Supervision

• On-site supervision is recommended during set-up of equipment and initial instruction.
• Proximity supervision is recommended following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.

Instructional Considerations

• Positioning and movement should be taught for singles and doubles.
• Code of etiquette for court play should be taught and enforced, e.g., not entering a court in use.
• When teaching skills, there should be adequate spacing for each student to make a free and uninterrupted swing.
• When returning a serve, the receiver may not enter the safety zone (area between the short line and the receiving line) until the ball crosses the receiving line or bounces on the floor.
• Students should be taught to use the safety holdup. The safety holdup should be used if someone is in the path of your swing. Hold up and replay the point.
• Benefits of protective eye gear should be communicated to students.
• Spectators should not be allowed on the court.
• There should be no more than four players to a playing area.
• Only singles must be played unless a proper doubles court is available.

Equipment/Facilities

• Eye protection should be worn at all times on the court. Students wearing eyeglasses should wear appropriate eye protection (e.g., shatterproof glasses).
• Racquetball racquets must be equipped with a tether strap that is worn around the wrist.
• Racquets should have a good grip and be in safe playing condition.
• Court boundary lines should be clearly defined.
• A safety procedure should be established for side-by-side courts in a gymnasium.
• When playing on an enclosed regulation court, protective eye gear must be worn.
• Balls should be appropriate to the skill level of students, e.g., tennis, foam balls, soft rubber or vinyl balls.