2007 Racquetball FUNdamentals

 RULES

Must be enrolled in at least 6 hours of undergrad. or 5 hours of grad.     (1/2) time student to be eligible to play.

OBJECTIVE:   Make the ball bounce twice before other player returns it to front wall.

GAMES/MATCH:       Points awarded only when serving; 2 out of 3 games is a match; first 2 games are to 15 (win by one pt. margin); 3^rd game, if necessary, is a “tie-breaker” to 11.

SERVE:    In serving box, bounce and hit ball against front wall so that ball travels past short line.

FAULT SERVE:   Ball bounces short of short line;

     (2^nd serve)       Hits back wall or ceiling before bouncing on floor;

                             Hits 3 walls (before bouncing on floor);

                              Foot fault: foot goes completely over service line;

                              Serving down the line while breaking the plane of the 2^nd line.

 FAULT SERVE:          Hits side wall (or crack) first;

(1 serve / side out)        Hits ceiling or floor first;

                                    Hits you on the fly from front wall.

 5-FOOT RULE:           The returner of serve (only during the serve) must stay behind the dashed line until the ball either hits within the 5-foot area or crosses the line on the fly.

 POINT:           When the server wins a rally, the server adds one point to his/her score.

 SIDE-OUT:     When the player returning serve wins the rally, then gets to serve the next rally.

 HINDER:         If a player is in the way of the player returning the ball, stop and re-play the rally.

 SAFETY:        Wear safety glasses whenever on the court;

                        Watch the ball at all times so you can successfully get out of the way;

                        Hold up your swing if you think you might hit the other player;

                        Give the other player an unimpeded straight shot into the front wall.

 BASIC SKILLS:        Hit the ball Squarely on the “Sweet spot”;

  (S.P.E.L.L.)               Position comfortably to the ball, letting it drop to knee high     (move your feet!);

                                     Envision your shot;

                                     Hit through the ball on a Level plane;

                                     Hit through the ball with a Loose arm and wrist.

 STRATEGIES: Hit it where they ain’t! (which could be back to yourself)

                           Hit the ball into a corner, front or back, making it bounce twice;

                           Use the front corners when the other player is behind you;

                           Use the back corners when the player is in front of you;

                            Keep the ball on the side of the court so you can stay in center court;

                            “Center court” is right at the dashed line;

                             Use the ceiling when you’re in trouble.

                             Have FUN!