| If you've never played racquetball before, you might | | | | - Racquetball Glove: Many people don't wear one, but |
| want to buy some of the cheapest equipment you | | | | people that do wouldn't have it any other way. |
| can get by with. In fact, if you know of someone else | | | | Racquetball gloves are used for protection against |
| who plays, you might want to borrow or purchase | | | | sweat. Being a very active sport, running around a |
| some of their used equipment before investing in | | | | racquetball court will work up a sweat on just about |
| expensive equipment that you may or may not use | | | | anyone. The glove on your racquet hand gives you |
| again. | | | | more control and prevents you from missing a shot |
| What you need: | | | | due to sweaty palms or the racquet slipping out of |
| - Racquet: Racquets vary in price from under $50.00 | | | | your hand and flying into your opponents face. |
| to over $500.00 or more. If you have never played | | | | - Sweat Headband: If you've never played racquetball, |
| before, probably any old racquet will do temporarily. If | | | | you will most likely find that the sweat will pour if you |
| you continue to play, go to a sporting goods store and | | | | are putting your all into the game. Sweat is salty and |
| talk to their professionals about the proper weight | | | | stings like crazy when it gets in your eyes, making it |
| racquet for you. If you have any type of shoulder or | | | | impossible to continue playing. This is a 'must-have' and |
| rotator cuff problems, choose the lighter weight | | | | I would recommend having more than one on hand at |
| racquets. On the other hand, if you are in top physical | | | | all times. |
| shape and have good upper body and arm | | | | - Wrist Sweat Band: You can use this instead of, or in |
| musculature and strength, then opt for a heavier | | | | addition to, the headband. Place this on the wrist |
| racquet. The weight will also make a difference in the | | | | opposite your racquet hand in order to wipe sweat off |
| power that you are able to put behind the ball. | | | | your forehead, chin, neck, chest or arms. You can |
| - Goggles: Goggles are highly recommended. | | | | even do this while in the middle of play, so they come |
| Racquetballs are fairly small but are made of | | | | in really handy. |
| extremely hard rubber. Getting knocked in the eye with | | | | - Racquetball balls: These balls are color-coded |
| one of those can cause substantial damage. If you | | | | according to speed. They come in blue, green, purple, |
| sweat a lot, you might want to invest in vented | | | | red and black with the red balls being the fastest and |
| goggles so that they don't steam up and limit your | | | | the black balls the slowest. Most amateurs play with |
| visibility. | | | | blue or green balls while beginners will often start with |
| - Running Shoes: They sell racquetball shoes, but the | | | | black. State sanctioned events normally use the blue |
| price will be higher when buying specialty shoes, | | | | or green while the International Pro Racquetball Tour |
| regardless of the quality. What you really need is a | | | | will only use the purple balls. |
| good pair of running shoes or cross trainers with a | | | | Racquetball is not for everyone, so don't invest heavily |
| good amount of support. One of the most common | | | | in equipment until you know for sure that this is a sport |
| racquetball injuries is sprained ankles, so you want | | | | you'll stick with. Used equipment for resale, regardless |
| shoes that will protect that area. Good shoes are a | | | | of the quality and condition will bring nowhere near |
| good investment. Poor quality shoes can leave you in | | | | what you spend on it. Most of all...enjoy! |
| excruciating post-game pain. | | | | |