SkyBall™ Official Rules
Introduction
SkyBall™ is an exciting sport that combines elements of tennis and pickleball. These official rules govern all SkyBall™ matches and tournaments. Players are expected to familiarize themselves with these rules to ensure fair and enjoyable gameplay.
Court Dimensions and Equipment
- Court Size: 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for singles and doubles
- Service Line: 20 feet wide and positioned 13.5 feet from the net and 8.5 ft from the basaeline
- Service Box: Service boxes are created by drawing a line from the center of the service line to the net
- Net Height: 34 inches at the center, 36 inches at the sidelines
- Racquets: 21-inch stringed racquets (textured or hexagonal strings are prohibited)
- Balls: High-density foam balls approved by SkyBall™
Serving Rules
- Only one serve attempt is allowed
- Serves that touch the net and land in the correct service box are considered lets and must be replayed
- Any form of serve is allowed, with players traditionally using an overhead serve
- The returner must allow the serve to bounce before hitting it
Scoring System
- Games are played to 11 points (win by 2)
- The initial serving player serves one point and then players alternate two serves each
- SkyBall Quickplay matches consist of a single game to 11, while tournament play is best of 3, 5, or 7 games.
Gameplay Regulations
- After the serve, the receiving side must make at least one groundstroke prior to volleying the ball
- If a player releases their racquet to make a shot, it counts as long as the racquet doesn't land on the opponent's side
- If the ball comes into contact with any part of a player's body during a live point, that player loses the point
- Players switch sides after every game
Doubles Specific Rules
- One player from each team must remain inside the service line and alleyway until the ball bounces in court
- The receiver's partner must be in the box directly opposite the server
Faults
- The ball is hit out of bounds
- The ball doesn't clear the net
- The ball bounces twice before being hit
- A serve lands outside the correct service box
- A player touches the net or enters the opponent's court during play
- Player reaches over the net to hit the ball before it comes to their side
- Foot fault: Server steps on or over the baseline before serving the ball
- Double hit: The ball is hit twice by the same player in one stroke
- Carry: The ball is held on the racquet strings during a stroke