Undoubtedly, Tennis is one of the most famous sports in the world. In recent years, it has made substantial progress in terms of growth and popularity.
More and more players are emerging from different regions with superior levels of skills. But it’s not just the number of players but several other forms of Tennis have also emerged with little bit of modifications in the rules and playing field. Platform Tennis is another popular form of Tennis which is common in European countries.
The game is believed to have been developed in the USA, in the 1950s, when Cogswell and Fessenden build a different type of court with ingenuity for this novel sport. Despite the fact that there is no world association for the game yet, you can find 100s of videos online demonstrating how to play Platform tennis, reflecting the popularity of the game.
Object of Playing Platform Tennis
Just like Tennis, Platform tennis normally follows the best of 3 set practices. But the difference here is you can’t play it alone, it can only be played in doubles, that’s why it requires a great level of understanding between the partners. In the end, the team that wins the 2 sets first is declared winner.
How to Play?
Platform Tennis is solely dedicated to doubles, which means singles can’t play it. It is played with a padel and a tennis ball on a slightly raised platform with heating equipment under it to make sure the falling snow does not disrupt the game.
The markings on a Platform Tennis field vary and there are some rules which dictate from where and how can you hit the ball. By reading the general rules of Platform Tennis mentioned below, you’ll be able to comprehend the game with no ambiguity.
General Rules of the Game
- The server serves the ball from behind the baseline.
- The receiver can stand anywhere in his court.
- Just like squash, there are side and back walls.
- Any ball hitting the back wall after one bounce is perfectly legal and won’t be considered a foul. Similarly, any ball hitting the side wall after hitting the back wall is also legal and must be returned.
- Only one service is allowed, if the service goes wrong, there are no lets. Every wrong service costs a server a point.
- Scoring is the same as in Tennis. The sequence goes on like this for every point: 15,30,40 and then game. In the case of 40-40, the first to score two consecutive points from here is declared the winner of the set.
- The first team two win 2 sets (in case of a best of 3 set match) is deemed the winner of the match.
Toss
A spin paddle is performed before the game, a form of toss, and the winner of the toss gets to choose either the side of play or serves first.
Time Duration of the Game
The time duration of the full game depends upon the skill-level of both teams and how quick the point scoring is. More often than not, Platform Tennis games can be completed in less than 90 minutes.
Playing Court
The Platform Tennis’ court is one-third the size of a tennis court and is surrounded by chicken wire fence. This wire fence is usually 12 feet high. The court measures 44 feet in length by 22 feet.
From the middle, the court is divided into two halves by a net. The height of the net at the posts is 37 inches.
Both halves have a baseline, which is near to the net. In platform tennis, there are no specific measurements for this line.
Playing Equipment
Platform tennis players use paddle instead of a racquet. This paddle is 18” in length and made of graphite and titanium. It bears holes cut in the face that help to add bite when hitting the ball.
The ball used is similar to a tennis ball and is usually made of Viking or Wilson.
Sometimes they also put heating material underneath the court so that the falling snow doesn’t halt the game and the snow is melted the moment it touches the court.
Point Scoring in Platform Tennis
Scoring in Platform Tennis is done quite the same as we have in traditional tennis. Let’s have an overview on point scoring methods in the game:
- Receiving team loses a point if they let the ball bounce twice in their court.
- A team loses a point if its player sends the ball outside of the baseline or sidelines, or hits the net.
- Receiving team loses a point if the ball touches any body part of any of the two players.
- The point scoring sequence in Platform tennis is the same as in traditional tennis.
Governing Body
The game is yet to be recognized as a complete game itself at international level. Mostly, it is considered a modified version of tennis, thus, there is no international governing body nor do we have international events dedicated to the game.
Difference Between Tennis and Platform Tennis
| Area of Comparison | Tennis | Platform tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Played in | Court | Court with back and sidewalls |
| Number of players | Singles and Doubles both | Only doubles can play against each other |
| Played with | Badminton racquet and tennis ball | Paddle and tennis ball |
| Service | 2 wrong services are tolerated | One wrong service costs you a point |
| Ball receiving | Ball can’t hit the wall behind you, it costs you a point | Ball can hit the wall behind the court |