Racquetball is a fast paced game similar to handball. It is played on a four wall court with a short handled racket and a ball larger than the ones used in handball.
It was invented in 1950 by Joe Sobek. He was dissatisfied with the indoor racket sports available at the time and wanted to create a new sport that would be fun and quick.
Game rules
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Racquetball is a game played by two or four people on a court. It is a fast-paced game and players must be quick on their feet, while not crashing into each other or letting the ball go out of bounds.
The object of the game is to win a rally by returning or serving the ball to your opponent in a way that they are unable to keep it in play. A rally is over when the ball bounces twice or a hinder is called.
Service – When serving, the ball must be served in such a way that it hits the front wall before it bounces twice and lands into the opposite quarter of the court. If it doesn’t, it is a fault serve (one fault) and the ball is not in play.
A drive serve involves any continuous movement (see Rule 4.3 Manner) that begins in one 3-foot drive service zone and continues into the opposite 3-foot drive service zone. A drive serve is a fault if it involves any movement outside the zone where the service motion began, until it reaches the short line.
Court dimensions
Racquetball is a fast-paced game of three players. Each player has a racquet and the goal is to hit the ball onto the court so that it hits the wall.
The game is played on a rectangular court that measures 40 feet long, 20 feet wide and 20 feet high with back walls at least 12 feet tall. The court is marked with several red lines, including a short line that runs across the middle of the court and parallel to the front and back walls.
One of the most important defensive shots is the ceiling ball shot. It is a shot that strikes the ceiling at or near the front wall and travels in a high arc.
Another defensive shot is the around the world (or 3-wall) shot. It is a pinch shot that travels toward the front wall and then around the court in a high trajectory. This is a great defensive play as it can create a lot of tension for the opponent.
Equipment
The equipment used in racquetball includes a racquet and a hollow rubber ball. Some players also use protective eyewear and wrist cords or gloves to improve racquet grip and reduce vibrations.
Racquetballs are manufactured in a variety of colors, including blue and green for recreational play and purple for tournament competitions. The choice of ball does not affect the score in a singles game or the winner of a set of two games.
A racquet can be purchased from many sports stores for a reasonable price. It is recommended that you purchase one that is made from a high-quality, durable material such as aluminum or a graphite composite.
You may also want to consider specialized shoes, sweatbands, and other personal accessories to improve your game. You can also find vibration dampeners and racquetbags for your personal belongings at a good price.
Scoring
Racquetball is a fast-paced, highly competitive game that requires skill and dedication. Whether you are a competitive player or a casual hobbyist, there are many benefits to playing this sport.
Unlike other racket sports such as tennis, badminton and padel, the object of racquetball is not to score points on each shot but rather to win each rally. A player or team must win 15 points before their opponent does to win the match.
A rally is over if a player or team can’t return the ball to the front wall before it bounces twice, or when a hinder is called.
The game of racquetball can be played as singles, doubles or as a “cut throat” game between three players. However, most tournament play will involve singles or doubles play.