Racquets
THIS game--which is really FIVES with a "racquet" or bat--is not easily played without what is called a racquet ground, which consists of a large space of ground, a parallelogram, of not less than fifty yards long, by twenty-five broad. Where such an advantage presents itself, the game may be easily attempted. Sometimes the high dead wall of a garden may be made into a racquet wall, by fixing up some boards and net-work along the top, supposing there is space enough below, when the game may be played in a small way. The wall should be painted black, and the ground be divided into four equal divisions, which should be distinctly marked either by chipping a groove in it by a spade, or by chalk. It is very essential, however, that the flooring of the court should be paved. A double racquet court is supposed to measure eighty feet by forty, the end wall being at least thirty feet high; but the game may be played anywhere if there is room. These divisions are, two close to the wall,--A and B, and two in front of them, as C and D, which divisions are occupied by those who play the game. The wall should be marked by a broad line of white paint at twenty-six inches from the ground, and above this line every ball must strike. All below is boarded. The ball is, according to law, only to weigh one ounce. A line called the "cut" line is drawn seven feet and three-quarters above the pavement, and all balls are served above it. The ball is made of pure white and tightly sewn leather. The bat used to propel the ball is of a legal make, and its lower end of a spoon form, over which is placed a strong net-work of silk-wire, or cat-gut. The bat is called a racquet.
How the game is played.--Racquets is a very simple game, and may be played either by two or more players. When it is played by four persons, one stands in each of the compartments, A, B, C, D; those near the wall in spaces called "service courts," marked off at the side walls. Into one of these the ball must be served, according to player, being called in-hand, and those furthest from it out-hand players. When two play, each player takes two of the divisions, and the one who takes the A first from the wall is called in-hand player and the other out-hand player. Having determined by lot who is to begin the game, the in-hand player nearest the wall strikes his ball against it; if it strikes under the line to the wrong side, goes over the wall, does not rebound into the out-hand spaces, or goes beyond the racquet ground, or touches the server or his partner before it has bounded twice, the server is out, and the out-hand player takes his place; but if the player is more successful, and the ball rebounds into the out-hand spaces, and hopping from the ground is sent back to the wall again, to rebound into one of the in-spaces, the game goes on. In a close-court game the "server" who serves the ball properly above the line but not accurately into his adversary's court is allowed to make two consecutive faults, before his "hand" is out. The play of the game is, that the in-player shall send the ball in such a manner against the wall that, on its rebound, the opposite party, or player, shall be able to pick it up or hit it. Whenever this happens, he who struck the ball counts one point, or an ace, and the play is continued until one player or party scores eleven, or, as is now more frequently played, fifteen. At thirteen all the out-hands may "set" it to five, and at fourteen all to three, if done before the game has proceeded.
This capital game, so conducive to health and affording such excellent exercise, may be played either in an open court--that is, a court with only one wall, against which the game is played--or in a closed court which is surrounded by four walls. Sometimes a compromise is made by the employment of the ordinary high front wall, and a smaller back wall, omitting the side walls altogether. The closed court game is the best and far the most scientific, but the great expense necessary for erecting a proper court compels many to content themselves with an ordinary old-fashioned open court game, for there seems little doubt that the open court game is the oldest and the one which in old days was held in the highest favour.
In addition to the foregoing there are the following points to be observed:-- The ball should be served from right and left alternately. The server must have one foot in the court marked for that purpose as in lawn tennis.
A ball served below the line may be taken, but if not taken, it is a "fault." It is also a fault if-- The server is not in his place; or if the ball does not fall in the proper court; if it touch the roof, gallery, &c., in an inclosed court. Two faults consecutively make the "hand" out.
An out-player must not take his partner's ball. Courts may be only changed by "hands-out" once in each game.
If a ball be purposely stopped by a player before the second rebound, it counts against him. Or if it hit striker's opponent above or on the knee, or himself or partner, it counts against the striker.
A ball striking anywhere before reaching the front wall puts the hand out.