How to Play
How to Play Street Racket
In just a few minutes, the video shows you the key rules, the different courts and the basic technique. Then you are ready to go: draw the court, grab a racket, start playing.
The Rules in Brief
The Essentials at a Glance
The Court
Three equal squares in a row, marked with chalk or tape. The middle zone replaces the net.
No Volley
The ball must bounce once in the court before it is played back. If it bounces twice, the point is lost.
No Smash
After the hit, the ball must first travel upwards or level. This keeps the game fair and the rallies long.
Scoring
Every rally wins a point. A set goes to 11 points, no extension. Matches are best of three sets.
Competition
Official Competition Rules
Want to play against each other, for points or in a tournament? Then we recommend these official rules. Official competitions are always played on the Cross Court.
The Cross Court
Four squares in a cross plus a neutral central zone. Each side defends two adjacent squares.
- 1
Singles and Doubles
Singles: one player per side. Doubles: two players per side. Alternating hits in doubles is not required, but you can agree on it for an extra challenge.
- 2
Objective
Play the ball legally into one of the opponent's squares to win the point.
- 3
Core Principle
After every hit the ball must stay playable: a natural, rising or floating trajectory. No smash, no volley.
- 4
Serve
From behind the line, at hip height, with or without a bounce first, directly into the opponent's side. The serve changes after every two serves.
- 5
Bounces
The ball may bounce at most once per side. Return it before the second bounce.
- 6
Losing a Point
Ball bounces twice, goes out or into the wrong area, is not returned, or is played illegally (smash, volley, downward trajectory).
- 7
Scoring
A set goes to 11 points; at 11–10 the set is won. Matches are best of 3 sets. Tournament finals may be played best of 5.
- 8
Change of Sides
Players change sides after each set.
These are the rules we endorse for competitive play. Of course you can play differently too: Street Racket thrives on adapting court and rules to your space and your group.
