Racquetball

Peak Performance Athletic Center

Racquetball

RACQUETBALL

Peak Performance Athletic Center offers 2 premier racquetball courts complete with viewing terrace. All courts offer open viewing walls, perfect for demonstrations, clinics, and pro-tournament play. Our members enjoy these courts at no additional charge.

If you are just picking up a racquet for the first time, the Racquetball Fundamentals class is for you. The fundamentals class deals with the basics of the game. You'll receive instruction, rules of the game, basic strokes and strategy for the beginner. Check the Information Center for day and time.

Besides the above activities, we also offer In-Club Tournaments, Open Tournaments, Special Clinics and more.

Racquetball – How to play the game?

Ø Singles: When 2 opposing players play, it is known as singles

Ø Doubles: When 4 opposing players, 2 from each side, play, it is known as doubles.

Besides these traditional games, there is a non-tournament game known as ‘cutthroat’ played by 3 players.

Ø The toss and serve: The player if it is a singles match, or, the side, if it is a doubles match, which wins the toss of coin can choose either to serve or receive the serve at the beginning of the first game of the match. The second game starts in the opposite order in relation to the first game! In the event of a tiebreaker the following methodology shall be observed.

1. The player or the team, which had scored a combined maximum number of points in the first and second games, shall have the option to start the tiebreaker.

2. In the event of the player or the team in singles and doubles respectively score equal number of points, the player or the team, which wins the ensuing ‘toss’ will start the tiebreaker.

Ø Starting: Start from the service zone, anywhere within. If you step on the line but not over it, it is acceptable. The server is not expected to cross the short line until such time the ball passes that line.

Ø Service Motion: It should be a continuous motion or movement resulting in the ball being served. The ball should bounce and it should be hit with the racquet immediately after the first bounce for a second time.

Ø Drive Service Zone:

Drive serve lines are 3 feet from each sidewall in the service zone as shown above. A player can drive serve between his body and the racquet sidewall in case he is outside the 3-foot drive service zone mark.

Ø Doubles Service: At the start of the game, if the first serve is out, then the team is out. Subsequently both players on each team serve till it gets a ‘hand out’ or a ‘side out’.

Ø Serve that is considered defective:

o If it is a deadball serve

o If it is a faulty serve

o If it is an outserve

Ø Returns: When a good serve results in putting the ball into play the receiver should not enter the safety zone till such time the ball either bounces or crosses the broken line (Receiving line). If a serve met with a failure of return, the server gets a point.

Ø Side out: Any server can continue to serve till such time he (a) out serve, (b) twice consecutively effect a fault serve, (c) a player if it is singles or a team if it is doubles, lost a rally, (d) if a player or a team perform a ‘hinder’, which is avoidable, and, (e) If in a doubles game, a player hits a player while attempting a return.

Ø Rallies: A rally can be defined, as the continuing play after a return of serve is successful. A play can be stopped: (a) if the ball is carried, (b) if the ball careens off the racquet of a player into a wall opening or gallery (c) if there is no velocity for the ball to hit the front wall etc. In a game of doubles, if one player misses to hit the ball, the second player may try to hit it till it bounced for a second time.

Ø Hinders: (1) a dead ball hinder – it is replayable and attracts no penalty, (2) avoidable hinder.

There are eight (8) basic racquetball shots used during a rally; all may be hit with a forehand or backhand and to either side of the court. Many variations can be used by simply changing the vertical or horizontal angles. Speed is also a factor, since most shots will lose their effectiveness if hit too fast or too slow. [Illustrations are arranged for ease of explanation, not by the order of learning shots.
Pass Shot	Pass Shot The smartest, most productive shot used by all player skill levels. A pass shot is hit directly to the front wall and rebounds to the court area furthest from the opponent. There are two types of pass shots, “Down the Line” (pictured at left) and “Cross Court” (not shown). Down the Line Pass Shot Shot rebounds from the front wall to the side wall closest to the hitter (pictured at left). The final ball path ends up between the hitter and side wall. Cross Court Pass Shot Shot rebounds from the front wall to side wall furthest from the hitter. The final ball path ends up between the opponent and the side wall. The ball should be hit fast enough so the opponent can't react in time for a return and low enough on the front wall so the ball doesn't become playable off the back wall (ball should bounce twice before hitting back wall).
Pinch Shot	Pinch Shot The pinch shot is an effective way to keep a low hit or soft hit ball in the front area of the court. A pinch shot hits the side wall first (near the front wall), hits the front wall and rebounds in the front half of the court to the opposite side wall. There are two types of pinch shots, hit to the left side or right side walls. Pinch shots should be hit low enough on the front wall so the ball rebound from the front wall bounces twice on the floor before touching the opposite side wall.
Kill Shot	Kill Shot Impossible for opponent to return! Any shot that rebounds from the front wall “low” and bounces twice on the floor near the front wall. The second bounce occurs so quickly that it is impossible for the opponent to return. The easiest way to hit a kill shot is to hit the ball when the ball is just a few inches above the floor. The difficult part is hitting the ball very hard, parallel with the floor, low to the front wall. The slightest miscalculation results wit the ball skipping into the floor before hitting the front wall (out) or hitting the ball too high on the front wall and being easily playable by the opponent.
Ceiling Shot	Ceiling Shot A ceiling shot hits the ceiling first, near the front wall, hits high on the front wall, hits the floor in the front of the court, bounces very high and dies (second bounce) on or just after the back wall. An effective alternative whenever the hitter is in a defensive position and can't hit a pass, pinch or kill shot. Also used as a offensive shot whenever the opponent is positioned too close to the front wall. Ceiling shots will force your opponent to the rear of the court and allow you time to reset your position on the court. A ceiling shot will also allow your opponent time to make a return unless they were positioned too close to the front wall. The ceiling shot must be hit hard enough to get to the back wall on the second bounce. Hitting too soft will result in a easy set-up for the opponent.
Off the Back Wall Shot	Off the Back Wall Shot When the opponents shot is hit too hard or high and bounces off the back wall. The hitter waits for the ball from the back wall and hits any shot to the front wall. The easiest shot to master with some experience and practice. Allows the hitter time to position and hit any type of shot, including kill shots.
Into the Back Wall Shot	Into the Back Wall Shot Hitting the ball into the back wall. Used only as a last resort when no other shot can be hit directly to the front wall. Limited control, possible chance of rebounding back into hitter (or opponent). Used when no backhand or forehand is possible or after a ball has passed the hitter. All shots into the back wall should be hit high enough to make it to the front wall but soft enough so the ball doesn't rebound off of the back wall during the opponents return.
Around the Wall Shot	Around the Wall Shot Purely a defensive shot when out of position. The ball is hit hard enough at the side wall to rebound to the front wall and hit the opposite sidewall as high as possible. The ball will then bounce on the floor just behind center court and head to the opposite back corner and die (second bounce) after hitting the back wall. Like the ceiling shot, is used whenever no other pass, pinch or kill shot is available. Difficult to master without practice because of the angles and number of walls hit.
Z-Ball Shot	Z-Ball Shot Hits the front wall, side wall and opposite side wall (without touching the ceiling, floor or back wall) and rebounds parallel to the back wall.. The spin generated from the 3-walls reverses the direction of the ball. Hit correctly, the ball ends up rolling along the back wall and is impossible to return (reason why its illegal for server to hit). Hit incorrectly, the ball will be come a easy setup for the opponent. The correct z-ball shot is hit as high as possible and requires the hitter to be near the opposite side wall. Difficult to master without practice and experience. Should not be used if a pass, pinch or kill shot is possible and only used once mastered.

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Last modified: February 21, 2008