SOCCER TENNIS RULES
SOCCER TENNIS is a soccer-specific sport that incorporates some aspects of soccer tennis and volleyball. It does
not use rackets or tennis balls; however, it is played on a tennis court. Players who want to improve their soccer
skills and technique will find soccer tennis a nice change from routine practices and repetitive drills. Once the
basic game rules and concepts are learned, players start to develop tactics and strategies, making match play
very competitive.
HPU Campus Recreation Intramural Sports is happy to offer this new fast paced sport. All
matches will be SELF-OFFICIATED with the winning team reporting the results to the
Supervisor present at the playing site.
The Supervisor will provide the necessary playing equipment on the site of competition.
Inclement weather decisions will be decided on match day after 4:00 PM, or in the event of
tournament play, on that same day. You may call the Campus Recreation office with any
questions. Excessive wind, rain or wet ground may result in the suspension or cancellations of
games; suspension or cancellation decisions will be made either by the Campus Rec Office or
the on-site Supervisor.
Section 1: Court and Equipment
1.1 Soccer tennis is played on a regulation size doubles tennis court, 78 feet long and 36 feet wide.
The court is divided in half by a tennis net that is 36 inches high in the middle.
1.2 A size 5 soccer ball is used for match play.
1.3 Shoes that mark or damage the court, such as cleats or studded shoes, are not allowed.
Section 2: Match Format
2.1 A match consists of two out of three games.
2.2 The first team to score 15 points wins the game.
2.3 Three players from each team compete. Two players are required on a team to begin a game.
2.4 Two substitutes per game are allowed for each team.
2.5 In a CoRec match, at least one female player must be on the court at any given time.
2.6 After each game, teams are allowed a 2 minute break and will switch sides.
Section 3: Kick-Off
3.1 A coin toss starts the match. The winner of the toss can choose to serve first or pick the side to
start play on.
3.2 The serve is referred to as a kick-off. The player who starts the kick-off must stand behind the
baseline and has two attempts at getting the kick-off in play. He can kick the ball out of his
hands or drop-kick the ball, allowing it to bounce before kicking it.
3.3 The ball can land anywhere on the opponent's side of the court. If the kick-off hits the net and
goes over, it is replayed. If the ball fails to go over the net or land within the courts boundaries in
the two attempts, a point is awarded to the opposing team and they will start the next point.
Section 4: Game Rules
4.1 Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their arms or hands, but any other part of their
body, including shoulders, is allowed. If such contact occurs, the other team will receive a point
and service.
4.2 Teams are allowed up to three touches and two bounces. All three touches do not have to be
taken before returning the ball.
4.3 It is legal to return the ball after one touch. If three touches are taken, all three players do not
need to touch the ball. For example, player A passes the ball to player B who then passes it
back to player A, who then returns it to the opposing team.
Section 5: Ball Bounce Rules
5.1 The ball is allowed to bounce only once before a player touches it. With three players on a
team, this means the ball can bounce only twice. The ball does not have to bounce; a player
can elect to return the ball only after one touch.
5.2 An example of three touches and two bounces is when player A touches the ball, the ball
bounces, player B touches the ball, the ball bounces a second time and then player C returns
the ball back to the opposing team.
Section 6: Scoring
6.1 A team does not have to serve or kick-off in order to win a point; the winner of a rally wins a
point.
6.2 Teams are awarded points when the opposing team commits a fault. Examples of faults are
hitting the ball outside the court's boundary lines, a player touches the ball with his arm or hand,
the ball is hit into the net, the server steps onto the playing field before or during the kick-off and
a team has too many touches or bounces before returning the ball.
6.3 All matches are best two out of three rally score games. All games are played to 15 points, with
no point cap in any set. The Deuce rule is in effect where teams must win by a minimum of 2
points, should the score reach 14-14.