Beginner Guide to Beach Tennis Rules

Beach tennis is a rapidly growing sport that combines elements of tennis, beach volleyball, and badminton. Played on the sand with paddles and a low net, beach tennis offers a unique blend of strategy and physicality. If you're considering picking up this sport or just want to understand it better, here’s a guide to its rules and specifics. For more on the real beach tennis rules check out our article on where to find the ITF Rules of Beach Tennis. 

Court Size:

A beach tennis court measures 52.5 feet in length and 26.2 feet in width, which is about the same size as a beach volleyball court but a little smaller. For comparison a beach volleyball court is 60' by 30'.

Service Boxes:

Each half of the court is further divided into two service boxes by a center service line, similar to a traditional tennis court.

Net Height:

The net is set at a height of 5.7 feet.

Ball:

A depressurized tennis ball is, which has less bounce than regular tennis balls.

Games:

Beach tennis uses the traditional tennis scoring system. Points are counted as 15 (first point), 30 (second point), 40 (third point), and game (fourth point). If both players reach 40-40, it’s called a deuce. Games are played as part of a Set, in order to win a Set a player must win 6 games. In order to win the whole match a player must win the best of 3 sets.

Sets:

A standard beach tennis match consists of best-of-three sets. Winning a Set: To win a set, a player or team must win six games.  However, there must be at least a two-game difference between the competitors. For example, scores like 6-4 or 6-3 signify the end of a set. 

Match:

The first player or team that wins two sets out of the potential three is declared the match winner.

Tiebreaker in a set:

If both players or teams end up winning five games each, making the score 5-5, the set will be extended until one player or team has a two-game lead so, it must be 7-5, 10-8 or 14-16. However, if the set score reaches 6-6, a tiebreak game is played to determine the set winner of that set. The tiebreak generally continues until one player or team achieves a two-point advantage.

Tie-break Game:

This only occurs when each player has won 6 games. During a tie-break game, points are scored differently than in a normal game. Instead of 0, 15, 30, 40 it is scored as “Zero”, “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. The first player/team to win seven points wins the “Game” and “Set”, provided there is a The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point of the tie-break game. The following two points shall be served by the other player or the player in the opposing doubles team due to serve next. After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points until the end of the tie-break game (in doubles, the rotation ofservice within each team shall continue in the same order as during that set). The player/team whose turn it was to serve first in the tie-break game shall be the receiver in the first game of the following set. Additional approved alternative scoring methods, as outlined in Appendix VI of the Rules of Beach Tennis, may be used provided that the one to be used is announced in advance of the event.

Server & Receiver:

Players/teams stand on opposite sides of the net. The server is the player who initiates play for the first point, while the player/team ready to return the served ball are the receivers. Before starting each point, the receivers first take their positions, followed by the server. 

Order of Service:

At the end of each standard Game, the roles switch - the receiver(s) become the server(s) and vice versa. In doubles: The team due to serve in the first game of each set decides which member will serve for that game. Before the second game starts, the opposing team decides which player will serve. The partner of the player who served in the first game will serve in the third game, and the partner of the player who served in the second game will serve in the fourth game. This rotation continues until the end of the set.

Serving Position:

The server can stand anywhere behind the court when serving. The service must pass over the net before a receiver returns it. There is no second service. 

Rally: 

After the serve, players must volley the ball back and forth without letting it touch the ground. Players are not allowed to catch or carry the ball with their paddle.

Points can be scored by:

Hitting the ball so that it lands in the opponent's side and is not returned. The opponent hitting the ball out of bounds. The opponent failing to return the ball in play.

In essence, beach tennis is an exciting, fast-paced game that requires agility, power, and strategic gameplay. Whether you're playing competitively or just for fun, understanding these basic rules will ensure you have a great time on the sand!

Outside the lines: 

A ball is out if it hits the ground outside the lines or the net posts it is out. 
Hits the line: 

Line is in! The lines are part of the court, so if the ball touches any part of the line, it is considered in.

A fault occurs if the server fails to hit the service box on the opposite side. There is no second serve in beach tennis. Unlike traditional tennis, there is no second serve in beach tennis. If the server commits a fault, the opposing player or team is awarded the point.

Players switch sides of the court after every odd-numbered game within a set. This ensures equal playing conditions, considering factors like sun direction and wind.

Paddles: 

Beach tennis uses solid paddles without strings. These paddles are typically made of carbon fiber or similar materials, offering a balance between power and control. 

Clothing: 

Players often wear comfortable sportswear suitable for beach activities. Sunglasses and hats are common to protect against the sun.

In beach tennis, players must remain agile and quick. They can move anywhere on their side of the court during play. Coordination between teammates in doubles play is crucial for covering the court effectively.