Racquetball Safety

Racquetball is a fun and fast-paced sport that can be played by 2, 3 or 4 people. Whether you play at the recreational level or the professional level, you can get an excellent workout in a short amount of time. The sport is played in a relatively small area, and without concern for safety, unnecessary injuries can occur. Safety equipment and safe play are essential for the enjoyment of the sport.

  1. Protective Eyewear

    • One of the most serious injuries that can take place while playing racquetball is getting hit in the eye with the ball. The results can be blindness or a detached retina. According to the USA Racquetball official rules, players must wear lensed eyewear specifically designed for racquetball. This is essential for racquetball safety. Regular glasses are not designed to hold up to the impact of high-speed balls or flying rackets.

    Racket Wrist Cords

    • The rules also state that the racket must be secured to your wrist by a cord or strap, sometimes called a thong. This is necessary to prevent the racket from accidentally flying out of the hands of players during play, potentially injuring others or themselves. Failure to use the cord during a rally can result in the loss of a point.

    Shoes

    • The best shoe to wear has a gummed-sole which provides good traction. Regular cross-trainers or tennis shoes are not good shoes because they may leave marks on the court and do not grip the court as well. The rules state that the shoes worn by a player can not mark or damage the court, and racquetball-specific shoes do not. Some are made with higher tops, and if you have weak ankles or are prone to rolling your ankle, these provide better support. The floor can become quite slippery if it gets wet and to avoid slipping during play, wipe any wet spots caused by sweating or by players that fall or dive for balls.

    Racquetball Gloves

    • Although gloves are not as essential as protective eyewear, wearing them can help prevent wrist strain and provide a better grip on the racket. Gloves help to absorb sweat which can cause the racket to slip in the hand or out of the hand during play. Good quality gloves also will protect the hands from blisters and chafing.

    Safe Play

    • Protect you eyes during play; don't watch your opponent as he contacts the ball. A good technique is to hold your racket up next to your face and look through the strings as your opponent gets ready to hit the ball and then turn your head just before contact is made. If you like to play balls off the back wall, protect your face by ducking your head as you make contact. Be aware of where other players are on the court and, if necessary, control your swing to avoid hitting them. Do not intentionally position yourself in such a way that hinders your opponent from hitting the ball where they want. This can result in you getting hit, and a penalty may be called against you.