Official Rules IOW

Independent International OneWall Handball Legal documents 

Rule Framework, Independent Sporting Organization, Ranking. 

 

🌍 INTERNATIONAL ONE WALL (IOW)

Open Global Wall Format

Official Rule Framework – Version 1.0

 

1️⃣ PHILOSOPHY OF PLAY

International One Wall (IOW) is an open-access wall sport format designed for global participation.

• Any wall may be used.
  
  
• Standard courts are recommended but not mandatory.
  
  
• Any suitable spherical ball may be used.
  
  
• All open tournaments are eligible for ranking.
  
  

The Wall is universal.

• The wall belongs to everyone
  
  
• Two lines = equal opportunity
  
  
• No expensive equipment
  
  
• Every city already has court

Two depth markers create the game.

2️⃣ COURT STRUCTURE

2.1 Standard Recommended Dimensions

These dimensions reflect widely recognized one-wall formats but are not mandatory for play.

Element	Feet	Meters
Wall Width	20 ft	6.10 m
Wall Height (minimum)	16 ft	4.88 m
Court Length	34 ft	10.36 m
Court Width	20 ft	6.10 m

Local courts of different sizes are valid for IOW competition when declared before play.

 

2.2 Court Lines

IOW uses the following terminology:

• Under Line – Forward depth marker
  
  
• Over Line – Rear depth boundary
  
  
• Side Boundaries – Left and right limits
  
  
• Rear Boundary – Maximum playable depth
  
  

2.3 Simple Court Diagram (Top View)

           FRONT WALL
   --------------------------------
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |------------ UNDER -----------|
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |------------ OVER ------------|
   |                              |
   --------------------------------
             REAR BOUNDARY

2.4 Wall Face Diagram (Front View)

       ________________________
      |                        |
      |                        |
      |                        |
      |                        |
      |________________________|

3️⃣ EQUIPMENT

3.1 Ball Policy

IOW is ball-inclusive.

• Any spherical ball may be used.
  
  
• Tournament directors must declare the ball type before competition.
  
  
• Ball must be safe and consistently rebounding.
• Alternating between the same size and texture balls is recommended to run the games in a timely manner
  
  

There is no single mandatory ball standard for global play.

4️⃣ MATCH FORMATS

IOW supports three formats:

4.1 Singles

One player vs one player.

4.2 Doubles

Two players vs two players.

4.3 Triangle 

Three players rotate as striker and 2 defenders.

Triangle rotation system must be declared before play.

5️⃣ INITIATION STRIKE (SERVE)

The match begins with an Initiation Strike.

Requirements:

1. Ball must contact the Wall first.
   
   
2. After rebounding, ball must travel beyond the Under Line.
   
   
3. Ball must remain inside Side Boundaries.
   
   
4. Ball must not cross beyond the Over Line.
   
   
5. Two unsuccessful initiation attempts result in Rotation Change.
   
   

6️⃣ CONTINUOUS EXCHANGE (RALLY)

After a valid serve/ initiation:

• Players alternate striking the ball.
  
  
• Ball must contact the Wall before touching the ground.
  
  
• One ground contact per return is permitted (default format).
  
  
• Ball must remain within side / out boundaries.
  
  
• Ball crossing beyond the Over Line results in point loss.
  
  

7️⃣ SCORING SYSTEMS

Tournament directors must declare scoring method:

Option A – Continuous Scoring

A point is awarded every exchange.

Option B – Server/ Initiator Scoring

Only the serving/ initiating side may score.

8️⃣ FAULTS & VIOLATIONS

A violation occurs when:

• Ball fails to reach beyond the short /Under Line after Wall rebound.
  
  
• Ball crosses beyond the long /Over Line.
  
  
• Ball exits side boundaries.
  
  
• Player strikes ball before it contacts the Wall.
  
  
• Physical obstruction affects opponent movement.
  
  

Referee decisions are final unless tournament review system applies.

National and Tournament rules apply as stated before the tournament. 

9️⃣ MATCH STRUCTURE OPTIONS

IOW promotes flexible formats:

• 15-point single game
  
  
• 21-point game
  
  
• Best of 3 sets
  
  
• Timed match (example: 12 minutes continuous play)
  
  

Format must be declared before match start.

🔟 RANKING & OPEN TOURNAMENT STATUS

International One Wall operates under an open ranking principle.

• All One Wall open tournaments are eligible for ranking points.
  
  
• Court dimensions may vary.
  
  
• Ball type may vary.
  
  
• Variation must be declared in tournament listing.
  
  

✅ Eligible Events

To be included in the ranking, an event must:

• Be an Open tournament (Singles and/or Doubles)
• Have public brackets and results
• Meet the minimum bracket standard (recommended: 32 players; minimum: 16 players in Open Singles, no minimum for Women’s tournaments)
• Follow basic sportsmanship and event standards

Events are equally weighted.

There are no “major” multipliers.

🏆 Points System

Singles (per player)

• Quarterfinalist (Top 8): 2 points
• Semifinalist (Top 4): 4 points
• Finalist (Runner-up): 6 points
• Champion: 8 points

Doubles (per player)

• Quarterfinalist (Top 8 teams): 1 point
• Semifinalist (Top 4 teams): 2 points
• Finalist (Runner-up team): 3 points
• Champion team: 4 points

Total Ranking Points = Singles Points + Doubles Points

This structure encourages athletes to compete in both singles and doubles while keeping doubles from overinflating rankings.

⚖️ CODE OF ELIGIBILITY

To be included in the Official International Ranking:

Athletes must:

• Compete under full legal name (no aliases or nicknames only)
• Wear appropriate competition attire (not shirtless or tank top)
• Demonstrate sportsmanship toward:
• Opponents
• Referees
• Spectators
• Tournament directors
• The sport itself

Athletes may be excluded for:

• Repeated misconduct
• Disrespectful behavior
• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Failure to uphold professional standards

Because this ranking represents the future Olympic integrity of the sport.

Shortly: Ranking Open tournaments ,starting quarter finals, 2 points Singles, 2 points per team in doubles, 3 points for each champion.

Not ranked - b, c and invitational tournaments . Shirtless, nicknames and disrespectful players. 

Earn It on the Court. Respect It Off the Court.

Official International One Wall Ranking System

Performance. Integrity. Recognition.

Points Are Earned. Respect Is Required.

Standard courts are recommended for championship-level events but are not required for community competition.

11️⃣ FAIR PLAY CODE

Players must:

• Respect opponents.
  
  
• Accept official rulings.
  
  
• Avoid deliberate interference.
  
  
• Maintain safe conduct.
  
  

Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in:

• Warning
  
  
• Point deduction
  
  
• Match disqualification
  
  
  

12️⃣ GLOBAL ACCESS PRINCIPLE

International One Wall is designed to be playable:

• In parks
  
  
• In schools
  
  
• On urban walls
  
  
• On standard courts
  
  
• On improvised courts

Standard dimensions are guidance.

Accessibility is priority.

13️⃣ INDEPENDENCE CLAUSE

International One Wall (IOW) is an independent sporting format and is not affiliated with any national or international handball federation.

🛡 Legally Safe

• Entirely original structure
  
  
• Original terminology
  
  
• No copied phrasing
  
  
• No replicated diagrams
  
  
• Flexible standard clause
  
  
• Clear independence