Racquetball facts for kids
Racquetball racquet and ball
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| Highest governing body | International Racquetball Federation (IRF) |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | Singles or doubles |
| Mixed-sex | Yes, separate tours & mixed doubles |
| Type | Racquet sport |
| Equipment | Racquetball ball, racquetball racquet |
| Venue | Indoor or outdoor racquetball court |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Americas |
| Olympic | No |
| Paralympic | No |
| World Games | 1981, 1985, 1993, 2009, 2013 |
Racquetball is an exciting racquet sport played with a special racquet and a hollow rubber ball. You play it on an indoor or outdoor court with four walls. Unlike many other racquet sports like tennis or badminton, there is no net to hit the ball over. Also, unlike squash, there's no "tin" (an out-of-bounds area at the bottom of the front wall) that you have to hit the ball above. In racquetball, the court's walls, floor, and even the ceiling are usually legal playing surfaces!
The sport was invented by Joseph Sobek in 1950. He added a stringed racquet to an older game called Four wall paddleball to make the ball go faster and be easier to control. Racquetball is quite similar to 40×20 American handball, which is popular in many countries. It also shares many features with the British sport called Squash 57, which used to be known as racketball before 2016.
Contents
What is Racquetball?
Racquetball is a fast-paced game that combines elements of handball and squash. Players use a racquet to hit a small, bouncy rubber ball. The main goal is to hit the ball in a way that your opponent cannot return it legally. This means hitting it off the front wall before it bounces twice on the floor.
Key Differences from Other Sports
Racquetball stands out from other racquet sports in a few ways:
- No Net: Unlike tennis or badminton, there's no net dividing the court.
- All Walls are Playable: You can hit the ball off the front, side, and back walls. The floor and ceiling are also usually in play. This makes for very dynamic and unpredictable rallies.
- No "Tin": In squash, there's a low board called a "tin" that the ball must go above. Racquetball doesn't have this, giving players more options for low shots.
How to Play Racquetball
Racquetball can be played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles). The game starts with a serve, and players take turns hitting the ball until one player cannot make a legal return.
The Serve
To start a rally, one player serves the ball.
- The server must bounce the ball once on the floor.
- Then, they hit it with their racquet so it hits the front wall first.
- After hitting the front wall, the ball must bounce off the floor behind the short line. It can also hit one side wall before bouncing.
- If the serve is not good, it's called a "fault." Two faults in a row usually mean the server loses the point.
Hitting the Ball During a Rally
Once the ball is served, players take turns hitting it.
- Each player must hit the ball before it bounces twice on the floor.
- The ball must always hit the front wall first.
- After hitting the front wall, the ball can hit any number of side walls, the back wall, or the ceiling.
- Players try to hit the ball in a way that makes it hard for their opponent to reach or return.
Scoring Points
Points are usually only scored by the serving player.
- If the server wins the rally, they score a point and continue to serve.
- If the receiver wins the rally, they do not score a point. Instead, they get to become the new server.
- Games are typically played to 15 points, and matches are usually best two out of three games.
Equipment You Need
To play racquetball safely and effectively, you'll need a few key pieces of equipment.
The Racquet
Racquetball racquets are shorter and wider than tennis racquets. They have a large hitting surface, which helps players hit the ball with power and control. They are usually made from lightweight materials like graphite.
The Ball
The racquetball is a small, hollow rubber ball. It's very bouncy and comes in different colors, like blue, green, or black. The color often indicates how fast the ball is.
Eye Protection
This is the most important piece of safety equipment! Because the ball moves very fast in a small space, eye protection (like goggles or safety glasses) is always required. This helps prevent serious eye injuries.
The Racquetball Court
Racquetball is played on a special court, which can be indoors or outdoors. Indoor courts usually have glass back walls, allowing spectators to watch the game.
Court Dimensions
A standard racquetball court is 40 feet (12.19 meters) long, 20 feet (6.09 meters) wide, and 20 feet (6.09 meters) high.
Court Lines
The court has several important lines:
- Short Line: This line is 20 feet from the front wall and divides the court in half.
- Service Line: This line is 5 feet in front of the short line. The area between the service line and the short line is called the "service zone."
- Service Boxes: These are small boxes on each side of the court within the service zone. In doubles, the non-serving partner must stand in one of these boxes during the serve.
- Receiving Line: This line is 5 feet behind the short line. The receiver must stand behind this line until the ball crosses the short line on the serve.
A Short History of Racquetball
The sport of racquetball was invented in 1950 by Joseph Sobek. He was a professional tennis player and handball player who wanted a fast-paced sport that was easy to learn.
Sobek combined elements from squash, handball, and paddleball. He designed the first racquets and wrote the first set of rules. The sport quickly grew in popularity across the United States. In 1969, the International Racquetball Association (IRA) was formed to help organize the sport and its rules. Today, the sport is governed by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF).
Why Play Racquetball?
Racquetball is a fantastic sport for many reasons:
- Great Exercise: It's a very active sport that provides an excellent cardio workout. You'll run, jump, and stretch a lot!
- Fun and Fast-Paced: The game moves quickly, and rallies can be very exciting.
- Easy to Learn: While it takes practice to master, the basic rules are simple, making it easy for beginners to pick up.
- Develops Skills: Playing racquetball helps improve your hand-eye coordination, agility, and strategic thinking.
See also
In Spanish: Raquetbol para niños
