The Difference Between Platform, Paddle and Beach Tennis
In the northeastern regions of the US, people are crazy about platform tennis. There are also paddle tennis enthusiasts from the Midwest down to the west coast, even reaching to Puerto Rico & Europe. These people prefer the all-year-round paddle tennis or beach tennis. The next paragraphs will discuss the difference between the three sports just mentioned.
Platform tennis started circa 1930 by two men looking for a way to play tennis during the winter months. The court is raised from the ground and heated during the winter months and is fenced in by screens. During play the ball can be played off the walls. It is always played in doubles and the winners are the pair who plays the best of three sets. When the serving player is at fault the right to serve goes to the other team.
A platform tennis court measures forty-four feet long by twenty feet wide with the same line lay out as the lawn tennis court. The height of the net is thirty-four inches. The fences are twelve feet high and made of galvanized iron. The paddles are eighteen inches and made of titanium or graphite with holes cut in the face and no strings. The balls used are the same as those in lawn tennis, rubber core with flocking (fuzzy hair). Tennis shoes are recommended, running shoes and cross trainers are contra indicated for this court.
Paddle tennis began as a game for children in 1898. In the year 1959, a man named M. Geller formulated some rules and standards for the game. It can be played in singles or in doubles, & the best of 3 still wins. The scoring for lawn tennis is also followed but the serve is done underhandedly and only once is allowable.
The paddle tennis court measures fifty feet by twenty feet wide with no lanes for doubles. The height of the net is at thirty-one inches. The racquet to be used is the same as that of platform tennis. The ball being used here is a tennis ball with a puncture to deaden it. Recommended shoes are the same as in platform tennis.
Beach tennis is a mix between tennis and beach volleyball. It can be played as tournaments or just for fun. Beach tennis is played in a beach volleyball court, net, and all. The ball is volleyed back & forth between the teams but, like badminton, not allowed to bounce on the court. The size of the court and height of the net is the same as a volleyball court. The paddles & balls are the same as those in paddle tennis. The scoring is the same as lawn tennis. Last of all, no shoes are required.
Source by Greg Pierce
