1. You may challenge any player in the row above your or a higher position in your current row on the pyramid. Once a match has been played and posted...the "same 2 players" cannot rematch each other for at least 2 days. Those players CAN challenge other players, or be challenged (this re-match rule is not electronically enforced)

2. All games should be played/posted within 7 days of a challenge being made (unless there are extenuating circumstances) otherwise the challenger automatically wins.

3. You should play your game at a mutually convenient time. If your timings do not coincide (one person can only play work days 9-5 and the other only evenings and weekends) and you CANNOT agree, then you MUST play your match on a weekday commencing between 5.20pm and 6.40pm. This will be known as a 'compulsory match time'.

4. If a game ball cannot be agreed upon, a new PURPLE PRO PENN HD shall be used.

5. If the person being challenged offers 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) and the challenger cannot make any of them, then the CHALLENGE is VOID.

6. If the person being challenged cannot offer 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) then the CHALLENGER WINS by default.

7. If either party is more than 20 minutes late in attending an agreed match then the late or non attender loses the match.

8. If you make a successful challenge you move into the position of the person you challenge and that person is shifted down one position. Therefore you may jump up to three positions at a time-but only drop down one.

9. Matches will consist of total points won for 2 games to 15. Ties will be determined by a third game (rally scoring to 11). Other options are okay so long as BOTH players agree. Enter the final results online.

10. 'The Heights Club Rules' shall apply to all games.

11. If no result has been recorded by two thirds of the way through the challenge period a reminder is emailed to both parties.

12. If no result has been recorded by the end of the challenge period a warning is sent to record the result within a one day grace period.

13. If no result has been recorded by the end of the grace period the challenger automatically wins.

14. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and grace period with no consequences.

15. If the challenged person (challengee) wishes to forfeit the challenge they can record this within the challenge and grace period and the game is won by the challenger by forfeit.

1. You may challenge any player up to three positions above you on the ladder. When you join the ladder you may challenge any player at any position on the ladder for your first challenge.

2. All games should be played/posted within 7 days of a challenge being made (unless there are extenuating circumstances) otherwise the challenger automatically wins.

3. You should play your game at a mutually convenient time. If your timings do not coincide (one person can only play work days 9-5 and the other only evenings and weekends) and you CANNOT agree, then you MUST play your match on a weekday commencing between 5.20pm and 6.40pm. This will be known as a 'compulsory match time'.

4. If a game ball cannot be agreed upon, a new PURPLE PRO PENN HD shall be used.

5. If the person being challenged offers 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) and the challenger cannot make any of them, then the CHALLENGE is VOID.

6. If the person being challenged cannot offer 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) then the CHALLENGER WINS by default.

7. If either party is more than 20 minutes late in attending an agreed match then the late or non attender loses the match.

8. If you make a successful challenge you move into the position of the person you challenge and that person is shifted down one position. Therefore you may jump up to three positions at a time-but only drop down one.

9. Matches will consist of total points won for 2 games to 15. Ties will be determined by a third game (rally scoring to 11). Other options are okay so long as BOTH players agree. Enter the final results online.

10. 'The Heights Club Rules' shall apply to all games.

11. If no result has been recorded by two thirds of the way through the challenge period a reminder is emailed to both parties.

12. If no result has been recorded by the end of the challenge period a warning is sent to record the result within a three day grace period.

13. If no result has been recorded by the end of the grace period the challenger automatically wins.

14. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and grace period with no consequences.

15. If the challenged person (challengee) wishes to forfeit the challenge they can record this within the challenge and grace period and the game is won by the challenger by forfeit.

Racquetball can be played three ways. Versions include "Singles Play" between two players, "Doubles Play" between two teams of two players each, and "Cut Throat," which involves three players. Tournament play usually involves either Singles or Doubles play. Regardless of the type of play, there are basic "Rules of the Game" that apply. The following rules apply to Singles Play at 'The Heights'.

The Serve
Play begins with the server standing in the Service Zone and serving the ball to his/her opponent(s). To serve, the server must first bounce the ball and then strike it with the racquet. The ball is put into play after making contact with the Play Wall first and then passing into the rear half of the court. In it's flight, the ball may strike one side wall, but no more. If it hits three surfaces including the ceiling or back wall before bouncing, the serve is not good (called one fault) and the ball is not in play.

Also, a serve that does not carry beyond the Short Line of the Service Zone is also not good (fault). Additionally, the ball cannot hit a side wall, floor or ceiling before the Play Wall when attempting to serve. The server is given two opportunities to put the ball into play. If the server hits two faults in a row, the player returning serve takes over in the service zone and the original server assumes the return of a serve position.

The Return of Serve
To return serve, stand in the middle of the court (equal distance between each side wall) approximately one arm and racquets length away from the backwall. Return serve by striking the ball before the second bounce. The ball must travel to the Play Wall for it to be a good return of serve. The ball may hit ANY surface except the floor on the return as long as it hits the Play Wall before bouncing.

The Rally
Once the ball is in play, each player alternates hitting the ball until one misses the ball or hits an illegal shot. Players try to earn points or win the serve by putting an end to a rally with a "Kill Shot" or "Pass" such that their opponent cannot return it. Points are also earned when rallies end with an error, or a "Skip Ball," i.e. when the ball makes contact with the floor before reaching the Play Wall.

Once the ball is in play, the walls and ceiling can be used for shot variations. Points are scored when after serving the ball, the server wins the rally. If the player returning serve wins the rally, the result is a sideout, no points are scored for either player and the player who won the rally gets to serve. Whoever wins the rally always serves next. Matches are typically two games to 15 points and a rally-score tiebreaker to 11 if needed.

Hinders
Hinders are stoppages of play, and result in the replay of the point. It is your responsibility to give your opponent enough room to hit the shot the way they want to hit. You must give them a straight shot to the front wall as well as the angle, which would result in a crosscourt shot to the opposite back corner. If it looks like you are going to make any contact with another player (body, racquet or ball) while completing a shot, call "HINDER" and stop play immediately - if you make a legitimate attempt at your shot and miss (or mis-hit) the ball, it's not a hinder.

Typical hinders are:

A ball striking any part of the court, which results in an erratic rebound (door or window trim, volleyball net eyelets, or door knob)

Accidentally hitting opponent with the ball as it is heading toward the front wall

Unintentionally contacting opponent while attempting to make a play on the ball

Screening opponent's view of the ball or having the ball pass between one's legs.

'The Heights' Unique House Rules
1. If the ball is hit out of the back of the court during play, it is a lost point or side out against the player hitting the ball out.

2. Be Safe - Wear your glasses

3. Be Safe - Call HINDER rather than hurting someone

If you have never played in a racquetball ladder before, it's a great way for new players to get started. Here are the basics... No matter when you start on the ladder, after a period of time you will end up playing games with people of similar ability. If you improve, you will go up the ladder and be playing against harder opponents. When you are ready to make a challenge, go to the rankings page (you must be logged in first). Then click on the player you wish to challenge and follow the instructions. In order to play your match you must be a member of 'The Heights Racquetball Club'. If you wish to take a BREAK from the ladder (e.g. you are away for 6 months) then you can do so by clicking on 'take a break' from the admin page (you need to be logged in to access this page). When you come back from break, you will rejoin the ladder at the bottom.

You will have noticed a points score appear next to player names on the rankings page (if logged in). This is a trial points rating system based on the classic Elo system. Players will be awarded points for winning and lose points for losing depending on how difficult the system calculates your opponent to be. It will take a few games to settle down the scoring system. Currently the rating is displayed for information purposes only but in future it will be possible to arrange the ladder ranking system around this points score.

This software is provided free of charge. To support further development of the ladder please consider making a donation. Thank you.

The ladder is hosted on a not for profit basis by squash-ladder.net. The data held is not processed for any purpose other than to allow individuals to participate in the ladder. The information held is Name and Email address. It is your choice if you wish to include any further contact details. They are stored in a password protected database. Your password to access the site is stored in the database in an encrypted form. The data is relatively safe but no guarantee is made regarding security. It is believed that these uses do not necessitate that the database and squash ladder be notified under the Data Protection Act, UK. Your ladder operator may need to register as a data operator depending on their country of operation. If you have any concerns about data protection or data security please discuss this with your ladder operator.

Technical Information