Racquetball is a game similar to American handball (not to be confused with team handball) that is played on a four-walled court with a short-handled racket and a larger ball. Unlike many other racquet sports, it does not have an obstacle (net) for the player to hit the ball over, and the floor, ceiling and wall are all legal to play off during a match.
History
Racquetball was created by Joseph G. Sobek in 1950. Sobek developed the sport while living in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was also a professional tennis player at the time. Sobek wanted to make handball less painful to his hands, so he began playing the sport with a racquet and combined the rules of squash and handball. He called the game, which would eventually become racquetball, "paddle racquets."
Rules
The game is played on a rectangular court 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. The serving player stands on the "service line," and on the serve, he must bounce the ball, and then hit it toward the wall in front of him. The ball must then make it behind the server to a line known as the "short line." If it does not, it is a fault. If it does, the ball is in play, and the receiving player, who stands at a line behind the "short line," may hit the ball so that it hits the front wall. You can only earn a point on a serve, which the receiving player gains if she wins the rally. Points are earned if the opposing player's ball bounces twice before being hit or if a player hits a ball that does not reach the front wall. You play to 15 points.
Equipment
Racquetball is played with a tightly strung short racquet, which can be no longer than 22 inches. A racquetball is a hollow rubber ball that is 2.25 inches in diameter. For protection, you should wear an eye guard. Balls in play can reach high velocities and can cause long-term vision damage.
Leagues
Casual racquetball leagues are common in local recreation centers. Competitive professional racquetball is governed domestically by the United States Racquetball Association (USRA) and globally by the International Racquetball Federation, which hosts continental championships. The USRA hosts the U.S. Open Racquetball Championships, considered to be the most prestigious tournament in the sport. The tournament has been played since 1996.
Benefits
Racquetball, like most sports, is good for physical exercise. It is especially beneficial because the nature of the sport involves a lot of movement. The sport is a great idea for a hobby, and it can be played casually or competitively. Racquetball also requires little equipment and builds hand-eye coordination, which can be translated to other racquet sports.
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