Paddle Tennis Court Dimensions, Rules, and Equipment Specifications

Posted on Dec 6, 2024 in Physical Education

1. Court and Net Dimensions

1.1. Playing Field

Smaller Court (Kids/Beginners):

  • Shape: Rectangle
  • Length: Approximately 12.8 meters
  • Width: Approximately 8.23 meters
  • Free Zone: 2 meters behind the end lines and sidelines

Standard Court:

  • Shape: Rectangle
  • Length: 23.77 meters
  • Width: 8.23 meters
  • Center Line: Divides the court into two equal halves, with a net suspended from a cord or metal cable (maximum diameter 0.8 cm). The net posts should not exceed 15 cm in diameter or 2.3 cm above the top rope of the net. Post centers are 0.914 meters outside each doubles sideline.
  • Bottom Line (Transverse): Lines at each end of the court. Divided by a 10 cm long and 5 cm wide imaginary extension of the center line, forming a central mark.
  • Service Lines: Parallel to the net, 6.40 m from each side, defining the service box.
  • Center Service Line (Longitudinal): Divides the service boxes into halves. Marked by the net and a 5 cm wide line equidistant from and parallel to the sidelines.
  • Side Lines: Lines that define the sides of the court. Line width: 2.5 cm to 5 cm (except bottom lines, which can be up to 10 cm).
  • Service Box: Bounded by the center lines, side lines, and service lines.
  • Free Zone: Recommended 5 meters behind the baseline and 3 meters from the sidelines.
  • Permanent Fixtures: Net, posts, singles sticks, cord/cable, band, obstacles around the court (platforms, seats, judge’s chair, foot fault line, ball retrievers).

1.2. Net Specifications

Smaller Court (Kids/Beginners):

  • Height: 70-80 cm at the center, 80-90 cm at the ends

Standard Court:

  • The net should be fully extended between the posts.
  • Mesh size should prevent the ball from passing through.
  • Height at center: 0.914 m, with a white band (max 5 cm wide) supporting it.
  • A white band (5 cm to 6.3 cm wide) should cover the top cord or cable.

2. Players and Officials

Server/Receiver: Players stand on opposite sides of the net. The player who first hits the ball is the server, the other is the receiver.

Officials:

  • Referee: Has the final decision.
  • Umpire: Can correct decisions and decides auxiliary game.
  • Auxiliary Judges: Final decisions on factual questions, line judges, foot-fault judges.
  • Ball Collectors

3. Match Duration and Scoring

Matches consist of 3 sets.

Standard Sets:

  • Each set is won by the first player/team to reach 6 games, with a 2-game advantage.
  • If tied at 6 games, a 7-point tie-break (with a 2-point advantage) is played.

Mini-sets (Kids/Beginners):

  • 3 mini-sets of 21 points each.
  • Half-minute rest between mini-sets.
  • Tie at 20 points: Play continues until one player/team has a 2-point lead.

3.1. Match Start

  • 5-minute warm-up on court before the match.
  • Coin toss or spin to decide serve/side.

3.2. Breaks

  • One minute break when changing sides.

4. Equipment

4.1. Racket

Smaller Court (Kids/Beginners):

  • Length: 54-59 cm
  • Weight: 270-280 grams
  • Material: Any (wood, plastic, etc.), smaller than standard size

Standard Court:

  • Hitting surface must be flat, with a pattern of crossed strings.
  • Maximum length: 81.28 inches (including handle).
  • Maximum width: 31.75 inches.
  • No devices to change shape or weight distribution.
  • Stringed area: 39.37 inches long, 29.21 cm wide.

4.2. Ball

  • Uniform outer surface, white or yellow.
  • Diameter: 6.35-6.67 cm.
  • Weight: 56.7-58.5 grams.
  • Bounce: 135-147 cm when dropped from 254 cm on a hard surface.
  • Must pass tests for rebound, size, and deformation.

5. Technical Regulations

5.1. Service

  • Server stands with both feet behind the baseline, within the imaginary extensions of the center mark and sideline.
  • Toss the ball and hit it before it bounces.
  • Service is considered made when the racket hits the ball.
  • Serve alternates between left and right halves of the court, starting from the right in each game.
  • If a wrong side serve is valid, play continues until the error, then the position is corrected.
  • Served ball must pass over the net and land diagonally opposite in the service box.
  • Boundary lines are valid.
  • Receiver becomes server after each game.

5.2. Change of Ends

  • Players change ends after the first, third, and subsequent odd games of each set, and at the end of each set (unless the total games in the set are even, then change after the first game of the next set).

5.3. Losing a Point

  • Ball hits the player’s body.
  • Double fault on service.
  • Returning the ball after it has bounced twice.
  • Ball in play touches the net, posts, or invades the opponent’s space.
  • Throwing the racket to hit the ball.
  • Hitting the ball on a volley while still in the opponent’s court.