|
|
BASICS – ABOUT
PLATFORM TENNIS
By
Charles E. Vasoll
To
commence the season, I am going against the founding basis of this
web site of working to fix problems that I find in the administration
of the sport and instead give some basic information that players
need to know in order to play and enjoy the game. This subject came
up when Duane Hayden, President of the Long Island Platform Tennis
Association (LIPTA) and John Kiffel, its Membership Chairman and
myself were discussing our web site, lipta.com.
As in all Associations and clubs, we are getting new players into the sport
every season but, unfortunately, many times they do not get a primer on the
rules and etiquette before they step on the court and even start playing in
League matches. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to try to fill that
gap.
Seasoned players can skip this page unless they want to critique
my questions and answers.
Here goes.
Q.
Where do I find the Official Rules of Platform Tennis?
A.
The governing body of the sport, the American Platform Tennis
Association (APTA) has a web site - www.platformtennis.org – where
the Official Rules can be found. On the home page click on “The
Game of Platform Tennis” in the left hand menu and in the
drop down menu the second item is “Rules of the Game”.
Click on it and all the rules are there. For the most part, they
are simple and easy to understand. If you are a member of the
APTA, you can also request a printed copy of the Rules. Call
(888) 744-9490 (toll free)
|
Q.
What about the “etiquette” of the sport?
A.
It is also on the APTA web site, www.platformtennis.org but
is a little more difficult to locate. It is an addendum to the
Official Rules and can be located by clicking on “Downloads” under
APTA Members in the lower part of the left hand menu. This takes
you to a page of “Helpful Downloads From The APTA”.
The very first item is “Rules of the Game”. Click
on it and a second “Official Rules” will appear.
This set of the Official Rules has an “Addendum” after
Appendix C with the “Etiquette of the Game”. Once
again, however, a printed booklet with both the Rules and the
Etiquette can be obtained from the APTA.
|
Q.
Now I know where to get detailed information but I want
a “quick fix”. What do I really need to know?
A.
From the Official Rules you need to know how to keep score; when
it is your turn to serve; what a “let” is and what
it is not; what a “foot fault” is and what a “carry” or “double
hit” is.
|
The first step of “Etiquette” is to know the rules so that you
can apply them properly; give the benefit of doubt in any situation to your
opponent and always act in a refined and dignified manner regarding yourself
and your opponents.
Of course, there are more “basics” but a good knowledge of these
points will get you started.
A
WORD OF 'THANKS'
This article and the two that follow, "First Lesson - Platform Tennis
101" and "Second Lesson - Platform Tennis 201" were graciously
edited and reviewed by Robert A. Brown. Bob is a past President (1973-75)
of the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) the ruling body of the
sport. He served a second time from 1988 to 2002 as the Chairman of the
Rules and Equipment Committee. |
Click
HERE to Return to Archives
|
