His dedication and continuous efforts to promote the sport lead into an increase in its popularity and acceptance. The presence of around 40,000 handball court in YMCAs and JCCs also contributed to the game s cause. In 1969, the International Racquetball Association or IRA came into being via the efforts of Robert W. If the ball bounces in front of or on the second solid line of the service area the player commits a short serve. A long serve occurs when the ball reaches the back wall before bouncing. When a served ball initially hits the front wall and then on the rebound phase comes in contact with both side walls before making a bounce a three wall serve is called. The short line is a solid red line that covers the court s width parallel to the back and front walls at a specific distance of 20 feet. The service line then parallels the short line having a 15-feet distance from the front wall. There are also two sets of lines perpendicular to the short and service lines located within the service box. A jam serve is made in an attempt to catch the opponent sleeping by employing difficult angles in order to deliver the ball in areas of the court that are not usually maximized. The Z-serve tops the list of jam serves wherein a hit targets the front wall close to a side wall. This method allows the ball to bounce off the side wall in swift motion then onto the floor before ending up around 30 to 35 feet off the opposite side wall. This occurs when the ball touches the ceiling after hitting the front wall. The receiving player must be ready before service takes place. The server commits a fault serve if he comes off the service box even before the ball passes the short line. A player loses his turn to serve whether it is the first or second when the ball comes into contact with any other surface other than the front wall. One word of caution: Do not try to repair the damage on your shoes with tapes or anything. It can lead to unexpected injuries. Spend some money. After all, racquetball shoes are not that expensive. Understand that this is one game where you need to get a new pair of footwear regularly. However, do not throw your old pair away until after your new pair had been broken in.