How much rest do soft tennis players get?
A · Advanced · Conduct, officials and events · 4 of 6Play must be continuous. Players get up to one minute after a point or game, at a change of ends and before the final game. An injured player may have up to five minutes, no more than twice in a match. During a match only the partner may give advice or treatment, unless the chair umpire allows it after asking the referee.
How it works
- One minute: after a point or game, at a change of ends and before the final game.
- Delays banned: stalling a serve, not being ready to receive, long talks between partners or resting between points.
- Final game: no rest when changing ends.
- Racket repairs: not allowed during a match.
- Noise: no excessive shouting that bothers the opponent.
- Injury time: up to five minutes each time, twice per player per match, if the chair umpire accepts.
- No recovery: a player not fit within the time loses the match; points and games won stand.
- Advice: only from the partner, unless the chair umpire allows it after consulting the referee.
- Weather breaks: a suspended match restarts from the next point.
The glossary has the player's conduct, the time (injury), the advice and entry to the court, the withdrawal and default, the warnings and cards and the final game.
Tricky cases
Can a coach shout advice from the stands?
No. Only the partner may advise during a match, except in team events where team members may advise from a set place.
A player cramps twice and asks for a third break. Allowed?
No. Two injury breaks per player per match is the limit.
Rain stops play at 2-1 in games and 2-0 in points. How does it restart?
From the next point, with the score kept.
The match moves to another court the next day. Who picks the ends?
The pair that had the right to choose ends at the start of the match.
Why the rule exists
Short, set breaks keep matches on schedule in events with large draws. Limiting advice to the partner keeps the match between the players on court.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individual events | Advice only from the partner | ISTF C 38 |
| Team events | Team members may advise from a set place | ISTF O 8(3) |
| Same day, same court | Same ends kept after a break | ISTF C 44.2 |
From the rule book
International Soft Tennis Federation, Technical Rules (web text, site snapshot of 30 January 2024): Rules for Competitions, articles 15, 37 to 39 and 44; Rules for Operations of Competitions, article 8(3). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISTF Technical Rules, published on the federation's website.