Ready in five minutes
Set up a court
Four tables the same size, one tennis ball, four players. That's a Hantis court. Here's how to lay it out for a backyard, a classroom or a whole gym.
The 2×2 square
Set the four tables in a square with an equal gap between each one. The gap depends on how experienced your players are.
Using tapered Hantis tables? Put the narrow end toward the player and the wide end toward the middle. Rectangular tables work the same way.
Rule 1.1.1 · See it in the rulebook
Step by step
From empty room to first serve.
Most groups are playing within five minutes.
Find four tables
Any type works as long as all four are the same size: cafeteria tables, folding tables, classroom desks or picnic tables.
Clear the space
Move bags, chairs and loose balls out of the way. Walls are fine; they're X-Factors and the ball stays in play off them.
Grab a tennis ball
A new ball from a pressurized can bounces best. On less-bouncy plastic tables, try a high-bounce rubber ball.
Mark a boundary (optional)
Freestyle: 8 × 8 m up to 16 × 8 m, sized to your space. Competitive: 8 × 8 m is official.
Pick teams
Two teams of two. Extra players form a line by Table 1 for Freestyle rotation.
Serve
Strike the ball onto your own table, then onto either opponent's table. Rules →
Boundaries
How big is the court?
Boundaries are optional in casual play. Shrink them if players are over-using the slam.
| Setting | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive: official boundary | 8 m × 8 m | 26.25 ft × 26.25 ft |
| Competitive: full sand court | 16 m × 8 m | 52.5 ft × 26.25 ft |
| Competitive: half sand court | 8 m × 8 m | 26.25 ft × 26.25 ft |
| Competitive: racquetball or squash court | 13.7 m × 7.6 m | 45 ft × 25 ft |
| Freestyle | 8 m × 8 m up to 16 m × 8 m | 26.25 ft × 26.25 ft up to 52.5 ft × 26.25 ft |
For P.E. classes
Setting up a whole gym
Run several courts at once. Put a set of four tables in each corner of the gym, near the walls, so balls don't travel far and the walls add X-Factor bounces.
- About 12 students per set of four tables keeps rotation quick
- Mark each court with floor tape or cones
- Keep lines of waiting players back from the tables
- Play the free Hantis Beatz playlist for atmosphere
No tables? No problem.
Build your own set.
The official plans show you how to build a full set of four tables in the official shape, with measured drawings, a cut layout and step-by-step photos.
Get the plans · $29