Paddle Tennis Rules

Page 4:   Rules 31 - 37


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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.
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