The Racquetball

RACQUETBALL
A racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball on an

indoor or outdoor court. Joseph Sobek is credited with
inventing the modern sport of racquetball in 1950, adding a
stringed racquet to paddleball in order to increase velocity
and control.
HISTORY
According to the International Racquetball Federation, the sport was conceived by Joe
Sobek who, in 1949, designed the short paddle that is still associated with the game. The
rules were an amalgamation between those of handball and squash. The game caught on,
and in the 1970’s and 1980’s racquetball courts were being built all over the country. By
the end of the 1980’s, popularity fell and many clubs closed; however, a steady number
of enthusiasts remained, and the sport has gained international popularity as well.
CHARACTERISTIC
Racquet sports require a unique combination of aerobic and anaerobic condition,

speed, strength, agility, flexibility, reaction time, eye-hand coordination and technical
skill.
RACQUET EQUIPMENTS
1.Accessories 8.Referee Whistle 15.Water Bottle

2.Bag 9.Scoreboards
3.Balls 10.Shoes
4.Eye Guards or Goggles 11.Strings
5.Gloves 12.Sweatbands
6.Racquet Grips 13.Towel
7.Racquets 14.Vibration Dampener
SCORING
The only time you can score a point racquetball is when you are serving. The player serving has two
possible outcomes.
• a point is scored
• the serve is lost
• Beginners Tip: Since you can only score while you are serving, it is important not to lose a serve from
an avoidable fault or out serve. Make sure you put the ball in play if you are on your second serve.
Tournament racquetball games are played to 15 points. You only need to win by one
point, so that means the first person to reach 15 points wins that particular game.
In recreational games, you may decide to play to 21, or sometimes 7 in cutthroat, or
some other score that all players agree upon. The variation from 15 points usually
happens if you are short on time, or can only play one game instead of a complete
match.
Some players may insist on winning by two points, but this is not how normal
tournament racquetball is played.
BASIC RULES IN RACQUETBALL IN SERVE
1.The serving player has the area known as the serving zone to utilize for their serve
a. Both feet must be on or in front of the short line. If any part of the foot extends beyond
the short line and into the receiving players area, that is a foot fault.
b. During the serve, both feet must stay on or behind the service line for it to be a valid serve. If
the serving player extends behind the service line it is a foot fault.
2. The player returning the serve must stay behind the receiving line (with their entire body)
during the serve until:
a. The ball hits the floor on a valid serve
b. The ball crosses the receiving line
WHAT’S A VALID OR GOOD RACQUETBALL SERVE?
1.The serving player must make one continuous movement once they start their serve
2.The ball must bounce once in the service zone before striking it with a racquet
a. Should the ball bounce more than once before striking it, it is a side out
b. Should the ball bounce outside the service zone during the serve is a fault
3.The served ball must hit the front wall first

4.The ball must travel beyond the short line before bouncing
5.The ball may hit one side wall before the first bounce
6.The ball must bounce within the short line and back wall
23 FUN FACTS ABOUT RACQUET BALL
• 1. Racquetball was created by Joseph Sobek.

• 2. Sobek was a professional tennis and handball player.
• 3. Racquetball started in a YMCA.
• 4. . Racquetball was developed during the mid 20th century.
• 5. Racquetball rules vary from country to country.
• 6. Racquetball was originally named Paddle racquet.
• 7.Racquetball vs. Racketball .
• 8.Squash 57 has helped distinguish racketball from Racquetball.
9.Racquetball gained popularity when it was passed to YMCAs throughout the U.S.
10. There is a racquetball hall of fame.
11. Racquetball is played at an international level.
12. The International Olympic Committee has recognized Racquetball
13. Racquetball can help you burn around 500 calories per hour.
14. Racquetball players have served at up to almost 200 mph.
15. Racquetball works the entire body.
16. Different colored balls have different uses in Racquetball.
17. Racquetball can be played indoors or outdoors.18. Racquetball improves hand-eye
coordination.
19. Racquetball can be played (or practiced) with one, two, three, or four players.
20. A three-person game of Racquetball is called “cut-throat”.
21. The original racquetball racquet was made out of aluminum.
22. Racquetball can help decrease stress levels.
23. Racquetball is enjoyed throughout the world.
BENEFITS
• Fat Reduction
• Cardiovascular Health
• Strength, Coordination, Flexibility
• Mental Well-Being
• Fun Fitness Moves
• Precautions

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RACQUETBALL

A racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball on an

Racquet sports require a unique combination of aerobic and anaerobic condition,

1.Accessories 8.Referee Whistle 15.Water Bottle

3.The served ball must hit the front wall first

• 1. Racquetball was created by Joseph Sobek.

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