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United State Paddle Tennis Association Rules

Paddleballmag would like to acknowledge that all material provided in this article is the property of the USPTA it is intended to provide players and viewers with the rules and regulations of paddle Tennis. We provide it as a learning tool for those interested in learning the game. We will provide the rules in a series of issues. For more information please click on the link for the United States paddle Tennis Association. http://www.playpaddletennis.com/rules.htm

Here is the last installment  in our series on learning the game !

Also the code of Conduct & Behavior

The strokes, grips, scoring, and strategy of paddle tennis are the same as tennis. The server, however, is allowed only one underhand serve. In singles, the server must allow the return of serve to bounce once before rushing to the net. Also, the official paddle tennis ball is deadened. It is a regular pressurized tennis ball that has its internal pressure reduced by being punctured (with a hypodermic needle). When the ball is dropped from a height of six feet to the court surface, the bounce should be not less than 31 inches (the height of the net), and not more than 33 inches. The regulation court is 50 feet long by 20 feet wide. The same court is used for singles and doubles; there are no doubles alleys. A minimum of 15 feet backspace and ten feet side space is recommended.

Paddle Tennis Rules 31 through 37 & Code of Conduct

Rule 31: Serve Out of Turn (Doubles)

If a player serves out of turn, the correct player shall serve as soon as the mistake is discovered, but all points scored before the discovery shall be counted. If a game has been completed before the discovery, the order of service shall remain as altered.

Rule 32: Receive Out of Order (Doubles)

If, during a game, the order of receiving is changed by the Receivers, it shall remain as altered until the end of the game, but the partners shall resume their correct order of receiving in the next game of the set in which they are Receivers.

Rule 33: Served Ball Touches Player (Doubles)

If a served ball touches the Server's partner, or anything he wears or carries, before hitting the ground, the Server loses the point.

If a served ball hits the Receiver or the Receiver's partner, or anything they wear or carry, before hitting the ground the Server wins the point.

Rule 34: Ball Struck Alternately (Doubles)

The ball shall be struck alternately by one or the other of the opposing pairs.

Note:   This does not mean that the partners themselves have to alternate in making returns.


Rule 35: Restraint (Doubles)

Both feet of all players must be clearly behind the "Restraint" line until clearly after the Receiver's paddle strikes the ball. A player may lean into the "bucket" area as long as his feet are behind the "Restraint" line. Foot progress into the "bucket" area simultaneous, or nearly so, with the paddle vs. ball impact constitutes a violation and the point shall be awarded to the other side.

If there is a reasonable doubt as to the violation, the Umpire may call a "let" and the point shall be replayed. Restraint ends for the Receiving team the moment the Receiver crosses the Restraint line prior to contact being made in order to return a short serve.

The Receiver's paddle must contact the service in order for play to continue. Receiver may not swing at a served ball, miss and charge the Server with violation of the Restraint Rule.

Note: The above Restraint Rule (commonly called the "Bucket" Rule) prevails only where it is authorized. Paddle Tennis doubles can be played with or without the Bucket Rule, depending on the determination of the respective Tournament Director for each tournament; that fact to be indicated in advance on announcements and entry forms for the tournaments.


Rule 36: Singles Play Only

Each player must allow the ball to bounce once on his side (exclusive of dropping the ball behind the baseline) before being permitted to volley for the first time. In other words, the Server must allow the Receiver's return to hit on his side of the court for the first shot following the serve. This is sometimes known as the "two bounce" rule.

Rule 37: Tie Breakers

The same procedure is used for both singles and doubles.

The tie-breaker comes into play if a set reaches 6 games all, 8 games all or 12 games all, depending on the type of set played. (Rule 23)

(1)

The first team to reach 7 points wins the set providing they have a 2 point margin. If not, play continues until a 2 point margin is established by one team over the other.

(2)

The team whose turn it is to serve shall put the ball into play for the first point.

(3)

The set scores at the completion of the tie-breaker shall be recorded as 7 games to 6, 9 games to 8, or 13 games to 12, depending on the type of set being played. (Rule 23)

(4)

The team receiving service for the first point of the tie-breaker shall begin serving the next set from the opposite side from which it received the first point. Teams change sides after the first point.

 


Doubles Sequence (Players A & B versus players C & D)

(1)   Player A serves point 1 from the Ad court.
(2)   Change sides
(3)   Player C serves points 2 & 3
(4)   Player B serves points 4 & 5
(5)   Changes sides
(6)   Player D serves points 6 & 7
(7)   Player A serves points 8 & 9
(8)   Etc., this rotation continues until one team has a 2 point margin.

Singles Sequence

(  1)   Player A serves point 1 from the Ad court.
(  2)   Change sides
(  3)   Player B serves points 2 & 3
(  4)   Player A serves points 4 & 5
(  5)   Changes sides
(  6)   Player B serves points 6 & 7
(  7)   Player A serves points 8 & 9
(  8)   Change Sides
(  9)   Player C serves points 10 & 11
(10)   Player B serves points 12 & 13
(11)   Changes sides
(12)   Player D serves points 14 & 15
(13)   Etc..., This rotation continues until one player has a 2 point margin.

Note: Except as noted herein, the rules of play and scoring of the United States Tennis Association shall govern.  This code shall be strictly enforced at all sanctioned tournaments by the tournament committee, tournament director, Paddle Tennis Association Board of Directors, and/or linesmen, umpires or referees.

Code of Conduct & Behavior

I. Profane or Abusive Language

Any player who uses language that is disrespectful to players, linesmen, umpires, referees or spectators shall be penalized as stated in this section. Said language includes profanity or conduct that is hostile or abusive.

The fines may be issued by linesmen, umpires, referees or the tournament director. No player may be defaulted without two warnings.

During the course of each match a player who violates the rules under Section I shall be penalized as follows:

     1st offense:  loss of point      2nd offense:  loss of game      3rd offense:  default of match / $30.00 fine*
II. Flagrant Paddle Throwing

Any player who intentionally and flagrantly and without respect for the safety of others throws their paddle shall be fined $100.00. Upon the 2nd instance, player shall be fined an additional $100.00 and defaulted from the tournament.

III. Failure to Referee

A player may be required to call lines following a winner's or loser's bracket match, or at the discretion of the tournament director. A player who fails to call lines when required shall be fined $25.00.

The linesman may be replaced by suitable replacements if approved by the tournament director prior to the commencement of the match or during the match.

IV. Dress Code

Proper court attire may be required at the discretion of the tournament director or local club rules.

V. Payment of Fines
Said player who incurs a fine will not be allowed to participate in any USPTA sanctioned event without first paying their fine. All fines are paid to the USPTA.

*Fine

Flagrant abuse before or after default including but not limited to abusive language, throwing paddle, etc. Fines will be determined at the discretion of the Paddle Tennis Associaton Board of Directors or each affiliate where the offense occurs may handle its complaints. A letter will be sent to violating players. Players have 30 days from the date of the default to appeal. Their appeal must be in writing and sent to the USPTA Board of Directors or affiliate. A date for the hearing will be set with not more than five nor less than three board members. The player may present his/her case including any witnesses. Vote of the Board will be final and decision will be sent in writing within seven days.