Tips for Selecting Racquetball Racquets and Racquetball Rules on Racket Length

Choosing a racquetball racquet is tough to do regardless of what skill level you are or how long you have been playing. There are so many racquet ball racquets to choose from and each year the manufacturers make a whole new product line.

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It is important to keep in mind your playing style and body type when making a decision on what type of racquetball racquet to purchase. If you are larger and stronger than the average person, you should consider a heavier racquetball racquet, one with a weight of around 195 grams. For smaller guys and women I recommend a racquetball racquet weighing 155 – 175 grams. Many of the pros play with a racquet around 175 grams, but they vary.

Another important consideration when purchasing a racquetball racquet is its weight balance. Look to see if the racquet ball racquet is head-heavy, evenly balanced, or head-light. The only way to know which feel you will prefer is to demo the different types and see how your swing form feels with each balance type. I went from playing with a head-light racquet to a head-heavy racquetball racquet that was a little heavier and it made my arm elbow begin to hurt.

Besides the racquet ball racquet you choose, the racquetball strings and racquetball grips you use will greatly affect the overall performance of your racquetball equipment used after you play.

Most manufactures make racquetball racquets now that meet all the guidelines set forth in the racquetball rule book, but in case you are interested:

Rule 2.4 a in USA racquetball rule book describes the racquetball racquet, including bumper guard and all solid parts of the handle, may not exceed 22 inches in its length. Using an illegal racquetball racquet or other racquetball gear results in the forfeiture of the game in progress or, if discovered between games, forfeiture of the preceding game.

I have personally seen the effects of this racquetball rule on the highest level of play – the racquetball world championships in 2006 in the Dominican Republic. This racquetball rule cost the team the game, and they later lost the match! Quite a penalty for such a basic racquetball rule!

The IRF has since modified the penalty of this rule and changed it from a loss of game to only a technical foul which only results in a loss of point – quite a different penalty than loss of the entire game! Adding to the IRF racquetball rule, if a player or coach asks for a racquet measurement and the racquet is determined to be of legal length, a delay of game technical is given costing the requesting player a point!

The USAR is considering changing their racquetball rules regarding the racquetball racquet length to more closely resemble the International rules that were recently adopted.

Choosing which racquet to use is probably the biggest decision you will have in selecting your equipment to play racquetball. Read what other players have said in our racquet ball racquets reviews and ratings summaries.