A well-executed service in racquetball can initiate the succeeding offensive shots. You can force the opponent to go defensive from the first return and increase the possibility of earning the point.
You have to change the speed, angle, and height of the service based on the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent.
I made this guide especially for beginners to help them become better by using these simple racquetball serving tips below.
This guide will start first by teaching the different types of racquetball serves and after that will dive in the most incredible serving tips that you can apply easily to become good at racquetball serving.
Table of Contents
Types of Racquetball Serves
The two basic types of racquetball serves are drive and lob. Drive is a mostly offensive type of service which is hard, fast, and tough to return.
Lob serve is useful for making your opponent stretch out for returning. Then you get a better opportunity to play offensive shots in the following rally.
1. Racquetball Drive Serves
Straight Drive
You have to stand in the service zone facing one of the side walls. Take the low knee service posture. Bounce the ball on the floor and hit it straight onto the front wall.
It should be low and fast. It should return very close to your body and hit the floor within the short-line and receiving line.
It is tough for the opponent to read. He will be forced to go on the defensive return.
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Crack Drive
Hit the ball onto the front wall with high force at an angle between 45 and 50 degrees. The return should hit the floor very close to the sidewall behind the short-line.
You may choose the left side wall or the right, depending on the weaker side of your opponent.
Z Drive
Hit the ball on the front wall very close to the right side wall at an angle directed towards the left sidewall.
The ball hits the left wall, right wall and the hits the floor behind the short-line. The shot creates a strong spin to the ball which is tough to return.
2. Racquetball Lob Serves
High-Lob
Hit the ball by lobbing the ball towards the front wall top. It should hit it very close to the ceiling and cross the short-line with a gentle pace.
It is difficult for your opponent to make an offensive shot because of the angle and low pace.
High-Lob Knick
It is similar to the high lob. But the ball hits one of the side walls before crossing the short-line to hit the floor. Your swing should be aimed at the correct angle.
The speed should moderate enough not to hit the back wall directly on rebound.
Backhand Lob-Z
This serve hits high on the front wall, touches the sidewall and then hits the floor behind the short-line.
The bounce will make the ball fly high, making it difficult for the receiver to make the return.
Racquetball Serving Tips For Beginners In 2019
– Standing Posture In Racquetball
You need to stand very close to the short-line from within the serving zone. Your right (left if you are a left-hander) foot toes should face the sidewall.
The other foot (behind the first foot) toes should be diagonally towards the back wall. It gives you plenty of freedom to move through with your serve.
Your first contact with the ball should be over the foot-fault line. It gives you more room for making the free-style serve with maximum force.
– Serving-Position:
It is a good practice to shoot the first serve from the right edge of the service zone. It gives you an advantage over your opponent as it momentarily blocks his view of the ball track until it crosses the short-line.
You can stand at the center of the service zone to be positioned directly in front of the receiver. It is an added advantage as you can check whether the receiver is ready for the serve.
Serving from the left end of the service zone gives you the option to vary the serve angles for the crack and high lob serves. It is easy to vary the angles and hit the sidewalls at the most accurate spots where you wish.
– Post-Serve Position:
You need to move to a location near the center court. Balance your body weight and stand on the dotted line near the receiving line.
– Target Analysis:
You have to identify the exact spot where you want the ball to land on rebound. You can decide the spot after analyzing the strengths and weak spots of the receiver. Always hit the serve towards the weak spot of your opponent. You can avoid offensive returns to a considerable extent.
– Variation Technique:
You should vary the speed, angle, and the type of serves continuously in the match. You can start with the lob as the first serve in a game when you wish to put the opponent on the back foot.
Conclusion
Training with a professional coach is the most important aspect of mastering your racquetball services.
You should practice the various types of serves using your right or left hand depending on your orientation.
Keep your muscles lean and flexible with athletic training. Give equal importance to the first and subsequent serves in the game to keep winning.
I hope this guide would help you become a better racquetball player especially in making serves. Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions.
