BEACH TENNIS RULES | metrosports

NOTABLE RULES

Beach Tennis rules and scoring system are almost similar to that of tennis, only that the sport has no-advantage scoring, no service let, nor second serves. Also, unlike tennis, if the ball touches the ground, the point is over.

Matchups

In this corporate league, matchups are composed of 3 matches:

1. Men's match = 1 Set (first to 6 games)

2. Women's match = 1 Set (first to 6 games)

3. Mixed match = 2 Sets (first to 6 games) with tie breaker if 1-1 (Tie breaker = 1 game of 7 points)

Team that wins most matches, wins the matchup.

Teams can alternate their players as desired for each set.

Matches

A beach tennis will be played as best of three matches. For our corporate leagues, each matchup will include one (1) all female doubles match equaling 1 set, one (1) all male doubles match equaling 1 set, and one (1) mixed doubles match composed of 2 sets. A team needs to win at least two matches to be declared the winner.

Sets

The first team to win six games will win the set. If the score is tied at 5-5, then a seven points tie-breaker with a two point advantage is played.

Games

Just like tennis, a game score goes by as 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, and game.
A no-advantage scoring system is used – If both sides have reached deuce (have scored three points each), then the side that scores the next point will win the game.

How to Score Points on Beach Tennis

A point is awarded to a player/team if any of the following happens:

If the ball touches the opponents’ court.
If the opponent side hits the ball outside the boundaries of the court. Note that if the ball hits the boundary line, it’s considered in.
If the opponents hit the ball into the net and/or post. (Keep in mind that if the ball hits the net and goes over, the ball is considered in play.)
If the opponent team/player intentionally distracts them/her, while hitting the ball (considered as hindrance).
Also, if a player/team hits the ball on the net, and the ball passes over to the other side and touches the ground within the boundaries of the court, then they get the point.
A player is prohibited from hitting the ball while invading the opponent’s court.

Server and Receiver
As with many racquet sports, players must stand opposite of each other on their respective courts. The server is the player who starts the point, while the returner is the opposing player, who returns the serve. Before the start of the point, both sides, need to be ready and take their respective positions.

Toss
To decide which side starts serving or receiving, a toss is made before the start of the game. The side who wins the toss shall decide whether to serve, receive or the side of the court they want to start on. This means that the other team/player (loser of the toss) will have to choose between the remaining options.

Serving rules
Both, overarm and underarm serves, are allowed, however, during mixed doubles, male players must hit an underarm serve, below the waist. Moreover, any of the receiving players may return the serve.

After the end of each game, the receiver becomes the new server and vice versa. Keep in mind that the same player must serve during each game (even in doubles). Teammates are not allowed to alternate serves during the same game.

The serving player must not touch the lines while serving; therefore, players must always serve outside the baseline.

Also, a server losses the point if he hits the ball out, on the net, or at the post. As stated earlier, if a player serves and the ball hits the net, and the ball goes over inside the court, the point continues.

Changing Ends
At the end of the first, third, and after every odd game, the players should change ends. They, also, should change ends after the end of each set, as long as the total number of games is an odd number. When a tie-break is played, players should change ends after the first point, and, then, after every four points.

Since the game is played outdoors, it’s important to change ends because, depending on the side of the court, the sun can affect a player’s vision (even if they’re using sunglasses).

Let
A let, which means that the point should be replayed, might be called during the following circumstances:

If the ball is damaged during a rally.
When a member of the receiving side is not ready when the ball is being served.
If one of the court lines is broken or unattached when the point is going on.