Racquetball
If you have ever played tennis, handball, 
or squash, racquetball would probably be right up your alley. This sport requires agility, speed, and hand-eye coordination, and is excellent for improving cardiovascular health and muscle tone. Use this guide to learn about buying the proper racquet and more.
Racquetball requires two main pieces of equipment: a racquet and a ball. However, you should also consider investing in protective eyewear. Enthusiasts may also choose to buy racquetball gloves and racquetball shoes. This guide will discuss each of these items in detail.
Choosing the Right Racquet
- Ability and Racquet Weight -- The weight of racquetball racquets varies from 175 grams to 245 grams.
- If you are a strong player, you will need a light racquet that is responsive and that reacts quickly to your movements. This will help the strong player improve his or her accuracy and defensive playing.
- If you are a beginner, chances are that you will need a heavy racquet in order to produce enough power to really blast the ball. A racquet that is too light will require a lot of effort on the player's behalf and cause premature fatigue.
- Grip -- You will need a strong hold on the handle of the racquet. However, depending on the size of your hand, you may need something bigger or smaller. Also, depending on what type of reaction you want from the racquet, grip size will also play a role in your racquet choice.
- If you want more control and snap in the wrist, choose a smaller grip. Always go small and work up to a larger grip. If you find the grip too small, you can always increase it with tape as a last resort.
- For choosing the approximate size, consider what size gloves you wear. For medium-sized hands, a grip of 3-11/16" is adequate. For very large hands, 3-15/16" or larger is best.
- Head -- Racquets come in different sizes, but mostly they are one shape, which is rectangular. The larger they are, the easier it is to hit the ball on the right spot and they are more powerful.
- Large heads make it easier for beginners to make a good shot. Between 98 and 102 square inches is considered large.
- More skilled players should go for a smaller head, between 96 and 100 square inches.
- For the expert who relies on accuracy and speed, stick to a head no larger than 98 square inches.
- String bed style -- There are two main styles. Square is most common, but a fan-shaped string bed generates a more powerful hit. You can see the fan-shaped string style in the picture to the right.
- Material -- For more power, go for graphite. It is a stronger material and it can support more string tension, which will in turn create a harder hitting racquet.
- Brand -- Head, Ektelon, Wilson, Pro, E-Force, and Kennex are the most popular.
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Get a Racquetball Ball
- Have Backups. Balls are made of rubber and tend to be sensitive to hard hits. Always be prepared and have an extra canister of balls on hand just in case one is ruined. Also remember that a ball is usually ready for replacement either once the label has been worn off or when the surface becomes smooth.
- Choose the right color. Racquetballs are colored according to playing skill level. Available colors include blue, green, black, purple, and orange. The color is not just a matter of preference, but rather a standardized measure of bounce intensity.
- Purple -- These are less common, and primarily geared towards the recreational user. They are not acceptible for tournament use.
- Pro Penn Green -- These are very unruly, bouncy balls, aimed at more advanced players who have the knack for controlling a lively ball. Not recommended for beginners. They are beginning to be used as competition balls in certain locations.
- Blue -- Made by Penn, Ektelon, and Wilson. These are the most common for intermediate and advanced players, and they are usually the staple color for competition. Penn is the most popular but the Wilson balls tend to have a longer lifespan. Ektelon, while offering a good amount of bounce, tends to break more easily than the other brands.
- Brands: Penn, Ektelon, and Wilson are popular.
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Opting for Protective Eye Gear
- Why wear eyewear?
- To save your eyes from getting pegged with a ball, of course.
- If you wear glasses or contact lenses, protective eyewear is a must.
- The same goes for anyone who has had laser eye surgery or those who have sight problems in one eye.
- Price and Brand.
- Choose the right features.
- Make sure that the eye gear you choose is constructed of heavy duty polycarbonate lenses.
- Anti-scratch and anti-fog lenses are also features to look for.
- Choose comfort and convenience.
- Comfortable nose pads and side arms are crucial to attaining proper eye wear fit.
- So that your eye gear doesn't fly off of your face while playing, opt for those that include a headstrap as part of the deal.
- If you wear glasses, make sure they fit under the style you choose.
- Lens color.
- Some eyewear features tinted lenses.
- Light blue is used by Ektelon, which claims that the color will help reduce glare and produce better viewing while on the court. However, the majority of the racquetball goggles on the market are clear.
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Choosing Gloves
- Why gloves?
- Gloves are useful because they keep your hands from becoming chapped or blistered; plus, they help reduce sweat and slipperiness that may affect your grip.
- Material
- Choose ventilation.
- To improve the quality of your game, you want as little moisture as possible between your hand and the racquet.
- Vents, usually the mesh kind, will help keep your hands cool and dry. Some gloves have holes on the backs of the hands.
- Quality over quantity.
- Remember: you only need one glove! Make sure it is either reinforced or has double stitching.
- Brands: E-Force, Ektelon, Head, ProKennexx, and Wilson are popular.
Comfortable Shoes
- Like with most footwear choices, the primary concern is going to be comfort.
- Searching for soles.
- After trying on and fitting shoes for the proper size, just be sure that the shoes have responsive, high traction soles. The gummy kind with rubbery traction are best.
- The soles should be light in color so that they won't leave scuff marks on the court floor.
- Opt for a lightweight shoe that allows you to start and stop as quickly as possible.
- Brands: Adidas and Wilson make quality shoes.
Official Racquetball Rules
- See the guide by the U.S. Racquetball Association for the official rules on amateur and competition play.
