The game starts with a ball hit from the right side of the service line on the players side to the outermost quadrant on the left side of the opponents half. This is different to Tennis
The starting ball must go through the double space in the middle of the hoops to an outer quadrant on the opposite side. A “net” call occurs when the server hits a hoop during the serve.
The starting ball must stop in the outer quadrant that the server has served to by the second service, otherwise a point is given to the opponent. (Similar to Tennis).
Once the served ball has stopped, the opponent has the option of hitting the starting ball back either, through the double space in the middle of the court, or through any smaller space, or a hoop.
Once any player has played the ball back through a smaller space, the opposing player must, after the ball has stopped moving, either play back through a similar size space, or a hoop, if smaller.
If a player returns a ball through a hoop, the opposing player must play it back through a hoop.
Through whichever space or hoop the ball is returned by the player, it must clear the hoop line and must not go out. If this is not achieved, a point is awarded to the opponent. (Similar to Tennis)
Play continues until (1) a player cannot return a ball as (7) above or (2) the player hits the ball out of play. Such a play allows the player's opponent to score a point.
Scoring is the same as Tennis, and follows the same practices such as deuce.
Players alternate "serves" after every game.
Players change ends after every two games.
If there is no winner after 4 games then a draw can be declared, If a win is a necessity then a penalty shoot out occurs.
If there is a penalty shoot out, each player, in turn, has to succeed in hitting a ball from the service line through a space between the hoops, except for the larger middle space, Each player starts from the first space on their left and rhen works their way through the other three spaces, ending with the last space on their right. Only one shot is allowed per space. Who ever gets the higher number of successful shots wins. If there is still a draw go to the rule below
In the event of a draw, resulting from the above rule, then the process is repeated using the six hoops instead of the spaces. If there is still no winner, then the cycle is repeated until one player achieves a higher score at the end of a six hoop shoot out.
For doubles, in addition to the rules above, players on the same side must alternate shots. Doubles sets are eight games. Penalty shoot outs can occur as above but with players alternating strokes. If the wrong player plays a ball then the ball is taken back to its previous position and the right player then plays it.
A ball that stops on a boundary line is considered to be “in”. To judge whether a ball has been properly returned, lt must clear the hoop line and move into the opponent's half in order to be considered a successful return return.
Comment
Doubles can be fun and engaging and is best for social occasions. Singles can be used competively for knock out games etc.
Note you can have a singles player vs a double (3 players). Use either the single or doubles variant for the number of games you play (your choice!). Also note that one player can play themselves by walking to the other side of the court to hit balls back!!!