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RULES OF SPEC TENNIS

SCORING SYSTEM

A Game is 1st team/player to win 4 Points.
A Set is 1st team/player to win 4 Games.
A Match is 1st team/player to win 2 sets (or 3 sets depending on chosen format).

THE SERVE

Players get one serve. Server must contact the ball at belt height or below (an underhand serve). Server can strike the ball with or without bouncing it first. In tournament play, server must have 1 foot on a mark that is 4 feet behind the intersection of the baseline and sideline while contacting the ball. Serve must land in the opposite diagonal box. Lines are in play. Serves that hit the net (lets) are in play.

SERVING FORMAT

The serving procedure is like tennis. In singles, the server begins in the deuce court and serves the entire game, alternating between the deuce and the ad court. The opponent serves the next game. In doubles, players alternate in order: Team A, player 1; Team B, player 1; Team A, player 2; Team B, player 2. The service returner must let the serve bounce before hitting it. Players change sides after each set only. When a new set begins, the existing order of service continues unchanged.

OTHER RULES

  • 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.

COURT & EQUIPMENT

  • 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.
  • 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.