In this section of our web guide, we will be focusing on racquet and paddle sports and games.
In the United States, "racket" is the preferred spelling, although "racquet" appears to be the preferred spelling throughout the rest of the world. Even in the United States, some people prefer to use "racquet" to describe the piece of sporting gear because "racket" has multiple definitions. Preferences are not purely geographical, however. The International Tennis Federation, for example, uses the spelling "racket."
Racquet and paddle sports are games in which players use a racket or paddle to hit a ball or other object. The racquets used in these sports generally consist of a handled frame with an open hoop across which is a network of tightly stretched strings. Paddles, on the other hand, have a solid face rather than a network of strings, although they may be perforated with a pattern of holes or covered with a textured surface.
Some sports use racquets, while others use paddles, and, in some games where a non-netted device is used, it's still called a racquet. Both racquet and paddle sports are appropriate for this section of our guide.
Common racquet games include tennis, badminton, squash, and racquetball.
Tennis is a racquet sport that can be played either individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net and into the opponent's court, the object being to maneuver the ball in such a way that the opponent is unable to affect a valid return.
In badminton, the racquet is used to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it can be played with larger teams, singles and doubles games are the most common. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock and landing it within the other team's half of the court.
Squash is played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow, rubber ball. Players alternate in striking the ball onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court, the objective being to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent cannot play a valid return.
Racquetball is played with a hollow rubber ball on an indoor or outdoor court. It is similar to squash, except that there is no tin (out-of-bounds area) to hit the ball above, and the walls, floor, and ceiling are legal playing surfaces.
Other games using a netted racquet include ball badminton, battledore and shuttlecock, crossminton, frontenis, qianball, racketion, rackets, real tennis, soft tennis, speed-ball, hardball squash, squash tennis, stické, tennis polo, and touchtennis.
Common paddle (or non-netted racquet games) include table tennis, pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel.
Also known as ping-pong, table tennis is derived from tennis, except that the playing surface is on top of a stationary table rather than a court. Either individually or in teams of two, players alternate turns to return a light, hollow ball over the net onto the opposing half of the court using small rackets until they fail to do so, which results in a point for the opponent.
Pickleball resembles tennis and table tennis, except that it has separate rules, paddles, and court dimensions, and the hard plastic ball used in pickleball produces less bounce than tennis balls.
Paddle tennis (POP tennis) was adopted from tennis, although the court is smaller, there are no doubles lanes, and the net is lower. Paddle tennis is played with a perforated solid paddle as opposed to a netted racquet, and the ball has less bounce than a tennis ball.
Originating in Mexico, padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court. It shares the same scoring system as tennis, but the rules, strokes, and technique are different.
Other games using a non-netted racket or paddle include basque pelota, beach tennis, downside ball game, four wall paddleball, frescobol, frescotennis, jokari, jombola, matkot, miniten, one wall paddleball, paleta frontón, pan pong, pelota mixteca, pitton, platform tennis, road tennis, sphairee, stoolball, table squash, tamburello, and totem tennis.
Racquet sports are games in which players use a racket or paddle to hit a ball or another object. Rackets consist of a handled frame with an open hoop that supports a network of tightly stretched strings. Paddles have a solid face rather than a network of strings, although they may be perforated with a pattern of holes, or be covered with a textured surface.
Games not listed here may also be appropriate if they match this description.
While not technically a racquet game, jai alai could be listed here as well, as it is a close approximation.
Categories
BadmintonPadelPickleballRacquetball | SquashTable TennisTennis |
Recommended Resources
American Federation of Speedball
The AFS is the governing body for speedball in the United States. It is working to introduce and popularize the sport in the United States. The federation has actively promoted the game, and the U.S. has recently competed in the Speedball World Championship for the first time. Based in Los Angeles, California, the organization's website offers an introduction to the game, its rules, a photo gallery, links to other resources, an online store, and a contact form.
https://speedballusa.com/
Ball Badminton Federation of India
The BBFI is the official governing body overseeing the sport of ball badminton across India. Established in 1954, the organization played a pivotal role in promoting and organizing the sport throughout the country. The BBFI is responsible for organizing national championships and other competitive events, with the first national ball badminton championship taking place in Hyderabad in 1956. Its activities and updates are featured on the website, along with videos and event schedules.
https://ballbadmintonindia.com/
International Crossminton Organisation
The ICO is the governing body for the sport of crossminton, formerly known as speed badminton. Founded in Berlin, Germany, in 2011, the ICO oversees international tournaments, sets official rules, and promotes the sport worldwide. Crossminton is a fast-paced racket sport that blends elements of badminton, squash, and tennis, but is played without a net. It can be played on various surfaces, including tennis courts, streets, beaches, and fields. Tournaments, rankings, and sponsors are featured.
https://crossminton.org/
International Soft Tennis Federation
The ISTF is the global governing body for soft tennis, a sport that originated in Japan in 1884. Soft tennis is similar to regular tennis, but uses a softer rubber ball, making it accessible to players of all ages. The ISTF oversees international tournaments, including the World Soft Tennis Championships and events at the Asian Games. It promotes the sport worldwide and ensures compliance with regulations, including anti-doping education for athletes. Memberships and schedules are featured.
https://softtennis-istf.com/
International Speed-Ball Federation
The FISB is the governing body for the sport of Speed-Ball. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, it promotes and oversees the sport worldwide, cooperating with national federations to expand the sport's reach. Speed-Ball is a fast-paced racquet sport that was originally invented in Cairo as a training tool for beginner tennis players. Over time, it evolved into a competitive sport played in multiple countries. The FISB organizes international tournaments.
https://www.worldspeedball.org/
North American Racquets Association
The NARA is the governing body for the sport of racquets in the United States and Canada. Member clubs include the Detroit Racquet Club, the Montreal Racket Club, the Racquet Club of Chicago, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Racquet and Tennis Club of New York City, the Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston, and the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, New York. Tournaments and schedules are featured, along with the organizational history, membership information, and contact data.
https://www.northamericanracquets.com/
The Nick Taylor Academy (NTA) is one of only a few U.S. programs to offer Squash 57, a sport that changed its name from UK Racketball in 2017, and continues to be one of the fastest growing racket sports in the United Kingdom. Information about the academy's Squash 57 program is provided, along with an introduction to the sport, including its aerobic and anaerobic benefits, such as comparisons of the number of calories burned next to other forms of exercise.
https://ntasquash.com/squash57/
RSW is a guide to racket sports, particularly for beginner or amateur players who want to learn more about these sports, which include badminton, tennis, table tennis, squash, pickleball, beach tennis, paddle tennis, padel, platform tennis, pop tennis, racquetball, and others. Multiple guides for each of these sports are available, along with reviews of equipment. When available, openings for sports writers are published on the site, along with the requirements for the jobs.
https://racketsportsworld.com/
Racquet & Paddle Sports Alliance
RAPS is an independent resource group that provides a variety of services and functions related to racquet and paddle sports. They monitor and provide information on tech and innovation in the marketplace, and promote the alliance of like-minded problem-solvers to facilitate growth and engagement in racquet and paddle sports, all with a focus on collaboration, training, networking, education, trends, and future insights. Schedules and contacts are provided.
https://www.racquetsportsalliance.com/
The official U.S. Racquetball Association website provides news and information about this national governing body for the sport of racquetball and also contains information on the sport itself that includes the history and the basics of racquetball. The website also provides information on national championships and tournaments, rankings, results, statistics, upcoming and live events as well as on the association's program offerings that includes camps, scholarship and referee certification.
http://www.racqmag.com
Touchtennis is a modified version of tennis played on a compact court with foam balls and shorter rackets. It is regularly featured on Sky Sports and is gaining popularity and acceptance as an alternative to the full-size game. An introduction to the game is provided here, including the rules and instructions on playing the game, a venue search, tournament schedules, and a player search feature. An online shopping area features a home kit, balls, and other products.
https://www.touchtennis.com/
This is the central online hub for the UK's racketball community, serving as the official platform where players of all levels can find detailed information on upcoming tournaments, event schedules, venue details, and registration procedures. Interestingly, the site rejects the renaming of UK Racketball to Squash57, a move that was made by the World Squash Federation. The rules for UK Racketball are outlined here, along with an introduction to the game, where to play, events, and rankings.
https://www.uk-racketball.com/
