A served ball is played on the first bounce only. A returned ball may be played on the first bounce or on the fly. All balls served or returned must touch the board before touching the floor. A ball leaving the hand of a player striking opponent before touching wall or floor is a “hinder.” Two hinders by one player in a service is a put-out or a point scored. A ball leaving the board which strikes the player who returned it, or partner, is a put-out or a point for the side struck. A ball leaving the board striking an opponent is a point or put-out in favor of the opposing side of person so struck.
All balls are played until decided by the referee.
A returned ball must be within the dimensions of the court.
Players may block each other fairly, that is, a player may so place the ball that he blocks his opponent, but this must be done before the ball has left his hand. In doubles, no blocking may be done after the ball has left the board.
For unfair blocking, a penalty—subtracting from one to five points from score of the offender—may be imposed by the referee.
In doubles, the sides alternate in service as well as receiving. No player shall serve or play the same defensive position all the time.
Irish Hand Ball Rules
I. A ball may be batted with either hand.
Foul—Never with both hands.
Penalty—For server, loss of hand; for receiver, ace for server.
II. The server may stand anywhere in space between ace line and front line.