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Racquetball Rules - Penalty Hinders

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Figure 1 (No Hinder)

No Hinder
The non-hitter is allowed this court positioning. No Hinder. The non-hitter may take a center court position whenever the hitter is near a side wall. The non-hitter must allow the hitter an “offensive” straight-in and cross-court return at all times.




Figure 2 (Penalty Hinder)

Blocking Cross-Court Pass
Penalty Hinder (out) against non-hitter for blocking a Cross-Court return. The non-hitter must allow a path for the ball to hit the front wall and rebound to the far back side wall corner.



Figure 3 (Penalty Hinder)

Blocking Straight-In Pass
Penalty Hinder (out) against non-hitter for blocking a Straight-In return. The non-hitter must allow a path for the ball to go directly to the front wall. Players who do not watch the ball may be in the way unkwowningly and can receive a Penalty Hinder for not making any attempt to move out of balls path. If the non-hitter was making an attempt to move out of the way and the hitter had a weak “defensive” return, then just a Replay Hinder occurs.



Figure 4 (Penalty Hinder)

Blocking Straight-In Pass
Penalty Hinder (out) against non-hitter for blocking a Straight-In return. Sometimes the non-hitter will be “trapped” against the side walls and not be able to move out of the way. The hitter is allowed to “trap” the opponent while playing the return. Even though the cross-court pass is open, the non-hitter must allow a choice for the hitter, especially during fast rallies or when the hitter can't get the angle for a cross-court pass (when hitting near the side walls).



Figure 5 (Penalty Hinder)

Blocking Swing (too close)
Penalty Hinder against the non-hitter for failing to move out of the hitters way. This is very dangerous, especially if the non-hitter is not watching the ball being played by the hitter. If the hitter could have made an attempt to move, but didn't, a Penalty Hinder occurs even if the hitter only had a “defensive” shot.



Figure 6 (Penalty Hinder)

Blocking Path to Ball
Penalty Hinder against the non-hitter for preventing the hitter a path to play the ball. The hitter must have had a chance to make the return if the path was clear. If the hitter had only a “defensive” or weak return, and the hitter was making an attempt to move, only a Replay Hinder (replay the rally) occurs.





Official USA Rulebook
Rule 3.15 PENALTY HINDERS (AvoidableHinders)

A penalty hinder results in the loss of the rally.

A penalty hinder does not necessarily have to be an intentional act. Any of the following results in a penalty hinder:

(a) Failure to Move.
A player does not move sufficiently to allow an opponent a shot straight to the front wall (Figure 3 and 4) as well as a cross-court shot (Figure 2) which is a shot directly to the front wall at an angle that would cause the ball to rebound directly to the rear corner farthest from the player hitting the ball. Also when a player moves in such a direction that it prevents an opponent from taking either of these shots.

(b) Stroke Interference.
This occurs when a player moves, or fails to move, so that the opponent returning the ball does not have a free, unimpeded swing (Figure 5). This includes unintentionally moving in a direction which prevents the opponent from making an open, offensive shot.

(c) Blocking.
Moves into a position which blocks the opponent from getting to, or returning, the ball; or in doubles, a player moves in front of an opponent as the player's partner is returning the ball (Figure 6).

(d) Moving into the Ball.
Moves in the way and is struck by the ball just played by the opponent.

(e) Pushing.
Deliberately pushes or shoves opponent during a rally.

(f) Intentional Distractions.
Deliberate shouting, stamping of feet, waving of racquet, or any other manner of disrupting one's opponent.

(g) View Obstruction.
A player moves across an opponent's line of vision just before the opponent strikes the ball.

(h) Wetting the Ball.
The players, particularly the server, should ensure that the ball is dry prior to the serve. Any wet ball that is not corrected prior to the serve shall result in a penalty hinder against the server.

(i) Apparel or Equipment Loss.
If a player loses any apparel, equipment, or other article, play shall be immediately stopped and that player shall be called for a penalty hinder, unless the player has just hit a shot that could not be retrieved. If the loss of equipment is caused by a player's opponent, then a replay hinder should be called. If the opponent's action is judged to have been avoidable, then the opponent should be called for a penalty hinder.

Rules Explanation

Who has the right-of-way?
When must a player move out of the way?
Figure 1 shows an acceptable position for the non-hitting player to be while waiting for the return by the hitter. The non-hitter must yield court position to the hitter and make an attempt to get out of the hitter’s way.

A penalty hinder occurs when the hitter has an "offensive set-up" and the non-hitter is in the way. The hitter is allowed to "trap" the non-hitter into a corner or out of position while playing a return.

All players should wear racquetball eyeguards and keep both eyes on the ball at all times. Obviously turn and duck away if believe you are about to get hit!

Keep Your Eyes on The Ball

Failure to watch, or looking away and assuming where the ball (and hitter) is could result in injury from the hitter’s racquet or returned shot.

For added safety, the non-hitter can use their racquet as a shield, looking through the racquet strings, while watching the ball being hit.

Any player should halt play when a player feels they may hit, or be hit, by the ball, racquet or opponent. Depending on the situation, either a replay or a penalty hinder is called after play has stopped.

Replay Hinders

A "replay hinder" results in no point or change of serve and the last rally is replayed.

A replay hinder occurs when the hitter has a "chance" for a return, but does not have an "offensive set-up" and the non-hitter is trying to move out of the way.

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