Matches

This is my last blog entry so it is fitting that we have started to actually play matches and of course I lost my first match.

But first we learned a few more techniques. One skill we learned was really cool, but hard to do. If the ball is too close to the back wall to get to, you can face the back wall and hit the ball really hard so that it will be harder to return. This is a little hard to explain in words so you can see the video below.

So, my first match was lost spectacularly 15-0 to my instructor. This was mostly due to the fact that it was 8:30 in the morning and the fact that I am much less experienced. Okay, to be honest, I just stink. But I learned a lot about judging when and how to hit the ball effectively, and how to deal with those backhand shots.

Overall, my experience in this class has been awesome. I learned a completely new sport that I had known almost nothing about.

The funny thing is that even though there were supposed to be four people in my class I was the only person to show up except for the first two classes.

I recommend learning racquetball if you want to learn a fun sport that anyone can play, just don’t forget the protective eye gear because black eyes are no fun.

Advanced Techniques

Over the last few weeks I learned so much in racquetball. Things are really picking up in speed and intensity.

We practiced playing cutthroat, which is with three people. The rules are the same as singles, but there is one server and two people retuning. This is what makes for such a fast paced game and it is a kind of disadvantage to be serving because its 2 versus 1. With three people and the changed dynamic there are new techniques. One thing we learned is that as someone in the back it is an advantage to hit the ball to the ceiling so that it also hits the front wall within about a second. This will force the front person to move to the back and the back person can then move in to the front spot. (See diagram 4.1)

We also practiced more singles moves. Similar to the last move we learned, if you can do the same thing as diagram 4.1, but turned upside down then it is impossible to return and considered a perfect shot.

Another thing we learned is that it is against the rules for the server to block someone’s view because it is an “avoidable hinder”.

Next post: 3/24

Learning New Techniques

First of all, I forgot two rules last time. They are fairly minor, but here they are: You must serve from inside the service box and it must pass the return line to be considered a good serve.

By now, I am getting a pretty good feel for how this sport works, even if every once in a while I swat at the air randomly. One thing I realized is that as a beginner I can easily lose my skills if I don’t practice every week.

In these past few weeks we practiced hitting the ball at the right spot on the front wall so that it lands in the back corner, which is hard to return. This is a good technique especially for serving. (See animation on right.)

Another technique we learned was hitting off the back wall. This can be hard to do if you are not comfortable with estimating where the ball is going to land. The idea is to practice returning the ball when it has been served with enough force to continue to the back wall. In this case, it can be beneficial to wait until it has hit the back wall and then to hit it. But remember, it can still only bounce once, so it must hit high enough so that it can be returned.

Sometimes we struggled this and practiced using a double bounce rule, which is useful for practicing new techniques.

AR

Next Post on 4/3: Doubles

Just FYI: The slideshow image was created on my DSI using Flipnote which is really awesome and apparently you can export them as GIFs.

The Basics and Rules

The first thing we learned when we were out on the court was how to serve. The main thing we focused on was hitting the front wall before without hitting any other wall and passing the service line on its way back. There aren't any tricks to this, except getting a feel for how the ball bounces back off the wall.
The proper way to serve the ball is to bounce it once and then swing the racket as though it were a golf club. (See diagram 2.1.) This takes practice to get your serve decent. We had to do ten good serves before we could learn anything else.
The next step is to learn to return the ball. You will need someone to serve it to you for this part. When returning the ball it may only bounce once before playing. To successfully return the ball, the ball must again hit the front wall, but this time the ball can bounce off of one other wall first, although this is not necessary. We practiced this in partners until we were comfortable with this.
The most important thing we learned was not the rules, but how to actually use the racket. To some people this may come naturally, but I had to work at this. Unlike tennis, the wrist is supposed to bend when swinging the racket.

Next post on 2/17: Practicing New Techniques

Introduction to Racquetball

This week I attended my first racquetball practice. I have almost no background in the sport, so here is what I have learned so far:

Racquetball was invented in the 1950s as an alternative to tennis or squash. It is a common sport for those who like to play a fast paced game and it has simple rules and techniques.

When preparing to play you will need your racquet, a tin of balls, comfortable clothing that allows you to move, and protective glasses. The last item is very important because the game moves at a fast pace and high speeds.

The first thing you need to know about racquetball is that it is different then tennis and squash, so if you have background in those sports it is better to try to start learning with a blank mind. The main noticeable differences are that a racquetball racket is smaller and lighter than a tennis racket. (See diagram 1.1) Also, a racquetball ball is a small rubber ball, usually blue, and there is no net. Racquetball is usually played indoors in rooms that have four walls named the front wall, back wall, and side walls. The main areas designated on the floor are the service box and the receiving line. (See diagram 1.2)

AR

To hear Audio Click Here

Next Update February 3rd: Basic Rules