Football Tennis Nets

Football tennis is a sport that combines the skills of football and tennis.

It is played on a football pitch with a tennis net in the middle, and two teams of eleven players each try to score by hitting the ball over the net into their opponent's half of the pitch.

Football tennis can be played as singles or doubles, and is a very fast-paced and exciting sport to watch.

Families love playing football tennis in their back gardens because it is such a great way to stay active and have fun together.

If you've never even heard of football tennis, that's fine too, because in this article we discuss everything you need to know - and what equipment you need to get playing!

Football Tennis Basics

Football tennis is a sport that is played with a football. This hybrid sport is played on a court divided in half by a net or cones.

Two teams will occupy each side of the court. Usually, a team would consist of two or three players. Each team passes the ball over the net to one another, following a basic set of rules.

The premise is similar to tennis. Those who make it difficult for their opponents to return the ball over the net will win. 

Image: by planet_fox (from pixabay) via Canva.com

How Do You Play Football Tennis?

Football tennis is very similar to a tennis game. They both have the same aim. Hit your ball over to your opponent's side, and make it difficult for them to return the ball. If your team can pull this off, you will reach victory! Players must score points to win a match.

Matches are played as best of three games. The team who wins two out of three games will win the match. Below – are some essential top tips to help you play football tennis. 

Football Tennis Court

You can play football tennis indoors or outdoors. Ideally, you need a large area, around 10X10 yards. However, this is not a strict rule. You need to ensure there is enough space for both teams to navigate the ball. The court should be divided in half using a net. 

Football Tennis Ball

Football tennis always uses a regulation size five ball. You can easily find a football like this in your local sports store and online. 

Football Tennis Net

The size of a football tennis net will typically depend on the size of the court you are playing on. You can purchase nets with an adjustable height to suit the abilities of the people playing. The height of a net used in football tennis is typically around 1.10m. 

Teams & Players

Football tennis is played between two teams. Usually, there would be two players on each team. However, it is possible for there to be three people on a team as one substitute is allowed. 

Football Tennis Equipment

One of the great things about football tennis is that you do not need a lot of equipment to play. This makes it easy for you to play the game indoors and outdoors.

You will require a football and a net. If you do not have a divider net, you can purchase one from our website. You can also use cones to divide the court.

Players must wear a shirt, socks, shorts, and suitable shoes. If your team do not have the same shirt, wear a coloured bib so you can pinpoint who plays for who. 

Football Tennis Scoring & Rules

Although there is not a strict set of rules when it comes to playing football tennis, there are some basic rules that all players tend to follow. Let's explore them below:

Kick Off

Each game begins with a kick-off. A referee will be positioned at the top of the field, indicating when a player should serve and start the game.

A kick-off is played from behind the line of the football tennis court. The player must play the ball out of their hands and drop-kick it into their opponent’s side. They only have one attempt to achieve this. While a kick-off is being played, no players should step on the line. 

Scoring

All teams can score points at any time throughout the game. The opposing team can even score points if they did not kick-off to start the game. 

Service

Service is held by one team who have five-point combinations. It changes every time the score equals 5, 10, 15, or 20 points. All players cannot return the service directly. It must bounce once in the serve court - before it is returned. 

Tem Ball Contacts

A team can touch the ball a maximum of three times - before passing it back to their opponents. Each player is only allowed to touch the ball once - before it is returned over the net. Therefore, they are only allowed to pass the ball to other members of their team.

For example, player A can receive the ball - and pass it to player B, who will then hit it back over the net. Not every member of the team has to come into contact with the ball. 

Benefits Of Football Tennis

Football tennis is a fun game to play with friends, and the sport offers many attractive benefits. Take a look at some of them below: 

  • Improves communication skills. Players must regularly communicate with one another while they play to reach success. 
  • Encourages teamwork. Football tennis is a fun game to play - and a great opportunity to build relationships with your fellow teammates. 
  • Improves your ball control technique. Every time you come into contact with the ball, you enhance this skill. Better ball control will significantly improve your gameplay further down the line. 

Edwards Sports Football Tennis Nets

Here at Edwards Sports, we specialise in supplying quality equipment to the sports industry – with 130 years of UK manufacturing experience! We have a range of tennis nets available on our website, and we can even create a bespoke tennis net suitable for your future football tennis matches.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly team members, who will be happy to assist you with your enquiries. 

Final Thoughts

Football tennis is a unique sport that combines the excitement of a tennis match and a football game in one. It is a game that requires a lot of skill to reach success. However, with the right equipment and knowledge of the rules, anyone can get stuck in and give it a go.

If you need some football tennis supplies to help you get started, visit our website today at edwardssports.co.uk.

FAQs

How is football tennis set up?

Ideally, you want a set-up area that is 10X10 yards. Split the area in half using a net and put two players on each side. You can also make a net using cones - if you do not have one. Then, you are ready to play.

Is soccer tennis a real sport?

Yes, soccer tennis is a real sport. It is officially governed and regulated by the Union Internationale de Futnet (UNIF), European Futnet Association (EFTA), and the Federation International de Football tennis Association (FIFTA). 

Can you play football tennis on a tennis court?

You can play football tennis on a tennis court both indoors and outdoors. However, the net for football tennis is much lower than a tennis net. So, you need to lower your tennis net or bring your own. 

Who invented football tennis?

Football tennis has been around since the 1920s. It originated in Czechoslovakia and was created by members of the Czech soccer team – Slavia Prague. Football tennis was initially known as Futnet.

Featured Image: by matimix via Canva.com