Rules of Tennishockey

Gameplay

Each player uses the tennis racquet to move the ball along the ground (similar to a hockey stick and puck). You can hit the ball to direct is along the ground as you run along with it. You may hit it along the ground to "pass" it to a teammate or to take a shot at the goal.

General Rules

Misc

• goalies are not required.
• Physical blocking and checking (eg, using you body to push others out the way, particularly when against the fence) is part of the game. Level of roughness varies by players and situation. It is generally accepted, but excessive blocking and checking the person without regard to location of the ball is much discouraged. See Penalty Box.
• ball may not be dribbled down court for more than 2 dribbles
• kicked balls may not count as goals.
• play does not necessarily stop for injured players.
• the penalty bench, if available, may be used for especially unruly players

Court Logistics

• When the tennis ball crosses from one side of the net to the other, it must be below the top plane of the net. It can pass through the middle of the court or on the sides, so long as it is below the top of the net when passing. It can also be hit under the net (usually done by lifting up the net).
• When a ball is hit above the net, a surface (or surfacing) is called.
  • Example:
    Team A is on offense and hits the ball above the net, a surface is called and Team B can either halt play (to be restarted at the center with B having possession) or continue to play. They must announce their decision quickly (usually by means of a shouted "Surface!" if play is to stop or "Play On!" if they wish to continue). Very similar to icing in hockey.
  • Exception: An offensive team may hit the ball backwards over the net towards their own goal.

Racquets

• Any tennis racket may be used.
• Squash and Racquetball racquets can be used if necessary.
• tennis racquets may not be artificially extended. [re: Paul Meier]
• players may not touch the ball with their hands; they may knock down a ball but the ball may not be directed away from its original trajectory.
• High racqueting is not allowed. Racquets should be kept a chest level or lower, particularly when other players are very close.

Beginning Play

• the ball must be placed between the two white bars in the center of the court and may not be moved more than 15 feet towards the offense home goal
• the ball must first be touched by a player of the same team before the opposing team may touch the ball.
• the defense must remain on their side of the net until the first player has hit the ball.
• the ball may not be hit directly forward of the starting player, the player must hit the ball backward or to the side.
• if any of the 'beginning play' rules aren't followed, a re-do of the beginning play is enacted.

Ending a Game

a game may be ended the following ways

• a limited game time
• number of goals, the winning team winning by two points (the most traditional way)
• sudden death

Goals

• roll-backs are not considered goals. i.e., if a goal is not scored and a ball rolls into the goal, it is not considered to be a goal.
• a goal is scored only if the ball's serve originates on the same side as the goal.
• GOALS: A goal is scored when any of the following occur:
  • (a) on a shot whose serve originates in the offensive half of the court which strikes the goal area [seems redundant] without first striking any other part of fence.
    • (a1) note: shots may deflect off the racquets or bodies of other players, including offensive players, but a ball intentionally propelled at the goal by an offensive player's body cannot result in a goal.
  • (b) an "own goal" when the defense propels by any means the ball into the goal area without first striking another part of the fence, where contact with the ball occurs in the defense's half of the court."

Officials

Any dispute is resolved through...

Terminology

Point

The team that scores a goal is generally awarded one "point".

surface

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