SUNY Potsdam Athletics

Types of Games

Racquetball may be played by two or four players.When played by two it is called singles, and when played by four it is called doubles.

Objective

The objective is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play. A rally is over when a player (or team in doubles) is unable to hit the ball before it touches the floor twice, is unable to return the ball in such a manner that it touches the front wall before it touches the floor, or when a hinder is called.

Points and Outs

Points are scored only by the serving side when it serves an irretrievable serve (an ace) or wins a rally. Losing the serve is called a sideout in singles. In doubles, when the first serve loses the serve, it is called a handout. When the second server loses the serve is a sideout.

Match Game Tiebreaker

A match is won by the first side winning two games. The first two games of a match are played to 15 points. If each side wins one game a tie breaker game is played to 11 points.

Courts and Equipment

The specifications for the standard four-wall racquetball court are:

I (a) Dimensions-  The dimensions shall be 20 feet wide, 40 feet long and at least 12 feet high. All surfaces shall be in play with the exception of any gallery opening or surfaces designated as court hinders.

II. (a) Markings- Racquetball courts shall be marked with lines 1-1/2 inches wide as follows:

1. Short Line- The back edge of the short line is midway between and is parallel with the front and back walls.

2. Service Line- The front edge of the service line is parallel with and five feet in front of the back edge of the short line.

3. Service Zone- The service zone is the five-foot area between the outer edges of the short line and service line.

4. Service Boxes- The service boxes are located at each end of the service zone, and are designated by lines parallel with the side walls. The edge of the line nearest to the center of the court shall be 18 inches from the nearest side wall.

5. Drive Serve Lines- The drive serve lines which form the drive serve zone are parallel with the side wall and are within the service zone. The edge of the line nearest to the center of the court shall be 3 feet from the nearest side wall.

6. Receiving Line- The receiving line is a broken line parallel to the short line. The back edge of the receiving line is 5 feet from the back edge of the short line. The receiving line begins with a line 21 inches long that extends from each side wall. These lines are connected by an alternate series of 6 inch spaces and 6 inch lines. This will result in a line composed of 17 six-inch spaces and 16 six-inch lines and 2 twenty-one inch lines.

7. Safety Zone- The safety zone is the 5 foot area bounded by the back edges of the short line and the receiving line. The zone is observed only during the serve.

Play Regulations

Serve:

The player or team winning the coin toss has the option to either serve or receive at the start of the first game. The second game will begin in reverse order of the first game. The payer or team scoring the highest total of points in games 1 and 2 will have the option to serve or receive at the start of the tiebreaker. In the event that both players or teams score an equal number of points in the first two games, another coin toss will take place, and the winner of the toss will have the option to serve or receive.

Defective Serves:

Defective serves are of three types resulting in penalties as follows:

1. Dead-ball Serve- A dead-ball serve results in no penalty and the server is given another serve (without canceling a prior fault serve).

2. Fault Serve- two fault serves result in an out (either a sideout or a handout).

3. Out Serve- An out serve result in an out (either a sideout or a handout).

Dead-ball Serves:

Dead-ball serves do not cancel any previous fault serve. The following are dead-ball serves:

1. Ball Hits partner- A serve which strikes the server's partner while in the double box is a dead -ball serve. A serve which touches the floor before touching the server's partner is a short serve.

2. Court Hinders- A serve that takes an irregular bounce because it hit a wet spot or an irregular surface on the court is a dead-ball serve. Also, any serve that hits any surface designated by local rules is an obstruction

3. Broken Ball- If the ball is determined to have broken on the serve, a new ball shall be substituted and the serve shall be replayed, not canceling any prior fault serve.

Fault Serves:

The following serves are faults and any two in succession result in as out:

1. Foot Faults- A foot fault results when:

a. The server does not begin the service motion with both feet in theservice zone.

the service. The server steps completely over the service line (no part of the foot on or in the service zone) before the served ball crosses the short line.

the service. In doubles, the server's partner is not in thesauri box with both feet on the floor and back to the side wall from the time the server begins the service motion until the ball passes the short line.

Short Service - A short serve is any served ball that first hits the front wall and, on the rebound, hits the floor on or in front of the short line either with or without touching a side wall.

Three-Wall Serve- A three-wall serve is any served ball that first hits the front wall and. on the rebound, strikes both side walls before striking the floor.

Ceiling Serve- A ceiling serve is any served ball that first hits the front wall and then touches the ceiling (with or without touching a side wall).

Long Serve- A long serve is a served ball that first hits the front wall and rebounds to the back wall before touching the floor (with or without touching a side wall).

Out-Of-Court Serve- An out-of-court serve is any served ball that first hits the wall and, before striking the floor, goes out of the court.

Bouncing Ball Outside Service Zone- Bouncing the ball outside the service zone as a part of the service motion is a fault serve.

Illegal Drive Serve- A drive serve in which the player fails to observe the 17-foot drive service zone.

Screen Serve- A served ball that first hits the front wall and on the rebound passes so closely to the server, or server's partner in doubles, that it prevents the receiver from having a clear view of the ball (the receiver is obligated to place himself in good court position, near center court, to obtain that view). The screen serve is the only fault serve which may not be appealed.

Out Serves:

Any of the following serves result in an out:

1. Two consecutive fault serves

2. Missed Serve Attempt- Any attempt to strike the ball that results in a total miss or in the ball touching any part of the server's body. Also, allowing the ball to bounce more than once during the service motion.

3. Touched Serve- Any served ball that on the rebound from the front wall touches the server or the server's racquet, or any ball intentionally stopped or caught by the server or the server's partner.

4. Illegal Hit- An illegal hit includes contracting the ball twice, carrying the ball, or hitting the ball with the handle of the racquet or part of the body or uniform.

5. Non-Front Wall Serve- Any serve that does not strike the front wall first.

6. Ball Hits Partner- A served ball that hits the doubles partner while outside the doubles box results in a loss of serve.

7. Safety Zone Violation- If the server, or doubles partner, enters into the safety zone before the served ball passes the short line, it shall result in the loss of serve.

Return of Serve:

Receiving Position

-The receiver may not enter the safety zone until the ball bounces or crosses the receiving line.

- On the fly return attempt, the receiver may not strike the ball until the ball breaks the plane of the receiving line. The receiver's follow through may carry the receiver or his racquet past the receiving line.

Legal Return- After a legal serve, a player on the receiving team must strike the ball on the fly or after the first bounce, and before the ball touches the floor the second time; and return the ball to the front wall, either directly or after touching one or both side walls, the back wall or ceiling, or any combination of those surfaces. A returned ball must touch the front wall before touching the floor.

Failure to Return-The failure to return a serve results in a point for the server.

Rallies:

All of the play which occurs after successful return of the serve is called the rally. Play shall be conducted according to the following rules:

1. Legal Hits- Only the head of the racquet may be used at any time to return the ball. The racquet may be held in one or both hands. Switching hands to hit a ball, touching the ball with any part of the body or uniform, or removing the wrist thong results in a loss of the rally.

2. One Touch- The player or team trying to return the ball may touch or strike the ball only once or else the rally is lost. The ball may not be carried. (A carried ball is one which rests on the racquet long enough that the effect is more of a sling or a throw than a hit).

3. Failure to Return- Any of the following constitutes a failure to make a legal return during a rally:

a. The ball bounces on the floor more than once before being hit.

b. The ball does not reach the front wall on the fly.

c. The ball caroms off a player's racquet into a gallery or wall opening without first hitting the front wall.

d. A ball which obviously did not have the velocity or direction to hit the front wall strokes another player on the court.

e. A ball struck by one player on a team hits that player or that player's partner.

hinder. Committing an avoidable hinder,

g. Switching hands during a rally.

h. Failure to use a wrist thong on the racquet.

i. Touching the ball with the body or uniform.

j. Carry or sling the ball with the racquet.

Effect of Failure to Return- results in a loss of rally. If the serving player or team losses the rally, it is an out. If the receiver loses the rally, it results in a point for the server.

Return Attempts:

-In singles, if a player swings at the ball and misses it, the player may continue to attempt to return the ball until it touches the floor for the second time.

-In doubles if one player swings at the ball and misses it both partners may make further attempts to return the ball until it touches the floor the second time. Both partners on a side are entitled to return the ball.

Out-Of-Court Ball:

- After Return- Any ball returned to the front wall which on the rebound or the first bounce goes into the gallery or through any opening in the side wall shall be declared dead and the server shall receive two serves.

-No Return- Any ball not returned to the front wall but which caroms off a player's racquet into the gallery or into an opening in a side wall either with or without touching the ceiling, side wall, or back wall shall be an out for the player trying to make the return or the point from the opponent.

Play Stoppage:

-If a foreign object enters the court or any other outside interference occurs, the referee shall stop the play immediately and declare a dead-ball hinder.

- If a player loses any apparel equipment or other articles, the referee shall stop play immediately and declare an avoidable hinder or dead- ball hinder.

Replays:

Whenever a rally is replayed for any reason the server is awarded two serves. A previous fault serve is not considered.

Dead-Ball Hinders:

A rally is replayed without penalty and the server receives two serves whenever a dead-ball hinder occurs.

-Court Hinders- Stop play immediately whenever the ball hits any part of the court that was designated in advance as a court hinder (such as a door handle). Also stop play when the ball takes an irregular bounce as a result of contacting a rough surface (such as court light or vent) after striking a wet spot on the floor or wall.

-Ball Hits Opponent- When an opponent is hit by a return shot in flight, it is a dead-ball hinder. If the opponent is struck by a ball which obviously did not have the velocity or direction to reach the front wall, it is not a hinder and the player who hit the ball will lose the rally. A player who has been hit by the ball can stop play and make the call though the call must be made immediately.

-Body Contact- If body contact occurs which was sufficient to stop the rally either for the purpose of preventing injury by further contact or because the contact prevented a player from being able to make a reasonable return, call a hinder. Incidental body contact in which the offensive player clearly will have the advantage should not be called a hinder unless the offensive player obviously stops play. Contact with the racquet on the follow-through normally is not considered a hinder.

-Screen Ball- Any ball rebounding from the front wall so close to the body of the defensive team that it interferes or prevents the offensive player from having a clear view of the ball. A ball that passes between the legs of the side that just returned the ball is not automatically a screen. it depends on the proximity of the players. Again, the call should work to the advantage of the offensive player.

-Backswing Hinder- Any body or racquet contact on the backswing or en route to or just prior to returning the ball which impairs the hitter's ability to take a reasonable swing. This call can be made by the player attempting to return thought the call must be made immediately. Note the interference may be considered an avoid able hinder.

-Safety Hold-up- Any player about to execute a return who believes he is likely to strike his opponent with the ball or racquet may immediately stop play and request a dead-ball hinder.

-Other Interference- Any other unintentional interference which prevents an opponent from having a fair chance to see or return the ball. Example: When a ball from another court enters the court during a rally.

-Avoidance- While making an attempt to return the ball a player is entitled to a fair chance to see and return the ball. It is the responsibility of the side that has just hit the ball to move so the receiving side may go straight to the ball and have an unobstructed view of the ball. However, the receiver must make a reasonable effort to move towards the ball and have a reasonable chance to return the ball in order for a hinder to be called.

- Hinders should be called without a claim by a player, especially in close plays and on game points.

-In doubles —In doubles, both players on a side are entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance at the ball and either one is entitled to a hinder even though it naturally would be his or her partner's ball and even though his or her partner may have attempted to play the ball or may already have missed it. It is not a hinder when one player hinders his or her partner.

- Avoidable Hinders — An avoidable hinder results in an "out" or a point depending upon whether the offender was serving or receiving.

- Failure to move — Does not move sufficiently to allow opponent his or her shot.

- Blocking — Moves into a position effecting a block on the opponent- about to return the ball, or, in doubles, one partner moves in front of an opponent as his or her partner is returning the ball.

- Moving into ball — Moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by his or her opponent.

- Pushing — Deliberately pushing or shoving an opponent during a volley.