Service RulesThe 6-Metre Service Zone
Why men now serve from further back, and who the rule applies to.
Under the 2025 ITF rules, the serving team in men’s and junior boys (under-18) matches must keep their feet behind a line 6 metres from the net until the ball is in play. this is the prohibited service zone. Women’s matches keep the 3 metre zone, and the receiving team’s prohibited zone stays at 3 metres for everyone.
How the Zone Works.
The prohibited zone is the strip between the net and a line parallel to it. The server and their partner cannot stand inside that zone when the ball is served. they must be behind the line until the ball is in play, then they may move forward.
- Men and junior boys (U18): serving team zone is 6 metres.
- Women: serving team zone stays 3 metres.
- Receiving team (all): prohibited return zone stays 3 metres.
The intent is to reduce the dominance of a big serve-and-rush in the men’s game by keeping the serving pair a little further from the net at contact. It is part of the wider 2025 rule changes; see also the general serve rules. Always check the current ITF Rules of Beach Tennis for your event.
Score It With BeachTennisRef.App.
- BeachTennisRef.App keeps score to current ITF rules, so officials and players can focus on the game rather than tracking zone revisions.
Common Questions.
A 2025 ITF rule: in men’s and junior boys (U18) matches the serving team must keep their feet behind a line 6 metres from the net until the ball is in play.
Only the serving team in men’s and junior boys (U18) matches. Women keep the 3 metre serving zone and the receiving team’s zone stays 3 metres.
To reduce the dominance of a powerful serve-and-rush in the men’s game by keeping the serving pair further from the net at the moment of the serve.
Just Play. We'll Keep Score.
Beach tennis scoring with ITF rules built in. serve rotation, the tie-break, ends changes, and a live shareable scoreboard.
First matches free. Any device. No install.