Racquetball is a competitive game played in an enclosed court, making it so that a player always seems to be in the point: If the ball bounces by him, it can still hit the back wall and come back to him. As a result, strategy is key, and players who try to power their way to victory might play into their opponents' hands by giving them a shot that comes right to them.
Rules
A racquetball match usually is played in a best-of-three format. Each game is played to 15 points and the first player to win two games wins the match. Points are scored only by the server. If the server wins the rally, he gets a point and continues to serve. If the receiver wins the rally, he gets to serve. In order to win a rally you must hit the ball to the front wall before the ball hits the floor. You may hit it off the side walls, the back wall or the ceiling, but it must hit the front wall before it hits the floor. After your opponent hits the ball off the front wall, you must hit it before it hits the floor twice.
Types
There are three basic games of racquetball: singles, doubles and cutthroat. In singles, two players square, while in doubles, two teams of two players face each other. Players alternate shots in singles, and teams alternate shots in doubles. The same player on a doubles team may hit the ball in successive turns for his team.
In doubles, one player usually takes the right side of the court and the other covers the left. Player 1 on team A serves the first point. If his team wins the point, he continues to serve. When team B wins the serve, player 1 on team B serves until his team loses the point, then player 2 on team A serves, and so on.
Cutthroat is a game in which one player squares off against two players. The single player will serve and the other two players try to take the serve away. Then the serve will rotate to the other team. While it would seem the two players have an advantage, they have to employ teamwork and not get in each other's way.
Court Size
The racquetball court is 40 feet long by 20 feet wide by 20 feet high. The ball is put in play from the server's box, which begins 15 feet from the front wall and extends 5 feet back. The serve must land past the service line, which is 25 feet from the front wall. It must hit the floor before it hits the back wall or more than one side wall. Once the ball has been put into play on the serve, the ball may hit any of the walls and the ceiling.
Equipment
All racquetball players need a racket, eye guards, a racquetball glove and racquetball shoes. The eye guards are a necessity because the game is played in an enclosed court and players swing the racket with intensity. While you are not supposed to swing if you think you will hit your opponent, mistakes are made. The eye guards prevent serious injuries.
Serve
In order to compete and win at racquetball, you must develop an effective serve, since points are scored only by the server. For an effective serve, stand in the middle of the service box and hit the ball off the front wall so that it rebounds to either one of the two rear corners of the court. This will force your opponent to leave the middle of the court in order to return the ball and give you a chance to seize control of the court, which is key to racquetball.
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