Soccer Tennis (Doubles)

The rules governing this intramural sport activity are rules unique to the UVM Intramural Sports Program. This rules sheet is not meant to be all-inclusive; rather it is a summary of the more common rules, policies, and procedures used by the Intramural Sports Program. All important policy information can be found in the Intramural Sports Handbook. All team managers and players are responsible for reading this document and understanding the rules, policies, and procedures prior to participating in this activity.

General/Eligibility 
Intramural Team Participation - All teams in this league are categorized as "OPEN", with no restrictions on gender ratios.
 
UVM Identification - All players MUST present a UVM Cat Card or applicable mobile pass option to the IMS Supervisor prior to each game. Players who do not have their Cat Card will be subject to the terms of the Campus Recreation ID Policy.
 
Team Rosters/Waiver Form - The official team roster consists only of those individuals who are eligible and who have signed the official online roster/waiver. Individuals must be listed on the official online roster by game-time in order to participate. 
 
Forfeits - A match will be forfeited if no one from a team shows up to play. If you have at least one player from your team present, the match will NOT be considered a forfeit.

Equipment - All playing equipment is provided and meets our COVID-19 Safety Protocols. 

Match Basics

  1. Soccer-tennis matches are played as best of 3 games (15, 15, and 11 points). If a third game is necessary, that will play to 11. In all matches, teams must win by 2 points. Total match duration will last no longer than 30 minutes. If teams come up to time, the match will finish the current point and end the contest at that score.
  2. The winner of a coin toss is allowed to elect whether they will kick off(serve) or choose a side to defend. If a team elects to kick-off, the other team will kick-off to start game 2.
  3. Teams will switch sides of the court after each game.
  4. The site supervisor has the right to alter or change match basics at their discretion due to issues including but not limited to: total number of teams, facility issues, or playing time.

Game Play

Kickoff

  1. A kick-off (serve) is used to begin each game and subsequent point. Kick-offs are played from behind the service box line of the court and the ball must land in the opposite service box area (similar to tennis). Players cannot step on the line during a kick-off. A player has two attempts to execute a kick-off and is recommended to not pick up the ball with their hands.  If this is not possible, both sides can agree to use their hands for the kick-off.
    • Either a drop kick or a volley kick-off are acceptable.
    • Any kick-off that hits the net, but lands on the opposing side (let) must be repeated. If the first service does not make it over the net or in bounds, a second service is awarded. If such an event happens twice (double fault), the opposing team receives a point and possession.
    • Service remains in possession of the team that wins each point, and will switch once the serving team loses a point. When a team regains serving possession, players must rotate.

Playing the ball

  1. Players can use any part of their body to touch the ball, with the exception of the arms or hands. Shoulders are permitted and not considered part of the arm.
  2. Teams are permitted (3) touches and (1) one bounce per side.
    • The same player may touch the ball consecutively.
    • The bounce can come at any point during the return. So, if the receiving team (Team B) chooses to let the ball bounce before touching it, they will then have three touches to get it over the net without letting it bounce again. Or, Team B can volley Team A's serve before it bounces, which means they will then have (2) two more touches and (1) one bounce to get it back to the other side.
      • Any bounce must occur inside the playing lines. Any other ground contact outside the playing field is “out”. Exception is only when a kick-off (service) player bounces the ball before kick-off

Scoring

  1. Points are awarded via rally-scoring, a point is always scored at each play to either the serving or receiving team.
    1. Points at Kick-off (service)
      • More than one ground contact is made before Kicking off
      • The service player steps into the playing field during or before kick-off
      • The player kicks the ball into the net (if it lands on the other side of the net, then it is a let and the kick-off is repeated) (needs to happen 2x for point award)
      • The kick-off lands outside the playing field (needs to happen 2x for point award)
    2. Points during play
      • Player uses too many touches
      • Ball is hit out of play
      • Ball is illegally touched
    3. Teams are responsible for score disputes, if a team cannot decide on a judgement call, teams should replay the point. Any rule interpretations will be decided by the on-site supervisor - their call is final.