How do you serve in racquetball?
B · Beginner · Serving · 3 of 4The server starts with both feet in the service zone, drops the ball to bounce in the zone and hits it before a second bounce. It must hit the front wall first and land beyond the short line, with or without a side wall. There are two tries. Server and receiver have 10 seconds after the score call.
How it works
- Start: both feet in the zone.
- Ball: dropped, bounced in the zone.
- Hit: before a second bounce.
- Front wall: first.
- Landing: past the short line.
- Side wall: allowed.
- Tries: two.
- Time: 10 seconds.
The glossary has the serve, the service zone, the service motion, the short line, the server and the 10-second rule.
Tricky cases
Can the server step over the service line?
Yes, after starting, if part of the foot is on the line until the ball crosses the short line.
How does the receiver show they are not ready?
Racquet above the head, or face the back wall.
The serve touches one side wall and lands deep. Good?
Yes.
The server is slow to serve. Result?
A warning, then an out serve.
Why the rule exists
Landing past the short line gives the receiver a fair chance to return.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Service zone | L 3.3 |
| Landing | Past short line | L 3.3 |
| Time | 10 seconds | L 3.4 |
From the rule book
International Racquetball Federation (IRF), Official Rules of Racquetball (2024-2026), Rules 2.1(b)2, 3.3 and 3.4. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: IRF Official Rules 2024-2026.