If you're looking for a fun way to stay fit and socialize with friends, the pop tennis potrebbe essere l’opzione perfetta per te.
This sport, originally from California, is growing in popularity around the world due to its simplicity and ability to engage people of all ages and abilities.
In this article, we'll explore the history of pop tennis, the rules of the game, and all the aspects that make it so fun.
Che tu sia un principiante o un esperto, non perdere l’opportunità di scoprire tutto sul pop tennis e iniziare a giocare oggi stesso!
Pop Tennis: the origins
Pop tennis, formerly known as paddle tennis, is a racket game that evolved from tennis and has been played for over a century. Unlike tennis, the pitch is smaller and there are no doubles lanes, plus the net is lower. Paddle tennis is played with a solid racket instead of a string racket, and a depressurized tennis ball is used.
The same court is used for both singles and doubles, with doubles as the dominant form of the game. The smaller court size puts a strong emphasis and advantage on net play and creates a fast, reaction-based game. The game is gaining popularity and has been introduced in Dubai and Egypt where local leagues and tournaments are frequently held.
In 1898 pop tennis was invented by the Episcopal minister Frank Peter Beal in Albion, Michigan. As the sport developed, it spread to lower Manhattan because Beal, wanting to create recreational activities for neighborhood children, had the city's Parks and Recreation Department install courts at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village in 1915. The first tournament was organized in 1922, e l’anno successivo è stata fondata la United States Paddle Tennis Association (USPTA). By 1941, paddle tennis was being played in nearly 500 American cities.
Nonostante Frank Peer Beal sia noto come l’inventore del gioco, Murray Geller, un giocatore degli anni ’40 e ’50, è stato fondamentale per la creazione del gioco moderno. Eletto presidente del comitato delle regole della USPTA, ha voluto rendere il gioco più attraente per gli adulti e ha introdotto alcune caratteristiche, tra cui un bigger court and an underarm serve.
Pop Tennis: Rules
Pop tennis is a sport that it is played on a field approximately 15.24 meters in size in length and about 6.1 meters wide. There is a line positioned about 0.91 meters away from the base of the field, called the service line. Then there are the lateral lines, which define the limits of the field, and the central line which divides it into two equal parts.
Il campo deve avere un’altezza minima di circa 3,05 metri per il recinto. Court surface may be textured acrylic, similar to but not limited to Plexipave, Laycold, Kemiko, Play-On, etc.; or clay, Har-Tru, Omni-Turf and Mod-Sod. The playing surface must be green or light blue, while the side and back areas must be terracotta.
The ball to be used must be a pressurized tennis ball approved by the United States Tennis Association for tournament play, with the internal pressure reduced through puncture such that, cadendo da un’altezza di circa 1,83 metri sulla superficie del campo, rimbalzi a un’altezza compresa tra i circa 79 e 84 centimetri.
The racket must be made of solid material or a combination of materials, and must be no larger than approximately 24.13 x 46.99 centimeters. May be perforated and/or textured, but must not contain string.
Athletes must wear non-marking rubber soled shoes and appropriate attire for the game.
In termini di regole di gioco, i giocatori si trovano su lati opposti del campo e il giocatore che serve la palla è chiamato il “Server“, mentre il giocatore che riceve la palla è chiamato il “Receiver“. Solo un servizio è consentito e il Server must be behind the baseline and within the imaginary extensions of the center and side lines. Il Server può lanciare la palla in aria con la mano e colpirla con la racchetta a un’altezza not exceeding approximately 79 cm dal suolo al momento dell’impatto o farla rimbalzare sul terreno dietro la linea di base e colpirla al suo rimbalzo ad un’altezza not exceeding 80cm from the ground.
Il servizio deve atterrare nell’area di servizio sulla diagonale del campo rispetto alla posizione del Receiver. Se il servizio non atterra nell’area di servizio o se il Server colpisce la palla ad un’altezza superiore, il servizio è considerato un “fault” e il Server perde il punto.
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Conclusions
In conclusion, pop tennis is still a little-known sport in Europe and in Italy, but it has the potential to become as popular as the padel. La sua natura adatta a tutte le età e livelli di abilità lo rende un’opzione interessante per chi vuole divertirsi all’aria aperta, fare esercizio fisico e socializzare.
Pop tennis is a sport that requires good physical fitness, as it involves fast and intense movements, but it can also be played by those who are not expert athletes. Its fun and dynamic nature makes it ideal for playing sports informally with friends and family, while also improving coordination, endurance and concentration.
Inoltre, pop tennis offre una varietà di benefici per la salute mentale, poiché giocare sport all’aperto è un modo efficace per ridurre lo stress, migliorare l’umore e sviluppare un senso di appartenenza. In conclusione, pop tennis è uno sport divertente e stimolante che potrebbe presto diventare un nuovo modo di fare sport all’aria aperta e socializzare in Europa e in Italia.