In racquetball, you must return the ball to the front wall before it bounces twice. Your shots must hit the front wall first, but they can then hit the side walls, the ceiling or the back wall before hitting the floor. Racquetball courts have no boundary lines, but your serve must hit the floor behind the short line. Keep certain strategies in mind as you play to improve your game.
Watch Opponent
Try to remain aware of your opponent’s location on the court at all times. This awareness will help you to move out of the way if necessary, and to predict the direction in which you will need to move to return the ball.
Control Center Court
The ideal position to occupy in racquetball lies in the center of the court about 5 feet behind the short line. From this position, you can easily run to reach a variety of shots hit by your opponent. You can also hit a broad range of shots from this position, including drop shots and long passing shots. Recover to the center of the court whenever possible after hitting a shot. Try to stay in front of your opponent by forcing her back with long passing shots. If your opponent needs to move to center court to hit the ball, however, you must give up your position to give him room.
Ball Placement
Instead of simply hitting the ball as hard as you can, try to hit it to a specific part of the front wall to make it difficult for your opponent to return it. To hit a passing shot, try to hit the ball down the line to the center of the front wall as close to the sidewall as you can. This shot will force your opponent to move back on the court. If the ball rebounds off of the front wall close to the sidewall, your opponent will have more trouble returning it. Other common offensive shots include the “kill shot” or “rollout,” in which you hit the ball so low to the front wall that it rolls off of the wall instead of bouncing. These shots can be almost impossible to return.
When you must hit a defensive shot, aim for the ceiling or the top of the front wall. This will give you time to recover your position before your opponent returns the ball.
Safety
Always wear protective glasses or goggles while on the court. Keep your racquet’s safety cord secured around your wrist at all times to prevent accidentally throwing the racquet. Though you should remain aware of your opponent’s position on the court, don’t try to watch the ball while your opponent hits a shot from behind you. Keep your head down to protect your face, or watch through the strings of your racquet. Don’t hesitate to call safety holdup hinders if you can’t make a backswing without hitting an opponent. You can replay the rally. Consistently mop up any wet spots on the court to reduce the risk of slipping.
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