Racquetball is a game in which at least two players, in a glass-enclosed court, hit the ball back and forth against the front wall, or the "play wall." Because of the size of the court and the power that can be generated from the racquet, the game is extremely fast-moving. The difference between a loss and a win could well be the advantage gained by employing a few strategies.
Serving
The two-step service motion is an effective way to serve in the 5 foot wide service box, according to WM.edu. Assuming you are a righty, put your left foot on the short line, facing the side of the court. Your right foot should rest behind your left, ensuring you have good balance. Step slightly toward the play wall with your back foot, then raise your racquet to about your shoulder level. The ball should bounce a foot or two from the foot-fault line. Hit the ball while keeping your elbow up a bit. When you make contact with the ball, you should take a large step forward with your front foot, making sure not to step over the foot-fault line. This service technique allows you to build momentum and increase the amount of power with which you hit the ball on the serve. It increases the chance that your opponent will fail to make an effective return.
Deep End Pin Strategies
According to Hobbystop.net, the "pass/pinch" strategy is a technique that keeps the opposing player on the far end of the court, closer to the back wall. Pinning your opponent in this area allows you to hit the ball softly against the wall and prevent your opposition from returning the ball. A pass/pass technique involves hitting the ball to alternate sides of the court with each hit to force your opponent to run back and forth. This will tire him out, in addition to forcing him to make a mistake.
Use Momentum to Your Advantage
Using momentum to your advantage is a strategy often used in tennis, though it can be just as effective in racquetball. The point of this is that you look where your opponent is running, then you hit it the other way, according to Hobbystop.net. For example, if your opponent hit your last return while running to the left side of the court, you hit the next ball to the right side of the court. This both catches your opponent off guard and can cause her to make a mistake due to fatigue. Basically, you are using the physical momentum of your opponent to your advantage by hitting it to the other side.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
According to WM.edu, keeping your eye on the ball is one of the best ways to increase your performance on the racquetball court. By watching the motion of the ball and anticipating where it will be going, you can more efficiently guess where your opponent is going to hit it. This both allows you a better chance of returning the ball and helps you get out of the way of an oncoming shot, which can help you avoid a penalty hinder. If you fail to watch the ball, it is more likely that you will get hit by the ball or miss a shot.
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