Racquetball is a game of speed, skill, quickness and athleticism played at a very fast pace. Players need to demonstrate courage and toughness because they may have to run into one of the walls to return a shot. Racquetball is played at varying levels of skill depending on the experience and athletic ability of the players involved in the game.
Beginners
Those players who are first starting out in racquetball often find themselves in a state of confusion. They may have played other racquet sports, such as tennis, and the speed of racquetball is dramatically faster. Beginning players need to get used to the speed and quickness of the game, and that is just the first aspect that players need to get used to. The other is playing off a game that has four walls and a ceiling that are in play.
Intermediate Level
Players begin to understand the basics of the game. They learn to hit solid forehands and backhands, and also figure out the basics of the drive serve. They learn that the ground strokes of the game are nothing like tennis. The forehand requires a short, powerful motion with the forearm. The backhand requires a quick and explosive movement with the wrist. A drive serve must be played low on the front wall and go toward the backhand or forehand corner.
Advanced Level
Advanced players know how to use all the angles to their advantage. The can hit Z-serves and lob serves in addition to drive serves. This enables them to change the pace and catch their opponents off balance. Players learn how to hit pinch shots low off the front wall that turn into roll-out winners. They use strategy by observing their opponents and hit the ball in spots that are difficult to reach. Advanced level players may enter amateur tournaments.
Elite And Professional Level
Elite level players have mastered every part of the game and play at a much greater rate of speed than advanced level players. The power at the elite level game is quite notable and players try to force their opponents into mistakes by watching their positioning on the court. Elite level players know that if they don't keep the shot at thigh level or below, their opponents will take their shots and hit winners.
Significance
The biggest difference between levels of play is between the intermediate and the beginner level players. Beginning players look lost as they play in the early stages and they often have problems keeping up with a ball that flies from the front wall to the back wall in a matter of seconds. They often find themselves in the position of chasing the ball, a proposition that simply will not work because no player has that kind of speed. Eventually, beginners figure out the angles and learn how to play the ball and not let the ball play them.
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