Beach tennis is one of the most fun and fastest-growing racket sports, and in Israel too it is picking up momentum on the beaches every summer. It combines fun, movement in the sand and social connection, and it suits even people who have never held a racket. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what beach tennis is, what gear you need, the basic rules, tips for beginners, and how to find partners for a game on the beach.
So what exactly is beach tennis?
Beach tennis is played on sand, mainly in doubles (2 vs. 2), on a court roughly 16 by 8 meters with a high net of about 1.7 meters. You play with a solid (stringless) paddle and a soft tennis ball. The ball is hit out of the air only, with no bounce off the ground. It's a summery, social and fast-paced sport that is thriving on Israel's beaches.
Why you should play beach tennis
- Summer fun on the beach: a game on the sand by the sea, made exactly for summer days.
- A full-body workout: moving in the sand engages your whole body and challenges your balance.
- Social by design, in doubles: it's played mostly in doubles, which makes it especially social.
- Fairly easy to get started: the ball is slow and the court is small, so you can enjoy it from the very first minutes.
The gear you need to get started
A beach tennis paddle
A solid, perforated paddle with no strings. For beginners, a basic paddle that gives you comfortable contact with the ball is plenty.
Beach tennis balls
Low-pressure beach tennis balls that fly more slowly and make the game easier to play and learn.
Barefoot on the sand + water and a hat
You play barefoot on the sand, so it's a good idea to bring a water bottle and a hat for sun protection.
The basic rules of beach tennis (in brief)
- Scoring: just like in tennis (0, 15, 30, 40), but usually without advantage (no-ad), so a single point decides at deuce.
- The ball stays in the air: no bounce off the ground; you hit the ball straight out of the air.
- Underarm serve: the serve is made from below the level of your hand.
- Played mostly in doubles: most games are 2 vs. 2.
That's the foundation, and all the finer points are best learned while playing on the beach.
5 tips for beginners
- Stay low and stable in the sand: bent knees and a wide base help you keep your balance on the sand.
- A short, precise volley: short movements and control beat powerful swings.
- Communicate with your partner: talk, split the court, and call out who takes each ball.
- Use the wind to your advantage: there's wind on the beach, so take advantage of it when you hit.
- Play against your own level: a balanced game = faster improvement, less frustration and real fun.
How to find a beach tennis court and partners for a game in Israel
The sport is growing along Israel's beaches, and in summer you can find courts and nets at a growing number of beaches. The real challenge is usually not the beach itself, but finding partners at your level, at a time that works for you.
That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with partners by skill level and location, shows open games you can join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place, without yet another five WhatsApp groups and without endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for beach tennis: also tennis, padel, pickleball, badminton, squash, table tennis and volleyball.
Ready to start playing beach tennis?
Join the PlayRocket waitlist and be among the first to find partners and courts in your area.
Join the waitlist →Frequently asked questions about beach tennis
Is beach tennis hard to learn?
No, it's fairly easy to get started, especially if you already know tennis or padel, because the ball is slow and the court is small.
What's the difference between beach tennis and tennis?
In beach tennis you play on sand, with a stringless paddle, and the ball is hit out of the air only, with no bounce.
What gear do you need to get started?
A beach tennis paddle, low-pressure balls, and ideally water and a hat. You play barefoot on the sand.
Where do you play beach tennis in Israel?
On the seaside beaches, where dedicated nets are set up. The sport is growing all along the coast.
How do you find partners for a game?
Through a dedicated app like PlayRocket that matches players and games by skill level and location.
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