The game of racquetball can be played four ways. This includes "Singles" between two players, "Doubles" between two teams of two players on each team, "Cut-Throat" which involves three players playing simultaneously, and lastly "California Cut-Throat" which also involves three players but, one player stands against the back wall while the other two players play for points or side out-then the loser of rally stands to the back wall. Tournament play will almost always involve either singles or Doubles play.
In racquetball, you and an opponent take turns hitting a rubber ball before it bounces twice, then it hits the front wall (without bouncing), and returns. Your primary goal in racquetball is to win the game by getting the most points. You win points by hitting the ball in a way your opponent can't get to it before it bounces twice or you cause your opponent to make an unforced error. Other ways to score would be if the ball hits your opponent in any way as it rebounds off the front wall. An amateur match consists of two games to 15 and if a tie breaker is necessary the game would go to 11 points (at two games total you win the match). Pro racquetball scoring is three out of five games to 11 and they must win by two points. Another interesting difference between pros and amateurs is that pros only get one serve while almost all amateurs players get two serves in case they miss the first one.
Racquetball demands agility, grace, balance, speed, and strategy. Yet, it is so simple to play and learn that many 2-3 year olds can hit the ball. It is generally considered to be much easier to play and learn than tennis, and is a sport that unlike tennis is very easy for someone to practice alone. Most clubs also have "challenge courts" so it is very easy to pick up a game without scheduling a match. The game is very fast paced and a challenging one, which is why so many people make racquetball a regular part of their fitness routine. A person looking for a regular workout routine would find the sport advantageous since it is easy to stay motivated, is easy to learn, and gives you a tremendous cardio workout? Racquetball is that workout. An amateur will usually burn well over 500 calories an hour while tournament players burn 700 calories or more. No matter what level of a play someone is at, from beginner to advanced, anyone can enjoy racquetball.
The combination of speed, power, and intelligence that racquetball demands makes this game a great workout for both the body and the mind. It is very common to see people in their 70's to 90's playing the sport with a lot of passion (and some good looking passing shots too).
Depending on the rules, the court's walls, floor, and ceiling are legal.
First You or Your Opponent/Partner Serve
· You must be serving in order to score a point.
· Serving player must bounce the ball on the floor once and then quickly strike the ball against the front wall-making the ball rebound beyond the short line (the last line where the server can stand) and hit the floor, either with or without touching a side wall.
· The server has to be between the serving lines (two solid lines) at time of serve.
· The receiving person must stand behind the receiving line when service is made, and wait until the ball bounces on the floor or crosses the receiving line.
· The server must wait until the ball passes the short line before stepping out of the service zone; otherwise it is a fault serve. Remember you only get two serves (unless you are a pro or top amateur).
· The server gets two chances to make a good serve. Fault serves include three wall serves in which the ball touches both side walls before touching the floor, a ceiling serve in which the ball touches the ceiling on the serve; a long serve in which the ball striking the back wall before striking the floor; and serving before the receiving player is ready.
· Here are serves that would cause you to lose the rally without a second chance: two consecutive fault serves; a missed serve attempt; a serve where the ball hits the floor before hitting the front wall; a fake serve attempt; a side wall serve where in the ball does not strike the front wall before striking any other part of the court; a wall- or floor-crotch serve wherein the ball strikes the corner of the front wall and side wall; or the corner of the front wall and floor; and an out-of-court serve in which the ball goes out of the court after hitting the front wall.
· After a successful serve, players alternate hitting the ball to the front wall. The player returning the hit may allow the ball to bounce once on the floor or hit the ball on the fly, however, once the player returning the shot has hit the ball, either before bouncing on the floor or after once bounce, it must strike the front wall before it hits the floor.
And You or Your Opponent/Partner Receive
· Stand in the middle of the court about one arm and racquet length from the back wall. (Recommended position, but not required by the rules).
· Return serve by striking the ball before it bounces twice. The ball must hit the front wall before touching the floor.
· It can hit all walls and ceiling but the ball must hit the front wall before the floor.
· When returning the serve. The ball can hit any wall and is not limited to how many times as long as it hits the front wall before hitting the floor.
The Rally is Where It's At
· Once the server puts the ball in play and the receiver returns the serve the rally begins.
· This is where all the points are scored. (Note: you may only score on the serve. If you are the returner, and win the point, you win the serve).
· This is where the rally can be an intense aerobic workout.
· The rally is where you put your strategy into every shot you make.
· The person who controls center court is the person that generally wins.
· This is where you tone your muscles the most.
· This is where endurance matters.
· This is where power matters.
· This is where control matters.
· This is where pinches count.
· This is where passing your opponent is a good thing.
· This is where kills do count and are good for your game.
· This is where diving without water are beyond the boundaries but ok to live another day and survive.
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