COURT SPECIFICATIONS

Outdoor courts come in a variety of formats. There is no official size. Play the court that has been built.

Quite often, specific court shapes will result in local rules variations. 

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BEVELS

If a shot hits the beveled end of the sidewall and remains in play, the shot is good. The beveled top of the front wall and sidewall is also good. Basically, if the ball uses the walls and remains in play, the shot is good.

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MARKINGS

Since the size of an outdoor court varies, the placement of lines also varies. Outdoor racquetball introduces the addition of one or more of the following lines: Side Lines, Back Line, and Singles Service Lines.
 

SIDE & BACK COURT LINES

All outside court lines (side & back) will be played good as long as the ball bounces inside the court or on any part of the line.

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LINE JUDGES

As needed, line judges will be used. Line judge's responsibility is exactly like USAR rules state - with the exception of how line judges will call the side lines. Line judges have the first call on in/out on sidelines. Line judge should yell OUT and stop play as the first call. When line judges are in place, referee should not give opinion of in/out on a sideline unless appeal is requested.

Player can appeal to referee. So – referee will agree or disagree with line judge on an appeal of a line call. If ref disagrees, then a replay will occur. If ref agrees or has no call - then the call stands. This is only relevant to LINE calls, when line judge has first call. Line judge on other side is not asked for his opinion on any in/out call.

Everything else is per USAR rules and procedure. If Line judges are in place, referee should not give opinion of in/out on a sideline unless appeal is requested.

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RECEIVING LINE

There is no Receiving Line (commonly called the five-foot line) in outdoor racquetball. However, the receiving player or team is not allowed to break the plane of the service box with the racquet swing. In long wall, local rules often revert back to using the receiving line.

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SERVE

All divisions will follow the one-serve rule.

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HITTING PARTNER IN THE BOX

If the partner is hit by the server and it is determined that the partner is correctly in the box, under the one-server rule, the server will get one more opportunity for a legal serve. A subsequent screen serve will result in an out.

It is possible for a partner to save what would otherwise be an out serve by properly being in the box and getting hit with the serve. It is the duty of the referee to determine if the partner was properly situated in the box.

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RECEIVING PLAYER SIGNALING NOT READY

Outdoor racquetball follows the Professional rules on this issue. A rally must be played for a rally to be won. Persistent non-checking of the receiving player or team can result in a technical for delay of game (loss of point), but generally, the referee shall require a rally for the receiving player/team to take possession of the serve.​

 

COURT HINDERS

There are no court hinders unless a local court rule designates a particular aspect of the court as being a court hinder.

SUN, WIND, AND FORCES OF NATURE

The elements of nature are not a hinder.

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WEATHER POLICY/ RAIN

The 3WB weather policy ensures that our outdoor event is both safe and manageable in variable weather conditions.

We understand that some participants in our programs are not used to being active in extreme outdoor environments, however as we administer the 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships in the extreme environment that the state of Nevada has to offer, we also realize that the event could be affected by adverse changing weather conditions.

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The experiences presented by abnormal summer conditions can add an extra element of challenge to those participating and it will be our goal to cautiously and safely encourage tournament play through the weather if it does not pose a safety hazard or impair the outcomes of the event.

 

If the forecast is light minimal rain, but no lightning, nor is it deemed to be dangerous to the playing conditions, then outdoor programs may go ahead.  If the forecast is heavy rain, lightning or no lightning, play shall be deemed to be dangerous and a suspended with either a "Rain-Date" or total cancellation in affect.  

 

By entering this event you acknowledge that a total rain out or rain-date could be implemented due to severe weather conditions.

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Activity during hot weather – Hydration:

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It's important to keep up fluid intake to replace what the body will lose through perspiration as well as wear proper sun protection and loose-fitting clothing.

 

Children are at a greater risk of heat illness and when the ambient temperature gets above 90 degrees events may be modified or cancelled in the event of extreme temperatures.

 

Regular use of high protection factor sunscreen on all exposed areas is required for UV protection.

 

Participants are encouraged to wear wide brim hats to provide 360 degree protection and high protection lip balm.

 

Eye protection from solar UV radiation is recommended e.g. appropriate sunglasses.

 

Cancellation of event:

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In the event of strong winds, heavy rain, hail, lightning, hot weather above 100 degrees being prevalent, the event may cancel or amend the tournament in consultation with the participant, sponsor, advertiser or employee and with no financial penalty.

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Participants may choose to cancel their participation if they are unhappy with the weather conditions on the day - however this may result in a loss of entry fee and other monies spent flights, hotels, etc.

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Lightning:

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3WallBall has a lightning safety plan. This plan is designed to ensure safety of fans, players, volunteers, supporters, clients, employees, participants and staff during thunderstorm activity.

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The rule for assessing the risk is known as the 30/30 rule. For every three second delay between a lightning flash and audible thunder associated with the flash equates to a distance of approximately one mile.

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When lightning is within 5 miles, it is recognized as an approaching risk and the event should prepare to move people to safe areas.

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Our event may cease up to 30 minutes after the last lighting or thunder event before re-commencing.

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Prize Money:

Amateurs - Each event does the best it can to adjust, delay, or move matches but nothing is guaranteed once rain starts due to safety.

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Pros - Any event that is not concluded the prize money will be split among those who are still in the winners bracket of the draw when suspended. Example if prize money was $800 1st & $200 2nd & it rained out prior to the semis the total of $1,000 would be split 4 ways & each player would receive $250.

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LIGHT POLES

Light poles are out of play.

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BOUNCING OVER SIDEWALL

A ball bouncing over the sidewall is a legal shot.

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SAFETY HOLDUP

A Safety Holdup is extended to include players on adjacent courts.

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MOVING CROWD

A safety holdup can be called only on the moving part of the crowd as opposed to the stationary crowd.  Player cannot put stationary crowd at risk.  The players must safely hit the ball prior to entering the stationary crowd.  The stationary crowd cannot cause a hinder.  Referee should stop play if ball enters stationary crowd.  Player must strike the ball prior to entering stationary crowd or ball is dead.

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DOUBLES PARTNER POSITION

In doubles, the partner to the server may take position in one of three places.

- In "the box" as per standard USAR rules

- Outside the court beyond the back line. When taking a position beyond the back line, the partner must stay out of the way of the receiving team. If the partner becomes a hinder, it is up to the referee to determine if the hinder was an avoidable hinder.

- Outside the court, touching the sidewall. If partner is in this position on sideline and is hit by a serve, it is a loss of serve. If the ball goes between partner and front wall, it is an automatic screen serve. 

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TECHNICAL FOULS AND WARNINGS

In addition to the normal technical fouls and warnings, launching the game ball while not in a rally is a technical foul. The violation is a form of a delay of game. Launching a broken ball prior to it being confirmed works against the player sending the ball sailing.

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COURT SPECIFICATIONS

3WB Court Sizes are as follows: Click Here for More Info.

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3 Wall Courts:

LENGTH: 43 feet

WIDTH: 23 feet

HEIGHT: 16 feet

SHORT LINE:  20 feet

SIDEWALL LENGTH: 20 feet back from front wall

 

1 Wall Courts:

LENGTH: 34 feet

WIDTH: 20 feet

HEIGHT: 16 feet

SHORT LINE: 16 feet 

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COURT MARKINGS

Generally, the markings are the same as the USAR's standard rules, except that on an outdoor court, there is no receiving (5-foot) line. Since the size of outdoor courts may vary, the exact placement of other lines may also vary. Both side lines and a back line are drawn as needed, to denote play area on the surface of the court.

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