Rules Rule: What is Your 2026 Racquetball Resolution?
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by Joshua Jones, National Rules Commissioner
Reminder!! The USA Racquetball Board of Directors is considering a slate of proposed rule changes. The deadline for members to submit comments on the proposals is February 1, 2026. You can email me your comments at rulescommissioner@usaracquetball.com. If you would like to read about the proposed changes, below is the link to the October 2025 announcement:
https://www.usaracquetball.com/news/2025/october/22/usa-racquetball-wants-your-input-.
And now, back to the regular rules discussion…
Welcome to 2026! By now, many of you have already made your New Year’s resolutions, whether it be to exercise more, try new things, or floss every day. For me, my goal is to read 50 books by the end of 2026.
But to the racquetball community, might I suggest a few racquetball-related resolutions that you can add to your list? Perhaps a few that have to do with the following the rules? To help, here are some suggestions to add to your 2026 racquetball new year resolutions.
I shall always check the receiver’s readiness before serving!
Under Rule 3.4, the receiver should visually check the receiver’s readiness before serving. Rule 3.5(a) says that it is the “responsibility” of the server to check the receiver’s readiness. And under Rules 3.5(b) and 3.9(j), a receiver commits a fault serve if he or she serves is not ready. Of course, Rule 3.5(a) specifies what a receiver must do to signal that he or she is not ready: raising the entire head of their racquet above their head or completely turning their back to the server. There are no other acceptable methods for a receiving player to indicate a lack of readiness. And, only partially raising a racquet above the head does not count, it must be completely over the head of the receiver’s head.
I understand the controversy surrounding this rule. Specifically, many of you hotly debate the ethicality of a receiving player attempting to catch the server off guard by indicating a lack of readiness solely in an attempt to get an easy fault serve. In other words, there are instances when receiving players are perfectly ready to receive serve yet raise their racquets above their heads hoping the server forgets to check.
I will not weigh in on that debate, other than to say that unless and until the rule is amended, this is perfectly legal. However, I suggest that the easiest way to avoid the problem is to ALWAYS check the receiver before serving. Make it a force of habit; something you do without even thinking about it. In this way, you will avoid any preventable fault serves from occurring.
Of course, there are instances when a receiving player waits until after the server has checked to raise their racquet. Thankfully, Rule 3.5(c) forbids this practice. In fact, if a receiver attempts to signal a lack of readiness after the server has checked, the referee is instructed to disregard the receiving player’s request and allow the serve to occur.
I shall always check the ball before serving!
Racquetball is an intense cardio sport, and many players sweat while playing. However, many of you may not realize that Rule 3.15(h) requires that the players—and, in particular, the server—check to ensure that the ball is dry prior to a serve. In fact, if a player serves a wet ball without drying it first, the referee should call a penalty hinder against the server.
Here’s my suggestion. Before you serve, take a quick glance at the ball. If there is any question whether it is wet, dry it off using a dry part of your shirt or jersey, etc. Then, present the ball to the receiving player so that he or she can verify that it is dry. Doing so should prevent a penalty hinder being called against you.
I shall use the correct terminology!
In July 2025, I wrote an article about why referees and racquetball players should NOT use the term “avoidable hinder.” I further wrote about why referees should NOT say “possible game/possible match.” If you didn’t read that article, here’s a link:
So for the players out there that insist on saying “avoidable hinder,” I challenge you to make using the correct terminology part of your 2026 resolutions.
I shall make sure I stay in the time limits for timeouts!
In USAR-sanctioned events, players are permitted two timeouts per game. These timeouts cannot be longer than one minute. This means that timeouts in a game should not exceed a total of four minutes (two timeouts per player/team, or four total, each of one minute in length). Under Rule 3.16(a), if a player takes longer than the allowed one minute, the referee may automatically charge an additional timeout. If all the time remaining elapses, the referee may also assess a delay of game, technical warning, or technical foul.
Additionally, Rule 3.16(d) says that players only have two-minute rest periods between games.
Nothing drives tournament directors nuts more than tournaments running behind schedule because players take timeouts longer than authorized by the rules or take longer rest breaks between games.
I shall remain quiet during rallies!
I have two children, both of whom are into sports. My oldest plays on the same racquetball team that I coach. My youngest is a gymnast and speedskater. I say this because I get the desire to want to cheer on friends and family as they compete. And in some sports, it’s perfectly acceptable to cheer while the athletes are competing.
But not racquetball.
While the ball is in play, the audience should remain silent. A spectator’s cheer can often be confused with a referee’s call, causing players to be distracted or to think a rally is being halted by the referee when it is not. Rule B.5(f) gives referees jurisdiction over the spectators while the match is in progress, meaning the referee has the authority to remove unruly spectators from the viewing area. So, while the ball is in play, remain silent so the athletes can perform at their best. Save those respectful hoots and hollers of “way to go!” or “you got this!” until after the rally is over.
I shall renew my USAR membership!
Is this in the USA Racquetball Official Rulebook? Well, no, it’s not. But you should do it anyway. Racquetball is, in my not-so-humble opinion, the best sport in the United States. And, USAR is the governing body that brings national championship tournaments, supports our athletes at international events, tracks player rankings and results, and sanctions your local competitions. So, if your membership is set to expire sometime in 2026, please renew it (or, better yet, set it for an auto renewal and save $5).
I shall support my local racquetball club!
I cannot write an article asking you to renew your USAR membership without also asking that you support your local racquetball club. I understand that these days are tough, but if you are able, please become a dues-paying member. Also, enter into tournaments at your local club, if offered. Most tournaments have skill divisions for all levels, and tournaments are a great way to get tons of exercise and have a lot of fun. The more people that become members and play in local tournaments will convince club owners to keep—and perhaps build new—racquetball courts.
National Rules Commissioner Joshua Jones welcomes questions from members and will respond timely along with occasionally featuring a few in USA Racquetball’s Serving Up the News. Write to Josh at rulescommissioner@usaracquetball.com, and you may see your question in a future issue of this newsletter!
