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 QUESTION: If you hit the ball and it goes between your legs do you lose the point or is it a replay hinder? also, do you play that you have to win by 2 points? Thanks, Aileen
ANSWER: 1) If you hit the ball and the ball then goes between your legs, it's up to the receiving player to either play the shot OR to call replay hinder. It is NOT a point unless the ball hits you while the ball passes through your legs. (See rule 3.14.4)
3.14 - Replay Hinders
4. Screen Ball. Any ball rebounding from the front wall so close to the body of the defensive player that it prevents the offensive player from having a clear view of the ball. (The referee should be careful not to make the screen call so quickly that it takes away a good offensive opportunity.) A ball that passes between the legs of a player who has just returned the ball is not automatically a screen. It depends on whether the other player is impaired as a result. Generally, the call should work to the advantage of the offensive player.
2) First player to 15 points wins. There is no 'minimum' margin of victory - 15-14 is a possible score.
QUESTION: Two more questions..can you use 2 hands on the racquet? Also, if you call hinder when the ball is going close to your opponent after they hit it, and the ball hits your opponent, do they lose the point? Does calling a hinder immediately stop play?
Answer 1) You cannot use two hands to hold a racquetball racquet.
2) If you call a hinder, play stops immediately. If you do *NOT* call hinder and your opponent hits the ball and the ball hits him/her, serve (or point) goes to you. But only if you did not call hinder - if you call hinder before the ball hits your opponent, play stops immediately.
