Racquet sports are fun, and if you are a fan, you probably are well aware that Racketlon is the ultimate test for racket sports enthusiasts and players. Because it’s a relatively new entrant to the world of racket sports, you may have many questions about what goes down in Racketlon, and in this post, we’ll try to answer them.
Since Racketlon is a combination of racquet sports, there are some common rules and procedures, while there some specific and unique rules to the sport itself. To help you be better situated in your new Racketlon career, here are in-depth answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the sport.
If you have no clue what Racketlon is, check this short video to get a quick start.
Keep reading to find useful and detailed answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Racketlon, from the most basics to the more technicals.
1. What is Racketlon?
Racketlon is a sport where participants compete, sequentially, in four different racquet sports – Table Tennis, Badminton, Squash, and Tennis. A Racketlon game is made up of four sets, where each set is played in each racquet sport; from the sport with the smallest to the largest racquet.
If you want to find out more about Racketlon itself, check the following article that we wrote, exclusively, about Racketlon.
2. What sports are included in Racketlon?
Racketlon is a collection of, arguably, four of the most popular racket sports – table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis.
3. Can other racquet sports be included in a Racketlon match?
No. According to the Federation of International Racketlon, a Racketlon competition is, exclusively, made up of Table, Tennis, Badminton, and Tennis. Any other combination of racquet sports is not considered Racketlon.
4. Where can I participate in Racketlon tournaments?
Depending on where you reside, you may have a Racketlon club that operates within your area. Getting in touch with a Racketlon club is an excellent way to establish a connection with a group of players and get information on Racketlon tournaments.
If you prefer to practice on your own or don’t have a Racketlon club nearby, you can contact your national Racketlon association who is responsible for organizing tournaments. If this is also not available in your country, you can check out the Federation of International Racketlon website for international organized competitions.
5. How do you keep score in Racketlon?
The scoring system in Racketlon is unique to the sport, not taking after any of the four sports it includes. A match consists of four sets; each set is played in a different racquet sport. A set is played either to 21 or 11 points, with a margin of two points. Every point won counts as one (running score).
The player/team that wins the most amount of points (not sets!), in all four sets, wins the match.
6. How does one win the entire match in Racketlon?
To win the entire Racketlon match, you must be the player/team with the highest number of combined points from all four sets. In other words, at the end of the match, the player/team with the most points (not sets!) wins the match.
Therefore, it’s possible to win three sets and lose one, and still, lose the entire match because the other player/team, somehow, got more points. Thus, simply having won more sets than your opponent may not secure you a victory.
As result, players have to value each point and try to win by wide margins.
7. How are opponents matched for Racketlon competitions?
You may be worried that in tournaments, you will be placed amongst players that are above your skill level. Racketlon has taken this fact into consideration, and divided tournaments to encompass four different skill levels and match opponents who are in the same bracket (in terms of ability and age).
8. How much time do we have to play each set in Racketlon match?
Because sets have to be won by a margin of two points, there are no time limits on how long a set can go on. In theory, a set can last forever…
9. Do I get a break during each set?
Yes, when either side gets to 11 points during the set, there is a maximum of a 1-minute break.
10. How long is the break between sets?
Racketlon rules provide 6 minutes intervals (known as the 3+3 rule) between sets. Three minutes of break after the set is over, and then three more minutes for players to warm up for the next sport. So, in total there are 6 minutes between sets.
For instance, after your table tennis set, you will have 3 minutes to rest, plus 3 minutes to warm up for your badminton set.
11. What happens if there is a tie in the total amount of points at the end of all four sets?
In the case both players/teams have the same amount of points at the end of all four sets, one extra tie-breaker point is played, in tennis, to determine the winner. The winner of that one point is the winner of the match.
This one-point tie-breaker is known as “Gummiarm Point.”
12. How do I get started in playing Racketlon?
To begin playing Racketlon, you’ll need access to practice areas for all four racquet sports, as well as the respective equipment for each sport.
Alternatively, if you have minimal exposure to racket sports, you can choose to focus on mastering one sport at a time. This way, you will be building up your skills on each sport in increments, not all at once.
Which strategy you use depends on your goals and your timeline to when you would like to participate in tournaments. If you give yourself a long period between the beginning of your training and your first tournament, you can choose to master one sport at a time. If not, you can dive headfirst and take on each sport simultaneously. Good luck!
13. How can I start a Racketlon club?
There are different ways you can go about this. If you are in a country that has a Racketlon federation and Racketlon clubs, your journey is somewhat easier because you have a system in place that can help with practice and tournaments.
If, on the other hand, you are in a country without neither a federation nor clubs, you have a great opportunity to start one. With the help of social media, you can reach out to potential participants, and together, you can organize practice areas and begin to organize local tournaments.
For more info on this, check this updated list of all FIR Member countries.
14. Who organizes Racketlon tournaments?
International tournaments are, generally, organized by the Federation of International Racketlon (FIR); they are the global authority on the sport – from the rules to the tournaments. Local or national competitions are then hosted and organized by the national federation, or local Racketlon clubs.
15. What do I need to bring to Racketlon practice?
If you plan on practicing each sport in each practice session, your list of items to bring will be different from a player who intends to practice only one sport in each session.
If you want to play all four sports in the same session, you’ll have to bring the appropriate shoes for each sport, and three different racquets for badminton, squash, and tennis, as well as, table tennis paddle.
For a more in-depth guide on what, exactly, you need to play Racketlon, take a look at the following article ” What Do You Need to Play Racketlon (Equipment, Apparel, Accessories, etc.)“
16. If I have a partner, how do we exchange serves?
In doubles, each player gets to serve twice. A coin toss at the beginning of the game will determine who serves first between both teams.
If your team serves first, either you or your partner will serve first and serve twice, whether you win or lose the point. Next, the opponent will serve twice before the serve comes back to your side. Once it is on your side, the player who did not serve on the first serve round will serve. This alternating serve pattern continues until the end of the game.
17. How is the squash set, for doubles, played?
A squash court can accommodate only two players at a time. For that reason, Racketlon doubles are played in two rounds. Round one will feature one player from each team, and those two players will play up to the 11th point. After that, the other two members from the two teams will carry on with the set until one wins.
18. Are there some infractions that may lead to loss of points?
Yes; behaviors such as threatening others, swearing, abuse of court and/or racquet, coaching during play, or delaying the game are some that may result in losing a point upon a second warning.
19. Do I need to pay to enter a Racketlon tournament?
Most Racketlon tournaments do require participants to pay to compete. Fees vary from one event to another according to the scope of the tournament. International competitions, generally, cost more than local ones. Fees are typically used to fund the organizing efforts.
20. Are there umpires overseeing the games?
In international tournaments, there are umpires to oversee each match and to moderate contested points. However, local and smaller tournaments may have to be played without umpires or referees. Players are, then, given the responsibility to call out infractions and settle point disputes amongst themselves.
21. Is Racketlon injury prone?
Any sport can cause injuries. With that being said, Racketlon is a demanding sport that requires full-body strength and mastery of technical skills. As with any physical activity, stretching and warming up before and after each game is crucial to prevent injuries.
For first-time players, it is critical to get the appropriate gear, especially shoes. It is also helpful to get expert advice on your form and technique in order to improve it and avoid injuries.
22. I want to play, but my physical abilities are not top notch. What can I do?
If you are thinking about starting to play but feel that your physical abilities are not up to par, you are advised to seek a physician’s counsel on whether your health is in good shape to proceed. Furthermore, you are advised to build up your cardio abilities before focusing on the technical aspects of the sport. Take your time to really build up a strong base, and with practice, you will begin to see improvements.
23. How can I improve my skills in all four sports?
The beauty of Racketlon is that it allows progression through the different skill levels. Consistent training and participation in tournaments are surefire ways to build up your confidence and skills. Not only that, but you will get to meet a community of fellow Racketlon players who can offer you insightful tips and tricks from their experiences.
And, those are some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Racketlon. Hopefully, now, you should be able to confidently enter the world of Racketlon, whether if it is as a fan or as a player.
We also hope you find these answers useful. If you have a question that is not on the list, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll do our best to help you!