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Racquetball is a game played by two, three, or four players on an enclosed court 20 feet x 40 feet x 20 feet high. All wall surfaces, including the ceiling, are in play. The object of the game is to hit the ball in such a manner that the opponent can't hit it before it bounces twice.
In turn, each player (or team) must hit a bouncy blue or green racquetball to the front wall with a strung racquet, using any number of court surfaces (except the floor) enroute. On rebound from the front wall, the other player (or team) must then retrieve the ball before the second bounce and return it back to the front wall. If the ball bounces on the floor twice (TWO BOUNCES) before being hit with the racquet, or hits the floor enroute to the front wall after being hit with the racquet (A SKIP), either results in a LOSS OF RALLY. Each rally begins with a serve.
The winner of the last rally serves the next. Points are earned by the server only. Games can be played to 11, 15, or 21 points. Matches are usually two games to 15 with an 11 point tie-breaker (IRF rules), or best of five 11 point games (Pro rules).
The server stands completely inside the service box. The ball is bounced then struck by the racquet directly toward the front wall.
It may NOT touch any other surface enroute (LOSS OF SERVE). After the ball bounces off the front wall, it MAY contact one side wall surface (or not), and must bounce in the back court beyond the 'short line' and before contacting the back wall.
A serve not meeting these basic service requirements is a FAULT SERVE. Two consecutive fault serves results in a LOSS OF SERVE.
The equipment required for play consists of the racquetball racquet - not to exceed 22 inches in length - the safety goggles or glasses meeting or exceeding safety standards for the organising body, non-marking athletic shoes, and a racquetball.
Big highlights of international racquetball are the World Championships which are held biennially.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) was founded in October of 1979 in Memphis, TN, with 13 charter countries taking on the central leadership role in the development of racquetball worldwide. Following a phenomenal growth rate in the early 80s players now practice racquetball worldwide in over 80 countries on five continents. The IRF conducted its first World Congress in 1980 and staged its first World Championships in 1981.
Besides its regular appearance in The World Games, racquetball is a full medal sport in the Central American Games, the Pan American Games, the South American Games, and the Bolivarian Games.
The IRF receivedIOC recognition in December of 1985, the youngest sport governing body ever to have received such recognition.
Racquetball did not feature in The World Games 2005.
Racquetball events on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:
TBA
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