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FAQ

  • What people ask

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF SPEC TENNIS GROWING POPULARITY?

The combination of having the sweet spot of the racquet closer to the hand, the reduced court size, the slower and lower-bouncing ball, and the easier serve’s technique creates the success that is required to hook participants early on. Players can execute the proper techniques more easily due to more compact swings, less powerful equipment, and the ability to cover the court efficiently.

 

Four Spec Tennis courts can fit inside of one tennis court. Due to the smaller court, less elapsed time is wasted picking up balls in between shots. Consequently, more total balls are potentially hit per hour than in tennis.

 

Besides being easy to learn, the sport can be played at almost any age. Also, if desired, both singles and doubles can be a great workout. With more shots within reach, players run for more balls than in tennis. And, it is harder to “end” the point, so rallies last longer.

 

Spec Tennis is a great sport for all-round fitness. It exercises all the major muscle groups, provides cardio workout, and improves dexterity, mobility, agility, and balance. Because it involves bursts of faster movement, it serves as a form of interval training as well.

2.

HOW IS SPEC TENNIS DIFFERENT THAN PICKLEBALL?

From a strategy point, Spec Tennis is different than Pickleball. When playing Spec Tennis, players must take on a “all court player” and play from the baseline to the net. Comparing it to pickleball, staying back at the baseline against one (singles) or two (doubles) players who are at the net does not work in pickleball because the net player simply needs to volley it or dink it into your “kitchen” area to finish off the point. Due to the lack of bounce, it will be nearly impossible to retrieve the pickleball ball.

 

This results in one main strategy: reach the No Volley Zone (“kitchen area”) as quickly as possible. In Spec Tennis, you will see some players serve and volley, others will play mainly from the baseline, and some will do a combination of both. In doubles, you will see a lot of one-up-one-back formations, but you may see both players (doubles) playing from the baseline and/or at the net. Playing at the baseline, may not necessarily be a disadvantage when playing players who are at the net.

 

Spec Tennis offers a more well-rounded mix of strategy concepts. And one that feels more like tennis.

3.

WHAT KIND OF COURT IS USED TO PLAY SPEC TENNIS?

  • In Spec Tennis is played in the same court pickleball.
  • The dimensions of a standard pickleball court are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long (6.10m x 13.41m). The dimensions are the same for both singles and doubles play.
  • The minimum recommended play area is 30 feet wide by 60 feet long (9.14m x 18.28m). 34 feet by 64 feet is preferred to allow for the most athletic play. Minimum recommended indoor height clearance is 18 feet.
  • Baseline is 22 feet (6.71m) from the net.
  • Left and Right Service Areas are both 10 feet wide and 15 feet long (3.05m x 4.57m)
  • Net posts should extend past the sidelines. Recommended distance is 1 foot.
  • Net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center of the net.
  • Court measurements are taken on the outside of the court lines.

4.

WHAT KIND OF PADDLE IS USED?

For a Spec Tennis paddle to be approved, it must be up to 18’ long, up to 10.5” wide, must have ½” holes, and 0.75” thick. The official ball for tournament play is the Wilson US Open orange dot tennis ball.

5.

WHAT SCORING SYSTEM IS USED?

Games are played to 4 points. At 3 points-all, the next point wins (no-ad). Sets are played to 4 games. At 3 games-all, the next game wins (no tie-breaks). Recommended recreational play for singles and doubles is 2 out of 3 sets. Points are won and lost as in tennis, except for the serve where a single fault results in loss of point.

6.

ANY OTHER RULES OF PLAY?

  • Players can serve-and-volley in both singles and doubles. The server (or serving team) is not obligated to let the service return bounce on his (their) side of the court.
  • The pickleball restraint line, 7 feet from the net, does not apply to Spec Tennis. Players in both singles and doubles can volley the ball (out of the air) from any position on the court.
  • Players are allowed a 30-second standing water break after each game, and a 3-minute seated break after each set.
  • Players cannot play rebounds off the back or side fences. If a ball hits a fence or other perimeter barrier, the point is over.
  • If during play an errant ball from another court comes onto the court, the point stops and is replayed as a Let.
  • If during play a player is impeded or potentially impeded by a player on an adjacent court, the point stops and is replayed as a Let.
  • No Lets are awarded based on a player being impeded by a fence or other perimeter barrier. Players are responsible for being cognizant of out-of-bounds distances, which can vary by court.
  • A player touching the net, or the opponent's court, during play, including with his paddle, results in the loss of point.
  • Players may follow through over the net, but may not contact the ball on the opponent's side of the net.