Racquetball is played with a racquet, which is smaller at only 22 inches long and has a teardrop-shaped head it has a closed neck and more closely resembles a tennis racket.īoth sports are played with hollow rubber balls. Squash is played with a racket which is 27 inches long and has a narrower head these rackets typically have an open neck like a badminton racquet. In squash, however, it is spelled “racket” after the game of rackets from which squash was derived.
In racquetball, it is spelled “racquet” because Sobek opted to keep the spelling like it was for tennis. The first difference in the equipment is actually in the spelling of racquet. When he couldn’t find exactly what he was looking for, he ended up combining aspects of handball, squash, and tennis into a new game he originally called it paddle rackets. Sobek wanted a game that was easier to learn and play than handball and that was easier on the hands.
Racquetball did not come about until 1949, and it was created by an American named Joe Sobek who was a professional tennis and handball player. They took the rules of a game called “rackets” which was popular in prisons at the time and changed the rules, ultimately creating squash. The students found a punctured racquetball that “squashed” when it made impact with the wall. It was invented by English school kids at Harrow School in 1830. Now that you understand the basics of the two games, we will compare in more detail the similarities and differences between these two sports. In this way, the player can score points and win the game. The goal of the game is to serve and return the ball in such a way that the opposing player will not be able to keep the ball in play.
Just like in squash, the rules of racquetball do not allow for blocking or any other hinderance to another player.Įach player has full access to the ball and the court. Whichever player won the rally then gets to serve. The players rally the ball until one is unable to return the shot without it bouncing on the floor more than once. One player serves the ball by bouncing it once on the floor and then hitting it toward the front wall once it hits the front wall and flies back beyond the serve zone, the rally begins. Racquetball can be played in either singles or doubles, and it is also played in an enclosed court. One main strategy when it comes to playing the game is to try to dominate the T the T is the middle section of the court where the lines intersect this is the most ideal place to play from because the player is able to easily reach all other parts of the court from this location. The goal of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opposing player will not be able to return it. There is no blocking or interference allowed during play.Įach player should be given full range to move and hit the ball. It can only bounce once on the floor before the other player returns it, but it is allowed to hit the side or back walls at any point. To stay in play, the ball must land below the out line, above the tin, and against the front wall. Players can move anywhere in the court during gameplay. Typically, there are two players that are playing against one another in an enclosed court.Įach player takes turns serving with a racket, and once the ball is served, the opposing player must hit it in return. Squash can be played in singles or doubles. Read on for an in depth comparison of squash ball vs racquetball, including a look at the history, equipment, court, and the rules of the game. While these sports may look similar, especially to someone who is unfamiliar with both games, there are actually more differences than similarities between these two games. They are both played with a racket and a small rubber ball on an indoor court, and the object of the game is very similar. As an affiliate, this website earns from qualifying purchases.Īt first look, squash and racquetball appear to be very similar sports. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to.