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Rules Notice

2007 USAR OFFICIAL RULES OF RACQUETBALL

Includes Rule Changes Effective September 1, 2007 This updated rulebook contains several additions/revisions from the previously published version (©2004). The most significant changes affected Rule 2.4(e); Rule 3.9(j); Rule 3.17(a)6; Policy A.6; and Policy A.8.

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• Downloadable/Printable Rulebook (32 pages)

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Junior Olympic Mixed Doubles Rule

JUNIOR OLYMPICS MIXED DOUBLES SERVING RULE

The girl may serve to either opponent. But the boy must serve to the boy -- such that the serve clearly appears to be intended for the boy to return and so that the served ball could bounce and be played on the boy’s side of the court.
If the side of the court the boy is defending is unclear (if he is standing at or near the center of the court), then the server may ask the receiver to declare which side he is defending.

After the score or “second serve” has been called and before he serves the ball, the boy should indicate which side he is serving to -- the one the boy is defending. After that indication, if the receiving team chooses to switch sides, the boy may serve to the left side of the court if he chooses without regard to which side the boy is on when the serve is made.

Any serve that fails meet the above criteria is a fault serve. Should the girl return the boy’s serve and the serve otherwise comply with this rule, then a “no serve” will be called and that serve will be repeated.

Official Rules of Racquetball

2.1 - Court and Specifications

The specifications for the standard four-wall racquetball court are:

(a) Dimensions. The dimensions shall be 20 feet wide, 40 feet long and 20 feet high, with a back wall at least 12 feet high. All surfaces shall be in play, with the exception of any gallery opening, surfaces designated as out-of-play for a valid reason (such as being of a very different material or not in alignment with the backwall), and designated court hinders.

(b) Markings. Racquetball courts shall be marked with lines 1 1/2 inches wide as follows:

Short Line. The back edge of the short line is midway between, and is parallel with, the front and back walls.
Service Line. The front edge of the service line is parallel with, and five feet in front of, the back edge of the short line.
Service Zone. The service zone is the 5' x 20' area bounded by the bottom edges of the side walls and by the outer edges of the short line and the service line.
Service Boxes. The service boxes, used in doubles play, are located at each end of the service zone and are designated by lines parallel with the side walls [see 4.2(b)]. The edge of the line nearest to the center of the court shall be 18 inches from the nearest side wall.
Drive Serve Lines. The drive serve lines, which form the drive serve zones, are parallel with the side wall and are within the service zone. For each line, the edge of the line nearest to the center of the court shall be 3 feet from the nearest side wall.
Receiving Line. The receiving line is a broken line parallel to the short line. The back edge of the receiving line is five feet from the back edge of the short line. The receiving line begins with a line 21 inches long that extends from each side wall. These lines are connected by an alternate series of six-inch spaces and six-inch lines. This will result in a line composed of 17 six-inch spaces, 16 six-inch lines, and 2 twenty-one-inch lines.
Safety Zone. The safety zone is the 5' x 20' area bounded by the bottom edges of the side walls and by the back edges of the short line and the receiving line. The zone is observed only during the serve. See Rules 3.10(i) and 3.11(a).