INTERNATIONAL RACQUETBALL FEDERATION INTERNATIONAL RACQUETBALL FEDERATION
Rule 3.16a Rule 3.1 ere will be two timeouts allowed per e server has two opportunities to put game (reduced from three in the first two the ball into play in all divisions including games and two in the tiebreaker). the Open division (changed from one serve only in the Open division. Rule 3.16d ere will be a two-minute rest period between all games (reduced from five Rule A.7 minutes between the second and third Each player/team will be allowed to make games. a maximum of three "not accepted" appeals per game (changed from five "not accepted" appeals per 15 -point game, and three "not accepted" appeals the 11-point tiebreaker. OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL RULE MODIFICATIONS RACQUETBALL FEDERATION 4.0 Doubles 5.0 Multi-bounce RULES 6.0 Wheelchair
1 — THE GAME 1.1 Types of Games OFFICIATING All Regulations such as: Uniform, 1.2 Description Seeding, etc. are covered in the IRF 1.3 Objective Competition Format as a separate 1.4 Points and Outs document. 1.5 Match, Game, Tiebreaker
1 – THE GAME 2 — COURTS & EQUIPMENT Rule 1.1 Types Of Games 2.1 Court Specifications Racquetball is played by two or four 2.2 Ball Specifications players. When played by two, it is 2.3 Ball Selection called singles and when played by four, 2.4 Racquet Specifications doubles. A non-tournament variation 2.5 Eyeware Specifications of the game that is played by three players is called cutthroat. 3 — PLAY REGULATIONS 3.1 Serve Rule 1.2 Description 3.2 Start Racquetball is a competitive game in 3.3 Manner which a strung racquet is used to serve 3.4 Readiness and return the ball. 3.5 Delays 3.6 Drive Service Zones Rule 1.3 Objective 3.7 Defective Serves e objective is to win each rally by 3.8 Dead-Ball Serves serving or returning the ball so the 3.9 Fault Serves opponent is unable to keep the ball in 3.10 Out Serves play. A rally is over when a player (or 3.11 Return of Serve team in doubles) is unable to hit the 3.12 Changes of Serve ball before it touches the floor twice, is 3.13 Rallies unable to return the ball in such a 3.14 Dead-Ball Hinders manner that it touches the front wall 3.15 Avoidable Hinders before it touches the floor, or when a 3.16 Timeouts hinder is called. 3.17 Technical Fouls and Warnings Rule 1.4 Points And Outs 1. Short Line. e back edge of the Points are scored only by the serving short line is midway between, and is side when it either services an parallel with, the front and back irretrievable service (an ace) or wins a walls. rally. Losing the service is called a 2. Service Line. e front edge of sideout in singles. In doubles, when the the service line is parallel with, and first server loses the service, it is called a five feet in front of, the back edge of handout, and when the second server the short line. loses the service, it is a sideout. 3. Service Zone. e service zone is the 5' x 20' area bounded by the Rule 1.5 Match, Game, Tiebreaker bottom edges of the side walls and by A match is won by the first side the outer edges of the short line and winning two games. e first two the service line. games of a match are played to 15 4. Service Boxes. e service boxes points. If each side wins one game, a are located at each end of the service tiebreaker game is played to 11 points. zone and are designated by lines parallel with the side walls. e edge 2 — COURTS & EQUIPMENT of the line nearest to the center of the Rule 2.1 Court Specifications (See page 23) court shall be 18 inches from the e specifications for the standard nearest side wall. four-wall racquetball court are: 5. Drive Serve Lines. e drive serve (a) Dimensions. e dimensions shall lines, which form the drive serve be 20 feet wide, 40 feet long and 20 feet zone, are parallel with the side wall high, with a ceiling and with a back and are within the service zone. e wall at least 12 feet high. All surfaces edge of the line nearest to the center shall be in play, with the exception of of the court shall be three feet from any gallery opening, any back wall the nearest side wall. surface above the 12-foot out-of-court 6. Receiving Line. e receiving line line, surfaces designated as out-of-play is a broken line parallel to the short for a valid reason (such as being of a line. e back edge of the receiving very different material or not in line is five feet from the back edge of alignment with the back wall), and the short line. e receiving line designated court hinders. begins with a line 21 inches long that extends from each side wall. ese (b) Markings. Racquetball courts shall lines are connected by an alternate be marked with lines 1-1/2 inches wide series of six-inch spaces and six-inch as follows: lines. is will result in a line composed of 17 six-inch spaces, 16 (b) During the course of a match the six-inch lines, and two 21-inch lines. referee at, his/her discretion or at the 7. Safety Zone. e safety zone is the request of both players/teams, replace 5' x 20' area bounded by the bottom the ball. Only an IRF approved ball edges of the side walls and by the shall be used in all sanctioned back edges of the short line and the tournaments. receiving line. e zone is observed only during the serve. See Rules Rule 2.4 Racquet Specifications 3.10(i) and 3.11(a). (a) e racquet, including bumper 8. Out-of-court line (Not pictured). guard and all solid parts of the handle, e upper edge of the out-of-court may not exceed 22 inches in length. No line is on the back wall parallel with additional tolerance. and located 12 feet (3.65m) above the floor. (b) e racquet frame may be any material judged to be safe. Rule 2.2 Ball Specifications (a) e standard racquetball shall be (c) e racquet frame must include a 2-1/4 inches in diameter; weigh cord that must be securely attached to approximately 1.4 ounces; have a the player’s wrist. e cord must be hardness of 55-60 inches durometer; secured around the wrist at all times and bounce 68-72 inches from a 100- during play as well as during warm-up inch drop at a temperature of 70-74 periods. e first offense is a referee degrees Fahrenheit. technical. ereaer, players are disqualified from the match. (b) Official ball. Any ball which carries the endorsement stamp of approval (d) e string of the racquet must be from the IRF is an official ball. gut, monofilament, nylon, graphite, plastic, metal, or a combination Rule 2.3 Ball Selection thereof, and must not mark or deface (a) e ball shall be selected by the ball. agreement between the players and at least two acceptable balls should be (e) e penalty for using an illegal agreed upon before the match racquet is a technical. e penalty for commences. If the players cannot agree, requesting that an opponent’s racquet the referee shall make the selection and be measured resulting in the racquet this decision shall be binding on the being declared legal will be a technical participants. on the requesting team/player for delay of game. players or teams score an equal number of points in the first two games, Rule 2.5 Eyewear Specifications another coin toss will take place and (a) All players competing in an IRF the winner of the toss will have the sanctioned event will be required to option to serve or receive. wear lensed protective eyewear manufactured for racquet sports, with Rule 3.2 Start the exception of prescribed non- Games are started with the referee breakable protective lenses. e calling the score ( “Zero serves zero.”). eyewear must be worn properly and not e server may not initiate the pre- altered in any way. Note: National service motion from outside of the Federations are empowered to apply service zone. Stepping on the short line and enforce the published national (back), but not over, is permitted. Aer safety standards of their country in the starting the service motion, the server matter of protective eyewear for their may step over the service (front) line. athletes. See Rule 3.9(a) and 3.10(i) for violations. (b) Players must wear acceptable eyewear during play as well as during Rule 3.3 Manner warm up aer being summoned to their A serve is commenced as the ball leaves court. e first offense is a referee the server's hand. e ball must bounce technical. ereaer, players are on the floor in the service zone and on disqualified from the match. the first bounce be struck by the server's racquet in an obvious attempt to serve 3 — PLAY REGULATIONS the ball. e ball must strike the front Rule 3.1 Serve wall first and on the rebound hit the e server has two opportunities to put floor back of the short line, either with the ball into play in all divisions. e or without touching one of the side player or team winning the coin toss walls. has the option to either serve or receive at the start of the first game. e Rule 3.4 Delays second game will begin in reverse order Officials are instructed to call the score of the first game. e player or team aer a few seconds have elapsed in scoring the highest total of points in order to eliminate undue delays. games 1 and 2 will have the option to (a) e ten-second rule applies to the serve or receive first at the start of the server and receiver simultaneously. tiebreaker. In the event that both Collectively, they are allowed up to ten seconds aer the score is called to serve observed for cross-court drive serves, or be ready to receive. It is the server's the hard-Z, so-Z, lob or half-lob responsibility to look and be certain serves. the receiver is ready. If a receiver is not ready, he/she must signal by raising the (b) e drive service line is not part of racquet above the head or completely the 17-foot zone. Dropping the ball on turning the back to the server. ese are the line or standing on the line while the only two acceptable signals. e serving to the same side is an infraction. receiver cannot cause the server to violate the ten-second rule. [See Rule Rule 3.6 Defective Serves 5.3 for warnings]. Defective serves are of three types with the following results a, b, c: (b) Aer the score is called, if the server (a) Dead-Ball Serve. A dead-ball serve looks at the receiver and the receiver is results in no penalty and the server is not signaling not ready, the server may given another serve (without canceling then serve. If the receiver attempts to a prior fault serve). signal “not ready” aer that point, the signal shall not be acknowledged and (b) Out Serve. An out serve results in the serve becomes legal. an out (either a sideout or a handout).
Rule 3.5 Drive Service Zones Rule 3.7 Dead-Ball Serves e drive service lines will be 3 feet Dead-ball serves do not cancel any from each side wall in the service zone. previous fault serve. e following are Viewed one at a time, the drive serve dead-ball serves: line divides the service area into a (a) Court Hinders. A serve that takes 3-foot and a 17-foot section that apply an irregular bounce because it hit a wet only to drive serves. e player may spot or an irregular surface on the court drive serve between the body and the is a dead-ball serve. Also, any serve that side wall nearest to where the service hits any surface designated by local motion began only if the player starts rules as an obstruction rather than and remains outside of the 3-foot drive being out of play. service zone. In the event that the service motion begins in one 3-foot (b) Broken Ball. If the ball is drive service zone and continues into determined to have broken on the the other 3-foot drive serve zone, the serve, a new ball shall be substituted player may not hit a drive serve at all. and the serve shall be replayed (without (a) e drive service zones are not canceling any prior fault serve). Rule 3.8 Fault Serves Zone. Bouncing the ball outside the e following serves are faults. Any two service zone as a part of the service fault serves in succession result in an motion is a fault serve. out: (a) Foot Faults. A foot fault results (g) Illegal Drive Serve. A drive serve in when: which the player fails to observe the 1. e server does not begin the 17-foot drive service zone outlined in service motion with both feet in the Rule 3.6. service zone. 2. e server steps completely over (h) Screen Serve. A served ball that first the service line (no part of the foot hits the front wall and on the rebound on or inside the service zone) before passes so closely to the server, or server’s the served ball crosses the short line. partner in doubles, that it prevents the receiver from having a clear view of the (b) Short Service. A short serve is any ball. (e receiver is obligated to take served ball that first hits the front wall up good court position, near center and, on the rebound, hits the floor on court, to obtain that view.) or in front of the short line either with or without touching a side wall. (i) Serving Before the Receiver is Ready. A serve is made while the (c) ree-Wall Serve. A three-wall serve receiver is not ready as described in is any served ball that first hits the front Rule 3.5(b). wall and, on the rebound, strikes both side walls before touching the floor. Rule 3.9 Out Serves Any of the following results in an out. (d) Ceiling Serve. A ceiling serve is any Each player receives one warning per served ball that first hits the front wall match as server (effectively a fault and then touches the ceiling (with or serve.) without touching a side wall). (a) Failure to Serve. Failure of server to put the ball into play, according to 3.5. (e) Long Serve. A long serve is a served ball that first hits the front wall and (b) Missed Serve Attempt. Any attempt rebounds to the back wall before to strike the ball that results in a total touching the floor (with or without miss or in the ball touching any part of touching a side wall). the server’s body.
(f) Bouncing Ball Outside Service (c) Touched Serve. Any served ball that on the rebound from the front wall hits the back wall above the out-of- touches the server or server’s racquet court line, or hits a surface above the before touching the floor, or any ball normal playing area of the court that intentionally stopped or caught by the has been declared as out-of-play for a server or server’s partner. valid reason [See Rule 2.1(a)].
(d) Fake or Balk Serve. Such a serve is Rule 3.10 Return Of Serve defined as a non-continuous movement (a) Receiving Position of the racquet towards the ball as the 1. e receiver may not enter the server drops the ball for the purpose of safety zone until the ball bounces or deceiving the receiver(s). crosses the receiving line.
(e) Illegal Hit. An illegal hit includes 2. On-the-fly return attempt: the contacting the ball twice, carrying the receiver may not strike the ball until ball, or hitting the ball with the handle the ball breaks the plane of the of the racquet or part of the body or receiving line. However, the receiver’s uniform. follow-through may carry the receiver or the racquet past the (f) Non-Front Wall Serve. Any served receiving line. ball that does not strike the front wall first. 3. Neither the receiver nor the racquet may break the plane of the (g) Crotch Serve. Any served ball that short line, except if the ball is struck hits the crotch of the front wall and aer rebounding off the back wall. floor, front wall and side wall, or front wall and ceiling is an out serve (because 4. Any violation by the receiver it did not hit the front wall first). A results in a point for the server. served ball into the crotch of the back wall and floor is a good serve and in (b) Legal Return. Aer a legal serve, a play. A served ball that hits the crotch player receiving the serve must strike of the side wall and floor beyond the the ball on the fly or aer the first short line is in play. bounce and before the ball touches the floor the second time; and return the (h) Out-of-Court Serve. An out-of- ball to the front wall, either directly or court serve is any served ball that first aer touching one or both side walls, hits the front wall and, before striking the back wall below the out of-court the floor, either goes out of the court, line, the ceiling, or any combination of those surfaces. A returned ball must Rule 3.12 Rallies touch the front wall before touching All of the play that occurs aer the the floor. successful return of serve is called the rally. Play shall be conducted according (c) Failure to Return. Failure to return a to the following rules: serve results in a point for the server. (a) Legal Hits. Only the head of the racquet may be used at any time to (d) Other Provisions. Except as noted return the ball. e racquet may be in this rule (3.10), the return of serve is held in one or both hands. Switching subject to all provisions of Rules 3.12 hands to hit a ball, touching the ball through 3.15. with any part of the body or uniform, or removing the wrist safety cord Rule 3.11 Changes Of Serve during a rally results in a loss of the (a) Outs. A server is entitled to rally. continue serving until one of the following occurs: (b) One Touch. e player or team attempting to return the ball may touch 1. Out Serve. See Rule 3.9. or strike the ball only once or else the rally is lost. e ball may not be carried. 2. Two Consecutive Fault Serves. (A carried ball is one that rests on the racquet long enough that the effect is 3. Failure to Return Ball. Player or more of a sling or throw than a hit.) team fails to keep the ball in play as required by Rule 3.11(b). (c) Failure to Return. Any of the following constitutes a failure to make a 4. Avoidable Hinder. Player or team legal return during a rally: commits an avoidable hinder which 1. e ball bounces on the floor more results in an out. See Rule 3.15. than once before being hit.
(b) Sideout. Retiring the server in 2. e ball does not reach the front singles is called a sideout. wall on the fly.
(c) Effect of Sideout. When the server 3. e ball is hit such that it goes into (or serving team) receives a sideout, the the gallery or wall opening or else server becomes the receiver and the hits a surface above the normal receiver becomes the server. playing area of the court that has been declared as out-of-play [See Rule 2.1(b)8]. continue to attempt to return the ball until it touches the floor for the second 4. A ball that obviously does not have time. the velocity or direction to hit the front wall strikes another player. (f) Broken Ball. If there is any suspicion that a ball has broken during a rally, play 5. A ball struck by one player on a shall continue until the end of the rally. team hits that player or that player’s e referee or any player may request partner. the ball be examined. If the referee decides the ball is broken, the ball will 6. Committing an avoidable hinder be replaced and the rally replayed. e [See Rule 3.15]. server resumes play at first serve. e only proper way to check for a broken 7. Switching hands during a rally. ball is to squeeze it by hand. (Checking the ball by striking it with a 8. Failure to use a racquet wrist safety racquet will not be considered a valid cord. check and shall work to the disadvantage of the player or team that 9. Touching the ball with the body or struck the ball aer the rally.) uniform. (g) Play Stoppage. If foreign objects 10. Carrying or slinging the ball with enter the court, or any outside the racquet. interference occurs, the referee shall (d) Effect of Failure to Return. stop play if such occurrences interfere Violations of Rules 3.13 with ensuing play or players’ safety [See (a) through (c) result in a loss of rally. Rule 3.14(a)7]. If the serving player or team loses the rally, it is an out. If the receiver loses (h) Replays. Whenever a rally is the rally, it results in a point for the replayed for any reason, the server server. resumes play at firs t s erve. A p revious fault s erve is n ot considered. (e) Return Attempts. e ball remains in play until it touches the floor a ( i) Out of Court Ball second time, regardless of how many 1. Aer return (with a bounce). Any walls it makes contact with, including ball returned to the front wall which, the front wall. If a player swings at the aer its first bounce on the floor, goes ball and misses it, the player may above the out-of-court line or through any opening in a side wall referee should also stop play (i) when shall be declared dead and the rally the ball takes an irregular bounce as a replayed. result of contacting a rough surface (such as court light or vent) or aer 2. Aer return (without a bounce). striking a wet spot on the floor or Any ball which, on the rebound, wall and (ii) when, in the referee’s does not bounce on the floor and opinion, the irregular bounce goes above the out-of-court line shall affected the rally. be an out or point against the offending player. If the ball goes 2. Ball Hits Opponent. When an through any opening in a side wall, i t opponent is hit by a return shot in shall be declared dead and the rally flight, it is a dead-ball hinder. If the replayed. opponent is struck by a ball that obviously did not have the velocity 3. No return. Any ball not returned nor the direction to reach the front to the front wall, but which caroms wall, it is not a hinder, and the player off a player's racquet above the out- who hit the ball will lose the rally. A of-court line or into any opening in a player who has been hit by the ball side wall, either with or without can stop play and make the call, touching the ceiling, side or back though the call must be made wall shall result in loss of the rally by immediately and acknowledged by the offending player. the referee. Note this interference may, under certain conditions, be Rule 3.13 Dead-Ball Hinders declared an avoidable hinder. See A rally is replayed without penalty and Rule 3.14 the server resumes play at first serve . whenever a dead-ball hinder occurs. 3. Body Contact. If body contact Also, see Rule 3.14 which describes occurs that the referee believes was conditions under which a hinder might sufficient to stop the rally, either for be declared avoidable and result in loss the purpose of preventing injury by of the rally. further contact or because the (a) Situations contact prevented a player from 1. Court Hinders. e referee should being able to make a reasonable stop play immediately whenever the return, the referee shall call a hinder. ball hits any part of the court that Incidental body contact in which the was designated in advance as a court offensive player clearly will have the hinder (such as a vent grate). e advantage should not be called a hinder, unless the offensive player Examples: When a ball from another obviously stops play. Contact with court enters the court during a rally, the racquet on the follow-through or when a referee’s call on an adjacent normally is not considered a hinder. court obviously distracts a player.
4. Backswing Hinder. Any body or (b) Effect of Hinders. e referee’s call racquet contact, on the backswing or of hinder stops play and voids any on the way to or just prior to situation that follows, such as the ball returning the ball, which impairs the hitting the player. e only hinders that hitter’s ability to take a reasonable may be called by a player are described swing. is call can be made by the in rules (2), (5), and (6) above, and all player attempting the return, though of these are subject to the approval of the call must be made immediately the referee. A dead-ball hinder stops and is subject to the referee’s play and the rally is replayed. e server approval. Note the interference may resumes play at first serve. be considered an avoidable hinder. See Rule 3.15 (b) (c) Responsibility. While making an attempt to return the ball, a player is 5. Safety Holdup. Any player about entitled to a fair chance to see and to execute a return who believes that return the ball. It is the responsibility of striking the opponent with the ball the side that has just hit the ball to or racquet is likely may immediately move so the receiving side may go stop play and request a dead-ball straight to the ball and have an hinder. is call must be made unobstructed view of and swing at the immediately and is subject to ball. However, the receiver is acceptance and approval of the responsible for making a reasonable referee. (e referee will grant a effort to move towards the ball and dead-ball hinder if it is believed the must have a reasonable chance to return holdup was reasonable and the player the ball for any type of hinder to be would have been able to return the called. shot. e referee may also call an avoidable hinder if warranted.) Rule 3.14 Avoidable Hinders An avoidable hinder results in loss of 6. Other Interference. Any other the rally. An avoidable hinder does not unintentional interference that necessarily have to be an intentional prevents an opponent from having a act. Dead-ball hinders are described in fair chance to see or return the ball. Rule 3.14. Any of the following results in an avoidable hinder: shouting, stamping of feet, waving of (a) Failure to move. A player does not racquet, or any other manner of move sufficiently to allow an opponent disrupting one’s opponent. a shot straight to the front wall as well as a cross-court shot which is a shot (g) View Obstruction. A player moves directly to the front wall at an angle across an opponent’s line of vision just that would cause the ball to rebound before the opponent strikes the ball. directly to the rear corner farthest from the player hitting the ball. Also when a (h) Wetting the Ball. e players, player moves in such a direction that it particularly the server, should ensure prevents an opponent from taking that the ball is dry prior to the serve. either of these shots. Any wet ball that is not corrected prior to the serve shall result in an avoidable (b) Stroke Interference. is occurs hinder against the server. when a player moves, or fails to move, so that the opponent returning the ball (i) Equipment Interference. If a player does not have a free, unimpeded swing. loses any part of his/her equipment is includes unintentionally moving that interferes with play. e loss of eye in a direction that prevents the protection is an automatic avoidable opponent from making an open, hinder, as is the dislodging of the safety offensive shot. cord from the wrist.
(c) Blocking. Moves into a position Rule 3.15 Timeouts which blocks the opponent from (a) Rest Periods. During a game, each getting to, or returning, the ball; or in player in singles or each side in doubles, doubles, a player moves in front of an either while serving or receiving, may opponent as the player’s partner is request a “time out.” Each “time out” returning the ball. shall not exceed one minute (60 seconds). No more than two “time (d) Moving into the Ball. Moves in the outs” in a game shall be granted each way and is struck by the ball just played singles player or each team in doubles. by the opponent. (b) Injury. No time out shall be charged (e) Pushing. Deliberately pushes or to a player who is injured during play. shoves opponent during a rally. An injured player shall not be allowed more than a cumulative total of fieen (f) Intentional Distractions. Deliberate (15) minutes of rest. If the injured player is not able to resume play aer a postponed by the referee shall be cumulative rest of fieen (15) minutes, resumed with the same score as when the match shall be awarded to the postponed. opponent(s). On any additional injury to the same player, the tournament Rule 3.16 Technical Fouls And Warnings director or referee, aer considering any (a) e referee is empowered to deduct available medical opinion, shall one point from a player's or team's score determine whether the injured player when, in the referee's sole judgment, the will be allowed to continue. player is being overly and deliberately 1. Should any external bleeding abusive. e actual invoking of this occur, the referee must halt play as penalty is called a “referee's technical.” soon as the rally is over, charge an If the player or team against whom the injury timeout to the person who is technical was assessed does not resume bleeding, and not allow the match to play immediately, the referee is continue until the bleeding has empowered to forfeit the match in stopped. favor of the opponent. Some examples of actions that may result in technicals 2. Muscle cramps and pulls, fatigue, are: and other ailments that are not 1. Profanity. caused by direct contact (such as with the ball, racquet, wall, or floor) 2. Excessive arguing. will not be considered an injury. 3. reat of any nature to opponent (c) Equipment Timeouts. A time out or referee. may be called by the referee at the request of a player and aer 4. Excessive or hard striking of the substantiation by the referee, because of ball between rallies. faulty equipment or uniform. Two (2) minutes are to be allowed for any 5. Slamming of the racquet against uniform adjustment needed and thirty walls or floor, slamming the door, or (30) seconds for any equipment any action which might result in adjustment. damage to the court and/or injury to other players. (d) Between Games. A two (2) minute rest period is allowed 6. Delay of game. Examples include (i) taking too much time to dry the (e) Postponed Games. Any games court, (ii) excessive questioning of the referee about the rules, (iii) representatives are bound by the same exceeding the time allotted for rules as far as technicals are concerned timeouts or between games, (iv) and any infractions are charged against calling a timeout aer the service the player. No coaches or motion begins, (v) calling a timeout representatives are allowed onto the or asking for an appeal when none courts at any time during a match are remaining will result in a unless granted permission by the technical warning. If this occurs referee. Failure to observe this rule is a again in the same game it will result technical and will be charged against in a technical foul. If there is a delay the player. no warning shall be given. (vi) A Any coach or player conducting technical foul will be assessed if the themselves in a negative manner warm-up period is violated. e towards the referee or linesperson of a allowed warm-up time in singles is 5 match shall receive the following minutes maximum for both players penalties: at the same time. In doubles each First Offense: technical warning team will be allowed 4 minutes (minimum) maximum for the warm-up. Subsequent Offenses: technical on the coach/person’s player or team. 7. Intentional front line foot faults to negate a bad lob serve. (c) Technical Warning. If a player's behavior is not so severe as to warrant 8. Anything considered a referee's technical, a technical unsportsmanlike behavior. warning may be issued without the deduction of a point. 9. Failure to wear proper eyewear, as specified in Rule 2.5 d). (d) Effect of Technical or Warning. If a referee issues a technical foul, one point 10. Using an illegal racquet as shall be removed from the offender's specified in Rule 2.4(e). score. No point will be deducted if a referee issues a technical warning. In 11. Failure to secure safety cord either case, a technical foul or warning around the wrist during play and should be accompanied by a brief warm up. explanation. Issuing a technical foul or warning has no effect on who will be (b) Coaching. Where coaches are serving when play resumes. If a involved, coaches or team technical foul occurs when the offender has no points or between games, the considered started once the teams have result will be that the offender's score been called to the court. becomes minus one (-1). ree player e team must notify the tournament technicals will result in a player/team director of the change prior to the disqualification from match. beginning of the match.
RULE MODIFICATIONS Rule 4.2 Serve In Doubles e following sections (4.0 through (a) Order of Serve. Each team shall 11.0) detail additional or modified inform the referee of the order of rules that apply to variations of the service which shall be followed singles game described in Sections 1 throughout that game. e order of through 3. serve may be changed between games, once the referee has been notified. At 4.0 — DOUBLES the beginning of each game, when the e IRF’s rules for singles also apply in first server of the first team to serve is doubles with the following additions out, the team is out. ereaer, both and modifications: players on each team shall serve until the team receives a handout and a Rule 4.1 Doubles Team sideout. (a) A doubles team shall consist of two players who meet either the age (b) Partner’s Position. On each serve, requirements or player classification the server’s partner shall stand erect requirements to participate in a with back to the side wall and with particular division of play. A team with both feet on the floor within the service different skill levels must play in the box from the moment the server begins division of the player with the higher the service motion until the server level of ability. strikes the ball. Violations are called When playing in an adult age division, foot faults. the team must play in the division of the younger player. When playing in a (c) Changes of Serve. In doubles, the junior age division, the team must play side is retired when both partners have in the division of the older player. lost service, except that the team that serves first at the beginning of each (b) A change in playing partners may be game loses the serve when the first made so long as the first match of the server is retired. posted team has not begun. For this purpose only, the match will be Rule 4.3 Fault Serve In Doubles number of points to be deducted. (a) e server’s partner is not in the service box with both feet on the floor (b) Ball Hits Partner. A served ball that and back to the side wall from the time hits the doubles partner while outside the server begins the service motion the doubles box results in a loss of until the ball until the ball is struck. serve.
(b) A served ball that hits the doubles Rule 4.5 Return In Doubles partner while in the doubles box results (a) e rally is lost if one player hits in a fault serve. that same player’s partner with an attempted return. (c) ere will be an automatic screen serve in doubles matches when the ball (b) If one player swings at the ball and goes behind the body of the server's misses it, both partners may make partner. further attempts to return the ball until it touches the floor the second time. Rule 4.4 Out Serve In Doubles Both partners on a side are entitled to (a) Out-of-Order Serve. In doubles, return the ball. when either partner serves out of order, the points scored by that server will be (c) Both players on a side are entitled to subtracted and an out serve will be a fair and unobstructed chance at the called; if the second server serves out of ball and either one is entitled to a order, the out serve will be applied to hinder even though it naturally would the first server and the second server be the partner's ball and even though will resume serving. If the player the partner may have attempted to play designated as the first server serves out the ball or may have already missed it. It of order, a sideout will be called. e is not a hinder when players hinder referee should call “no serve” as soon as their own partner. an out-of-order serve occurs. If no points are scored while the team is out 5.0 — MULTI-BOUNCE of order, only the out penalty will have In general, the IRF’s standard rules to be assessed. However, if points are governing racquetball play will be scored before the out of order followed except for the modifications condition is noticed and the referee that follow. cannot recall the number, the referee may enlist the aid of the line judges Rule 5.1 Basic Return Rule (but not the crowd) to recall the In general, the ball remains in play as long as it is bouncing. However, the match. player may swing only once at the ball and the ball is considered dead at the 6.0 — WHEELCHAIR point it stops bouncing and begins to Rule 6.1 Adjustments roll. Also, anytime the ball rebounds off e participant may wear an appliance the back wall, it must be struck before that is medically prescribed, providing it crosses the short line on the way to it does not jeopardize the safety of the front wall, except as explained in others and the player does not use it to Rule 6.2. any unfair advantage. e participant may secure any portion of his/her body Rule 5.2 Blast Rule to the wheelchair. If the ball caroms from the front wall to the back wall on the fly, the player may Rule 6.2 Equipment hit the ball from any place on the court In order to protect playing surfaces, the — including past the short line — so wheelchair must be equipped with a long as the ball is still bouncing. functional roller bar or similar protection under the foot platform. Rule 5.3 Front Wall Lines ere should be no sharp edges Two parallel lines (tape may be used) anywhere on the outside parts of the should be placed across the front wall chair that could cause injury or damage such that the bottom edge of one line is to the court and the chair must be 3 feet above the floor and the bottom equipped with non-marking tires. e edge of the other line is 1 foot above racquet, including bumper guard and the floor . At all times, any ball that hits all solid parts of the handle, may not the front wall (i) below the 3-foot line exceed 22 inches in length. and (ii) either on or above the 1- footline must be returned before it Rule 6.3 Two-Bounce Rule bounces a third time. However, if the Two bounces of the ball on the floor are ball hits below the 1-foot line, it must permitted but not mandatory during all be returned before it bounces twice. If rallies and serves. the ball hits on or above the 3-foot line, the ball must be returned as described Rule 6.4 Wheel Faults in the basic return rule. All four wheels of the wheelchair are considered equal to both feet of the Rule 5.4 Games And Matches able-bodied player and subsequent calls All games are played to 11 points and are made accordingly. e proper call is the first side to win two games wins the “Wheel Fault.” Rule 6.5 Avoidable Hinder/Chair Control games and only then with the Any player who intentionally alters the permission of the referee. Failure to direction or speed of the wheelchair abide by this rule will result in a with their lower extremities will be technical foul assessed against the assessed an avoidable hinder. player of the offending coach.
Rule 6.6 Diving A — OFFICIATING Players may “dive” from their A.1 Tournament Management wheelchair to make a shot: however, All recognized IRF tournaments shall every separate attempt at a shot must be be managed by a tournament director, initiated from an upright sitting who shall designate the officials. position in the wheelchair. e players buttock must be in contact with the A.2 Officials chair when the ball is hit. Aer the ball e official shall be a referee designated has been hit, the player may then come by the tournament director or the floor clear from the chair. Any infraction of manager or one agreed to by both the above will result in the loss of the participants (teams in doubles). rally. Players diving from their Officials may also include, at the wheelchairs, where either they or their discretion of the tournament director, a wheelchair impede their opponent’s scorekeeper and two linespeople. shot or movement to a ball which is deemed returnable by the referee, will A.3 Referee Removal result in an avoidable hinder. A referee may be removed upon the agreement of both participants (teams Rule 6.7 Maintenance Delay in doubles) or at the discretion of the Each player will be allowed up to two tournament director. In the event that (2) five-minute maintenance delays per the referee's removal is requested by one match for any malfunction and repair player (team) and not agreed to by the of a wheelchair, prosthesis, or assistance other, the tournament director or that device. ese delays are irrespective of director's designated assistant(s) may other game timeouts or injury accept or reject the request. timeouts. A.4 Rules Briefing Rule 6.8 Coaching Before all tournaments, all officials and Only one coach per player may enter players shall be briefed on rules as well the court during a timeout to “upright” as local court hinders, regulations, and their player aer a rally or between modifications the tournament director wishes to impose. e briefing should 5. Inspect players’ equipment; be reduced to writing. e current IRF identify the line judges; verify rules will apply and be made available. selection of a primary and alternate Any modifications the tournament ball. director wishes to impose must be stated on the entry form and be 6. Toss coin and offer the winner the available to all players at registration. choice of serving or receiving.
A.5 Referees (b) Referee’s decisions. During the (a) Pre-Match Duties. Before each match, the referee shall make all match begins, it shall be the duty of the decisions with regard to the rules. referee to: Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. If 1. Check on adequacy of preparation both players in singles and three out of of court with respect to cleanliness, four in a doubles match disagree with a lighting and temperature. call made by the referee, the referee is overruled, with the exception of 2. Check on availability and technical fouls and forfeitures. suitability of materials to include balls, towels, scorecards, pencils, and (c) Protests. Any decision of the referee timepiece necessary for the match. will, on protest, be accorded due process as set forth in the constitution 3. Check the readiness and of the IRF. For the purposes of qualifications of the line judges and rendering a prompt decision regarding scorekeeper. Review appeal protests filed during the course of an procedures and instruct them of their ongoing tournament, the stages of due duties, rules and local regulations. process will be: first to the tournament desk, then to the tournament director, 4. Go onto the court to make and finally to the tournament rules introductions; brief the players on committee. In those instances when court hinders (both designated and time permits, the protest may be undesignated); identify any out-of- elevated to a higher level as called for in play areas [See Rule 2.1]; discuss the IRF Constitution. local regulations and rule modifications for this tournament; A.6 Line Judges and explain oen misinterpreted In any IRF sanctioned tournament, rules. linespeople may be designated in order to decide appealed rulings. Two linespeople court, or if the players do not leave the will be designated by the tournament court, only before the next serve begins. director and shall, at the referee's signal, A player or team will forfeit the right of either agree or disagree with the referee appeal if such appeal is made directly to ruling. e signal to show agreement with the line judges or follows an excessive the referee’s call is “thumbs up.” e signal demonstration or complaint. to show disagreement is “thumbs down.” Obstructed View. If the referee’s view is e signal for no opinion is an “open palm obstructed, he/she can issue a “no-call” down.” Both linespeople must disagree on the play. If one line judge is also with the referee in order to reverse the unable to make a call (agreeing with the ruling. If both linespeople disagree with referee’s “no call”), the final decision the referee's call, it shall be overruled, and may be determined by the call of the the call reversed. If either linesperson remaining line judge. agrees with the referee, the call shall stand. In the event that one linesperson disagrees, A.8 Outcome of Appeals and the other signals that they did not see Everything except technical fouls and the call in question, the rally shall be forfeitures can be appealed. e following replayed. If both linespeople indicate they outcomes cover several of the most did not see the appealed call in question, common types of appeal, but not all the referee’s call will stand. possible appeals can be addressed. erefore, the referee’s discretion and A.7 Appeals common sense should govern the In any match using line judges, all calls are outcomes of those appeals that are not appealable with the exception of technicals covered herein: and game/match forfeitures (a) Skip Ball. If the referee makes a call . (a) Limit on Appeals. Each player will of “skip ball” and the call is reversed, be allowed to make a maximum of the referee then must decide if the shot three “not accepted” appeals per game. in question could have been returned If one linesperson has no opinion and had play continued. If, in the opinion the other disagrees with the referee's of the referee, the shot could have been call, the appeal will not count against returned, the rally shall be replayed. the five-appeal limit. If the referee's call However, if the shot was not stands, one appeal is charged. retrievable, the side that hit the shot in question is declared the winner of the (b) Loss of Appeal. e referee shall rally. If the referee makes no call on a recognize an appeal only if it is made shot (thereby indicating that the shot before the appealing player leaves the did not skip), an appeal may be made that the shot skipped. If the “no call” is have been retrieved, then that player reversed, the side that hit the shot in wins the rally. (Before awarding a rally question loses the rally. in this situation, the referee must be certain that the shot would not have (b) Fault Serve. If the referee makes a been retrieved even if play had not been call of fault serve and the call is halted.) If an appeal is made because reversed, the serve is replayed, unless if the referee makes no call, thereby the referee considered the serve to be indicating that the get was not two not retrievable, in which case a point is bounces, and the “no call” is reversed, awarded to the server. If an appeal is the player who made the two-bounce made because the referee makes no call pickup is declared the loser of the rally. on a serve—thereby indicating that the serve was good—and the “no call” is (e) Receiving Line reversed, it will result in second serve if Violation/Encroachment. If the referee the infraction occurred on the first makes a call of encroachment, but the serve or loss of serve if the infraction call is overturned, the serve shall be occurred on the second serve, or replayed unless the return was deemed utilizing one-serve rules. irretrievable in which case a sideout (or possibly a handout in doubles) should (c) Out Serve. If the referee calls an be called. When an appeal is made “out serve” and the call is reversed, the because the referee made no call, and serve will be replayed, unless the serve the appeal is successful, the server is was obviously a fault also, in which case awarded a point. the call becomes fault serve. However, if the call is reversed and the serve was (f) Court Hinder. If the referee makes a considered an ace, a point will be call of court hinder during a rally or awarded. Also, if the referee makes no return of serve, the rally is replayed. If call on a serve— thereby indicating that the referee makes no call and a player the serve was good—but the “no call” is feels that a court hinder occurred, that reversed, it results in an immediate loss player may appeal. If the appeal is of serve. successful, the rally will be replayed. A court hinder on a second serve results (d) Double Bounce Pickup. If the in only that serve being replayed. referee makes a call of two bounces, and the call is reversed, the rally is replayed, (g) Other Rulings. e referee may rule except if the player against whom the on all matters not covered in the IRF call was made hit a shot that could not Official Rules. However, the referee’s ruling is subject to protest as described recommendations of the Rules in B.5(c). Committee to the participating countries during the World Congress A.9 Rule Interpretations meeting at the World Championships. If a player feels the referee has interpreted the rules incorrectly, the (d) e participating countries at the player may require the referee or World Congress will then vote on the tournament director to cite the proposed rule changes. applicable rule in the rulebook. Having discovered a misapplication or (e) Rule changes which receive the misinterpretation, the official must majority of yes votes will go into effect correct the error by replaying the rally, on September 1st of the year in which awarding the point, calling sideout, or they are passed. taking other corrective measures.
B — PROCEDURES B.1 Rule Change Procedures (a) Any participating country may propose a rule change to the International Racquetball Federation Rules Committee. e rule changes must be submitted in writing to the IRF Office, Colorado Springs, Colorado, before January 15th of the year in which the World Championships are held.
(b) e proposed rule changes will be submitted to the IRF Rules Committee for review and evaluation. e committee will then submit its recommendation to the IRF Executive Board by June 1st of the year in which the World Championships are held.
(c) e Executive Board will present its recommendation and the 15 feet
(5) Drive Service Lines
(2) Service Line
5 feet (7) Safety Zone (1) Short Line 40 feet 18 inches, (4) Service Boxes 5 feet (3) Service Zone (6) Receiving Line
15 feet
20 feet COPYRIGHT NOTICE e 2016 IRF Official Rules of Racquetball are copyrighted. All rights reserved. ese rules may not be reproduced, electronically scanned or downloaded, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher.
Copyright © 2016 IRF. For information about reprint rights and fees, please contact:e International Racquetball Federation, Colorado Springs, CO / USA, www.internationalracquetball.com
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