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How to Play Racquetball; Squash vs Racquetball
This game is very similar to a squash sport that is played with a rubber ball and a racquet.
Racquetball has many similar rules and laws of that of squash and it uses point-a-rally scoring.
racquetball started in the 1950s and it was conceived by a squash player Joe Sobek.
In the UK there are standard squash courts whereas in the US there are special courts for racquetball
that are slightly longer and narrower. The UK version provides many good opportunities for the
players.
There are many health benefits of playing racquetball for your body i.e. improved aerobics fitness,
weight loss, flexibility, improved hand, and eye coordination, strengthen muscles, mental strength
boosts the cardiovascular system and many more.
Beginners guide to play racquetball
Here is the step by step guide to how to play racquetball for the beginners..
1. Proper equipment
The first step is to buy proper equipment which is the initial step of playing any game. Having proper
racquets, balls, and safety glasses are very important if you are a beginner. Some items that you can
buy for better protection but are not part of the game rules are the gloves, shoes, and a carry bag.
2. The racquetball court
Having the proper knowledge about the racquetball court is very important as you have to get
trained and spend most of the time in those areas, the court is split into many different areas that
have different names,
– Front wall
– Back wall
– Service line
– Receiving line
– Shortline
– Service zone
While talking about the court it is very essential to keep in mind that all the walls are used while
playing the game the ceiling of the court is also used in racquetball.
3. Basics
Right after you begin with the initial training, you need to learn the basics of playing racquetball, you
need to have the proper handgrip, forehand stroke, backhand stroke, understanding the bouncing
and the understanding of the slippery floor. Then you will be ready to learn the first and basic rule
that is “how to serve”.
4. Making a serve
To make the serve right, the player has to stand in the service zone. The ball has to be dropped to hit
once on the floor within the service zone. As soon as the ball bounces back in the air, the player has
to hit it with his racquet, the ball cannot bounce twice. The racquet should hit in such a way that the
ball hits the front wall. As the ball returns after touching the front wall, it should touch the floor
beyond the short line.
First of all the service position is very important in this game, the player has to be in the marked
zone. The player cannot go beyond the lines that are marked, the ball has to be in the right position
of the service zone, the service cannot be made by hitting any other wall other than the front wall.
The basic types of racquetball service are, drive serve that is low serve and is hit hard, Lob serve is a
the slow pace and high bounce serve, Z-server is an angular serve that hits multiple walls.
5. Understanding of game and scoring
The game starts with the coin toss the first person to win the toss gets to serve first. The player has
to follow all the rules of serving and is given two chances if he serves in a wrong way after the third
wrong move the server loses a point
After the correct serving, the rallying begins that is the no-stop hitting of the ball by both the
players. The ball cannot hit the floor twice but can hit any of the court walls including the ceiling. The
rally ends as soon as the player misses to hit the ball, the player who hits the last ball scores a point
and gets to serve next.
The points are divided as;
– First set- 15 points
– Second set- 15 points
– Third set- 11 points
To win a set, a player has to reach the maximum point of that specific set first. The player, who wins
any 2 sets, wins the game.
Racquetball vs squash
Both the games look very similar, despite many differences both of these games are played with a
racket and a ball in a specific court, both these games need high fitness levels and are fun to play.
More than similarities some differences are to be kept in mind while choosing among them.
– Administration
There are two different governing bodies to examine both these games. The International
Racquetball federations look after the racquetball game that is played in different parts of the world
whereas the Squash Federation is responsible for all the Squash games.
– The court
Both squash courts and racquetball courts are different when it comes to the surface and size.
Racquetball courts are larger, that measures 20x40x20 feet. Whereas squash courts are
21x32x15 feet. In racquetball, you may hit any wall including ceiling whereas, in squash, you’re
not allowed to hit the ceiling.
– Rackets
Squash rackets are larger and measure up to 27 inches whereas, the racquetball’s racket measures
22 inches. Both have a circular head same as those used in badminton. The Racquetball’s racket is
wider because of the larger ball than that of squash.
– The ball
The balls that are used in squash are 4cm in diameter and are made of rubber whereas the balls of
the racquetball are 6cm in diameter but the rubber used in these balls is a lot more bouncy.
– Service
In squash, you do not get any other chance once you disobey the serving rules whereas in
racquetball you get two chances that are similar to that of tennis.
– Scoring
In squash, games go up to nine points in regular matches and eleven in championships and
tournaments. Squash, games must also be won with two clear points, unlike racquetball.
In Racquetball games go up to fifteen points but points can only be scored when it is your serve.
Conclusion
5.6 million people play racquetball around the globe, whereas squash is more popular and is played
by approximately 20 million worldwide. The popularity of both games is on the increase with both
being played by an increasing number of players in an increasing number of countries.
With all the information mentioned above, you can choose whatever suits you best to start playing.