USA Racquetball Rules: 1 - The Game
Rule 1.1 Types of Games
Tournament racquetball is played by two or four players. When played by two, it is called singles and when played by four, doubles. Cut-throat is the name generally applied to several non-tournament variations of the standard game when played by three players.
Rule 1.2 Description
Racquetball is a competitive game in which each player/team uses a strung racquet to take turns at serving and returning the ball within a closed court.
Rule 1.3 Objective
The objective is to win each rally by serving or returning the ball, so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play. A rally is over when a player (or team in doubles) is unable to hit the ball before it touches the floor twice, is unable to return the ball in such a manner that it touches the front wall before it touches the floor, or when a hinder is called.
Rule 1.4 Points and Outs
Points are scored only by the serving side when it serves an irretrievable serve (an ace) or else wins a rally. Losing the serve is called a side out in singles. In doubles, when the first server loses the serve, it is called either a hand or half out and when the team’s second server loses the serve, it is a side out.
Rule 1.5 Match, Game, Tiebreaker
A match is won by the first side winning two games. The first two games of a match are played to 15 points. If each side wins one game, then a tiebreaker game is played to 11 points. Unless a rule exception exists, the first side reaching the requisite score is the winner.