Racquets (also Rackets or Hard Racquets) is a game played in a 30 foot by 60 foot enclosed court, using a long wooden racquet and a small, hard ball. The play is extremely fast, and potentially dangerous. Games are to 15 points, only the server can score—the receiver may serve after winning a rally. Matches are typically best of 5 games. Singles and doubles are played on the same court.

The game began as an 18th century pastime in London's King's Bench and Fleet debtors prisons, but eventually spread to schools and private clubs. Today the few dozen courts in Great Britain, United States, and Canada are used by a very small, but enthusiastic, player base. The governing bodies are the Tennis and Rackets Association (UK) and the North American Racquets Association.

The world championship for singles (and doubles) is decided in a challenge format. If the governing bodies accept the challenger's qualifications, he plays the reigning champion in a best of 12 games format (6 games on each side of the Atlantic). If each player wins six games, the total point score is used as a tie breaker.

The game of squash began in the 19th century as an off-shoot of racquets.

External links

• Tennis and Rackets Association
• North American Racquets Association