What is Soccer Tennis? Everything You Need to Know
Soccer tennis, also known as football tennis or Futnet, is a fun variation of the beautiful game that acts as an excellent soccer drill. Soccer coaches and players are constantly looking for new ways to get better at the game and soccer tennis is a good game to improve various important soccer skills, while providing a new, fun, and challenging experience.
In this blog, I will cover everything you need to know about soccer tennis.
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What is Soccer Tennis?
Soccer tennis is a game that combines elements from both of the sports in the name, soccer and tennis, and it is played by players at all levels, from the Champion’s League all the way down to the Sunday League.
Although soccer tennis can be used as a drill for a full soccer field game, it is also its own sport and has its own international body with regular leagues, competitions, and elite-level players. Check out the video above to see a video of a soccer tennis match between FC Bayern Munich players.
Soccer Tennis Rules Explained
The main objective of soccer tennis is to make the ball bounce in your opponent’s half without them returning it over the soccer tennis net. Here are the main rules to know before you start playing soccer tennis officially.
Match Format
- The court size of a soccer tennis game is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide, similar to the size of a regulation-size doubles tennis court.
- To win a match you must win two out of three games.
- The first team to score 15 points, the maximum score, wins one game
- Up to three players from each team compete, and two substitutes per match are allowed for each team
- Soccer tennis can be played with 1-3 players per team.
- In a co-ed match, at least one female player must be on the court at any given time
- After each game there is a three minute break and teams switch sides
Kickoff
- The game begins with a coin toss between the team captains
- The winner of the coin toss can choose to start with the ball or choose a side
- To start a game, the ball must be served over the net to the other team
- To serve properly, the player must drop-kick the ball over the net
- Once the ball is served, the ball has one bounce before the opposing team can touch the ball to prevent spiking off of the serve
- The opposing team will then have up to three touches to return the ball back over the net
- Kickoff is replayed if the ball hits the net and goes over
- Players also get two attempts to get the ball over. If the fail to do so the other team gets a point and gets their attempt at serving the ball
Game Rules
- Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their arms or hands
- Teams are allowed up to three touches and two bounces, but all three of the touches don’t have to be used before returning the ball
- It is legal to return the ball with the first touch, after it has bounces once
- Not every player has to touch the ball before it is returned
- The ball may hit the net after the initial serve and can continue to be played as long as it does not hit out of bounds after hitting the net
- IIf the ball hits the net and bounces back to the same team, it will be handled similarly to a bounce on the ground (if the bounce wasn’t already used, they can continue to play the ball)
- Players do not need to alternate touches like in volleyball
- One player can have all three touches if they choose.
- The team that wins the point during the rally will serve to start the next rally
Scoring
- Soccer tennis uses rally scoring which means you don’t have to serve to get a point
- Points can be earned the following ways: the opposing team kicks the ball out of bounds, the ball bounces more than once on the opposing team’s side, the opposing team illegally touches the ball, the opposing team fails to return the ball over the net
- The receiver cannot return the kick-off directly; the kick-off must bounce once in the receiver’s court
Benefits of playing soccer tennis
Soccer tennis is not just a fun and simple game, but it can actually help improve various aspects of a player’s performance such as:
- Passing
- Heading
- Ball control
- Footwork
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity
- Focus
- If you play barefoot on natural land you can get the benefits of grounding which can help improve the health and function of your fascia and mitochondrial function, as well as recovery, sleep, energy levels, and more.
Essential Equipment for Soccer Tennis
Soccer Tennis Net
$79.99
Soccer tennis requires specific gear and equipment, but unofficial versions can be played by finding a tennis court and using an indoor soccer ball or a regular soccer ball, depending on the type of bounce you prefer. You can also play soccer tennis at the beach, on any type of grass, and literally anywhere else you have enough open space.
Here is the most important equipment to have to play soccer tennis.
- Soccer Tennis Net
- Soccer Tennis Ball, regular soccer ball, or indoor soccer ball
- Soccer Ball pump
- Depending on where you are playing you will either need:
- No shoes and play barefoot
- Firm Ground soccer cleats
- Turf shoes
- Indoor soccer shoes
- Barefoot style shoes
History of Soccer Tennis
Now that you are a bit more familiar with soccer tennis, here is some brief history of the sport.
- In 1922, Slavia Prague Football Club members started playing “football over the rope,” which was played with a horizontal rope, later replaced by a net.
- Each team was usually made up of two or three players, allowing three ball touches per player except consecutively and without the use of their hands or arms.
- Soccer tennis rules were standardized in 1940, expanding its popularity beyond Slavia’s training grounds, notably in Czechoslovakia with its own league, the Trampská liga.
- European championships for soccer tennis started in 1991, followed by global championships in 1994
- The sport is now played in over 50 countries worldwide with its own governing body
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a high quality soccer tennis net?
Investing money in a high quality soccer tennis net will be about $50-$150.
What is the best soccer training program?
The best online soccer training program and soccer app is Football Entangled. There is no other program like Football Entangled on the market and this community, much more than just an app, will help you get closer to making your dreams a reality.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, soccer tennis is not only a great summer game to play with your friends, but it is also a great way to practice your soccer skills. A soccer tennis net is also a great gift and a great piece of equipment to have to make training sessions different, yet fun and challenging.
Make sure to check out the Kickit soccer tennis net for one of the most high quality nets on the market.
