As mentioned, I've been on a trip to share my experience of platform tennis and have found racquet to be a fun and exciting sport similar to tennis, played on a smaller court and with a different type of ball. See my introductory article: Platform / Paddle Tennis: Winter Sports Tennis? For the context of my trip. The racket is played on a raised platform and a heated platform surrounded by a wire mesh into which the ball can be played, making the tennis player think twice before hitting the ball.
Scratches from a novice player
I've found platform tennis to be a popular sport because it's easy to learn and play, especially if you're a tennis player or any other hand-eye racket sport.
Platform tennis is similar to tennis, but there are some basic rule differences below that make it a unique sport:
Court size: The court used for platform tennis is smaller than a traditional tennis court, measuring 44 feet long by 22 feet wide. The play area is surrounded by a 12 foot high chain-link fence and the surface is heated to prevent ice and snow buildup during the winter months.
Scoring: Platform tennis uses the same scoring system as tennis, with points awarded to players for winning rallies. The first player or team to win six matches and lead by two wins the set. Matches are usually played best-of-three or best-of-five sets.
Serve: The serve in platform tennis is subtle and the server must keep one foot on the ground while serving. The serve must clear the net and land inside the service box on the other side of the court.
Let Calls: If the ball hits the net on a serve and comes to rest in the appropriate service area, this is called a "Let" and a reserve takes place. If the ball hits the net during the rally and falls into the proper court, play continues.
Use of walls: In platform tennis, players are allowed to hit the ball against the walls and ceiling of the court. The ball can bounce off the walls or ceiling and bounce to play, adding an element of strategy to the game.
Double Bounce Rule: The double bounce rule in platform tennis states that the ball must bounce twice before a player can hit it. This means that the serving player must let the ball bounce once before hitting it, and the serving team must also allow the bouncing ball to bounce once before hitting it.
As I got more familiar with the sport, I learned more techniques and strategies, which I will share.
Please let us know your thoughts as I share my journey with Platform Tennis.