racquetball

Racquetball is an indoor sport played by two or four people in a four-walled court using a small hollow rubber ball and short-handled racquets. The goal is to hit the ball against the front wall so your opponent cannot return it before it bounces twice on the floor. Players may use the side walls and back wall during play, which makes the game quick and full of sharp angles.

The sport developed in the United States in the 1950s from games like handball and paddleball. It became popular in gyms and YMCAs because it is easy to start, does not need a large team, and gives players a strong workout.

Racquetball is not only physical; it also requires timing, control, and quick decisions. Players try to place shots at difficult angles, guess where the ball will go next, and move quickly around the court. Because the ball can rebound sharply off the walls, rallies can be fast and intense.

The word can refer both to the sport itself and, in context, to a session or match of the game. While many people play it casually, there are also organized tournaments and competitive players. In everyday English, it usually means the indoor wall sport rather than the ball used in it.