How do you lose a point in soft tennis?
B · Beginner · The rally · 7 of 7A player loses the point if their shot does not cross the net, goes through or under it, lands out or hits a fixture. The point is also lost if the ball bounces twice before it is returned or touches a player's body or clothing. A ball that clips the net or goes around the post and lands in is good.
How it works
- Not over: the ball does not cross the net.
- Through: the ball goes through a hole in the net, between the net and the post or under the net.
- Good over the net: a ball that touches the net or post and lands in is good.
- Around the post: a ball that passes outside the post and lands in is good.
- Out: the ball lands in the outcourt or hits the umpire, the chair or a fixture.
- Two bounces: the ball bounces twice before it is returned.
- Off the net: a ball that lands in, bounces into the net and is returned before landing again is good.
- Body touch: the ball touches a player's body or clothing.
- Other balls: the ball in play hits another ball on the court, or a cap or towel lying there spoils the return.
The glossary has the loss of point, the through, the out, the two bounces, the body touch and the net.
Tricky cases
The ball hits a player's arm and goes over the net. Good?
No. Any touch of the body or clothing loses the point.
The return goes around the outside of the net post and lands in. Good?
Yes, even though it never crossed above the net.
A spare ball rolls across and the ball in play hits it. Whose point?
The player whose shot hit the other ball loses the point. If the umpire judges the ball was moved on purpose, it is interference by the side that moved it.
The ball lands in, spins back into the net and the player volleys it over. Good?
Yes, if it is returned before it lands again.
Why the rule exists
These rules decide the end of each rally from what the ball did. Counting a cap or towel left on the court against its owner makes players keep their side clear.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In a rally | Point lost | ISTF C 35 |
| During the serve | Fault or let rules apply | ISTF C 25, 26 |
| Tennis | Shots around the post also good | C |
From the rule book
International Soft Tennis Federation, Technical Rules (web text, site snapshot of 30 January 2024): Rules for Competitions, article 35.1(1) to (4) and (9). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISTF Technical Rules, published on the federation's website.