Updated

April 15, 2012

Venue

Located in the climate controlled auditorium, on the lower floor of the

Shuswap Lake Estates Lodge.

This venue is available all year.

There is room for two courts.

Each court is 20' x 40', which is slightly smaller than a Tennis court.

When

Tuesday mornings - 9 am to 12 noon

Friday mornings - 9 am to 12 noon

Evenings, 7 to 9 pm. (if the room is available)

For those that work during the day, let me know and we will try for weekends.

What is Sponge-ball?

(Think ... Tennis - Badminton - Pickle-ball)

A low dynamic sport using a Tennis racquet, a Sponge-ball, and Net.

Sponge-ball Tennis can be played outdoors, or in-doors during inclement weather.

The object is to hit the ball over the net, keep the ball within the confines of the court and keep the ball in-play.

For those that are learning Tennis, a tennis ball when struck hard will maintain a fast speed and possibly be hit out of control, over the fence and out of the court.

This makes for more chasing the ball, than learning to play the game.

With SST, a specially manufactured sponge ball, slightly larger than a tennis ball, makes for an ideal practice ball for novices at tennis.

It can be hit hard, but loses speed after passing over the net.

Those first learning tennis, - "ball - eye - racquet coordination" - is easier and faster to learn by using the sponge-ball.

Price -

An annual SLE Activity Fee membership of $20 can be obtained at the SLE office.

(This membership entitles one to partake in all the activities at all the venues at SLE)

The SLE Activity Fee membership is not required if one only plans to play

Spongeball occasionally.

(A $20 SLE Activity membership pays for itself after 13, SST sessions).

If a player has an SLE Activity membership -

The charge for Sponge-ball Tennis is $1.50 per session.

If a player does NOT have an SLE Activity membership -

They can still play for the price of $3.00 per session.

These proceeds go to SLE for the use of the

building, electricity, heat / air-conditioning, janitorial service, etc.

Play

Sponge-ball can be played singles or doubles.

The times and dates listed are for social play only.

Anyone wanting to play advanced Spongeball, see me for prearranged dates and times.

Instructions are available at every session.

Equipment

Tennis racquets and Sponge-balls are provided.

Posts & Nets -

must be set up for each session,

then removed and stored after game.

Running shoes, court shoes, or soft soled shoes are required.

Serving

As in Tennis, the Server gets two serves, if the first serve fails.

As in Tennis, the Server will start the game by serving on the Right-side, (also known as, even, or forehand), service court.

The next game, the serve changes to the Left-side, (also known as, odd or backhand), service court.

The Server will serve all serves across court, as in Tennis.

The ball will be served by either bouncing on the floor, or dropped and then served.

The receiver will let the ball bounce once, then return the ball across the net.

To continue the play - the ball can either be Rallied or Volleyed.

The ball is out of play when it lands outside the court boundary.

To avoid damage to acoustical ceiling tile, under no circumstance should the ball be intentionally hit at the ceiling. If the ball hits the ceiling, it is out of bounds, and the point goes to the opposing team.

Play sequence will be as follows

There are two courts. Doubles play on both courts.

(4 players to a court).

Scoring will be as in Tennis.

At the end of a game, (no adds if others are waiting), everyone moves clockwise one position,

(to your left).

One person steps out and the vacated position is replaced by a player that is waiting.