Net and wall games are court games where either a net separates the opponents or a wall serves to reflect the ball to the opponent. The object of these games is to hit or throw the ball or bird over the net (direct style) or against the wall (indirect style) back to the opponent. Play typically begins with one side serving the ball/bird by initially tossing or releasing it and then hitting/throwing it over the net or to the wall. This then starts a rally, in which the sides alternate hitting/throwing the ball/bird. Players then score points whenever the opponent fails to return the ball/bird back. The criteria on what is considered a valid return varies between each sport (such as the number of times the ball may be touched or bounced on a player's side before it must go back). Games in this category are non contact sports. Examples Sports like Real tennis, Padel and Wallyball use both net and walls. On the contrary, some sports like Four square, Ballon au poing, Tamburello and Crossminton have the same logic of wall and net games, even they do not use any of them.
The Los Angeles Daily Times reports: "Net sports are unique in that the equipment is light, portable and affordable, and partners and opponents are easy to find. The sports are easy to learn, and the social aspect of the game[s] appeals to those who find the health club to be an isolationist palace of mirrors."
Net and wall games usually include:
racquet sports such as tennis, badminton, pickleball, table tennis, squash, racquetball. volleyball, crossnet, footvolley, Jokgu, headis, roundnet, American handball, Throwball or sepak takraw, where players must hit/throw the ball with the body. Some sports like Basque pelota include both the use of hands and the use of equipment depending on the discipline. The three most popular net and wall games (tennis, badminton, and volleyball) usually involve arching of the back when serving or spiking/smashing the ball or birdie.
Although basketball, hockey, water polo, Football and other sports have netting around the goal area designed to more clearly indicate when goals are scored, they are not considered "net games", since the net is not used to separate the teams involved. Similarly, lacrosse sticks have a loose netting that is used to catch and fling the ball, but again lacrosse is not considered a "net game".
Comparison
+SportImageCountry of originGoverning BodyNumber of playersThe minimum (or typical, if there is one) number of players per team on the field is shown.Type of ballStyleWhat it is allowed to play withAllowed form for returning the ballWhat divides turnsAllowed service formNumber of touches before returnMaximum number of bounces allowed before returnScoringBodyEquipmentVolleyballIndoorUnited StatesFIVB6InflatableDirectAny part -HittingNetOverarm, underarmUp to three (excluding touch by failing block), not successively by the same playerNonePoints, setsSnowAustria3BeachUnited States2Up to three, not successively by the same playerBeach 4x44Sepak takrawSoutheast AsiaISTAF3Hollow wovenDirectExcept upper limbs -HittingNetVolley kickUp to three (maximum of 2 successive by same player)NonePoints, setsFistballItalyIFA5InflatableDirectUpper limbs -HittingElevated ropeOverarm, underarmUp to three, by different playersUp to 1 before each player touchPoints, setsThrowballIndiaInternational Throwball Federation7InflatableDirectHand -ThrowingNetOverarm1NonePoints, setsTeqballHungaryFITEQ Singles: 1 Doubles: 2InflatableDirectExcept upper limbs -HittingNetOn flightUp to three1 on table (no volley allowed)Points, setsTchoukballSwitzerlandInternational Tchoukball Federation7InflatableIndirectExcept below knee -ThrowingRebounderUp to three passesNone on floorPointsTennisLawnEnglandITF Singles: 1 Doubles: 2Filled with air, non inflatableDirect -RacquetHittingNetOverarm, underarm11Points, games, setsBeachItalyNoneBadmintonEnglandBWF Singles: 1 Doubles: 2ShuttleDirect -RacquetHittingNetRacquet pointing downward1NonePoints, gamesPickleballUnited States Singles: 1 Doubles: 2HollowDirect -RacquetHittingNetBall must bounce past opponent no volley zone11Points, gamesTable tennisEnglandITTF Singles: 1 Doubles: 2Filled with air, non inflatableDirect -RacquetHittingNetTwo mandatory bounces (first on own court and the other on the opponent one)11 on table (no volley allowed)Points, gamesSquashEnglandWorld Squash Singles: 1 Doubles: 2Filled with air, non inflatableIndirect -RacquetHittingWall11 on floorPoints, gamesCrossmintonGermanyInternational Crossminton Organisation Singles: 1 Doubles: 2ShuttleDirect -RacquetHittingLines on floor1NonePoints, setsOne wallCompromise rules among folk gamesCIJB Singles: 1 Doubles: 2IndirectHand -HittingWall11 on floorPoints, setsInternational Men: 5 Women: 4Filled with air, non inflatableDirect -Line on floorPoints, gamesValencian pilotaLlarguesSpain5Solid Upper limbs for returning Any part for blocking - Line on floor Imaginary movable line on floor (rattles)On flight None after rest line 1 if bounces between fault and rest lines Unlimited if first bounce is before fault lineFrontó2IndirectUpper limbsWall1 on floorPointsBasque pelotaFrontball SpainFIPV1Filled with air, non inflatableIndirectHand -HittingWall11 on floorPoints, gamesFrontenisMexico Singles: 1 Doubles: 2 -RacquetJai alaiSpainSolidXisteraThrowingXare2XarePadbolArgentinaInternational Federation of Padbol Associates2InflatableDirect and indirectExcept upper limbs -HittingNet and wallKick after bounceMinimum 2, maximum 3 (not successively by the same player)1 on floorPoints, games, setsPadelMexicoFIP2Filled with air, non inflatableDirect and indirect -RacquetHittingNet and wallUnderarm11 on floor (no volley allowed)Points, games, sets
References