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Rackets sometimes spelt Racquets (American English), is an indoor racket sport. A fore runner of Lawn Tennis and Squash that has changed its rules very little in the past two hundred years.
Popularity
As happens with sports, interests shift. Today it is perhaps the least available of racket sports. Court upkeep and breakable wooden rackets make it an expensive game. On the other hand, those who take up the sport do so enthusiastically.
Location
Rackets is played in a 30 X 60 ft enclosed court, with a ceiling at least 30 feet high. Singles and doubles are played on the same court. The walls and floor of the court are made of smooth stone or concrete and are dark in colour.
Ability
In theory Rackets is game simply needing the ability to return a ball by striking it with a racket. In reality it is a fast moving sport that requires lessons and practice to appreciate the tactics, and to play safely and enjoyably.
Description
players use 30½ inch wooden rackets to hit a 1.5 inch hard white ball. A good stroke must touch the front wall above an 26.5 inch-high wooden (often cloth-covered) board before touching the floor. The ball may played off the side walls before reaching the front wall. The player returning a good stroke may play the ball on the volley, or after one bounce on the floor. The play is extremely fast, and potentially quite dangerous.
Dedication
Games are to 15 points, unless the game is tied at 13-all or 14-all, in which case the game can be "set" to 16 or 18 (in the case of 13-all) or 17 (in the case of 14-all) at the option of the player first reaching 13 or 14; only the server can score — the receiver gains the right to serve by winning a rally. Return of service can be extremely difficult, and, in North America, only one serve is allowed. Matches are typically best of 5 games.
Potential
Rackets was part of the 1908 Summer Olympics. Now a world championship for singles / doubles is decided in a challenge format. If the governing bodies accept the challenger's qualifications, he plays the reigning champion in a best of 14 game format.
Closely
Related Activities
Court Handball 703, Lawn Tennis 603, Fives 259, Squash 578,
Cost
The world championship for singles (and doubles) is decided in a challenge format. If the governing bodies accept the challenger's qualifications, he plays the reigning champion in a best of 14 games format.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
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Legs
|
Sight
|
Hearing
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Speech |
Learning |
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