Contents
1. Rules of Racquetball
2. Benefit from Playing Racquetball
3. History of Racquetball
Racquetball is a popular indoor racquet sport where players use a specially designed racket to play with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court. Very much similar to 40×20 American handball and British Racketball, it is an excellent choice for cardio vascular workout. The rules of the sport are quite easy to follow which makes it very interesting. In racquetball, once service is done, players need to hit the ball to the walls alternatively using their rackets without obstructing their opponent. A player gets a point, when a shot is missed by the opponent and in this way the player who achieves the required score first wins the match. Unlike squash, here only a server can score a point.
- The player who is to serve first is decided by lots in the first game, alternates for the second game and goes to the person with the most cumulative points for the decider (if needed).
- To serve, the ball is bounced before being hit against the front wall after which it may hit one side wall before hitting the floor again. The ball cannot hit the back wall on the full and must not touch the ceiling. The ball must hit the front wall first or the point (i.e. both serves) is automatically lost and the other player serves.
- Once the ball is in play, that is, has passed the receiving line or bounced beyond the short line, the receiver must hit it against the front wall.
- Apart from on serve, the ball can be hit against any combination of walls and ceiling as long as it hits the front wall without bouncing.
- A “hinder” is when an obstruction is caused by one player being in the way of the ball or their opponent’s view. This is normally called as a let and the point is replayed, although in the case of a penalty hinder, where one player has been deprived the chance of a point-winning shot, they receive the point (or win back serve).
Benefit from Playing Racquetball
- Good for cardiovascular health: Maintaining a high heart rate for a long period of time is easily accomplished during a racquetball game, because you are in constant, high-energetic motion. In fact, the average one-hour game is the equivalent of running two miles. Play on for your heart health!
- Burns fat: Here’s a fact that will get you in the racquetball mood—it makes calories and fat vanish. Between 600 and 800 calories are burned in just one hour of intense play, decreasing body fat and continuing to help you maintain a healthy weight.
- Strengthens bones and muscles: All that movement during racquetball play is partially responsible for your stronger bones and muscles. It’s a weight bearing exercise that, when played often, is great for maintaining muscle tone throughout your entire body. In a typical game, you are likely to work all your major muscle groups.
- Improves coordination and flexibility: Another health benefit is improved balance, coordination, flexibility and hand-eye coordination, all of which you need to maneuver around the court, twist your body and hit the ball.
- Gets you socializing: On the racquetball court, you will find new playing partners and opponents, expand your social circle and make new friendships. Not only will you have more people to play racquetball with, but if you also play another racket sport like tennis, you can call them up for that as well! You can even ask your new friends for recommendations for businesses specializing in racquetball and tennis racket restringing.
- Reduces stress: To decrease stress levels, you need to increase your endorphins. While most any form of physical activity can make this happen, racquetball ensures constant and intense back-and-forth, full-body movement. The game washes away the worries of the day, allowing you to be present in the moment.
History of Racquetball
Racquet ball was originated in United States. Joe Sobek is credited as the inventor of racquetball. Getting bored with the lack of enough indoor sports, he sought for an easy fast paced sport. He designed the first strung paddle for it and taking reference from squash, handball, and paddleball he devised a set of rules for the sport. 온라인섯다 Sobek founded the National Paddle Rackets Association in February, 1952 and slowly the sport gained rapid popularity with Sobek’s constant promotion. By 1969, crediting to its souring popularity, Robert Kendler founded the International Racquetball Association (IRA) and thereby changing the sport’s name to racquetball. In 1974, IRA organized first professional tournament and became a founding member of International Racquetball Federation (IRF). In 1980’s, racquetball became the fastest growing sports in US. The Women Professional Racquetball Association was founded in 1980. United States organized the first racquetball world championship in 1981.
