Racquetball basics
Types of games: Played by two (singles) or four (doubles) players
Objective: Win each rally by serving or returning the ball so the opponent is unable to keep the ball in play. A rally is over when a hinder is called or when a player or doubles team is unable to hit the ball before it bounces twice or is unable to return the ball in such a way that it touches the front wall before it touches the floor.
Points: Scored only by the serving side, when it serves an ace or wins a rally.
Match, game, tiebreaker: The first side to win two games wins a match. The first two games are played to 15 points — winning by one point. If each side wins a game, a tiebreaker is played to 11 points.
(SOURCE: USA Racquetball)
Fitness benefits
Rougly 640-822 calories burned per hour.
Works nearly every muscle group in the body.
During an average 20-minute game, a player will run approximately 3,650 feet, or more than two miles in an hour.
Offers both aerobic and anaerobic benefits with both sustained high-level heart-rate activity and quick bursts of energy.
Upcoming local Ohio Racquetball Association events
(For a complete listing of state events, go online to www.ohioracquetball.com.)
Sept. 20-21: Annual ORA Free USRA/ORA Memberships Tourney, The Heights Racquetball & Fitness Club, Huber Heights
Oct. 3, 5: Annual Countryside YMCA Racquetball Tournament, Countryside YMCA, Lebanon
Nov. 8-9: 2014 ORA State Doubles Championships, The Heights Racquetball & Fitness Club, Huber Heights
Camaraderie and calorie burning — what could be better.
“Racquetball is one of the easiest sports to pick up,” said Doug Ganim, president of the Ohio Racquetball Association. “Two beginners could go at it, have fun and have a great workout.”
But that ease of play is both a “blessing and a curse,” Ganim said.
“It’s so easy to play that no one needs to take lessons, you can have a 20-shot rally your first time out” he said. “So people love it when they try it, but we don’t have a bunch of pros and coaches talking about it and promoting the sport.”
David Keefe, who has been playing for 30 years, is just one of those who truly loves the sport — so much so that he is now in the business. When a longtime Huber Heights racquetball club closed its doors in 2007, Keefe and a group of 13 other former club members bought what is now The Heights Racquetball & Fitness Club. With 10 racquetball courts, The Heights is Dayton’s largest racquetball facility and offers leagues, tournaments and lessons.
“I think I’m part Labrador retriever, if I have a ball out in front of me, I go after it” Keefe said, smiling. “I don’t even notice that I’ve been running around playing for an hour and a half.
“But I truly believe that diet and exercise are the keys to living a long and happy life and I can’t think of a better way to exercise than playing racquetball.”
Efficient fitness
Players can burn 600 or more calories an hour playing racquetball. An average game takes about 20 minutes, so it’s easy to get a match completed in an hour.
“It really fits in with today’s busy lifestyle,” Ganim said. “You can get in a good workout in a short amount of time and have fun doing it.”
Racquetball also provides a good cardio workout and works almost every muscle group in the body.
Fitness for all
All ages and ability levels can play and enjoy the sport.
Junior Team Ohio is a free program offered by the Ohio Racquetball Association for young players 5-18 years old. Members receive coaching, participate in camps and compete in tournaments. For information, visit www.ohioracquetball.com.
While the ORA focuses on the competitive side of the sport for its 600+ members, beginners can take lessons at area clubs or compete in leagues against players at their level.
From children to college players and young adults to senior citizens, the sport is played by a wide range of competitors. Keefe has members at The Heights well into their 80s who play the game regularly.
“It’s a lifetime sport,” he said.
Getting in the game
The Heights is just one of several local facilities that offer racquetball as the Countryside YMCA in Lebanon, Kettering Tennis Center and Five Seasons all have racquetball courts as do several area universities.
If you want to check out the game, the Ohio Racquetball Association is hosting several local tournaments in the area this fall.
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