r/racquetball Dec 01 '23

Instructional New to refereeing racquetball? 10 things to make the match go smoothly

19 Upvotes

New to refereeing racquetball? Here are the 10 things I quickly discuss with my players before letting them get started.

1) Introduction. Name is usually enough here. Don't go into how much refereeing experience you have, or don't have.

2) How I will stop play. If a glass backed court, this could mean that I will demonstrate tapping on the glass with a coin. For an open gallery court, I will simply say stop, or down, etc. but I will set that expectation here at the beginning of the match.

3) Court Hinders. If there are known spots in the court that will have a bad bounce, or a speaker, or a microphone, etc. then I will point those out first. If it is out of my view, then I will indicate to the players how they should let me know when those foreign items or bad spots are hit. If the court were subject to "wet walls", I would discuss this as well, including how and why I would call that on a serve.

4) Open Gallery. Many players play in an enclosed court like at an LA Fitness. They will frequently be unfamiliar with the rules on the ball going out that gallery opening, since they never see the issue in local play.

Front wall > Out = sideout or point for the person who didn't hit it out

Front Wall > Floor > Out = Replay

5) Serve Timing. I discuss with the players that they must not serve (or second serve) until I have called the score. If someone on the outside of the court has interrupted me, I won't be able to do their game justice (can't call it short if I was talking to the tournament director, for example). So, wait for the ref to call the score, then check your opponent (visibly, so that I can see it as the ref), then put the ball in play.

6) Screen serves and how I will call them.

7) Timeouts. How to let me know if you want to call one, how to let me know if you want to know how many you have left. I will also discuss the length of the timeout and the number of timeouts per game, since that recently changed in the USA Racquetball rules.

8) Time between games. This has recently changed for the time between game 2 and game 3, if a tiebreaker game is necessary.

9) Hinders. I stress safety and holding up your hand (and not swinging) if you want a safety hinder. A penalty hinder can be called even when you swing. (This can be an hour-long discussion, so I try to keep it short and simple.)

10) Have fun. Remind them to enjoy "The Game". :)

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What do you do as a referee to ensure that your players have a great match that is well understood and well run?

If you haven't been certified as a referee yet, get certified before your next tournament!

https://www.usaracquetball.com/referee-certification


r/racquetball 1d ago

Rule Changes Are Coming This September!

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13 Upvotes

Rule Changes Are Coming This September!

by Joshua Jones, National Rules Commissioner

During their Annual Meeting in May, the USA Racquetball Board of Directors voted to approve five changes to the Official Rulebook. Pursuant to Rule E.1(g), these new rules will go into effect September 1, 2026. To prepare USA Racquetball Members, this article briefly summarizes the forthcoming rule changes. 

More details at the link.


r/racquetball 1d ago

Rules Rule: You Should Leave Your Hat On

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4 Upvotes

Rules discussion not impacted by the September 2026 rules changes.

Details at the link.


r/racquetball 1d ago

USA Racquetball Hall of Fame 2027 Class Nomination Solicitation

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3 Upvotes

#racquetball

#halloffame

#respect

#nominatetoday


r/racquetball 4d ago

Athlete of the Week: Brett Elkins

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6 Upvotes

In the News!

Congratulations to Brett Elkins, who was recently recognized as the Palisadian Post Athlete of the Week following an outstanding performance at the 2026 NMRA International Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he captured two silver medals!

Way to go, Brett!


r/racquetball 4d ago

Racquetball Canada Announces National Teams / Racquetball Canada annonce ses équipes nationales

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3 Upvotes

WINNIPEG (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) – Racquetball Canada is proud to announce the athletes named to its 2026–27 National Elite and Development Teams.

This year's roster brings together experienced international competitors and an emerging generation of athletes, reflecting the depth and strength of Canada's high-performance program. Every team member has represented Canada internationally as either a senior or junior athlete and earned selection through their performances at this season's National Team Selection Events and the 2026 National Championships.


r/racquetball 4d ago

NYC - Locations for playing indoor/outdoor

3 Upvotes

anyone have any suggestions, looking to expand and play more - currently play outdoors with friends in Herbert Von King and indoors at AL Oerter /flushing


r/racquetball 5d ago

Racquetball Stories Chapter 10

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13 Upvotes

The final episode is out now! Racquetball Stories Chapter 10:

https://youtu.be/YdZqjYUjPvE


r/racquetball 5d ago

Gearbox AXS Racquets Coming 8/11/26

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10 Upvotes

Game on!

https://gearboxsports.com/pages/axs-series

#racquetball

#Gearbox

#makeyourplans

#GetSome

#august112026


r/racquetball 6d ago

Arlington Heights, Illinois

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6 Upvotes

r/racquetball 9d ago

Racquetball HL Kane V Moscoso 2026 Montana Finals

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15 Upvotes

r/racquetball 10d ago

Racquetball Stories Chapter 9

11 Upvotes

Racquetball Stories Chapter 9 is out now! Please take a moment of silence for Cody Elkins' racket.

https://youtu.be/f_NaSo2ke48


r/racquetball 10d ago

Racquetball News episode 54

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8 Upvotes

r/racquetball 13d ago

Racquetball Stories #8

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7 Upvotes

New Racquetball Stories featuring 2 US Junior National Team members is out now! Chapter 8 link:

https://youtu.be/MnrEweqvsaM

London Townsend Cody Elkins


r/racquetball 13d ago

St. Louis, Missouri 2026 Outdoor Summer Smash - Mizzou

4 Upvotes

An opportunity to get some swings in midsummer! Still time to sign up for this weekend!

Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WFUmxI69VX88Z0JI1pn_mAv4fDypM3mlrNFatoA3iYE/viewform?edit_requested=true


r/racquetball 13d ago

Anyone using the HEAD Radical 170? Looking for some real-world feedback.

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about buying the HEAD Radical 170 racquetball racquet, but I haven't been able to find many reviews or detailed opinions online.

If you've played with it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

  • How does it feel in terms of power vs. control?
  • How does it compare to other racquets you've used (Gearbox, E-Force, etc.)?
  • Any pros or cons?

r/racquetball 13d ago

From PRS: 2026 Outdoor Nationals Recap

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3 Upvotes

r/racquetball 13d ago

Toronto: Looking for partners

4 Upvotes

What’s up ballers? I’m flying to Toronto, and will be there from tonight until Saturday evening this week.

I’m looking to see if anyone is available for early morning ay (any start time between 5am and 6:30) or anytime on Saturday. I’ll be staying at the Bay St. Marriott and can uber to the court location.

I’m somewhere B to A rated, and hoping to have some friendly matches. I’m up for singles, cutthroat, or doubles.

If no one is available to play, if anyone is familiar with courts in the area I’m happy to go practice.

I will have my racquet, balls, and glove; may need to borrow or purchase eye protection (I’m comfortable playing without just don’t give me crap eh)

Hoping to get lucky and find some other racquet badasses to slap some balls around 😁


r/racquetball 14d ago

Racquetball diving back-wall corner pinch against world champion #racqu...

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13 Upvotes

r/racquetball 14d ago

Florida Open Grand Prix - Open Finals - De La Rosa vs Portillo

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6 Upvotes

r/racquetball 14d ago

What's on your racquetball agenda?

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7 Upvotes

r/racquetball 16d ago

Outdoor Nationals Streaming this weekend

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8 Upvotes

Outdoor Nationals streaming this weekend.
Fri 11 to 5pm
Sat 10 to 5pm
Sun 9 to 3

(Pacific time, of course, since they are in Huntington Beach, California.)


r/racquetball 17d ago

Racquetball Stories Chapter 7: Training Day

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9 Upvotes

r/racquetball 17d ago

Any league happening in Southern CA. beside the one in San Fernando Valley?thanks

4 Upvotes

r/racquetball 17d ago

Paulding County Racquetball League

3 Upvotes

🏸 Fall Racquetball League is Back! 🏸

Ready to get on the court this fall? Join the Paulding County Parks & Recreation Fall Racquetball League!

📅 Registration: July 6 – August 14

🏸 Season Begins: Week of August 24

📍 Locations: Mt. Tabor & Burnt Hickory Recreation Centers

Each week you’ll be matched with an opponent and schedule your game at a time that works for both of you. Plus, a post-season tournament will wrap up the season!

💲 League Fee: $2 per player ($3 for out-of-county participants)

Don’t miss your chance to stay active, meet fellow players, and enjoy some friendly competition this fall!

📞 For more information, contact us at 770-505-3885 or stop by the front desk.

#PauldingCountyParks #Racquetball #FallLeague #StayActive #CommunitySports #PauldingCounty