AboutRob Chabot Expertise Racquetball. Know all the rules, etiquette, etc. Am familiar with equipment and am active on the applicable newsgroups when I have time. I can be of service to players up to the "advanced" level. Have been playing since the mid 1980s.
NOTE: I cannot answer questions on "what kind of racquet should I get?" This is like asking "what kind of dog or car should I get?" There are so many factors I do not know where to begin - how long have you been playing, do you prefer a top heavy or frame heavy racquet, how often do you plan on playing, etc. I recommend you find a pro shop that allows you to "demo" (borrow) racquets. You can usually borrow racquets for one to three days. A borrowing fee may be involved - and if you end up buying the racquet from that shop, it will usually credit you the loaner fees you have already paid against the purchase price of the racquet.
Experience Won the Ohio State University Intramurals tournament ("A" Division) six out of six times entered.
Question I regularly play someone who is raising questions about the
(d) Moving into the Ball. Moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by the opponent.
After serving from the center of the court, I often move backwards in anticipation of my opponent's return going deeper into the court. My opponent sometimes strikes me with the ball as I am moving into the area behind the service area, in the center of the court. The rule states that the offender moves into the way of the ball that has already been struck by his opponent. It seems to me that I am not MOVING into a shot he has already hit, I am moving very slowly, at a walking pace. The ball travels so fast that he would have to hit the ball a fraction of a second before it hits me, and therefore I can't see how I moved into the shot. It seems to me that he saw where I was and chose to shoot "through" me, even though he clearly had the option of hitting the ball directly to the front wall or in a cross court shot that would not strike me.
I consider the situation a replay hinder, which I gladly replay. He feels it is a penalty hinder.
If I am not being fair or if I am misinterpreting the rule, please let me know. Thanks for taking time to reply!!!
Answer There are three rules in play here according to the scenario you describe - one is a replay and the other two are penalty hinders:
Rule 3.14 REPLAY HINDERS
A rally is replayed without penalty and the server resumes play at first serve whenever a replay hinder occurs. Also, see Rule 3.15 which describes conditions under which a penalty hinder might be declared and result in loss of the rally.
Rule 3.14 REPLAY HINDERS
A rally is replayed without penalty and the server resumes play at first serve whenever a replay hinder occurs. Also, see Rule 3.15 which describes conditions under which a penalty hinder might be declared and result in loss of the rally.
(a) Situations
[This is the scenario you're arguing]
2. Ball Hits Opponent. When an opponent is hit by a return shot in flight, it is a replay hinder. If the opponent is struck by a ball that obviously did not have the velocity or direction to reach the front wall, it is not a hinder, and the player who hit the ball will lose the rally. A player who has been hit by the ball can stop play and make the call though the call must be made immediately and acknowledged by the referee. Note this interference may, under certain conditions, be declared a penalty hinder. See Rule 3.15.
Rule 3.15 PENALTY HINDERS
A penalty hinder results in the loss of the rally. A penalty hinder does not necessarily have to be an intentional act. Replay hinders are described in Rule 3.14. Any of the following results in a penalty hinder:
(a) Failure to Move. A player does not move sufficiently to allow an opponent a shot straight to the front wall as well as a cross-court shot which is a shot directly to the front wall at an angle that would cause the ball to rebound directly to the rear corner farthest from the player hitting the ball. In addition, when a player moves in such a direction that it prevents an opponent from taking either of these shots.
[this is the scenario your partner is arguing]
(d) Moving into the Ball. Moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by the opponent.
MY RESPONSE:
Your reading of the rule is too literal. When it says "moving into the ball," it also includes the scenario where you move into the 'shot.' Example - you hit the ball to me and it bounces high and slow off the right side wall. As the ball is coming down and I am about to hit the shot down the line, you move into the lane. This could also be interpreted as "moving into the ball."
That being said, it is impossible for me to render a 100% ironclad judgement on your question without watching both of you play. To me, the answer to the question probably lies in the description of the scenario in 3.14 (a).2. In other words, when you are set (regardless of whether you moved into that spot or stayed put), can your opponent hit a shot straight to the front wall as well as a cross-court shot which is a shot directly to the front wall at an angle that would cause the ball to rebound directly to the rear corner farthest from the player hitting the ball? If the answer is YES, it's not a penalty hinder - it's a replay hinder. Again, if your opponent can hit i) a shot straight to the front wall and/or ii) a cross-court shot directly to the front wall at an angle that would cause the ball to rebound directly to the rear corner farthest from the player hitting the ball - this is a replay hinder. If your opponent cannot do both (i) and (ii) the you're in the way. (By the way, when I play with friends, we just make it a replay hinder. I have NEVER called a penalty hinder when playing friends. If someone is truly in my way, I just smack him with the ball - my friends tend to be 'smart' so they get the clue very quickly :-))
Not sure if this answers your Q - let me know if you have any others ...
