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I.7.3. Main rules

Size of the field

The field is a flat area of 5 x 10 m divided by a 2-meter high net. Outdoor fields are bordered by a thicker string or band, which has to be visibly stretched at 1-2 cm above the ground. The ground can be clay, sand or grass. Indoor fields are marked by a 4-cm wide line, which belongs to the field itself. The ball that hits the line is in, the point belongs to the player who hit it there.

Racket

It is made of hard wood (oak, beech, ash or cherry), has the shape of a round wall paintbrush, which weighs 300 g and its diameter does not exceed 15 cm. The handle of the racket max. 18 cm. The hitting surface is flat or has circular grooves. It is permitted for it to have a “gripping” part on the top. Players can only use one racket on the field. It is not forbidden to cover the hitting surface.

Net and its size

It is placed above the middle line of the field at a height of 2 m. It is 6 m long and 25-30 cm wide, and the size of the meshes is 4x4 cm. The posts holding the net are 0.5 m from the edge of the field.

The ball, the rally and the right to choose the side

The ball:

Tennis balls of any quality can be used for the game. It is better to play with used balls.

Rally:

A service starts a rally, which lasts as long as one of the players wins it. Players need to hit the ball in the air before it lands.

Choosing sides:

The players decide about the sides by drawing lots before the game. The winner of the lots can choose their side or the service. The rules permit that they decide according to the outcome of the first rally. The one who wins the first rally can receive the first service. The one who lets the ball fall or makes a fault will start serving.

Service and scoring

Service:

It is a characteristic feature of the Turul Game that the player who has lost the previous rally will serve. Service can be carried out from any corner of the field there are no limitations concerning this. Players must serve from behind the baseline of the field. If the ball hits the net, but lands on the opposite side, the player can retake the serve. When the receiver indicates that he/she is ready, the server will serve. If, for some reason, the legal service does not happen or it is affected by external circumstances, the serve must be retaken. Balls that land on the line or band are still in, a point is scored.

Faulty service:

  • the ball stops at the net or flies under it;
  • the ball lands outside the baseline;
  • the ball hits a player or other object before getting over to the other side;
  • the server fails to hit the ball or catches it before hitting.

It does not count as a fault if:

  • during the rally, the ball hits the net but gets over to the opposite side;
  • after the rally, the player returns the ball with their head;
  • the player drops the racket at the moment of hitting and it does not hit the net, the post holding the net or the opponent’s side.

Doubles:

When two pairs of players compete, they can freely hit the ball, as there are no restrictions concerning the order. However, they are obliged to change sides and service after each game.

Scoring:

The player who reaches 6 points wins the set, but the difference must be 2 points. This means that at 5-5, one player has to reach 7-5 to win. One game consists of 2 (for women) or 3 (for men and doubles) won sets. The player who lost the previous set shall start the next one.

Configurations:

As in the case of other racket sports, configurations include women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.