30 Must-Know Racquetball Terms, Phrases and Slang

Hey racquetball rookies and court conquerors!

Are you ready to charge the front wall of racquetball rhetoric?

From wicked “Aces” to gravity-defying “Z-balls,” these 30 must-know terms will transform your chatter from beginner to boss.

Gear up to sling slang and steamroll the rally of racquetball lingo. Game on!

Must-Know Racquetball Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Ace
2. Back wall
3. Boast
4. Ceiling shot
5. Drive serve
6. Fault
7. Forehand
8. Game point
9. Hinder
10. Kill shot
11. Lob serve
12. Match point
13. Nick
14. Pass shot
15. Rally
16. Serve
17. Side out
18. Splint
19. Stroke
20. Tin
21. Wallpaper serve
22. Z-ball
23. Angle shot
24. Cross-court
25. Doubles
26. Front wall
27. Handout
28. Penalty hinder
29. Rollout
30. Service box

#1 Ace

In racquetball, an ace is a serve that the opponent is unable to return, resulting in a point for the server. It is a powerful weapon that can give players a significant advantage.

#2 Back Wall

The back wall is the rear boundary of the racquetball court beyond which the ball cannot go if hit directly without touching the front wall first. It often comes into play for defensive shots and rebounds.

#3 Boast

A boast is a shot in racquetball where the ball is hit against a side wall at an angle so that it then strikes the front wall. It’s typically used to catch an opponent off guard and create difficult angles.

#4 Ceiling Shot

A ceiling shot in racquetball is a defensive move where the ball is hit upward towards the ceiling, causing it to drop in the back court. It’s used to push opponents away from the front wall.

#5 Drive Serve

The drive serve in racquetball is a hard, low serve shot directly towards the back wall, attempting to limit the opponent’s return options. It’s intended to be offensive, putting pressure on the opponent.

#6 Fault

A fault is a serve that does not meet the legal requirements of play in racquetball, such as not crossing the short line or hitting the ball out of bounds, resulting in a second serve or side out.

#7 Forehand

In racquetball, the forehand stroke is used to hit the ball with the racquet held on the same side of the body as the dominant hand. This is the most natural and powerful stroke for most players, used for both offensive and defensive shots.

#8 Game Point

Game point refers to the situation where a player or team is one point away from winning a specific game within the match. Holding game point means that scoring the next point will secure the game for the player or team.

#9 Hinder

An unintentional interference by the opponent that negatively impacts a player’s ability to play the ball. When a hinder occurs, it typically results in the rally being replayed to ensure fairness in the competition.

#10 Kill shot

A powerfully hit shot that bounces twice on the floor before the opponent has any chance to reach it, usually aimed low on the front wall. This type of shot is often used to end a rally with authority.

#11 Lob serve

A strategic serve where the ball is hit in a high arc, intended to land deep in the court, giving the server time to position themselves while challenging the receiver’s backcourt skills. It is used to create a defensive setup.

#12 Match point

A situation in which the serving player or team can win the entire match by winning the current rally. This high-pressure point can conclude a competitive engagement with victory for the server upon successful execution.

#13 Nick

Refers to the corner where the wall meets the floor or two walls meet. A ball that hits a “nick” will often rebound at an irregular angle, making it difficult for the opponent to return and can end a rally.

#14 Pass shot

A shot that travels past the opponent, typically close to the side walls, designed to prevent the opponent from making a valid return. It’s an essential shot for maintaining offensive pressure during a rally.

#15 Rally

A rally in racquetball is a sequence of play where the ball is in motion between players, starting with the serve and continuing as players alternately hit the ball against the front wall until one player fails to make a legal return.

#16 Serve

The serve in racquetball initiates play and involves one player hitting the ball so that it first strikes the front wall and returns past a designated line on the floor, ideally in such a manner that it challenges the opponent to make a good return.

#17 Side Out

A situation in racquetball where the serving player loses the point and the service possession, handing over the serve to the opponent. This pivotal moment can shift the momentum of the game.

#18 Splint

The term “splint” does not have a standard or common usage in racquetball terminology. It may have been included erroneously or confused with a term from another sport.

#19 Stroke

A fundamental term for the motion used to hit the ball with the racquet in racquetball, strokes can be forehand or backhand, and correct technique is crucial for effective play. Mastering various strokes is essential for strategic shot-making.

#20 Tin

“Tin” is not a term commonly used in racquetball. It is more familiar in squash, where it refers to the lower part of the front wall, which is out of bounds. In racquetball, there might be confusion with the out-of-bounds areas, but they do not use a tin.

#21 Wallpaper Serve

A serve in racquetball where the ball is hit so closely to the side wall that it ‘sticks’ like wallpaper, making it extremely difficult for the opponent to return. This advanced serve requires precision and control.

#22 Z-ball

A shot in racquetball in which the ball is hit in such a way that it ricochets off the front wall to a side wall, then the other side wall, creating a ‘Z’ pattern. It is used to confuse the opponent and is difficult to anticipate.

#23 Angle Shot

A tactical shot in racquetball where the player hits the ball towards the front wall at an angle, causing it to rebound away from the opponent. This creates a challenging shot for the opponent to return and can open up the court.

#24 Cross-court

A shot or pass that travels from one side of the court to the other, diagonally crossing the playing area. Cross-court shots are often used to outmaneuver opponents by making the ball travel the greatest distance.

#25 Doubles

Racquetball played with four players, forming two teams of two. Communication and coordination between partners are crucial in doubles, as players have to share the court and alternate shots.

#26 Front wall

The primary playing surface in racquetball where most shots are directed and from which the ball must bounce back into play. A good strategy often involves hitting the ball at specific points on the front wall to control the rally.

#27 Handout

In doubles racquetball, when the serving team loses a point, control transfers to one of the players on the serving team. A handout does not result in the opposing team gaining service, simply the other partner on the serving team.

#28 Penalty hinder

A rules violation where a player’s actions prevent their opponent from having a fair chance to hit the ball. The result of a penalty hinder is a loss of rally or point for the player committing the hinder.

#29 Rollout

A shot that hits the front wall low and rolls out directly without bouncing, making it nearly impossible for the opponent to return. Rollouts are often the result of perfect kill shots and are highly celebrated.

#30 Service box

The service box in racquetball is the area within which the server must stand to deliver the serve. The server must not step on or over the lines of the service box until after striking the ball. The service box is a key area in dictating the initial dynamics of each rally.

FAQ