (from start to finish) creates two relatively equal areas on either side of the automatic fault area, both areas will be considered minor service areas.
14.3. The server has the option to serve to either the major or minor service area.
14.4. The server must designate to his opponent and the referee when serving to the minor serving area. This will be done by pointing to the minor service area. Violation will be a fault.
15. Limit on Appeals. (The tournament director may or may not invoke the following rule for any or all games in a tournament at his discretion.) Play must be continuous at all times and in accordance with the rules. Any pause in play to question or dispute a call by a linesperson or the referee shall be deemed an appeal, whether or not the appeal is made only to the referee as the rule stipulates. In a 15 point game, each side is limited to two appeals, and in a game of 21 or more points, each side is limited to three appeals. Once a side has exhausted their appeals, they may not halt play to question, dispute, or appeal any further calls in that game. Failure to abide by this rule will result in a penalty as outlined in Rule 11.

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