THE GAME
Described
as a ‘quirky’ cross between the games of tennis and squash, racquetball is easier
to play and a lot more fun. This is an ideal indoor winter activity for those
who can manage to pull themselves off the couch and into action.
This uncomplicated game can be mastered in the space of 60 seconds and all you need is a play-mate or three to get going.
The game is played on a standard squash court, but unlike squash, you play with a bigger and bouncier blue ball. As the racquet has a larger head and a shorter handle it is easy to manipulate. If you haven’t played any racquet sports before, racquetball is a great way to start.
Described as an excellent fat-burner, racquetball encourages longer rallying, giving you sustained aerobic activity. The game will also improve your hand-eye co-ordination skills as the ball bounces around the walls of the court.
You can play singles or doubles and mixed play is very popular. People of all ages can get onto a court and play ball. If you enjoy racquetball you can play socially or in a competition, which is organized through your local squash/racquetball centre.
The
Court
The court is an enclosed rectangular room with a flush door
in the centre of the rear wall. In play, all four walls and the floor are used.
The
Racquet
There are many types of racquetball racquets on the market,
but the best racquet is the one that feels right for you.
If you do not own a racquet, you can easily hire one at a squash/racquetball centre.
Clothing
When playing racquetball, light clothing such as a t-shirt, shorts or skirt and
white soled sports shoes are recommended.
Body
Warm Up
Muscle and joint injuries can be prevented by warming up the
body correctly. A five minute total body warm-up for players should consist of
general body warm-up as well as specific muscle stretching.
Warm/Cool
Down
Just as important as the warm-up is the cool down. A five minute
cool down and specific muscle stretch should complete each session.
Eye
Protection
In order to prevent serious eye injuries, we recommend
that players wear eye protection which comply with the current Australian Standard.
Two players, each with a racquet, take turns to hit the ball onto the front wall within the large area defined by the red line at the top of the court (‘out of court line’) and the red line marking the top of the tin at the bottom of the front wall.
A rally begins when the server, standing forward of the short line, bounces the ball and strikes it with an under-arm action. For the service to be ‘good’, the ball must go directly to the front wall between the ‘out of court’ line and the tin, and rebound back to land on the floor behind the short line.
The receiver stands between the short line and the back wall. If the service is good, the receiver strikes the ball so that it returns to the front wall. On its way to the front wall, the ball may hit the back or side walls first, but must not go ‘out of court’, hit an opponent, hit the tin or touch the floor before reaching the front wall. The receiver may chose to strike the service ball ‘on the full’.
A match can either consist of three games with each game played to fifteen points, with the player scoring the highest number of points winning the match, or be played ‘best of 3’ games to 21 points, with the player first to win two games winning the match. If the score in any game in the second version reaches 20-all, the winner of that game is the player to first reach 22 points.
HISTORY
OF AUSTRALIAN RACQUETBALL
Following
a study tour of the U.S. in 1977 by a number of Australian squash court owners
who were looking at establishing another sport to be incorporated onto Australian
squash courts, Australian Racquetball was conceived.
Australian Racquetball was launched at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club squash court s during 1978, and the same evening on the Don Lane Show, a high rating national variety show, where a portable squash court was erected in the Channel 9 studios.
Australian Racquetball is played on the standard international squash court (32 ft. long x 21 ft. wide), which differs enormously to the American version of the game, which is played on a court which is 40 ft. long x 20 ft. wide. The different sized court creates the majority of rule differences.
In the American game, the server must stand within a service zone, which is positioned within the centre of the court, whereas in the Australian game the server stands anywhere in front of the short line.
Another major difference is that in the American game the roof is in play, whereas in Australian Racquetball the ball is out when it touches any part of the roof. The American game also has no tin on the front wall, whereas the Australian game has.
The governing body for the sport of Australian Racquetball is the Victorian Racquetball Federation, which is based at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park, Melbourne.
History
Racquetball
Pennant & Tournaments
last updated by Squash Logic: 13 January, 2003