Friday, March 6, 2009

Beach Tennis

NAYSI Activity Tip
March 6, 2009
No. 16

Beach Tennis

On a recent trip to the Gulf coast I saw a few guys playing tennis on the beach. Being a reasonably competent tennis player, I ambled over to their court, laid out on the sand, to see what was happening. Sure enough, it was tennis, laid out like beach volleyball. Needless to say, it was a no-bounce version of the sport – a serve and volley game. Here are the details of this version of tennis:

Court is 30 x 60 divided down the middle for singles and doubles.

Net is 5 feet 10 inches high.

The ball is a very soft no-bounce beginner ball.

Scoring is No-Ad – 15 - 30 – 40 – game.

Play pro set [8 games] and win by two games.

Receiving player or team can elect where to receive at 40 all.

Only one serve per point.

Net ball on serve is replayed if the ball lands in service court. Play a “let” and serve gain. Otherwise, it is point lost.

Serve from behind baseline.

Players change ends on odd games.

Touching the net or going over or under the net is loss of point.

Lines are in bounds as in regulation tennis.

This sport seems to be most suitable for teens and older players who have developed some tennis skills. For younger players and beginners, the net can be lowered and a soft sponge ball can be used. In other words, change to game to suit the ability of the players.

For more information, see www.BeachTennis.com.