The Rules of Beach Tennis
Entra Na Onda: Mastering the Rules of Beach Tennis
Beach tennis is an exciting and fast-paced sport that is becoming increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts and beachgoers. This sport is played on the sand with a paddle and a low- compression tennis ball, making it an excellent cross-training exercise that improves agility, hand-eye coordination, and cardiovascular endurance.
But before you hit the sand, let's explain the basic rules of beach tennis.
- Court and Net: The court is 16 meters long and 8 meters wide, with a net height of 1.7 meters. The court is divided in half by the net, and each side is further divided into two squares. The first square is the service box, and the second square is the receiving box.
- Scoring: Beach tennis uses a point system similar to tennis, with the first player or team to reach 21 points winning the game. However, the winning team must win by at least two points.
- Serving: The server must stand behind the baseline and serve the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. The serve must clear the net and land in the receiving box. If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it's a let serve and the server gets another try.
- Returning: The receiver must stand in the receiving box and return the serve before the ball bounces. After the serve, players can hit the ball back and forth until one team fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds, or hits the ball into the net.
- Let Rule: If the ball hits the net and lands in bounds during play, it's a let and the point is replayed.There are some important differences between beach tennis and traditional tennis that players should be aware of. For instance, there are no doubles alleys in beach tennis, and the court size is smaller. Additionally, players are not allowed to volley the ball on a serve, and the ball can be played off the net on a serve or return.
But don't let the rules of beach tennis intimidate you! At OLA, we provide private classes for individuals or small groups. A rotating roster of experienced coaches will teach you the basics of footwork, paddle control, and game strategy, ensuring that you are well-equipped to play and enjoy this exciting sport. It’s a great way to learn the fundamentals while making friends and enjoy friendly competition to motivate each other to improve, whether it's playing practice matches or working together to improve specific skills. We believe that learning with like-minded players is an excellent way to enhance your experience and grow as a player.
Besides our traditional private classes, we also offer a unique cross training beach tennis class. This approach allows participants to have fun, learn new skills, and get in shape all at the same time. Our coaches will guide you through a variety of exercises and drills that will help you improve your overall fitness level while honing your beach tennis skills.
If you're ready to take your beach tennis game to the next level, join our private classes every Tuesday at 4 and 5 PM in Santa Monica, Tower 26. To inquire about pricing and availability or to book your spot, simply contact us via email or via DM on Instagram.
We can't wait to see you on the court!
Get in the Game: Mastering the Rules of Beach Tennis
Did you know that the rules of beach tennis were created by Giandomenico Bellettini? This Italian beach tennis player, coach, and referee has been involved in the sport since its inception in the 1980s and has played a significant role in its growth and development.
But before you hit the sand, it's important to understand the rules and regulations of beach tennis before you start playing. The game starts with a toss to determine who will serve first and which side the players will be on.
- Court and Net: The court is 16 meters long and 8 meters wide, with a net height of 1.7 meters. The court is divided in half by the net, and each side is further divided into two squares. The first square is the service box, and the second square is the receiving box.
- Scoring: Beach tennis uses a point system similar to tennis. The score is called out as love, 15, 30, 40, and game. If the game is tied at 40-40, it is called deuce. A game cannot go to deuce more than three times; the fourth time determines the winner. The winner of the set is the player who scores 7 games with a margin of 2 games, meaning it can go to 9. Tiebreaks are played at 6 all. Tiebreaks only include one more game to determine the final winner of the set, and the score would, therefore, be 7-6.
- Serving: The server begins and serves from the baseline, without stepping over the line until they connect with the ball. The server has only one serve per point, and they can stand anywhere along the baseline to serve. The server can serve anywhere in the opposite court, whether for singles or doubles.
- Returning: The receiver must stand in the receiving box and return the serve before the ball bounces. After the serve, players can hit the ball back and forth until one team fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds, or hits the ball into the net.
- Let Rule: If the ball hits the net and lands in bounds during play, it's a let and the point is replayed.There are some important differences between beach tennis and traditional tennis that players should be aware of. For instance, there are no doubles alleys in beach tennis, and the court size is smaller. Additionally, players are not allowed to volley the ball on a serve, and the ball can be played off the net on a serve or return.
Does this sound a bit too overwhelming? Don't let the rules of beach tennis intimidate you!
At OLA, we provide private classes for individuals or small groups. A rotating roster of experienced coaches will teach you the basics of footwork, paddle control, and game strategy, ensuring that you are well-equipped to play and enjoy this exciting sport. It’s a great way to learn the fundamentals while making friends and enjoy friendly competition to motivate each other to improve, whether it's playing practice matches or working together to improve specific skills. We believe that learning with like-minded players is an excellent way to enhance your experience and grow as a player.
Besides our traditional private classes, we also offer a unique cross training beach tennis class. This approach allows participants to have fun, learn new skills, and get in shape all at the same time. Our coaches will guide you through a variety of exercises and drills that will help you improve your overall fitness level while honing your beach tennis skills.
If you're ready to take your beach tennis game to the next level, join our private classes every Tuesday at 4 and 5 PM in Santa Monica, Tower 26. To inquire about pricing and availability or to book your spot, simply contact us via email or via DM on Instagram.
We can't wait to see you on the court!