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Rules Notice

2007 USAR OFFICIAL RULES OF RACQUETBALL

Includes Rule Changes Effective September 1, 2007 This updated rulebook contains several additions/revisions from the previously published version (©2004). The most significant changes affected Rule 2.4(e); Rule 3.9(j); Rule 3.17(a)6; Policy A.6; and Policy A.8.

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• Downloadable/Printable Rulebook (32 pages)

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Junior Olympic Mixed Doubles Rule

JUNIOR OLYMPICS MIXED DOUBLES SERVING RULE

The girl may serve to either opponent. But the boy must serve to the boy -- such that the serve clearly appears to be intended for the boy to return and so that the served ball could bounce and be played on the boy’s side of the court.
If the side of the court the boy is defending is unclear (if he is standing at or near the center of the court), then the server may ask the receiver to declare which side he is defending.

After the score or “second serve” has been called and before he serves the ball, the boy should indicate which side he is serving to -- the one the boy is defending. After that indication, if the receiving team chooses to switch sides, the boy may serve to the left side of the court if he chooses without regard to which side the boy is on when the serve is made.

Any serve that fails meet the above criteria is a fault serve. Should the girl return the boy’s serve and the serve otherwise comply with this rule, then a “no serve” will be called and that serve will be repeated.

Official Rules of Racquetball

3.16 - Timeouts

(a) Rest Periods. Each player or team is entitled to three 30-second timeouts in games to 15 and two 30-second timeouts in games to 11. Timeouts may not be called by either side once the service motion has begun. Calling for a timeout when none remain or after the service motion has begun will result in the assessment of a technical foul for delay of game. If a player takes more than 30 seconds for a single timeout, the referee may automatically charge any remaining timeouts, as needed, for any extra time taken. Once all time allowed has expired, a delay of game technical foul can be assessed. A player who leaves the court should call a timeout or else advise the referee of the reason for leaving the court. If a player leaves the court without advising the referee, a timeout may be charged to that player. If none remain, the referee may assess a technical foul for delay of game; however, the referee may excuse a delay if the player’s reason for leaving was to correct a problem affecting the playability of the court, such as obtaining a towel to dry the court or disposing of some foreign material from the court.

(b) Injury. If a player is injured during the course of a match because of contact, such as with the ball, racquet, wall, floor, or another player, an injury timeout will be awarded. While a player may call more than one timeout for the same injury or for additional injuries that occur during the match, a player is not allowed more than a total of 15 minutes of rest for injury during the entire match. If the injured player is not able to resume play after total rest of 15 minutes, the match shall be awarded to the opponent. 1. Should any external bleeding occur, the referee must halt play as soon as the rally is over, charge an injury timeout to the person who is bleeding, and not allow the match to continue until the bleeding has stopped. 2. Muscle cramps and pulls, fatigue, and other ailments that are not caused by direct contact on the court will not be considered an injury. Injury time is also not allowed for pre-existing conditions.

(c) Equipment Timeouts. Players are expected to keep all clothing and equipment in good, playable condition and are expected to use regular timeouts and time between games for adjustment and replacement of equipment. If a player or team is out of timeouts and the referee determines that an equipment change or adjustment is necessary for fair and safe continuation of the match, the referee may grant an equipment timeout not to exceed 2 minutes. The referee may allow additional time under unusual circumstances.

(d) Between Games. The rest period between the first two games of a match is 2 minutes. If a tiebreaker is necessary, the rest period between the second and third game is 5 minutes.

(e) Postponed Games. Any games postponed by referees shall be resumed with the same score as when postponed.