Racquetball evolved in stages according to Stan Kittleson in "Racquetball: Steps to Success" and its terms and definitions evolved with it to define the game, courts and equipment, play regulations and rule modifications for game variations. Terms used in racquetball also define the outdoor game, one serve, multi-bounce, one wall and three wall play as well as wheelchair, visually impaired, deaf, men's professional and women's professional games.
History
Joe Sobek created racquetball in 1950 as an easy to play but quick and lively game that combined aspects of paddleball, handball and squash. Racquetball began in the handball courts of YMCAs with terminology from those games. In 1952 Sobek founded the National Paddle Rackets Association and printed a rule booklet. In 1969, the newly founded International Racquetball Association assumed the national championship and underwent several name changes as it evolved into USAR, United States of America Racquetball, the dominant authority on the current game of racquetball, its rules, definitions and tournaments.
Function
Clearly defined terms and definitions differentiate the game of racquetball from its predecessor games. Racquetball as now played is clearly different from handball, squash and paddleball. According to Jahangir Khan in "Learn Squash & Racquetball in a Weekend" a beauty of racquetball is the simplicity of its rules. The terms and definitions help players, tournament officials and spectators quickly understand the game and apply the rules and regulations to particular situations.
Considerations
Some terms and definitions apply to a specific type of game. Two, three or four players can play racquetball as singles, cutthroat or doubles. In cutthroat two players oppose the server and each player has a turn of service. The outdoor racquetball game is played on a court with no ceiling, no back wall and optional side walls of various lengths. Although rules and equipment are generally the same indoors and outdoors, specific terms and definitions must apply to the outdoor game because of differences in the court itself and potential situations involving weather, light poles, vehicles and spectators near the open air court or players on an adjoining court.
Importance
Racquetball terms and definitions provide the framework for an easy to learn game that a player can enjoy for a lifetime with competitive or recreational play. As skills increase methods of winning rallies become more sophisticated with specialized shots, serving alternatives and tactics involving power or finesse. Terms and definitions not only define the basic game but outline skills, drills and strategies that a player may master over time.
Significance
Colorful terms and definitions used in racquetball provide a glimpse or insight into the intensity and exciting fast paced nature of a game that involves kill shots, sweet spots, around the wall shots, skid boasts, crotch serves, garbage serves, pinch shots, cut throat, roll outs, z balls, splats and wallbangers. An aggressive kill shot played hard and low to the wall presents the opponent with a ball nearly impossible to return. If hit so low that it rolls on the floor after rebounding from the front wall, the kill shot cannot be returned and is called a roll out. A crotch serve hits the juncture of the front wall and either the floor, side wall or ceiling and results in loss of serve. A difficult to return wallpaper shot hugs the side wall as the ball travels to the rear of the court. Wallbangers play a passionate frenetic game with vigorous exercise, skill and finesse.
References
- "Racquetball: Steps to Success", Stan Kittleston. (1992).
- "Learn Squash & Racquetball in a Weekend". Jahangir Khan. (1993).
- "Winning Racquetball: Skills, Drills, and Strategies", Ed Turner and Woody Clouse. (1996).
- USA Racquetball: Rulebook
- WOR: World Outdoor Racquetball
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