The game of beach tennis is a very popular beach pastime. It is played in the summer with two or more people and, although it may be pleasant to have some exchanges on the shoreline just to relax, a series of rules can be applied to the game that make it far more interesting. Read the following article to learn the basic strategies of the game and get ready to go to the beach and have fun with your friends.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Basic Techniques
Step 1. Practice with a yo-yo racket
Despite being considered a children's game, the yo-yo racket can prove to be a valuable tool to improve hand-eye coordination and practice with the racket.
- Hold the racket with your dominant hand, wrist up.
- Give an upward flick of the wrist to move the ball over the racket.
- Keep tapping your wrist to bounce the ball off the racket. The goal is to continuously bounce the ball without letting it fall.
Step 2. Move on to more difficult games
Move the racket so that the ball bounces under and over it. This is just one of the ways to train hand-eye coordination.
Step 3. Try yo-yo rackets with different lengths of wire
The longer the line, the harder it is to bounce and control the ball.
Method 2 of 3: The Laws of the Game
Step 1. Purchase a racket set containing one ball, two or four rackets and a net
Each racket should be between 45 and 50cm long.
Step 2. Choose the play area on the beach or on a sandy surface (such as a beach volleyball court, for example)
Step 3. With your heel (or whatever you have on hand) draw a rectangle in the sand measuring 4, 5x14, 5m (single court) or 8x16m (double court)
On the single field it is played one on one, on the double one in four.
Step 4. Place the net in the center of the field
Although special nets can be found on the market for this type of game, you can also adapt one normally used for similar sports; the important thing is that it rises 180 cm from the ground if you play on a hard surface (such as on grass, for example), or 170 cm if you play on a soft surface (sand or snow).
Step 5. Make teams
First, decide whether to play single or double. If you are playing doubles, you can flip a coin to randomly decide the members of the two teams.
Step 6. Learn to score
The points are calculated as in tennis and the match is divided into 1, 3 or 5 sets.
- In tennis, players start at 0 points. The first point is scored 15, the second (if earned by the same team) 30 and the third 40. The score of the serving team is declared first. For example, if the serving team scored 3 points and the receiving team scored 2, the score is 40-30.
- When a team reaches 40, they have a chance to win the set by scoring one more point. If the score is 40-40 (deuce), whoever scores the next point wins. In tennis it is necessary to score two points in a row to win a set, but the rules of the game of rackets do not contemplate the "advantage".
- The game of rackets can be played in games of 1, 3 or 5 sets. Each set consists of 6 games but, to be able to win it, a player must have an advantage of two games over the opponent. A set can then end on a score of 6-4 but not 6-5 (in which case play continues until one of the teams wins two games in a row).
Step 7. Determine which of the two teams should serve first by flipping a coin or dribbling
Dribbling consists of exchanging the ball until a member of either team makes a mistake. The "losing" team thus becomes the one destined to receive, while the other goes to serve.
Step 8. It is only served once per point and it is allowed to hit the ball only once to send it over the net
Before hitting the ball over the net, members of the same team cannot hit it once for each.
Step 9. Remember that balls that touch the net tape before hitting the other side of the court are still considered good
When the ball touches the net, play continues as normal.
Method 3 of 3: Develop a Game Strategy
Step 1. The goal of the game is to keep the ball from falling to the ground
Points are earned by forcing the opponent to miss the ball, throw it into the net or drop it on his side of the pitch.
Step 2. Send the ball away from the opponent, being careful to keep it in the field
Angling your shots so that your opponent can't reach the ball greatly complicates their response.
Step 3. Keep the ball in play and wait for the right opportunity to attempt a winning attack
A good attack can consist of a dampened ball, a smash, a volley or a lob.
Step 4. If you are unbalanced, try a lob
The lob describes a bell-tower trajectory that goes from bottom to top. Since the ball takes longer to reach the opponent's half of the pitch, the lob can be useful when it is necessary to regain lost balance.
When you lob, be sure to send the ball to the baseline so as not to give your opponent a chance to hit back with a smash
Step 5. If you are playing doubles, communicate with your teammate
Call the ball using phrases like "Mia!" or "I have it!" Decide in advance which phrases to use.
Advice
- Remember to stretch before you start playing, especially for the upper body. Although playing beach tennis may seem like an inexpensive activity, it can still put a strain on your arm and wrist.
- Use your whole body while hitting the ball, not just the arm and wrist.
- Wear a pair of shoes if you're playing on a rough surface (like concrete, for example).
- The important thing is having fun! The game of rackets is becoming a competitive sport, but still try not to take yourself too seriously when you are on the pitch.
Warnings
- Don't forget to use sunscreen when playing outdoors.
- To avoid sprains or other injuries, avoid playing on uneven courts.
