How Do You Keep the Ball Low in Racquetball? (Special Tips)

Have you been practicing racquetball? Do you think you are now able to match an experienced player in the sport? Aside from the sport’s theory, you should know two more very important shots that will help you force your opponent into the backcourt. These are offensive and defensive shots. With these, you can have total control of the center position on the pitch. But how do you keep the ball low in a racquetball match?

To keep the ball low in racquetball you should move closer to the ball for you to achieve a low ball. However, it can be somewhat challenging if you may find yourself trying to hit the ball downwards. You can easily miss such balls. Therefore grip the racquet tightly, and move where the ball will go low.

To make it, being an experienced racquetball player, you need to be aware of several shots and faults in the game. Read ahead for detailed facts on the sport.

What Are The Best Racquetball Strategies?

The best racquetball strategies are a return of serve, rally strategy, and keeping the ball low. These, however, differ from one to another and their effectiveness is only guaranteed when applied appropriately.

You not only win a racquetball match, but you win smart. However, as much as the sport may look to be all about serving, returning serves, and maintaining a rally, I think I should tell you it’s more than you think.

You, therefore, need acute strategies that will boost your winning and elevate your gameplay to another level. Maybe one of the things the experienced players hardly share about the game, is you need to be tactful. So with the right tactics, it doesn’t matter what kind of player you are playing against, you will win the game.

So here are the best all-time strategies that rock racquetball matches as long as you use them effectively.

Return of Serve

This occurs when you have not been lucky enough to start the game, although that still does not mean you won’t win. So before your opponent serves the ball, observe their position. If he is by the center it will be to his advantage, but if he is at the far left or right, make sure your return does not pull him to the center, rather, it should send him to the farthest corner.

But you need to realize that most people always aim to serve the ball from behind, then rush forward to fix their attention on you. But it is not possible as long as you are smart enough. Advisably, your first return should be a strong and long serve. If you can’t manage a fast shot, you can aim for the ceiling. That will still give you higher chances of the leads in the game.

Rally Strategy

The objective of rallies in racquetballs is always to return the ball in a manner that your opponent will not manage to hit it back. However, it can be somewhat challenging, since what you aim for is also your opponent’s goal. Therefore, only the smartest player can win a rally.

So you should avoid hitting a ball that will come back to the center court, because you will have to move back to accommodate your rival’s hit, losing your chances.

One of the goals you should always have in a racquetball rally is aiming for pass shots. This will push the opponent out of their comfort zone because your hit would be far beyond their reach. So he will have to move out for the ball. However, at times you may feel you should retaliate with a ceiling shot. 

But ceiling shots should be your last resolution during a rally when you feel the opponent has been too much on you. Even then you should make sure the ceiling shot is one hard and quality shot.

What Are The Basic Types of Serves In Racquetball?

The basic type of serves in racquetball is the Lob serve, Z serves, and Drive serve. Among lob serves, there are High lobs and Half lobs. By implementing either of these, you can shoot over to the wide-area at the back of the court.

At this point in the game, I am assuming you are aware that the type of services you make in racquetball results in significant points. So if you serve poorly, you get one more shot, if you miss both of them, you definitely will have given a hot setup to your opponent.

So I would advise you on always aiming to have 5 points that are pure service points. To achieve this you should always use either a Z or a Drive serve. If you don’t make it in your first serve, make your second serve an automatic Lob serve so you don’t lose the chance.

Here is how to make your serves:

• Drive Serve:- with this type of service, you should be aiming for a very low serve, as low as possible. If you want to win, make sure the service is harder and beyond your competitors’ reach.
• Lob Serve:- this service should go somewhat slower but aim for the corners of the service zone.
• Half-lob Serve:- with this kind of service make sure you hit the ball in a way that the first bounce is very close to a corner.
• High-lob Serve:- Make the ball bounce close to the fault line and bounce off in an arc into a corner.
• High-lob Nick Serve: – Hit the ball in a manner that it will hit the sidewall and bounce off the floor. It’s more like a Drive serve.
• Z Serve:- here you hit the ball on one side of a wall making sure it will land in the opposite corner of its first serve position.

What Are The Most Common Serve Faults In Racquetball?

The most common service faults in racquetball are foot faults, short service, and three-wall services. Others include screen-serve, long serve, and bouncing ball outside the service zone.

• Short Serve:- this is any serve that hits the front wall and rebounds on the floor without reaching a sidewall.
• Foot fault Serve: –It occurs when you fail to begin the service with both feet in the serving position. It is also possible for you to step the service line before the ball is past the short line.
• Ceiling Serve: – is any service that hits the ceiling without touching the front wall first.
• Screen Serve:- is a service that hits the front wall and on rebounding passes close to the server blocking the receiver from a clear view of the ball.
• Three-wall Serve: –is a service that comes off hitting the front wall, it rebounds to both side walls before bouncing on the floor.
• Long Serve: – The ball hits the front wall and bounces back to the back wall without touching a side wall or touching the floor.