Introduction to 4-Wall Paddleball
Game Variations
4-Wall Indoor Paddleball officially can be played by 2 People (Singles) or 4 People (Doubles)
For casual play there are 2 variations of the game that can be played with 3 People.
Cut Throat
All 3 players Keep Track of their score individually. During each rally one player (the server) will play against the 2 other players (the receiver’s). When a serve is lost the players will rotate in the same order thru out the entire game. (Player 2 will always serve after player 1, Player 3 will always serve after player 2) After each serve is lost the player who just finished serving will take the place of player who is next up to serve. This rotation order allows for each player to have equal opportunity to return from both sides of the court.
One Man Out
All 3 players keep track of their score individually. During each rally only 2 players are involved in the play with one player standing “out” in the back of the court. The player who is “out” is required not to interfere in game play. After each rally the player who is standing “out” will take the place of the returner. If the server wins the point the person standing out will rotate in to return. If the server looses the serve the server will stand out and the returner who won the rally will serve next. One man out allows for 3 people to play a game where the game play is similar to singles.
The Serve
THE SERVER MAY SERVE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE SERVICE ZONE. While doubles, THE
SERVER’S PARTNER IS REQUIRED TO STAND WITHIN THE SERVICE BOX WITH HIS BACK AGAINST THE
WALL UNTIL THE BALL PASSES THE SHORT LINE.
THE BALL MUST BE DROPPED TO THE FLOOR WITHIN THE SERVICE ZONE AND STRUCK WITH THE PADDLE
ON THE FIRST BOUNCE, HITTING THE FRONT WALL FIRST AND REBOUNDING BACK OF THE SHORT LINE,
EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT TOUCHING ONE SIDE WALL and not hitting the back wall before hitting the floor. IN DOUBLES THE SIDE STARTING EACH GAME IS ALLOWED ONLY ONE SERVE-OUT. THEREAFTER, IN
THAT GAME, BOTH PLAYERS ON EACH SIDE ARE PERMITTED TO SERVE UNTIL A SERVE-OUT OCCURS.
THE SERVE IS LOST IF TWO ILLEGAL SERVES ARE MADE IN SUCCESSION. AN ILLEGAL SERVE CANNOT
BE PLAYED. THE FOLLOWING ARE ILLEGAL SERVES:
- SHORT SERVE – A SERVED BALL WHICH HITS THE FLOOR BEFORE CROSSING THE SHORT LINE
- LONG SERVE – A SERVED BALL REBOUNDING FROM THE FRONT WALL TO THE BACK WALL BEFOREHITTING THE FLOOR
- CEILING SERVE – A SERVED BALL REBOUNDING FROM THE FRONT WALL AND HITTING THE CEILINGBEFORE HITTING THE FLOOR
- TWO SIDE SERVE – A SERVED BALL REBOUNDING FROM THE FRONT WALL AND HITTING BOTH SIDEWALLS BEFORE HITTING THE FLOOR
- OUT OF COURT SERVE – A SERVED BALL GOING OUT OF THE COURT
- MASK (SCREEN) SERVE – A SERVED BALL WHICH AFTER HITTING THE FRONT WALL PASSES THESERVER 17 INCHES OR CLOSER.
- FOOT FAULT
The Return
THE RECEIVER(S) MUST REMAIN BEHIND THE RECEIVING LINES (5 FT. BEHIND THE SHORT LINE)
UNTIL THE BALL CROSSES THE SHORT LINE.
A LEGALLY SERVED BALL MUST BE RETURNED ON THE FLY OR AFTER THE FIRST BOUNCE TO THE FRONT
WALL EITHER DIRECTLY OR AFTER TOUCHING THE SIDE WALL(S), CEILING, OR BACK WALL. A RETURN
TOUCHING THE FRONT WALL AND FLOOR SIMULTANEOUSLY IS NOT A GOOD RETURN.
FAILURE TO LEGALLY RETURN THE SERVICE RESULTS IN A POINT FOR THE SERVER
Replay of the point
The point shall be replayed if:
- A “Hinder” is called. (Intentional or unintentional interferance that prevents a player from returning the ball if he otherwise would have been able to.
- Ball striking a player. (Except when players on the same team hit each other in doubles or cut throat)
- Ball breaking
- When both players cannot agree on if the ball “skipped” off the floor before hitting the front wall