Wartburg College Intramural Racquetball Rules

I. SCORING
1. Points are only scored by the player or team in service. Fifteen points constitutes a game.
2. A match victory consists of a player winning 2 out of 3 games, winning by two.

II. SERVING
1. The server can stand in any part of the service zone. He/she must bounce the ball on the floor and stroke it to the front wall first, and the ball must rebound over the service line without hitting the floor. The legal serve can be either a straight rebound from the front wall or a combination with one side wall, hitting the floor past the service line. Any other serve is illegal. There are two types of illegal serves:
A. "short" or "long" which allows for a second serve.
B. serve that results in a side-out -- serve which hits the side wall first, floor first before the front wall, three walls before the floor or a serve which hits the server on its backward flight.

III. RECEIVING
1. Receiving player or team must remain five feet behind the service line until the ball is served and he/she cannot return the ball legally until it lands on or passes over the service line.
2. Long serve - the receiver has the option of playing a long serve. If his partner calls the ball long, a second serve is allowed or hand-out.
3. Players may hit the ball on either the volley (as long as he remains 5 feet behind the short line) or on one bounce, and can return it to the front wall with any combination of walls as long as the ball does not touch the floor before hitting the front wall.

IV. GAME PLAY
1. Once the ball is put into play, a rally continues until one player cannot return the ball properly to the front wall or side serving or receiving has returned the ball to the front wall and no return is made by the opposition. Each team is allowed a clear view and room to execute a shot on the ball on a return during a volley. Interference is considered a hinder and the point is played over.
a. Service hinder: "shadow" serves in which the served ball passes so close to the server's body that it impedes the view of the ball by the receiver.
b. Returns: ball that strikes the opponent.
c. Rally hinder: player not given a clear view or position for return shot. Physical contact which impedes the effort of a player to return a ball.
d. Safety hinder: if player avoids returning ball because of fear of hitting his opponents with the racquet, a hinder call should be made.

2. If the ball is touched with a hand, arm, or any part of the body during the return, it is an out or a point, as the case may be.

V. EQUIPMENT
1. Safety eye wear is strongly recommended during all games.
2. Teather (string on racquet) must be worn at all times, if it is not worn a point or side out is awarded to the other player.

VI. SPORTSMANSHIP
1. The mission of Intramural Sports is to provide a recreational environment for Wartburg College which is safe and enjoyable. While the game atmosphere is often competitive, ensuring participant safety, providing a fun, social atmosphere, and promoting sportsmanlike behavior among participants, spectators, and team followers are our primary concerns. The game atmosphere should remain good-natured at all times. Participants shall maintain good sportsmanship throughout their participation in all facets of the intramural program.