Soccer and tennis are completely different games when you think about it. But when brought together, they create soccer tennis, a game enjoyed in different parts of the world.
So, in this article, we explain what soccer tennis is, how to play it, and how you can enjoy it either competitively or in your leisure time with your friends.
So, what is soccer tennis?
Soccer tennis is an official, competitive sport known as “futnet” that is played predominantly in eastern Europe. However, it’s also an informal game played by soccer players around the world, as all you need is a soccer ball and a tennis net, and you’re all set. Below, we take a look at where soccer tennis came from and how you can enjoy the game with your friends.
The history of soccer tennis
Soccer tennis is also called “futnet” and was first played in what was Czechoslovakia in 1920. By 1922, players within Slavia Prague’s soccer team started playing a game of soccer over a rope in the center of the court, which was soon to be replaced by a net.
However, it wasn’t until 1940 that the official futnet rules were written. Throughout the sixties and seventies, futnet became increasingly popular in Europe, and associations were established by players in different countries across the continent.
In 1991, the first European Championships were held, and three years later, the Futnet World Championships emerged. The Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary are among the best futnet teams in the world and regularly take home the championship title.
Is soccer tennis difficult?
Just like all sports, soccer tennis is a game of skill, and the best players in the world are highly talented. However, the beauty of soccer tennis is that it consists of fewer rules than standard soccer, and you can play it in a much smaller space, making it more accessible to many people.
You can also play soccer tennis for fun, and it’s an awesome way to meet up with your friends at a local park or sports venue and enjoy some friendly competition. All you need is a ball and a tennis net (or long rope), and you’re all set.
The fact that soccer tennis doesn’t require a great deal of equipment makes it easy to get into and allows anyone to try it out. All in all, it’s a great game to play for fun or competitively – it’s entirely up to you.
What are the rules of soccer tennis?
Soccer tennis is super simple to pick up and has very few rules. Played on a court, your job is to play the ball over the net to your opponent, who must then return it to you. The ball is only permitted to bounce once.
Different associations play with rule variations, but normally you are permitted two or three touches before sending the ball back over the net. As long as you agree with your playing partner beforehand, you can take as many touches as you like.
You can play soccer tennis in singles or doubles, and it’s an excellent way to warm up before soccer practice. If you want to play soccer tennis competitively, you can do a quick Google search and try and find an association in your local area.
Although it’s a European sport at heart, soccer tennis has become more popular in recent years, and associations are cropping up in different parts of North America.
Do you need to play soccer tennis on a court?
Ideally, you should play soccer tennis on a court. A tennis court is preferable, and you can play on any surface that you like. The main piece of equipment that you need is a net, so provided you have something you can play the ball over, you’re all set.
That being said, if you’re just having a game with your friends or have incorporated soccer tennis into your team’s training routine, you can just string a rope between two poles and get started – you don’t need to play on an official court.
This is like soccer in many respects. While it’s better to play on a soccer field, you can really play anywhere, and the same is true for soccer tennis if you’re not playing a competitive match.
Is soccer tennis a good practice drill?
Although soccer tennis is a competitive sport in its own right, you can also use it as an effective practice drill for you and your teammates. It allows you to work on your touch and control and is super fun at the same time.
You can also play variations of soccer tennis to work on different aspects of the game, and many players enjoy head tennis by making the area of the court slightly smaller.
In other words, whether you play soccer tennis as part of your team’s training drill or play the sport of futnet competitively, you will have a great time!
Recap: Soccer tennis explained
Soccer tennis is an awesome game to try. It’s fast-paced and extremely fun, and it enables you to work on many of your soccer skills, such as your touch and control.
So, next time you meet up with your friends, propose a game of soccer tennis and see who comes out on top – it might just become your favorite game!