Racquetball provides players with the excitement of competition and a cardiovascular workout. This indoor sport exercises your upper body, lower body and abs. Play racquetball with up to four players in singles, doubles or a three-player, non-tournament variation called "cut throat." The International Racquetball Federation provides official rules and regulations that govern play in the U.S. and around the world.
Game Play
The objective in racquetball is to return the ball “so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play,” according to the IRF. After serving, you and your opponent engage in a rally by hitting the ball alternately against the walls with your rackets. The four walls and ceiling of the court can be used in play for all points. The rally ends if a competitor cannot return the ball before it bounces on the floor twice, or cannot hit the ball so that it strikes the wall without touching the floor first. If the server wins the rally, she earns a point and serves again. If the receiver wins the rally, no point is awarded and she gains the right to serve.
Basics
Basic equipment for racquetball consists of a racket, ball and footwear that does not scuff or leave marks on the playing surface. A racquetball match consists of a best-of-three series. The IRF rules state that the first two games of a match are played to 15 points. Play the tie-breaking third game to 11 points.
Service
The winner of a coin toss chooses to serve or receive in the first game. Play begins in reverse order for the second game. In the event of a third game, the side with the most cumulative points from games one and two serves first. Should the tally come up equal, perform another coin toss.
You have two opportunities to serve correctly in racquetball. Stand in your service box, indicated by lines on the court. Bounce the racquetball before you hit it. You want to strike the front wall without the ball bouncing a second time. Once it strikes the front wall, it must rebound to hit the floor in back of the short line for a properly executed serve. The short line is midway, and parallel to, the front and back walls of the racquetball court.
Hinders
"Hinders" are events that muck up an otherwise normal rally or serve. Hinders can be anticipated, such when a ball hits a ventilation grate in the playing area, or unexpected, such as a puddle of sweat on the floor that causes the ball to bounce irregularly. When the official calls hinder, replay the point. Official hinders include hitting your opponent while making your return shot, stopping play because you believe hitting the ball will cause injury to your opponent or a ball from another court coming into the field of play.
Member Comments