Platform tennis, often referred to as “paddle,” is a keenly competitive sport and one in which, by tradition, good sportsmanship, integrity, and respect are key elements. It is a game that is played for fun, in addition to offering an active tournament circuit. The game is played in accordance with the Official Rules of Platform Tennis as published by the American Platform Tennis Association.

Etiquette is an area where, unlike rules, there may be different interpretations, and differences of opinion, or judgment may be dissimilar. It is recognized that etiquette does have its “gray areas.” This section offers suggested guidelines of on-court behavior. It is expected that the tradition of the game will be maintained through a continued high degree of sportsmanship and mutual respect. Furthermore, these guidelines will assist in furthering that goal by presenting worthwhile suggestions on personal behavior while playing this rewarding game.

Line Calls/No Umpire: In matches where there are no linesmen, the general rule is that all lines are called by the receiving team (i.e., you call lines on your side, the opponents call lines on their side). Each side should call the ball in or out honestly and without regard to the score. The decision of the team whose responsibility it is to make the call is final.

Etiquette dictates that the opponents’ line calls are to be respected and considered final. If there is uncertainty about a line call, any doubts should be resolved in favor of the opponents.
It is good sportsmanship for players to call against themselves any ball that is clearly out on the opponents’ side of the court, if not called by the opponents.

Foot Fault: It is poor sportsmanship to exhibit anger toward an opponent when a foot fault is called in good faith. It is also poor sportsmanship to call foot faults in an effort to gain a mental edge. It is preferable to alert your opponent during warm up that he or she is foot faulting or early in a match rather than waiting until a critical moment later on in the match. (See Rule 9m on definition of foot fault.)

Own Calls: It is the player’s responsibility to call the following rule violations on himself/herself: Two Bounces (Rule 14a), Reaching Over the Net (Rule 14h), Ball Hitting Person/Paddle (Rule 14i), Person Touching Court Fixtures (Rule 14j).
It is not good etiquette for the opponent to make these calls. They may politely ask if the violation happened, but the determination of whether or not the violation happened is that player’s to make, and his or her integrity and decision in the matter should be respected.

Return the Ball to Server: It is good etiquette to do your part by picking up the ball and getting it to the server in an easy and accommodating manner. Either give it to your opponent’s net player, who can give it to the server, or gently bounce the ball to the server at the next service position, waiting a moment before delivering the ball if the server’s back is turned.

Intentional Distractions: Players should not intentionally distract their opponents. Any talking or sudden movements made before or while the server begins his/her service motion, which has been deemed to be done solely to distract the server, violates the spirit of sportsmanship. This includes, but is not limited to, talking, making loud noises, waving arms or paddles, dancing or jumping, or stomping of feet.
When coaching your partner to let a ball drop rather than hit it, try to use commands such as “bounce it” or “drop it” rather than “out” so as not to confuse your opponents.
As a courtesy, don’t deliberately wear clothing with the intent of making the ball more difficult for opponents to see (i.e., bright yellow or green clothing, or colors that match the ball color).
Note: Fake poaching is not considered an intentional distraction.

On Losing: It is much more difficult to be a gracious loser than a gracious winner. One should be gracious in either case—but try particularly hard to be so in losing. Congratulate your opponents, shake hands, wish them well, live with it, and strive to improve, so you can be a gracious winner. Play all of the back draws with a positive attitude.

​

In closing, good sportsmanship is expected during all levels of competition.

​

More Information on Rules

can be found on The American Platform Tennis Association website by clicking HERE.