Racquetball

Equipment: Each player must have a racquetball racket. The decision to wear gloves or protective eyewear is to the discretion of the players. All players accept any risks that are accompanied with the game. Scoring: The winner is first player/team to win 2 out of 3 games. Each game is played to 15 points and the tiebreaker 3rd game is played to 11 points. Deuce takes place when both teams are tied at 14 points, the winner is the first to take a 2 point lead. Deuce does not apply for the tiebreaker. A point can only be earned on a player/teams serve. A point is scored when the opponent is unable to return a ball to the front wall before the ball bounces on the floor twice. The ball may only make contact with the head of the racket. Any body contact or racket handle contact results in the loss of the point. A type of hit in which it seems as though you are carrying or slinging the ball rather than hitting it results in the loss of the point. Serving: In the center of the court, there are two solid parallel lines forming the service zone. The solid line closer the front wall is the service line and the one closer to the glass wall is the short line. Two smaller lines parallel to the side walls within the service zones form small boxes or the service boxes. The dotted line next to the short line is the receiving line Before serving, it is suggested that the server announces the current score and to make sure the receiver is ready to return serve. The server may only have TWO attempts at a legal serve unless a hinder was called. Service order: Either a coin flip or a short game: the player(s) stand at the glass wall and hit the ball against the front wall, whoevers rebound lands closest to the short line wins first serve. In doubles; after one partner loses his serve, it is then a hand-out to his partner. After both players lose their serves, it is a side-out and the same format is played for the other team. Each time a team steps in to serve, either partner can start first. Singles: The server must be standing within the service zone during their serve. He/she is required to bounce the ball before serving. Upon serving,

the ball must first contact the front wall and it has to land between the short line and the glass wall. Doubles: The server must be standing within the service zone and the servers partner must be standing in any one of the two service boxes on the sides of the service zone. Service Faults: Should a player fault their first serve, he/she has a second attempt. A second fault results in a side-out. A fault occurs when: Foot fault: The player or the players racket must remain within the service zone until the ball crosses the short line Short Serve: The balls rebound off of the front wall lands ON or IN FRONT of the short line Long Serve: The balls rebound off of the front wall and hits the glass wall before bouncing on the ground. Three-Walls: The ball may bounce off of the front wall and ONE side wall before bouncing on the floor. It is a fault if it rebounds off of both side walls before bouncing on the floor. Ceiling: The ball rebounds off of the front wall and bounces off of the ceiling. Serving without bouncing the ball. Screening: Serving a ball that causes the rebound to be so close to the server or when the server has to dodge the ball preventing a clear view of the serve for the receiver. In Doubles: Hitting your partner with your serve or a player serving twice in a row after losing the previous rally.

Replay/Penalty Hinders: Replay hinders result in a point being replayed at first serve whereas penalty hinders result in the loss of a point. Replay Hinders: Self-Ref, up to discretion of players or coordinator. Any player can call a hinder on their opponent if they feel as if they couldve had a more advantageous return due to unintentional blocking or contact. This also applies to a players backswing that may be impaired by unintentional body/racket contact. Anytime the player/team hits an opponent with a return shot. If the ball would obviously not rebound off of the wall, it is not considered a hinder. A player may call a reasonable hinder if they feel as though their racket swing or return shot may strike the opponent.

Other: Any interferences not mentioned above (audience interference, equipment problems, etc.)

Penalty Hinders: Every player has a responsibility to play fair and to make sure they are allowing their opponent a clear, unobstructed return shot. A failure to move or any intentional blocking. Any intentional distractions such as shouting, waving of racket, or other disruptions. Intentional body contact, especially pushing. Intentional screening, or blocking opponents field of vision and preventing a clear view of the ball.

All rules and guidelines are based off of the USA Racquetball rulebook: http://usra.org/Rules.aspx Decisions made by tournament coordinator are final and any form of unsportsmanlike behavior may result in deduction of points or expulsion from tournament.