The game of racquetball was invented by Joe Sobek in 1950 at the Greenwich YMCA. It was originally named paddle rackets. The rules for the game reflect a combination of handball, paddleball and squash rules. The game is played with a hollow rubber ball similar to the type used in handball, and all the court's playing surfaces, including the floor and walls, are in play.
Racquetball rules
Step 1
The game can be played by two or four players. If it is played by two players it is a singles game. If it is played by four then it is a doubles game, with two players on each team.
Per USA Racquetball rules, players must win two out of three games to win a match. In the first two games, a player wins by reaching 15 points while leading by at least two points. In the third game, the game is played to 11 points with a two-margin of victory.
Step 2
Service to start the game is determined by a coin toss at the beginning of the game. The winner of the coin toss has the right to select whether he wants to serve or return to start the game. The order will be reversed for the start of the second game. The server must bounce the ball on the floor once then hit the ball against the front wall first. The ball then must hit off the front wall directly or a side wall and bounce past the short line to be a legal serve.
Step 3
Points can only be scored by the serving player or team. A point can be scored if the server hits a ball that is not returnable--called an ace--or if she wins the rally. A rally is when both teams continue to hit the ball until someone commits a fault.
Step 4
It is a fault if the ball bounces more than once before being hit back to the front wall. If you carry the ball with the racket instead of hitting it back to the front wall, and if you strike the ball outside the playing area it is also a fault.
Step 5
Hinders are penalties that occur because the opposing player has impeded you from striking the ball. A hinder is a screen that causes your opponent from seeing and hitting the ball; it results in a replay of the rally. If the referee determines that the hinder should result in a penalty, the team determined to have caused the hinder loses the rally. This type of hinder only occurs when in the judgment of the referee the missed shot would have resulted in a win.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult with your physician before starting any strenuous activity.
Things You'll Need
- Racket goggles
- Racket gloves
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