Top 10 Tips For New Racketball players

Racketball is a hugely enjoyable indoor racket sport that is great for boosting your fitness levels. This is an intense but straightforward game that requires hard work, but with these great beginner tips you’ll be playing like a pro in no time.

• Warming up is vital to prevent muscle and joint injuries. A five-minute total body warm-up should be sufficient, as well as a similar-length cool-down with specific muscle stretches after your game.
• Start with a heavier racket, as this will allow you to generate more power than a lighter one. Once you become accustomed to the game you can then switch to a lighter racket, which will allow for a quicker swing and give you more maneuverability when attempting shots.
• Start with a larger racket, as it will have a larger sweet spot than a smaller racket and so will allow for a greater margin of error — meaning you’ll be less likely to miss-hit the ball. You can always move up to smaller and lighter ones once you’re confident enough.
• When buying a racket, look out for these popular manufacturers: Head, Dunlop, Ektelon, Wilson, Pro Kennex and E-Force.
• Ensure your racket has a decent grip. Also, remember that grips need to be small to allow for more control and a stronger wrist snap. Don’t worry if you buy one that you think is too small, as you can always increase the size of the grip by adding tape around the handle.
• Remember that the rules require you to get out of the way of your opponent’s shots. If you don’t give your opponent enough room to swing, or you stand in the way of his or her shot, then you automatically lose the rally.
• You should try to maintain control of center court after you serve, because if you’re positioned here you will be ideally placed to move in either direction in order to reach the ball.
• Beginner players should choose a ball type to suit their standard of play. Balls are rated according to their speeds, with the faster balls being used for a more serious level of play.
• Make sure you bring at least one full canister of balls when you play, as powerful strokes can quite easily rupture a ball.
• Before you hit the ball, always know where your opponent is, otherwise you might hit him or her with your racket during your backswing or downswing. If you can’t see your opponent, for safety reasons just stop and play the point again. This can be risky though, as you’re prone to being called a cheater, so it’s your call.