The Current Format League
Mixed Format League - Singles and Doubles (final match score always totals 24 points)
A team consists of 3 players, each playing 1 singles & 2 doubles strings.
A match requires 2 courts for at least 1hr 20min each (4 or 5 sessions)
Players mark their own games, but should announce the score so that it can be heard by the spectators.
The playing format should be: 3vC, 1&2vA&B, 2vB, 1&3vA&C, 1vA, 2&3vB&C
If a team is a player short then the 3 player team nominates one of its players to play each opponent singles only, the other players play one opponent singles and the doubles. 1vA, 3vB, 2vA, 1vB, 2&3vA&B. This is only 5 strings, so the 3 player team gets the extra 4 points for the missing string.
Scoring and Marking - 'The Hampshire Way'
Racketball matches can be played without games being scored. In the mixed 3 person teams there is usually no marker as all players are on court. In virtually all cases this has proved to cause no issues.
However where a game is marked in Hampshire Racketball, there is a new official known as a Scorer.
The Scorer has duties similar to those of a Marker in squash, but does not initially make decisions about Lets and Strokes.
The Scorer only keeps the score, records players decisions and should not interrupt play unless a dangerous situation arises.
Scorers may be used if available, and scoring should be shared by both teams.
How it works in practice is that players ask for what they want, negotiate and make the decision.
If interference occurs during a rally, then the offended player should ask their opponent for a LET or STROKE as they see fit.
The players make the decision and inform the Scorer who notes it before announcing the score.
In the event that the players cannot agree a decision, then the Scorer has the casting vote and supports one of the players.
The rules of Racketball as far as Lets and Strokes are the same as Squash. However remember this is Racketball and in practice because of the different nature of the game and more opportunity to get to the ball, a different interpretation is usually made. This is true certainly at club level. At County and National level players may find that this adjusted interpretation does not exist with other players and markers.
Therefore for Hampshire league games our approach is - obvious STROKES are STROKES, but marginal STROKES are usually LETS.
What is an obvious Stroke? Examples are;
When the ball comes back so close to the player that to play the ball would cause obvious danger
Where the ball comes back through the legs of the player or hits the player who has played the ball!
Where the position of the player who has just hit the ball is so obstructive and out of position that almost any return by the opponent would provide a certain winner.
In these circumstances the offending player should concede a point. Common sense should prevail in all games as above all else we want to avoid the sort of problems between players on court that is so often seen in squash matches.
League Rules
Captains should confirm the match the week before the fixture date.
Clubs with 2 teams may share the same home night on different weeks.
All games are to 11 points, Point A Rally Scoring, ‘setting to 2 clear points’.
Each strings plays 3 games. Not best of three, but all 3 games even if the first two games are won by the same player, the third game point still counts.
Each string is played according to the league format being played.
Scoring is: 1 point for each game won plus 1 point for winning that string.
If court time runs out then:
if a particular team/player has clearly caused a delay then that team will forfeit the remaining games.
if no team/player is to blame then the remaining games go to away team.
Match results should be notified to hantsracketball@gmail.com using the online match card preferably at the conclusion of the match before leaving the venue once both captains have agreed the final score or in any case within 3 days of the match. Both Captains are responsible for notifying the match score and checking to ensure results have been updated on the HRB website. A team may be deducted 5 points where no match card has been completed.
Where matches are not being played for any reason or matches are being re scheduled then the Home Captain should notify Hampshire Racketball.
The new online match card from 2016 is found HERE. Please save this link to your smartphone or PC to notify results in the correct format.
Hampshire Racketball may charge an entry fee for teams entering the league. This will be notified in advance of the league commencing.
Approved Balls for Matches
(Hampshire RB rules for 2012/13)
England Squash & Racketball only approve 3 makes of balls. Price, Dunlop and Technifibre - Blue or Black balls. These balls are acceptable for Hampshire League games subject to below. Wilson, Karakal and Pointfore are not approved balls and should not be used in Hampshire league games.
Previous Format Leagues - Not Currently Being Played
Singles League (final match score always totals 24 points) -Being considered for a summer competitive league
(Winter Format) - Singles League (final match score always totals 21 points)
A team consists of 3 players, each playing against a single opponent.
A match requires 1 court for at least 2 hours (3 or 4 sessions), but may use 2 courts if they are available.
The strings can be played in any order, as specified by player availability.
Each string is 4 games (+ 5th only if necessary), Scoring is: 4-0 (6-0), 3-1 (5-1), 3-2 (4-2), PLUS 3 points to the team winning the most strings.
(Summer Format) - A team consists of 3 players, each playing against two opponents.
A match requires 2 courts for at least 1hr 20min each (4 or 5 sessions)
The playing format should be: 3vC, 2vA, 1vB, 2vC, 3vB, 1vA
If a team is a player short then the 2 players play ALL 3 opponents in the order chosen by the 3 player team.
Social Leagues (final match score always totals 24 points)
A team consists of 4 players, each playing 1 singles & 1 doubles string.
A match requires 2 courts for 1hr 20min each (4 sessions).
Players mark their own games, but should announce the score so that it can be heard by the spectators.
Each string is 3 games (not best of 3 games).
If its cold, it is recommended that the doubles strings are played in the middle so that players don't get cold.
The doubles pairings are NOT specified; if players & courts are available, they should pair up and play.
Scoring is: 1 point for each game won plus 1 point for winning that string.