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What is Beach Tennis? A Comprehensive Beginners Guide (2023)

Are you tired of the same old hobbies and looking for something new and exciting to do when you’re bored? Well, we’ve got just the thing for you – Beach Tennis! But wait… what is beach tennis?

This fun and engaging sport is a fantastic way to bust boredom, enjoy the outdoors, and get active.

What is Beach Tennis?

2-men-playing-beach-tennis-doubles-play, what is beach tennis?

Beach Tennis is a unique sport that combines elements of tennis and volleyball, all while enjoying the beautiful setting of a sandy beach.

Played with rackets, balls, and a net, this game is all about agility, strategy, and most importantly, having fun. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, beach tennis is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get a good workout.

Brief History of Beach Tennis

Beach Tennis first made its appearance around 1972 in Italy. Since then, it has grown in popularity and has spread across the world, becoming a beloved beach sport for professional and junior athletes alike.

The sport’s international spread is largely due to the efforts of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the highest governing body for beach tennis.

Related:

The Benefits of Playing Beach Tennis

Playing Beach Tennis is not just a fantastic way to bust boredom, but it also brings a plethora of benefits.

Here’s why you should consider picking up a racket and hitting the beach:

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Beach Tennis: A Sport for All Ages

Beach Tennis is a versatile sport that caters to everyone.

Here’s why it’s a great choice for people of all ages:

  1. Inclusivity: No matter your age or skill level, Beach Tennis is a game you can enjoy. It’s a sport that doesn’t discriminate, making it a perfect hobby for everyone.
  2. Family-Friendly: Looking for a fun activity for the whole family? Beach Tennis is a great way to bond with your loved ones while enjoying the outdoors.
  3. Community Building: Beach Tennis isn’t just a sport; it’s a community. Whether you’re playing doubles with friends or joining a local Beach Tennis club, you’re sure to make new connections.
3-beach-tennis-balls-and-beach-tennis-racquet-in-sand, beginners equipment

Cardio Benefits of Beach Tennis

Beach Tennis isn’t just a game; it’s a full-body workout. Here’s how playing Beach Tennis can boost your cardio health:

  1. Heart Rate: The fast-paced nature of Beach Tennis gets your heart pumping, improving cardiovascular health.
  2. Calorie Burning: Running on the sand, swinging the racket, and jumping to hit the ball all contribute to a high-calorie burn.
  3. Fun Workout: Let’s face it, Beach Tennis is way more fun than running on a treadmill! You get to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the thrill of the game while getting a great workout.

How to Play Beach Tennis

Ready to dive into the exciting world of Beach Tennis?

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

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Beach Tennis Rules

Understanding the rules is the first step to mastering Beach Tennis. Here are the basics:

  1. No Bouncing: Unlike traditional tennis, the ball in Beach Tennis should not bounce. It’s all about the volleys!
  2. Scoring: Beach Tennis follows the traditional tennis scoring system – love, 15, 30, 40, and game.
  3. Sets: A match is typically played best of three sets. Each set is played to 6 games.

Beach Tennis Equipment

To play Beach Tennis, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment:

  1. Rackets: Beach Tennis rackets are solid with no strings. They’re lighter than traditional tennis rackets, making them easy to handle.
  2. Balls: Beach Tennis balls are similar to stage 2 (orange) tennis balls, but they’re slightly depressurized to adapt to the beach environment.
  3. Net: The net in Beach Tennis is set at a height of 1.7 meters.
beach-tennis-racquets-in-sand-beach-tennis-ball, tennis equipment

Beach Tennis Court Dimensions

A Beach Tennis court is slightly smaller than a traditional tennis court. Here are the dimensions:

  1. Singles: For singles matches, the court is 16.5 feet wide and 52.5 feet long.
  2. Doubles: For doubles matches, the court is 26.25 feet wide and 52.5 feet long.

How to Serve in Beach Tennis

Serving in Beach Tennis is similar to serving in traditional tennis, with a few key differences. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

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  1. Position Yourself: Stand behind the baseline of the court. Make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart for balance.
  2. Grip the Racket: Hold the racket with a continental grip. This is the same grip used for volleys and serves in traditional tennis.
  3. Toss the Ball: Toss the ball into the air in front of you. The ball should reach its highest point slightly to the right of your head (for right-handed players).
  4. Hit the Ball: As the ball starts to descend, swing your racket and hit the ball. Aim to hit the ball into the diagonally opposite service box.

How to Score in Beach Tennis

Scoring in Beach Tennis follows the traditional tennis scoring system. Here’s how it works:

  1. Points: The first point won is called “15”, the second “30”, and the third “40”. If a player wins a point after “40”, they win the game, unless the score was tied at “40-40”.
  2. Deuce: If the score is tied at “40-40”, it’s called “deuce”. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
  3. Sets: A set is won by the first player to win 6 games, with a margin of at least 2 games. If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Playing a Beach Tennis Match

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Now that we’re familiar with beach tennis rules and other useful information – let’s learn how to play beach tennis in a step-by-step manner.

Total Time: 1 hour

  1. Gather Your Equipment

    Before you can start your match, you’ll need the right equipment. This includes a Beach Tennis racket for each player, a Beach Tennis ball, and a net.

  2. Set Up the Court

    Set up your court on a sandy beach. The court dimensions should be 16.5 feet wide and 52.5 feet long for singles, and 26.25 feet wide and 52.5 feet long for doubles.

    Make sure the net is set at the correct height of 1.7 meters.

  3. Decide Who Serves First

    You can decide who serves first by flipping a coin or playing a quick point. The player who wins gets to serve first.

  4. Start the Game with a Serve

    The server stands behind the baseline and serves the ball diagonally into the opponent’s service box.

    Remember, in Beach Tennis, the serve must be underhand.

  5. Play the Point

    After the serve, players take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net.

    Remember, the ball must not bounce on the ground. If a player fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds, or lets the ball bounce, the other player scores a point.

  6. Scoring

    Beach Tennis follows traditional tennis scoring: the first point won is 15, the second is 30, and the third is 40. If a player wins a point after 40, they win the game, unless the score was tied at 40-40 (deuce).

    From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.

  7. Switching Sides

    Players switch sides after every odd game. This ensures that no player has an advantage due to the sun or wind for too long.

  8. Winning the Match

    A match is typically best of three sets. Each set is won by the first player to win 6 games, with a margin of at least 2 games. If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played to decide the set.

Tools:

  • Beach Tennis Net
  • Beach Tennis Ball
  • Beach Tennis Racquets

yellow-organge-background-young-woman-holding-beach-tennis-racquet-and-ball, how to play beach tennis

Remember, the most important part of Beach Tennis is to have fun!

Whether you’re playing a casual game with friends or a competitive match, Beach Tennis is all about enjoying the game and the beach environment.

Cost and Budget for Beach Tennis

One of the great things about Beach Tennis is that it doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. Here’s what you need to know about the costs associated with Beach Tennis:

  1. Rackets: Beach Tennis rackets can range from $25 for a basic model to over $100 for a professional-grade racket. If you’re just starting out, a basic racket should suffice.
  2. Balls: A pack of Beach Tennis balls typically costs around $10. These balls are designed to withstand the beach environment, so they should last you a while.
  3. Net: If you plan on setting up your own Beach Tennis court, you’ll need a net. A good Beach Tennis net can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the quality and brand.
  4. Court Fees: If you’re playing at a public beach, there may be court fees to consider. These fees vary by location, but they’re usually quite affordable.

Remember, Beach Tennis is about having fun and staying active, not about having the most expensive equipment.

Start with the basics and upgrade your gear as you get more into the sport.

Beach Tennis vs Other Sports

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While Beach Tennis shares similarities with other racket sports, it also has its unique characteristics.

Let’s compare Beach Tennis with Tennis and Pickleball.

Beach Tennis vs Tennis

While both sports involve rackets, balls, and a net, there are some key differences:

  1. Court Surface: Tennis is typically played on a hard court, grass, or clay, while Beach Tennis, as the name suggests, is played on sand.
  2. Ball Bouncing: In Tennis, the ball is allowed to bounce once before it must be returned. In Beach Tennis, the ball must not touch the ground.
  3. Rackets: Tennis rackets have strings, while Beach Tennis rackets are solid and slightly smaller.
 person hitting ball with paddle. competitive hobby

Beach Tennis vs Pickleball

Pickleball, like Beach Tennis, is a paddle sport.

Here’s how they differ:

  1. Ball: Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball, while Beach Tennis uses a depressurized tennis ball.
  2. Scoring: Pickleball has its unique scoring system, while Beach Tennis follows traditional tennis scoring.
  3. Net Height: The net in Pickleball is lower than in Beach Tennis.

Beach Tennis vs Racquetball

Racquetball is another racquet sport that differs from Beach Tennis in several ways:

  1. Court: Racquetball is played indoors in a fully enclosed court, while Beach Tennis is played outdoors on sand.
  2. Ball: Racquetball uses a small, bouncy rubber ball, while Beach Tennis uses a depressurized tennis ball.
  3. Scoring: Racquetball uses a unique scoring system, while Beach Tennis follows traditional tennis scoring.
man sitting with backpack and squash equipment

Beach Tennis vs Squash

Squash is a high-speed racquet sport that contrasts with Beach Tennis:

  1. Court: Squash is played indoors on a four-walled court, while Beach Tennis is played on an open sand court.
  2. Ball: Squash uses a small rubber ball that has minimal bounce until warmed up, while Beach Tennis uses a depressurized tennis ball.
  3. Rallies: In Squash, the ball can hit any wall before reaching the opponent, while in Beach Tennis, the ball must pass over the net without bouncing.

Beach Tennis vs Crossminton

Crossminton, also known as Speed Badminton, is a fast-paced racquet sport:

  1. Court: Crossminton can be played on various surfaces without a net, while Beach Tennis requires a sand court with a net.
  2. Equipment: Crossminton uses a speeder, a type of shuttlecock, while Beach Tennis uses a depressurized tennis ball.
  3. Gameplay: Crossminton doesn’t have sides or boundaries, allowing for a 360-degree play, while Beach Tennis is played across a net with defined boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Beach Tennis

FAQ Man on computer looking confused. looking for answers, questions

Can the Ball Bounce in Beach Tennis?

No, unlike traditional tennis, the ball in Beach Tennis should not bounce. The game is played with volleys, meaning the ball must be hit before it touches the ground.

How Many Sets are There in Beach Tennis?

Three sets. A typical Beach Tennis match is played best of three sets and each set is played to 6 games.

However, the number of sets can be adjusted based on the players’ preferences.

Can I Play Beach Tennis If I’ve Never Played Tennis Before?

Yes! While Beach Tennis shares some similarities with traditional tennis, it’s a unique sport with its own rules and techniques. Even if you’ve never played tennis before, you can learn and enjoy Beach Tennis.

How Long Does a Beach Tennis Match Last?

It depends! The length of a Beach Tennis match can vary depending on the players’ skill level, the number of sets played, and the intensity of the game.

However, on average, a match might last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Is Beach Tennis a Good Workout?

Yes, Beach Tennis is a great workout. It combines cardio, agility, and strength training, all in one fun and exciting game. Plus, playing on sand adds an extra challenge that can help improve balance and engage more muscles.

So, What is Beach Tennis? A Conclusion

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Beach Tennis is a fun, engaging, and inclusive sport that offers a fantastic way to bust boredom.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a way to stay active, or a sport to enjoy with friends and family, Beach Tennis is a great choice. With its unique blend of tennis and volleyball, it’s sure to provide endless fun and excitement.

So grab a racket, hit the beach, and give Beach Tennis a try!

Additional Resources for Beach Tennis

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Beach Tennis, there are plenty of resources available. Here are some places you can check out:

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  1. International Tennis Federation (ITF): The ITF is the highest governing body for Beach Tennis. Their website offers a wealth of information, including rules, tournaments, and more.
  2. Beach Tennis YouTube Channels: There are several YouTube channels dedicated to Beach Tennis, such as ITFBeachTennis. These channels offer tutorials, match highlights, and tips for players of all levels.
  3. Local Beach Tennis Clubs: Joining a local Beach Tennis club is a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and improve your game. Check out local community boards or do a quick online search to find clubs near you.

Remember, the best way to improve at Beach Tennis is to keep playing and learning. These resources can help you on your journey, but nothing beats getting out there and hitting the ball!

Glossary of Beach Tennis Terms

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  1. Volley: A shot where the ball is hit before it bounces on the ground.
  2. Serve: The shot that starts each point, hit from behind the baseline into the opposite service box.
  3. Baseline: The line at the back of the court.
  4. Deuce: A score of 40-40 in a game.
  5. Tiebreak: A game played to decide the set when the score is tied at 6-6.
  6. Continental Grip: A type of racket grip used for serves and volleys.
  7. Service Box: The area into which the serve must be hit.
what-is-beach-tennis, man playing beach tennis