Run an event

Where to play touchtennis

The events promoted on the touchtennis website carry ranking points, generous prize money and contribute towards a players’ ‘touchtennis’ world ranking. Regardless of what your tennis background, anyone can sign up and be allocated a world ranking, play in local, fun events and even aspire to enter a tour event, but be warned, earning ranking points may be tough!

If you would like to know more about playing the tour or are a venue interested in hosting a tour event, contact touchtennis at info@touchtennis.co.uk

If playing the tour is not for you, but you would like to play for fun, why not compete locally or even internally at your own place to play. Any club or park site can easily set up and run a touchtennis competition for all ages and abilities, where ranking points and prize money is not essential – see the basics of running your own event below:

WHY should we run a touchtennis tournament at our own venue?

The game can be played with a mix of adults and juniors, beginners and top club level players, as the small court, mini rackets and sponge balls eliminate the need for power and often smaller people find it easier to move around the court. It is great way to bring different groups of members together in a fun based competition, usually lasting a couple of hours. The event can be run on existing mini tennis courts or one full tennis court can easily be used to set up four touchtennis courts.

WHAT do you need to run a touchtennis tournament?

You can use mini tennis nets or barrier tape for the nets and you can mark out the lines with masking tape or throw down lines. The rackets are 21” long and the balls are 8cm foam balls. It’s possible that your coach will have lots of the equipment required to run a touchtennis tournament if they are coaching players aged 8 and under (Red Mini Tennis).

HOW do you score in a touchtennis tournament?

There are many ways to score a touchtennis tournament. A match can be scored first to 10 points, like football scoring, with each person having 2 service points each. You only get 1 serve and all service games are decided by a “sudden death” point if they go to deuce (receiver chooses which side). This shortens the time required to complete matches, but also adds drama. You can also play short sets or full sets, first to 4 games and 6 games respectively, with full service games.

If you have lots of players then round robin is a good option as the players get more than one match. For example, with 32 players, you can form 8 groups of 4 players with knock out quarter finals. This means everyone plays at least 3 matches. You can keep it small and simple at first with as little as 8 or even 4 players, but if you want to involve the members and get a good mix of people, keep your entries open and try and accommodate as many people as you can – perhaps cap it at 32 to avoid a logistical headache!

Can I generate some income for the club or park?

Apart from setting a date, booking the courts, inviting the members and promoting your event, there is very little work involved in running your touchtennis event; you could also get help from some young leaders and competition organisers. Most venues will have existing mini tennis red kit; 21 inch rackets, sponge balls and mini nets, so no need for start up costs. As mentioned before, an event with 16 players on four touchtennis courts (one full tennis court) will probably last a maximum of 2 hours. If you charge each player £5 to enter, you generate £80 – this could pay for some prizes, pay for the organiser or simply go into club funds. Additional income could be generated from a social event alongside; family BBQ or drinks promotion.

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