Tennikoit

Men's doubled at a 2006 ring-tennis match

Tennikoit, also called ring tennis or tenniquoits, is game played on a tennis-style court, with a circular rubber ring ("tennikoit", c.f. the game quoits) hurled over a net separating the two players, with each endeavoring to catch and return the hurled ring into the opponent's court.

The game is particularly popular in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, and the Subcontinent nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

History

The origins of tennikoit are unclear, with some sources claiming a German,^[1] but a more immediate ancestor of the game is likely the game of deck tennis, a recreation commonly played on cruise ships at the start of the 20th century, on smaller versions of tennis courts, with rings or rubber or another soft material.^[2]

Rules

The game begins as one player serves the ring upwards over the net, diagonally into the opponents court, and the opponent tries to catch the ring before it can land in their court, and if so throw it back. Each player takes five services in a row, regardless of whether they have scored points for a serve, and then the opponent serves for the following five turns.

Each individual (or double) tries to score 21 points in order to be declared a winner, but the winner must maintain a lead of two points over the opponent to win. A game consists of 3 sets of 21 points; the winner of 2 sets wins the match. However, a time limit of 30 minute is in place per set. Thus a server should win a point within nine rallies; failing to do so will then result in a point for one's opponent.

The game may be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (a pair per side).

Faults include a koit hitting the net posts, leaving the court entirely (even if it eventually lands in the court) or striking or passing through the net, as well as wobbling or shaking of the koit.

Court and equipment

International Ring Tennis court

Tennikoit can be played indoors or outside, on any surface which includes red sand, clay, and cement. Courts measure 12.2 by 5.5 metres, regardless of playing singles or doubles, and are divided by a centre line. Each playing zone is 5.2 by 2.75 metres. The height of the net that divides the court another direction is 1.8 metres.

References

1. "Kerala Tennikoit Association". Keralatennikoit.com. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
2. Ocean Liners: Crossing and Cruising the Seven Seas. Boyds Mills Press. 2008. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-1-59078-552-2.

External links

• IndianTennikoit.com