Rules

Official World Outdoor Racquetball Rules Modifications:

INTRODUCTION
There are many rule variations in the outdoor game. Generally, the standard USAR rules also apply outdoors, except as stated herein.
Variations acknowledged by WOR are described below, but there may be local rule exceptions that supersede them. Tournament directors are advised to put any local rule exceptions in writing and all participants are advised to ask about them prior to playing.
For example, one wall racquetball has many unique local variations.

COURT SPECIFICATIONS
Outdoor courts come in a variety of formats. There is no official size. Play the court that has been built.
Quite often, specific court shapes will result in local rules variations. For example, One wall racquetball has many unique local variations, and quite often quadrant serving will NOT be used for long wall.

BEVELS
If a shot hits the beveled end of the sidewall and remains in play, the shot is good. The beveled top of the front wall and sidewall is also good. Basically, if the ball uses the walls and remains in play, the shot is good.

MARKINGS
Since the size of an outdoor court varies, the placement of lines also varies. Outdoor racquetball introduces the addition of one or more of the following lines: Side Lines, Back Line, and Singles Service Lines.

SIDE AND BACK COURT LINES
All outside court lines (side & back) will be played good as long as the ball bounces inside the court or on any part of the line.

LINE JUDGES
As needed, line judges will be used. Line judges’ responsibility is exactly like USAR rules state – with the exception of how line judges will call the side lines. Line judges have the first call on in/out on sidelines. Line judge should yell OUT and stop play as the first call. When line judges are in place, referee should not give opinion of in/out on a sideline unless appeal is requested.
Player can appeal to referee. So – referee will agree or disagree with line judge on an appeal of a line call. If ref disagrees, then a replay will occur. If ref agrees or has no call – then the call stands. This is only relevant to LINE calls, when line judge has first call.
Everything else is per USAR rules and procedure. If Line judges are in place, referee should not give opinion of in/out on a sideline unless appeal is requested.

RECEIVING LINE
There is no Receiving Line (commonly called the five-foot line) in outdoor racquetball. However, the receiving player or team is not allowed to break the plane of the service box with the racquet swing.In long wall, local rules often revert back to using the receiving line.

APPAREL
Shirts are not required apparel in the outdoor game.

SERVE
All divisions will follow the one-serve rule.

HITTING PARTNER IN THE BOX
If the partner is hit by the server and it is determined that the partner is correctly in the box, under the one-server rule, the server will get one more opportunity for a legal serve. A subsequent screen serve will result in an out.
It is possible for a partner to save what would otherwise be an out serve by properly being in the box and getting hit with the serve. It is the duty of the referee to determine if the partner was properly situated in the box.

RECEIVING PARTNER SIGNALING NOT READY
Outdoor racquetball follows the Professional rules on this issue. A rally must be played for a rally to be won. Persistent non-checking of the receiving player or team can result in a technical for delay of game (loss of point), but generally, the referee shall require a rally for the receiving player/team to take possession of the serve.

COURT HINDERS
There are no court hinders unless a local court rule designates a particular aspect of the court as being a court hinder.

SUN, WIND AND FORCES OF NATURE
The elements of nature are not a hinder.

LIGHT POLES
Light poles are out of play. Local rules may apply.

BOUNCING OVER SIDE WALLS
A ball bouncing over the sidewall is a legal shot unless overridden by a local court rule.

SAFETY HOLDUP
A Safety Holdup is extended to include players on adjacent courts.

MOVING CROWD
When dropping back deep, a safety holdup can be called only on the moving part of the crowd as opposed to the stationary crowd. Player cannot put stationary crowd ar risk. The players must safely hit the ball prior to entering the stationary crowd. The stationary crowd cannot cause a hinder. Referee should stop play if ball enters stationary crowd. Player must strike the ball prior to entering stationary crowd or ball is dead.

DOUBLES PARTNER POSITION
In doubles, the partner to the server may take position outside the court beyond the back line or take position in the normal doubles box. When taking a position beyond the back line, the partner must stay out of the way of the receiving team. If the partner becomes a hinder, it is up to the referee to determine if the hinder was an avoidable hinder. Again, local rules may allow for partner standing on sideline.

TECHNICAL FOULS AND WARNINGS
In addition to the normal technical fouls and warnings, launching the game ball while not in a rally is a technical foul. The violation is a form of a delay of game. Launching a broken ball prior to it being confirmed works against the player sending the ball sailing.

COURT SPECIFICATIONS
Outdoor courts vary in size and there is no official size.

COURT MARKINGS
Generally, the markings are the same as the USAR s standard rules, except that on an outdoor court, there is no receiving (5-foot) line. Since the size of outdoor courts may vary, the exact placement of other lines may also vary. Both side lines and a back line are drawn as needed, to denote play area on the surface of the court.
Some outdoor courts may also have singles service lines to reduce the server’s advantage. These lines are placed inside each side line and run from the short line to the back line. These lines are only in force during the serve and are not used for doubles play.

PLAY REGULATIONS

  • All divisions follow the USAR’s basic one serve rules. Generally, a rally must be played for the receiver(s) to win a point or take possession of the serve.
  • Serving when the receiver(s) are not ready is generally excused. However, persistent serving without checking the receiver(s) can result in a technical foul (loss of point) for delay of game.
  • In doubles, the non-serving partner may take a position in the normal doubles box or outside the court beyond the back line or side line. If the non-serving partner hinders the receiving team on the return of serve, the referee may call a penalty hinder.
  • On the return of serve, the receiver(s) may not break the plane of the short line and doing so results in a point for the server.
  • If the ball bounces on a side line or the back line on its first bounce, the ball is considered in. When the singles service line is used, a served ball that bounces on it is in. If the ball hits the beveled end of a side wall or the beveled top of the front wall or a side wall and remains in play, the shot is good. A ball that bounces over a side wall is legal, however, as always posted local rules may declare that such a shot is out when long-wall courts are used.
  • Generally, there are no court hinders. However, posted local rules, may prevail.
  • A safety holdup (replay hinder) also includes consideration given to players on an adjacent court or any spectators who are not part of the stationary crowd.
  • Intentionally launching a ball following a rally is a technical foul for delay of game against the player who sent the ball sailing. This includes launching a ball prior to the referee or opponent confirming that it is broken.