Home Rules Sports › Racquetball
Racquetball Rules UK for Beginners

The indoor court game of racketball rules has similarities to squash games. This basic racquetball rules and player tactics guide is ideal for all beginners.

RULES OF RACQUETBALL: The paddle racket game was first invented in 1950. The aim was to formulate a new and easy to learn sport.

An American tennis professional further developed the most modern game of racketball rules. He combined the rudimentary elements of handball, squash rules, and paddleball.

Racquetball Rules were officially codified in 1952. The sport has since achieved rapid growth and popularity in recent decades.

The International Racquetball Association formulated in 1969. It is the official body that oversees the governance of regulations in the sport.

Racquetball’s Olympic recognition increased its popularity. In fact, there are now more than six million racquetball players participating worldwide.

Most of these play in and around America. But, many more are playing a variant called racketball in England and the United Kingdom.


Basic Rules of Racquetball

Aim of playing Racquetball Game

The aim of playing racquetball rules UK is to win points by winning rallies (much like the game of squash). As a rule, racquetball matches get played to the best of two games. Players use a third tie-break game if the scores are level at 1-1.

Racquetball Court Playing Field

The game should get played on squash court (or similar). The court should be of standard rectangular dimensions around (32 x 21 feet).

All four sides of the court should be fully enclosed. There must be a height clearance of at least 20 feet. Red line markings on the floor demarcate the service and reception zones.


Rules of Racketball Equipment

The basic equipment required to play racquetball is a ball and a racquet for each player. Eye-guards are mandatory in professional competitions.

Racquetball rules UK state the ball should be rubber. Racquetball balls should be hard and bouncy. As a rule, they measure 2.25 inches (57mm) in diameter (bigger than a squash ball).

Racquetball rackets should measure no longer than 22 inches (55.88cm). That measurement includes the racquet head and shaft.

Players in Racquetball Game

A singles game involves two players (one versus one). Whereas, some competitions allow doubles games (two against two). The rules for both versions are essentially the same. The main regulation difference would be the procedures for serving in racquetball.


General Racquetball Rules and Regulations

  • The warm up period should not exceed five minutes. Warming up tales place on court and immediately preceding the start of play.
  • As play exchanges between players, the ball must hit the front wall and return, with no more than one bounce.
  • Spinning a racket or coin determines the player who will serve first in the first game. The honor alternates for the second game. The person with the most cumulative points chooses for a third game decider.
  • The server has the choice of serving from either service box. That occurs at the beginning of each game and each hand. But, thereafter alternating for as long as they score points and remain as the server.
  • The ball is in play when it passes the receiving line or bounced beyond the short line. That is when the receiver should return it. That means hitting it against the front wall and then a rally continues.
  • The ball can get hit against any combination of walls and ceiling. That is providing it hits the front wall without bouncing (excluding the serve).
  • Obstruction occurs by one player being in the way of the ball or their opponent’s view.
  • As a general rule, obstruction gets called as a let and the point then gets replayed.


Serving in Racquetball

The ball should get dropped or thrown on to the floor without touching the wall (before it gets struck). Players must serve it direct on to the front wall between the tin and the ‘out of court line‘.

A ball which strikes the back wall and floor simultaneously is a good service. On its return it should fall to the floor within the back quarter of the court. That would usually be opposite to the server’s box (unless the ball gets volleyed).

Service Faults in Racquetball:

  • If at the time of striking the ball the Server fails to have at least one foot in contact with the floor. The foot should be within the service box. No part of that foot can be touching the line surrounding the service box (called a foot-fault).
  • If the ball touches the back wall before touching the floor (the side wall is within the rules).
  • If it first touches the floor on or outside the short or half court lines delimiting the back quarter of the court.
  • Not bouncing the ball on the floor before playing the serve.


Racquetball Scoring Rules

Points get scored only on your own serve (same as volleyball rules and squash). You win the right serve (but no actual point) if you ‘win‘ a point on your opponent’s serve.

Reaching 15 points means you win the game (11 points in a deciding third game). As a rule you lose the point if or when:

  • The ball hits the floor more than once before you play your return.
  • The ball skips or does not hit the front wall without bouncing when you play your shot.
  • The ball goes into the viewing gallery, wall opening, or out-of-bounds from your shot.
  • The ball hits the other player but was clearly not going to hit the front wall.
  • The ball hits the player who originally hit it.
  • You switch racquet hand during the point.
  • You touch the ball with any part of your body or clothes.
  • You carry or throw the ball with the racquet (double hit).
  • The player serving makes two illegal serves.


Racquetball Umpires and Officials

A racquetball referee controls the match. He may get assisted by a ‘marker‘ or one official can carry out the functions of both.

All decisions made by a referee should get announced to the players. The marker repeats those decisions along with the subsequent score.

Winning a Game of Racquetball Rules UK

Winning the game means one player (or team in doubles) has won two games. It is not necessary to win by two clear points as with many other indoor racket sports like tennis rules.


Advanced Rules of Racketball

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

A to Z Sports Rules and Regulations: A list of popular indoor and outdoor sport categories.
Badminton Regulations: Find out the basic rules for playing a game of badminton.
Dodgeball Rules: A jocular team sport played by school PE Olympians.
Squash Regulations: Check out the simplified regulations of squash game.
Team Handball Rules: A pacy indoor game of passing and dribbling a ball with your hands.
Weird Sports Rules: A concise list of weird and wonderful sports games around the world.
Racquetball Rules PDF: [Free Download Option]


Racketball Rules and Regulations for Beginners in the United Kingdom