Beach Tennis App: The Complete Guide to Beach Tennis in Israel

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

1. Stay low and stable in the sand: bent knees and a wide base help you keep your balance on the sand.
2. A short, precise volley: short movements and control beat powerful swings.
3. Communicate with your partner: talk, split the court, and call out who takes each ball.
4. Use the wind to your advantage: there's wind on the beach, so take advantage of it when you hit.
5. Play against your own level: a balanced game = faster improvement, less frustration and real fun.

The 5 most common beginner mistakes in beach tennis

• Letting the ball drop: there is no bounce in beach tennis, every ball is hit out of the air. Get your racket ready early.
• Standing too low in the sand: bent knees and a stable center of gravity help you move in the sand without sinking.
• Ignoring wind and sun: conditions matter on the beach. Adapt your play to the wind and sun direction.
• Not coming to the net: beach tennis is an attacking game at the net, staying back loses the initiative.
• Neglecting partner communication: as in any doubles sport, calling out loud prevents collisions and lost balls.

The gear you need for beach tennis

• Racket: a dedicated beach tennis racket, solid (no strings), with holes. Beginners should use a lighter, thicker racket for control.
• Balls: low pressure beach tennis balls (marked Stage 2), slower and suited to playing in the air.
• Barefoot: you play barefoot on the sand, so no shoes needed, just sunscreen and a hat.

Why beach tennis is perfect for Israel

With beaches along the entire coast from north to south and pleasant weather most of the year, beach tennis has become one of the most social and fastest growing sports in Israel. It combines a workout, sun and community, and suits every age and level.

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.

Frequently asked questions about beach tennis