The Sport
Beach Tennis
101.
Familiar racket skills, reimagined for the sand. Fast rallies, no bounces, and a social doubles format that beginners can feel quickly.
The Basics
A racket sport
played in the sand.
Beach tennis is a combination of familiar sports reimagined for the sand. Players use rackets to send a low-compression tennis ball over the net and inside the court boundary.
Like badminton and volleyball, the point ends when the ball touches the ground. There is one touch per side, no bouncing, and most matches are played two versus two.
The sport began as a beach fix for Italian tennis players in the 1970s, then traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles, Barcelona, Miami Beach, and beaches all over the world.
See It in Action
Easier to watch than explain.
Rules & Play
Simple rules. Big rallies.
01
The Court
A sand court 16m × 8m, the same footprint as a beach volleyball court. The net sits at 1.7m in the center.
02
No Bouncing
The ball never touches the sand during a live point. Every shot is a volley, which makes the game fast and instinctive.
03
Tennis Scoring
Scoring follows tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. There is no advantage. At deuce, the next point wins the game.
04
Doubles Format
The standard format is doubles, two players per side. Singles exists, but doubles is where the social magic happens.
05
The Racket
Solid carbon fiber or fiberglass rackets, no strings. They are light, maneuverable, and built for quick reactions at net.
06
The Ball
A low-compression felt tennis ball travels slower through the air, making rallies more controllable and fun.
Why Play
The sport that
gets into you.
People who try beach tennis usually don't stop. There's something about the combination of sand, sun, movement, and competition that creates an instant pull.
It's physical but not punishing. Technical but learnable. Social in a way that most racket sports aren't. It doesn't take long before you're hooked.
Fast to learn
Most beginners are rallying within the first session. No background in tennis required.
Full body workout
Playing in sand increases intensity and engages muscles that flat courts never reach.
Built for community
Doubles means you're always playing with someone. The format creates bonds quickly.
Competitive at every level
From intro nights to international open series, there's a level of competition for everyone.
Start Here
Your first OLA session should feel easy.
You do not need a partner, a racket, or prior experience. OLA will point you to the right format and help you get comfortable fast.
01
Choose your city
Pick the OLA market closest to you so schedules, venues, and signups match where you actually play.
02
Start with intro or Open Play
Brand new players should try the Intro 4-Pack. If you already rally, Open Play is the easiest way into the community.
03
Keep progressing
Once you have the basics, move into league, tournaments, or OLA Academy depending on how competitive you want to get.
First-Time FAQ
What beginners ask first.
Do I need to know tennis?
No. Tennis helps, but beach tennis has its own feel. Most new players can rally in their first session.
Do I need a partner?
No. OLA formats are built to help players rotate, meet people, and find good matchups.
What should I bring?
Athletic clothes, water, sunscreen, and a towel. For intro sessions, OLA can provide the racket and balls.
What is the best first step?
If you are brand new, start with Intro. If you have racket-sport experience, Open Play is usually the fastest way in.
Ready to play?
OLA runs leagues, open play, and intro sessions across Los Angeles, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.