There are many rule variations in the outdoor game. The standard USAR rules also apply outdoors. Variations acknowledged by WOR are described below, but there may be local rule exceptions that supersede them. Tournament Directors must put any local rule exceptions in writing. All participants are advised to confirm them prior to playing. Rule modifications must also be posted on the tournament application or on the R2Sports website and also posted at the event’s tournament desk.
Rule 6.1 Court Specifications
Outdoor courts vary in size and there is no “official court size.” Generally, courts should have a minimum 20-foot wide front wall playing surface. Front wall height should be between 16 and 20 feet high. The rest of the court (side walls, ceiling, back wall, and floor) may vary depending on the court type and location. Outdoor courts are generally one of three categories: Three-Wall (short wall), Three-Wall (long wall), and One-Wall.
(a) Three-Wall (short wall) -- The side walls connect at each end of the front wall and vary in size, length, and angle of slope. The playing area, which includes the floor and walls, are generally marked similar to indoor courts. See Rule 6.2(a) for exceptions.
(b) Three-Wall (long wall) -- The side walls connect at the front wall and may extend to the back out line. The playing area, which includes the floor and walls, are generally marked similar to indoor courts. See Rule 6.2(b) for exceptions. Any ceiling area may or may not be in play depending on its material and local rules.
(c) One-Wall -- A one-wall court has no side walls and a front wall only. The playing area, which include the floor and wall, are generally marked. See Rule 6.2(c). The front wall is generally 16 feet high and the floor extends 34 feet to the back line, but court dimensions may vary.
Rule 6.2 Court Markings
Since the sizes of outdoor courts vary, the placement of lines also vary. Outdoor racquetball introduces the addition of one or more of the following special lines: side lines, back line, and singles service lines (for quadrant serving). Unless otherwise specified, a ball is “good” that hits either on or inside these lines.
The markings are generally the same as the USAR standard rules. Both side lines and a back line are drawn as needed, to denote the playing area of the surface of the court. The following exceptions apply:
(a) Three-Wall (short wall) -- There are no receiving line or drive service lines. There may be a quadrant serving line in the center of the court running parallel to the side lines. It extends from the short line to the back line. It shall be the same width as all other lines on the court. Any serve hitting this line is considered good.
(b) Three-Wall (long wall) -- There are no receiving line or drive service lines.
(c) One-Wall -- A one-wall court has no side walls and a front wall only. The playing area, which includes the floor and wall, is generally marked as follows, but may vary:
The court shall be marked with a top line on the wall and two side lines on the floor that extend on the wall up to the top line. The top line shall be at least 16 feet high from its top edge to the floor. The two side lines shall be 20 feet apart from its outside edges and extend from the floor to the top line. The sidelines shall be drawn on the floor perpendicular to the front wall measuring 20 feet apart from its outside edges and extending a minimum of 34 feet away from the wall. It shall have a short line running parallel to the front wall at 16 feet away from the wall to the back edge of the short line. It shall have a “long” line running parallel to the wall at 34 feet away from the wall to the back edge of the line. There shall also be “service” lines (perhaps just “hash marks”) at least 6 inches long, drawn perpendicular to each sideline at 9 feet, midway from the short and long lines. There is also a quadrant serving line in the center of the court running parallel to the side lines and extending from the short line to the back line. All lines on the court shall be the same width. When the ball touches any of the lines other than the short line, it shall be considered “in”.
Rule 6.3 Apparel
(a) Eye Protection: See USAR Rule 2.5(a) for eye protection requirements.
(b) Clothing: Shirts are optional in the outdoor game.
Rule 6.4 Play Regulations
(a) SERVE
(1) All divisions for the outdoor are one serve only. - The service motion shall not begin until the referee has called the score and the server has visually confirmed the receiver's readiness. Serving when the receiver is signaling “not ready” will result in a technical warning. Persistent non-checking of the receiving player or team shall result in a technical foul for delay of game.
(2) If the ball touches a side line or the back line on its first bounce, the ball is considered “in.” In quadrant serving (singles only), if the ball hits the quadrant serving line it is considered “good.”
(3) Quadrant Serving – Used only for singles played on three wall short and one wall courts. When a server first steps in the box to serve, it is an “open” serve -- they may stand anywhere in the service zone and serve to either side of the back court. After winning a rally, that server’s next serve must be to the opposite quadrant of the back court than they served to the first time. Subsequent serves must alternate between each back quadrant, but the server may continue to serve from anywhere in the service zone. After the serve is lost, the new server may start with an “open” serve and then follow with alternating serves as above. This pattern repeats itself throughout the match.
(4) Three-Wall Doubles -- The non-serving partner may take any of the following positions for the serve:
- In "the doubles box" as per standard USAR rules. If the ball goes between the side wall and non-serving partner, it is an automatic screen serve (fault) and the server gets one more attempt at a legal serve. If the serve hits the non-serving partner while they are in the doubles box, this, too, is a fault. Only one fault is allowed and the subsequent fault serve results in an out serve.
- Outside the court beyond the back line. When taking a position beyond the back line, the partner must stay out of the way of the receiving team. If the partner hinders the either receiver, it is an automatic penalty hinder. If the server's partner is hit by the serve in this position, it is an out serve.
- Outside the court, touching the sidewall. If the partner is in this position on the side line and is hit by a serve, it is an out serve.
(5) One-Wall Singles and Doubles, or anytime the server must stand behind the short line. Server must stand in the area between the short line and the hash marks during serve. See Rule 6.2(c).
- One-Wall Doubles or anytime the server must stand behind the short line. Server’s partner must stand in front of hash marks and behind short line outside the court, or outside court in rear while partner is serving.
The non-serving partner may not step onto the playing zone of the court until the serve has passed the short line.
(b) RETURN OF SERVE
(1) Three-Wall (long and short) -- On the return of serve, the receiver(s) may not break the plane of the short line. Doing so results in a point for the server. The receiver shall not interfere with the service motion. If contact is made with the server before the ball crosses the short line, this will be a violation and a point for the server.
(2) One-Wall or anytime the server must stand behind the short line -- During serve, the receiver must treat the hash marks as the “safety line.” The receiver may not cross the hash mark lines until the ball has bounced or crossed the hash mark lines. A violation of this rule will be an automatic point for the server.
(3) One-Wall or anytime the server must stand behind the short line -- The receiver shall not interfere with the service motion. If there is contact made, it will be a violation of this rule and an automatic point for the server.
(c) COURT HINDERS
(1) There are no court hinders unless a local court rule designates a particular aspect of the court as being a court hinder. Sun, wind, and forces of nature are not hinders.
(2) Bevels -- If a ball hits the bevel on the wall and stays in the playing area of the court, the ball remains in play.
(3) Top of wall -- The ball is considered out if it hits the top of the wall even if it lands in the playing area of court. A ball that bounces over a side wall remains in play until it lands outside the playing area of the court.
(4) Stationary objects -- If the ball hits a stationary or fixed object outside the court playing area, the ball shall be considered out. Stationary or fixed objects include, but are not limited to, light poles, benches, fences, etc.
(d) THREE-WALL PLAY HINDERS
(1) If a loose ball enters the court and interferes with play or puts players at risk, play should be stopped and a replay called. It is the players’ and referee's responsibility to stop play immediately if the ball interferes. If the ball does not interfere with play or create a safety issue, play should continue. Interference cannot be called after the rally has ended.
(2) A safety holdup shall not be called on the stationary part of the crowd. Players shall not put the stationary crowd at risk. Players must safely hit the ball prior to entering the stationary crowd. The stationary crowd cannot cause a hinder. Referee shall stop play if the ball enters the stationary crowd. Player shall strike the ball prior to entering the stationary crowd or the ball is dead. Parked vehicles are classified as part of the stationary crowd.
(3) A safety holdup shall be called if play is hindered by players on an adjacent court or any spectators who are not part of the stationary crowd. The player must be able to hit the ball prior to it reaching the stationary crowd. Any vehicle that enters the playing area shall be called a safety holdup. The result of any safety holdup is a replay hinder.
(e) ONE-WALL PLAY HINDERS
(1) Rules 6.4(d)(1)(2)(3) also apply to this section.
(2) The offensive player must be allowed a straight-in shot to the front wall. The defensive player must allow the straight-in shot. Any infraction of this rule is a penalty hinder.
(3) Unintentional racquet contact is a replay hinder. Intentional racquet contact is a penalty hinder. On any play, the referee may determine if the contact/obstruction was intentional or egregious and may call a penalty hinder on the player at fault.
(4) One-wall is played in tight quarters, so extreme care shall be taken for the safety of all players. More compact swings are expected as well as the ability to hold up as needed for safety. Defender must give way to offensive player’s right to a normal swing and follow-through. Contact made on a follow-through, if play stops, may be called a replay hinder. Forward contact is determined by the referee. Generally, safety hinders may be awarded more liberally in one wall.
(5) Any contact made on a back swing shall generally result in a replay hinder unless the referee determines the contact was intentional; then it shall be called a penalty hinder.
(6) Defensive player shall attempt to get out of the way and, if in doing so contact is made, it will result in a replay hinder. If no attempt is made to move out of the way, the result will be a call of penalty hinder on the defensive player. See Rule 3.15(a).
(7) A deliberate unsafe swing by the offensive player (in the referee's judgment) shall be a technical foul. See Rule 3.17.
(f) TECHNICAL FOULS Intentionally launching a ball after a rally has ended is an automatic technical foul for delay of game against the player who launched the ball. This includes launching a ball prior to the referee or opponent confirming that it is broken. In the case of the player launching the ball at the end of a game, then the player or team will begin the next game with an automatic deduction of one point.
(g) LINE JUDGES
(1) Side Lines -- When side line judges are utilized, they shall be utilized exactly like indoor with the exception of calling side lines. The side line judge shall have the first call on side lines and faults on their respective side line only. The referee shall not give an opinion of a ball being in, out, or a fault on a side line unless an appeal is requested. If a ball is out, the line judge should call “out,” and play shall stop. If a player faults, the line judge should call “fault,” and play shall stop. If there is an appeal on the line judge’s call, the appeal will only go to the referee. If the referee disagrees with the line judge’s call, then the rally shall be replayed. If the referee agrees or has no opinion, the call stands. The opposite side line judge does not render an opinion.
(2) Short Line -- When a “short line judge” is utilized, they shall have the first call on short serves and faults involving the short line only. The short line judge should call “short” or “fault” and shall stop play. If there is an appeal, it shall go first to the referee. If the referee agrees, the call stands. If the referee disagrees, it shall be a replay of serve unless side line judges are utilized. If side line judges are utilized, they shall be asked. A two-two tie shall be a replay. A two-one decision, plus one no-call shall result in the decision with the two votes. The short line judge should only give their opinion when there has been an appeal regarding a skipped ball or a two-bounce call. In the event of an appeal regarding a skipped ball or a two-bounce call, it shall go to both side line judges and the short line judge. A two-two tie would be a replay. A two-one decision, plus one no-call would result in the decision with the two votes.
(h) Rain Delays
(1) Amateurs: The tournament director shall make every effort to adjust, delay, or move matches due to rain. Matches, games, or divisions possibly may not be started or completed due to safety concerns, and refunds will generally not be issued due to rain.
(2) Pros: Any event that is not concluded due to rain shall have the total prize money split among the players that are still in the winner’s bracket of the draw when play is suspended (semifinals and/or finals). For example, if prize money was $800 for 1st place and $200 for 2nd place and the division was rained out prior to the semifinals, the prize total of $1,000 would be split four ways, and each player would receive $250. If the division was rained out before the semifinals, prize money would be split at the tournament director's discretion.