racquetball
RACQUETBALL Phone: 303-871-3912
Website: du.edu/intramurals
Email: [email protected]
GENERAL GUIDELINES For more information about the following policies, please read the DU Intramural Sports Guide to Participation. DU Pioneer ID Cards: No ID, No Play, No Exceptions!!! All participants must present a valid DU Pioneer Card to the appropriate Intramural Sports staff member on site in order to play. Game Times: Teams who do not meet the minimum player requirements by game time will be granted a 5 minute grace period to field a team. At five minutes, if a team does not have enough players, it will forfeit. If a team fields enough players, the game will begin with the non-offending team receiving a score advantage to start the game. If a forfeit occurs, teams may stay and scrimmage and utilize the field/court/rink during the scheduled game time should the staff not need to close the facility because it’s the last game of the day, however teams utilize this space at their own risk. Actions that occur during forfeits can still count for and against your team during a scrimmage. Defaults and Forfeits: If during a season a team forfeits twice, defaults twice, or forfeits once and defaults once that team will be removed from the league and its remaining regular season games will be open for teams to pick up at the discretion of the Student Programs Manager. In the event this occurs, a team’s entry fee will not be refunded. How to avoid a forfeit: If your team is unable to make a regular season or playoff game, your team captain must email the Intramural Sports office by 3pm for weekday games and 3pm Friday for weekend games. Failure to notify the Intramural Office by the deadline stated will result in a forfeit. To ensure the validity of the default request and to have documentation of the default request, we will not accept requests via phone or in-person. Forfeit Fee: If a team accumulates one forfeit during the regular season, the captain will automatically be charged a $20 fee that must be paid by 12pm the day after their final scheduled regular season game to be eligible for playoffs. The captain will be suspended from that team immediately, but the team is still eligible to participate. If a team forfeits their final regular season game, they will have to pay at least 48 hours in advance of their first scheduled playoff game. If a team forfeits a 2nd time, this team will be charged an additional $10, dropped from the league, be ineligible for playoffs. If the team fails to pay this $20 fine by the deadline, they will be removed from the league and will be ineligible for playoffs. Should a team not pay the forfeit fee by the deadline, the team captain will be suspended from all intramural sports participation until the fee is paid. The hold will remain on the captain’s IMLeagues account until the fee is paid in full. Drug and Alcohol Policy: Under no circumstances are drugs or alcohol allowed at an intramural event. Any participant that is caught with drugs or alcohol or under the influence of drugs or alcohol during an intramural event will be immediately ejected from the game, asked to leave the facility, and will be suspended indefinitely from all intramural sports until further notice. Intramural staff will call higher authorities if necessary. Participants that are ejected for drugs and alcohol may warrant further action by the University of Denver. Participants are the responsibility of the team captain and must abide by the Drug and Alcohol Policy, as well. Please refer to the complete Drug and Alcohol Policy located in our Guide to Participation. Varsity Athlete Eligibility: A person who has won his/her varsity letter or award (i.e. trophy, plaque, jewelry, certificate, jacket, etc...) in a sport or its related sport at the University of Denver, a four-year college or university, or two-year junior college, will not be eligible to compete in that sport or its related counterpart for a period of one academic year after the completion of their intercollegiate team membership. Club Sports Athlete Eligibility: A person who is listed on a club sports roster will be eligible to compete in that sport or its related counterpart, HOWEVER teams are limited to 2 club players per team (exception: Ice Hockey = 4, any 3v3 sport = 1) and these players must play in the highest/most competitive division offered. All coaches are considered members of their team, and therefore, the rule above applies to coaches as well. Weather and Game Cancellations: In case of cancellations due to inclement weather/unplayable field conditions, the Intramural Sports staff will make an announcement via IMLeagues concerning the playing of the games in question. Please do NOT call/email the office. If a game reaches half-time or is at least 50% completed when postponed, the result will be final. If a game failed to reach half-time or is less than 50% complete or the game is tied, then the rescheduled game (if rescheduled) will resume at its point of interruption.
Sportsmanship and Playoff Qualification: Sportsmanship is a vital component for success in every Intramural Sports contest. Participants are expected to display good sportsmanship toward opponents and the Intramural Staff at all times. In order for a team to be eligible for playoffs, they must achieve an average sportsmanship rating of “3” for the regular season. The Rating System is based on the following criteria: "4" = Excellent o Respect shown to the game and staff by participants, coaches, and spectators at all times. There are no incidents of negative sportsmanship. Participants speak to all staff members appropriately in all situations. In order for a team to receive this rating, the team must not have accumulated any technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties before, during, or after the game. "3" = Fair o A team has minimal instances of negative sportsmanship, but as an overall positive attitude and shows cooperation with the officials and staff. Any team receiving one technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty will receive a rating no higher than a “3”. Defaults also receive a sportsmanship rating of “2”. "2" = Below Average o A team shows dissent by word and/or action towards officials and/or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits issues controlling his/her teammates, but is in control of himself/herself. A team argues with multiple calls and/or shows occasional instances of negative sportsmanship. Should one team member be ejected from a game, the highest rating a team will receive is a “2”. Any team receiving two technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a rating no higher than a “2”. "1" = Deficient o A team is consistently critical of the officials and/or the opposing team from the field/court and/or sidelines. Multiple instances of dissent by word or action have likely occurred. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. A team may have had multiple instances of reckless play. Forfeits also receive a sportsmanship rating of “1”. Any team receiving more than three technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a rating no higher than a “1”. Should one team member be ejected from a game along with at least 1 other team member receiving a technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty, the team will receive a rating no higher than a “1”. "0" = Poor o A team is completely uncooperative. The team captain has little to no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Several instances of dissent by word or action have likely occurred. Any team that takes action to intentionally harm another participant and/or staff member will receive a “0” rating. A team having at least two players ejected will receive a “0” rating and the game will end immediately as a default. A team that accumulates four technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a “0” rating and the game will end immediately as a default. A team that has one ejected player and two other players with a technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty will receive a “0” rating the game will end immediately as a default. Any team receiving a “0” rating is subject to removal from the league at the discretion of the Student Programs Manager. Any team that does not average a "3" Sportsmanship Rating or higher during the regular season will not be eligible to participate in postseason play.
In order to be eligible to participate in a playoff game the participant must be on their IMLeagues roster by midnight of the last night of the league’s regular season. It is every player’s responsibility to get onto the roster online.
SPORT SPECIFIC RULES Rules that have been updated/added from 2015-2016 are highlighted in yellow. Racquetball will be self-officiated. Any conflicts will be handled by the Intramural Sports staff member on duty who will have absolute control over all final decisions. Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of spectators, players or coaches can result in an ejection or forfeiture of the match.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS The tournament will be a singles tournament (1 player).
EQUIPMENT
The Intramural Staff or Coors Fitness Center staff will provide racquets and balls. Participants may bring their own racquet and balls. All players must wear non-marking rubber-soled athletic shoes. Jewelry may not be worn. Casts and/or any other item deemed to be dangerous by the intramural sports staff may not be worn during the game.
ELIGIBILITY For purposes of determining Varsity Athlete, Club Sports Athlete, and Professional Athlete status, any form of racquetball is considered a related sport to Racquetball.
THE GAME All matches will consist of the best two out of three games. All three games will be played to 11 points Games may be won by one point.
SERVICE A coin toss or other suitable means will determine first serve of the match. The individual who did not serve in the first game will serve in the second game. If a third game is necessary, the individual/team that has scored the most combined points from the first two games shall serve first in the deciding game. In the event that both player's/teams' scores are equal, the serve will be determined by another coin toss. The service is started from any place within the service zone. No part of either foot may extend beyond either line of the service zone. An individual may step on but not over the line. The server must remain in the service zone from the moment the service motion begins until the served ball passes the short line. The server must call the score prior to beginning the motion for serve. Service shall not be made until the receiving team is ready. The server must contact the ball on the first bounce. The served ball must hit the front wall first and on the rebound hit the floor behind the back edge of the short line, either with or without touching one of the side walls. A balk serve or fake swing at the ball shall be deemed an infraction and be judged an "out", "hand out" or "side out".
DEFECTIVE SERVES There are three types of defective serves: Dead ball serve Fault serve Out serve Dead Ball Serves There is no penalty for a dead ball serve nor do dead ball serves cancel any previous illegal serve. The following are examples of dead ball serves:
Court hinders: The ball hits any part of the court that, under local rules, is a dead ball. For a court hinder to be called there must be no attempt to return the ball. Broken ball: If the ball breaks on the serve, a new ball shall be substituted and the serve shall be replayed, not canceling any prior fault serve.
Fault Serves The following serves are faults and any two in succession result in a side-out: Foot faults o The server does not begin the service motion with both feet in the service zone. o The server leaves the service zone before the served ball passes the short line. Short serve: A short serve is any served ball that first hits the front wall and on the rebound hits the floor on or in front of the short line (with or without touching a side wall.) Three wall serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and on the rebound hits the two side walls on the fly. Ceiling Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and then touches the ceiling (with or without touching a side wall). Long Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and rebounds to the back wall before touching the floor (with or without touching a side wall). Out Serves Missed ball: Any attempt to strike the ball that results in a total miss or in touching any part of the server's body other than the racquet. Non-front serve: Any served ball that does not strike the front wall first. Touched Serve: Any served ball on the rebound from the front wall that touches the server (or server's partner not properly positioned in the service box including the racquet) on a fly, or any ball intentionally stopped or caught by the server or server's partner. Crotch Serve: If the served ball hits the crotch of the front wall and floor, front wall and side wall, or front wall and ceiling; it is considered "no good" and is an out serve. A serve into the crotch of the back wall and the floor is good and in play. A served ball hitting the crotch of the sidewall and floor (as in a "Z" serve) beyond the short line is "good" and in play. Illegal hit: Any illegal hit (contacting the ball twice, carries or hitting the ball with the handle of the racquet or part of the body or uniform) results in an out serve. Fake or Balk Serve: Such a serve is defined as a non-continuous movement of the racquet towards the ball as the server drops the ball for the purpose of serving and results in an out serve. Out of Order Serve: In doubles, when either partner serves out of order, any points which may have been scored during an out of order serve will be automatically void with the score reverting to the score prior to the out of order serve. Out of Court Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and, before striking the floor, goes out of the court that has been declared out of play for a valid reason. Safety Zone Violation: If the server, or doubles partner, enters into the safety zone before the served ball passes the short line, it shall result in the loss of serve. s
RETURN OF SERVE After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball with the racquet either on the fly or after the first bounce and before the ball touches the floor the second time. The ball must be returned to the front wall, either directly or after touching one or both side walls, the back wall or the ceiling or any combination of those surfaces. A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the front wall. Failure to return a serve results in a point for the server.
A SERVER IS ENTITLED TO SERVE UNTIL:
The player commits an out serve. The player commits two fault serves in succession. The player fails to hit the ball on the fly or first bounce or fails to return the ball to the front wall on the fly (with or without hitting any combination of walls and ceiling). The player commits an avoidable hinder.
RALLIES Each legal return after the serve is called a rally. Play during rallies shall be according to the following rules: Only the head of the racquet may be used at any time to return the ball. The racquet may be held in one or both hands.
Switching hands to hit a ball, touching the ball with any part of the body or clothes, or removing the wrist thong result in loss of the rally. In attempting returns, the ball may be touched or struck only once by a player or team or the result is a loss of rally. The ball may not be "carried". (A carried ball is one which rests on the racquet in such a way that the effect is more of a "sling" or "throw" than a hit.) Failure to make a legal return during a rally: o The ball bounces on the floor more than once before being hit. o The ball does not reach the front wall on the fly. o The ball exits the court via the open area of the back wall results in a point or side out. A ball, which obviously did not have the velocity or direction to hit the front wall, strikes another player on the court. A returned ball that hits or touches the player’s partner on the same play before the opposing team plays the ball. The player or partner commits an avoidable hinder. Return Attempts: o In singles, if a player swings at but misses the ball, the player may continue to attempt to return the ball until it touches the floor for the second time. If there is suspicion that a ball has broken on a rally, play shall continue until the end of the rally. In singles a single hand out equals a side out and retires the server.
DEAD BALL HINDERS Dead ball hinders result in the rally being replayed without penalty and the server receiving two serves. A dead ball hinder occurs when: Hitting an Opponent: Any returned ball that touches an opponent on the fly before it returns to the front wall. The player that has been hit or nicked by the ball may make the call. It must be made immediately. Any ball, which hits an opponent, that obviously did not have the velocity or direction to reach the front wall shall not result in a hinder (and shall cause the player or team that hit the ball to lose the rally). Body Contact: If body contact occurs which was sufficient to stop the rally, either for the purpose of preventing injury by further contact or because the contact prevented a player from being able to make a reasonable return, it shall be declared a hinder. Body contact, particularly on the follow through is not necessarily a hinder. Either player involved in the contact shall make the call. This is an honor call and should not be abused or taken advantage of. Screen Ball: Any ball rebounding from the front wall close to the body of a player on the side which just returned the ball which interferes with or prevents the returning player side from seeing the ball. Back Swing Hinder: Any body contact either on the back swing or en route to or just prior to returning the ball which impairs the hitter's ability to take a reasonable swing. Safety Holdup: Any player about to execute a return who believes s/he is likely to strike his opponent with the ball or racquet may immediately stop play. Interference: A player loses a shoe or other equipment or any other outside interference occurs.
AVOIDANCE While making an attempt to return the ball, a player is entitled to a fair chance to see and return the ball. It is the responsibility of the side that has just served or returned the ball to move so the receiving side may go straight to the ball and have an unobstructed view of the ball after it leaves the front wall. However, the receiver must make a reasonable effort to move toward the ball and have a reasonable chance to return it in order for a hinder to be called.
AVOIDABLE HINDERS An avoidable hinder results in the loss of a rally. An avoidable hinder does not necessarily have to be an "intentional" act and is a result of any of the following: The individual does not move sufficiently to allow an opponent an open shot. The individual moves into position affecting a block on the opponent about to return the ball, or in doubles, one partner moves in front of an opponent as the partner of that opponent is returning the ball. The individual intentionally moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by the opponent. The individual deliberately pushes or shoves the opponent during a rally. The individual moves so as to restrict opponent's swing so that the player returning the ball does not have a free unimpeded swing. Deliberate shouting, stamping of feet, waving of racquet or any manner of disrupting the player whom is hitting the ball.
TIME OUTS
During games to 11, each player or team is allowed one 30-second time-out. o A time out may not be called once the server begins the service motion. In case of injury, (other than muscle cramps and pulls, fatigue and other ailments that are not caused by direct contact on the court) individuals will be awarded an injury time out. If the injured player is not able to resume play, the match will be declared a default. Between games, a three-minute rest period will be allowed. If both parties are ready to play sooner than 3 minutes, they may start the next game.
Website: du.edu/intramurals
Email: [email protected]
GENERAL GUIDELINES For more information about the following policies, please read the DU Intramural Sports Guide to Participation. DU Pioneer ID Cards: No ID, No Play, No Exceptions!!! All participants must present a valid DU Pioneer Card to the appropriate Intramural Sports staff member on site in order to play. Game Times: Teams who do not meet the minimum player requirements by game time will be granted a 5 minute grace period to field a team. At five minutes, if a team does not have enough players, it will forfeit. If a team fields enough players, the game will begin with the non-offending team receiving a score advantage to start the game. If a forfeit occurs, teams may stay and scrimmage and utilize the field/court/rink during the scheduled game time should the staff not need to close the facility because it’s the last game of the day, however teams utilize this space at their own risk. Actions that occur during forfeits can still count for and against your team during a scrimmage. Defaults and Forfeits: If during a season a team forfeits twice, defaults twice, or forfeits once and defaults once that team will be removed from the league and its remaining regular season games will be open for teams to pick up at the discretion of the Student Programs Manager. In the event this occurs, a team’s entry fee will not be refunded. How to avoid a forfeit: If your team is unable to make a regular season or playoff game, your team captain must email the Intramural Sports office by 3pm for weekday games and 3pm Friday for weekend games. Failure to notify the Intramural Office by the deadline stated will result in a forfeit. To ensure the validity of the default request and to have documentation of the default request, we will not accept requests via phone or in-person. Forfeit Fee: If a team accumulates one forfeit during the regular season, the captain will automatically be charged a $20 fee that must be paid by 12pm the day after their final scheduled regular season game to be eligible for playoffs. The captain will be suspended from that team immediately, but the team is still eligible to participate. If a team forfeits their final regular season game, they will have to pay at least 48 hours in advance of their first scheduled playoff game. If a team forfeits a 2nd time, this team will be charged an additional $10, dropped from the league, be ineligible for playoffs. If the team fails to pay this $20 fine by the deadline, they will be removed from the league and will be ineligible for playoffs. Should a team not pay the forfeit fee by the deadline, the team captain will be suspended from all intramural sports participation until the fee is paid. The hold will remain on the captain’s IMLeagues account until the fee is paid in full. Drug and Alcohol Policy: Under no circumstances are drugs or alcohol allowed at an intramural event. Any participant that is caught with drugs or alcohol or under the influence of drugs or alcohol during an intramural event will be immediately ejected from the game, asked to leave the facility, and will be suspended indefinitely from all intramural sports until further notice. Intramural staff will call higher authorities if necessary. Participants that are ejected for drugs and alcohol may warrant further action by the University of Denver. Participants are the responsibility of the team captain and must abide by the Drug and Alcohol Policy, as well. Please refer to the complete Drug and Alcohol Policy located in our Guide to Participation. Varsity Athlete Eligibility: A person who has won his/her varsity letter or award (i.e. trophy, plaque, jewelry, certificate, jacket, etc...) in a sport or its related sport at the University of Denver, a four-year college or university, or two-year junior college, will not be eligible to compete in that sport or its related counterpart for a period of one academic year after the completion of their intercollegiate team membership. Club Sports Athlete Eligibility: A person who is listed on a club sports roster will be eligible to compete in that sport or its related counterpart, HOWEVER teams are limited to 2 club players per team (exception: Ice Hockey = 4, any 3v3 sport = 1) and these players must play in the highest/most competitive division offered. All coaches are considered members of their team, and therefore, the rule above applies to coaches as well. Weather and Game Cancellations: In case of cancellations due to inclement weather/unplayable field conditions, the Intramural Sports staff will make an announcement via IMLeagues concerning the playing of the games in question. Please do NOT call/email the office. If a game reaches half-time or is at least 50% completed when postponed, the result will be final. If a game failed to reach half-time or is less than 50% complete or the game is tied, then the rescheduled game (if rescheduled) will resume at its point of interruption.
Sportsmanship and Playoff Qualification: Sportsmanship is a vital component for success in every Intramural Sports contest. Participants are expected to display good sportsmanship toward opponents and the Intramural Staff at all times. In order for a team to be eligible for playoffs, they must achieve an average sportsmanship rating of “3” for the regular season. The Rating System is based on the following criteria: "4" = Excellent o Respect shown to the game and staff by participants, coaches, and spectators at all times. There are no incidents of negative sportsmanship. Participants speak to all staff members appropriately in all situations. In order for a team to receive this rating, the team must not have accumulated any technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties before, during, or after the game. "3" = Fair o A team has minimal instances of negative sportsmanship, but as an overall positive attitude and shows cooperation with the officials and staff. Any team receiving one technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty will receive a rating no higher than a “3”. Defaults also receive a sportsmanship rating of “2”. "2" = Below Average o A team shows dissent by word and/or action towards officials and/or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits issues controlling his/her teammates, but is in control of himself/herself. A team argues with multiple calls and/or shows occasional instances of negative sportsmanship. Should one team member be ejected from a game, the highest rating a team will receive is a “2”. Any team receiving two technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a rating no higher than a “2”. "1" = Deficient o A team is consistently critical of the officials and/or the opposing team from the field/court and/or sidelines. Multiple instances of dissent by word or action have likely occurred. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. A team may have had multiple instances of reckless play. Forfeits also receive a sportsmanship rating of “1”. Any team receiving more than three technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a rating no higher than a “1”. Should one team member be ejected from a game along with at least 1 other team member receiving a technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty, the team will receive a rating no higher than a “1”. "0" = Poor o A team is completely uncooperative. The team captain has little to no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Several instances of dissent by word or action have likely occurred. Any team that takes action to intentionally harm another participant and/or staff member will receive a “0” rating. A team having at least two players ejected will receive a “0” rating and the game will end immediately as a default. A team that accumulates four technical fouls/yellow cards/unsportsmanlike penalties will receive a “0” rating and the game will end immediately as a default. A team that has one ejected player and two other players with a technical foul/yellow card/unsportsmanlike penalty will receive a “0” rating the game will end immediately as a default. Any team receiving a “0” rating is subject to removal from the league at the discretion of the Student Programs Manager. Any team that does not average a "3" Sportsmanship Rating or higher during the regular season will not be eligible to participate in postseason play.
In order to be eligible to participate in a playoff game the participant must be on their IMLeagues roster by midnight of the last night of the league’s regular season. It is every player’s responsibility to get onto the roster online.
SPORT SPECIFIC RULES Rules that have been updated/added from 2015-2016 are highlighted in yellow. Racquetball will be self-officiated. Any conflicts will be handled by the Intramural Sports staff member on duty who will have absolute control over all final decisions. Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of spectators, players or coaches can result in an ejection or forfeiture of the match.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS The tournament will be a singles tournament (1 player).
EQUIPMENT
The Intramural Staff or Coors Fitness Center staff will provide racquets and balls. Participants may bring their own racquet and balls. All players must wear non-marking rubber-soled athletic shoes. Jewelry may not be worn. Casts and/or any other item deemed to be dangerous by the intramural sports staff may not be worn during the game.
ELIGIBILITY For purposes of determining Varsity Athlete, Club Sports Athlete, and Professional Athlete status, any form of racquetball is considered a related sport to Racquetball.
THE GAME All matches will consist of the best two out of three games. All three games will be played to 11 points Games may be won by one point.
SERVICE A coin toss or other suitable means will determine first serve of the match. The individual who did not serve in the first game will serve in the second game. If a third game is necessary, the individual/team that has scored the most combined points from the first two games shall serve first in the deciding game. In the event that both player's/teams' scores are equal, the serve will be determined by another coin toss. The service is started from any place within the service zone. No part of either foot may extend beyond either line of the service zone. An individual may step on but not over the line. The server must remain in the service zone from the moment the service motion begins until the served ball passes the short line. The server must call the score prior to beginning the motion for serve. Service shall not be made until the receiving team is ready. The server must contact the ball on the first bounce. The served ball must hit the front wall first and on the rebound hit the floor behind the back edge of the short line, either with or without touching one of the side walls. A balk serve or fake swing at the ball shall be deemed an infraction and be judged an "out", "hand out" or "side out".
DEFECTIVE SERVES There are three types of defective serves: Dead ball serve Fault serve Out serve Dead Ball Serves There is no penalty for a dead ball serve nor do dead ball serves cancel any previous illegal serve. The following are examples of dead ball serves:
Court hinders: The ball hits any part of the court that, under local rules, is a dead ball. For a court hinder to be called there must be no attempt to return the ball. Broken ball: If the ball breaks on the serve, a new ball shall be substituted and the serve shall be replayed, not canceling any prior fault serve.
Fault Serves The following serves are faults and any two in succession result in a side-out: Foot faults o The server does not begin the service motion with both feet in the service zone. o The server leaves the service zone before the served ball passes the short line. Short serve: A short serve is any served ball that first hits the front wall and on the rebound hits the floor on or in front of the short line (with or without touching a side wall.) Three wall serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and on the rebound hits the two side walls on the fly. Ceiling Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and then touches the ceiling (with or without touching a side wall). Long Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and rebounds to the back wall before touching the floor (with or without touching a side wall). Out Serves Missed ball: Any attempt to strike the ball that results in a total miss or in touching any part of the server's body other than the racquet. Non-front serve: Any served ball that does not strike the front wall first. Touched Serve: Any served ball on the rebound from the front wall that touches the server (or server's partner not properly positioned in the service box including the racquet) on a fly, or any ball intentionally stopped or caught by the server or server's partner. Crotch Serve: If the served ball hits the crotch of the front wall and floor, front wall and side wall, or front wall and ceiling; it is considered "no good" and is an out serve. A serve into the crotch of the back wall and the floor is good and in play. A served ball hitting the crotch of the sidewall and floor (as in a "Z" serve) beyond the short line is "good" and in play. Illegal hit: Any illegal hit (contacting the ball twice, carries or hitting the ball with the handle of the racquet or part of the body or uniform) results in an out serve. Fake or Balk Serve: Such a serve is defined as a non-continuous movement of the racquet towards the ball as the server drops the ball for the purpose of serving and results in an out serve. Out of Order Serve: In doubles, when either partner serves out of order, any points which may have been scored during an out of order serve will be automatically void with the score reverting to the score prior to the out of order serve. Out of Court Serve: Any served ball that first hits the front wall and, before striking the floor, goes out of the court that has been declared out of play for a valid reason. Safety Zone Violation: If the server, or doubles partner, enters into the safety zone before the served ball passes the short line, it shall result in the loss of serve. s
RETURN OF SERVE After the ball is legally served, one of the players on the receiving side must strike the ball with the racquet either on the fly or after the first bounce and before the ball touches the floor the second time. The ball must be returned to the front wall, either directly or after touching one or both side walls, the back wall or the ceiling or any combination of those surfaces. A returned ball may not touch the floor before touching the front wall. Failure to return a serve results in a point for the server.
A SERVER IS ENTITLED TO SERVE UNTIL:
The player commits an out serve. The player commits two fault serves in succession. The player fails to hit the ball on the fly or first bounce or fails to return the ball to the front wall on the fly (with or without hitting any combination of walls and ceiling). The player commits an avoidable hinder.
RALLIES Each legal return after the serve is called a rally. Play during rallies shall be according to the following rules: Only the head of the racquet may be used at any time to return the ball. The racquet may be held in one or both hands.
Switching hands to hit a ball, touching the ball with any part of the body or clothes, or removing the wrist thong result in loss of the rally. In attempting returns, the ball may be touched or struck only once by a player or team or the result is a loss of rally. The ball may not be "carried". (A carried ball is one which rests on the racquet in such a way that the effect is more of a "sling" or "throw" than a hit.) Failure to make a legal return during a rally: o The ball bounces on the floor more than once before being hit. o The ball does not reach the front wall on the fly. o The ball exits the court via the open area of the back wall results in a point or side out. A ball, which obviously did not have the velocity or direction to hit the front wall, strikes another player on the court. A returned ball that hits or touches the player’s partner on the same play before the opposing team plays the ball. The player or partner commits an avoidable hinder. Return Attempts: o In singles, if a player swings at but misses the ball, the player may continue to attempt to return the ball until it touches the floor for the second time. If there is suspicion that a ball has broken on a rally, play shall continue until the end of the rally. In singles a single hand out equals a side out and retires the server.
DEAD BALL HINDERS Dead ball hinders result in the rally being replayed without penalty and the server receiving two serves. A dead ball hinder occurs when: Hitting an Opponent: Any returned ball that touches an opponent on the fly before it returns to the front wall. The player that has been hit or nicked by the ball may make the call. It must be made immediately. Any ball, which hits an opponent, that obviously did not have the velocity or direction to reach the front wall shall not result in a hinder (and shall cause the player or team that hit the ball to lose the rally). Body Contact: If body contact occurs which was sufficient to stop the rally, either for the purpose of preventing injury by further contact or because the contact prevented a player from being able to make a reasonable return, it shall be declared a hinder. Body contact, particularly on the follow through is not necessarily a hinder. Either player involved in the contact shall make the call. This is an honor call and should not be abused or taken advantage of. Screen Ball: Any ball rebounding from the front wall close to the body of a player on the side which just returned the ball which interferes with or prevents the returning player side from seeing the ball. Back Swing Hinder: Any body contact either on the back swing or en route to or just prior to returning the ball which impairs the hitter's ability to take a reasonable swing. Safety Holdup: Any player about to execute a return who believes s/he is likely to strike his opponent with the ball or racquet may immediately stop play. Interference: A player loses a shoe or other equipment or any other outside interference occurs.
AVOIDANCE While making an attempt to return the ball, a player is entitled to a fair chance to see and return the ball. It is the responsibility of the side that has just served or returned the ball to move so the receiving side may go straight to the ball and have an unobstructed view of the ball after it leaves the front wall. However, the receiver must make a reasonable effort to move toward the ball and have a reasonable chance to return it in order for a hinder to be called.
AVOIDABLE HINDERS An avoidable hinder results in the loss of a rally. An avoidable hinder does not necessarily have to be an "intentional" act and is a result of any of the following: The individual does not move sufficiently to allow an opponent an open shot. The individual moves into position affecting a block on the opponent about to return the ball, or in doubles, one partner moves in front of an opponent as the partner of that opponent is returning the ball. The individual intentionally moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by the opponent. The individual deliberately pushes or shoves the opponent during a rally. The individual moves so as to restrict opponent's swing so that the player returning the ball does not have a free unimpeded swing. Deliberate shouting, stamping of feet, waving of racquet or any manner of disrupting the player whom is hitting the ball.
TIME OUTS
During games to 11, each player or team is allowed one 30-second time-out. o A time out may not be called once the server begins the service motion. In case of injury, (other than muscle cramps and pulls, fatigue and other ailments that are not caused by direct contact on the court) individuals will be awarded an injury time out. If the injured player is not able to resume play, the match will be declared a default. Between games, a three-minute rest period will be allowed. If both parties are ready to play sooner than 3 minutes, they may start the next game.
