Soft tennis

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Diagram similar to Olympic pictogram for soft tennis Soft tennis pictogram.svg
Diagram similar to Olympic pictogram for soft tennis

Soft tennis, in which a hollow, soft rubber ball is hit over a net with a racket, is a ball game that diverged and developed not long after the emergence of modern tennis (lawn tennis) (estimated to have been around 1884). It uses courts of the same size as tennis (hard tennis) and equipment (rackets) similar in shape to tennis. [1] Most commonly played two-on-two (doubles). Originating in Japan, the game is played mainly in East Asia and other parts of Asia, but in recent years tournaments are also regularly held in Eastern Europe. The ball is made of the same rubber but is not covered with felt. Soft tennis balls are lighter and easier to handle, but at the same time more susceptible to wind and other natural conditions. They are also easier to spin than hard tennis balls. However, too much spin often causes instability.

Contents

The development of this sport is unique for a racquet sport in that it has developed almost exclusively as a doubles sport. In the course of its development, positional specialization (specifically, the rear guard and front guard positions were specialized, and a wild goose formation was used) increased, but in recent years, all-around play has been introduced mainly from overseas, and so-called "Double Forwards" have emerged, leading to diversification of the sport. On the other hand, in the mid-1990s, Singles was officially adopted, and has continued to the present day. In the mid-1990s, the need for international promotion of singles was discussed, and original rules for singles were drafted and officially adopted. In 2003, there was a major rule revision and the game became almost the same as Tennis.

History

Soft tennis originated in Japan in 1884. At the end of the 19th century, tennis was introduced to Japan by a Western missionary, and it was later modified to better suit Japanese tastes. A special racquet and ball were developed, and the game became known as soft tennis (ソフトテニス, sofutotenisu). Soft tennis was included in the 1990 Asian Games as an exhibition game and later became an official event in the 1994 Asian Games, It continues to be an official event at the Asian Games.

Current situation in Japan

In the 1970s, it was said that "soft tennis is the most popular sport in middle and high school" [6]. Currently, there is a competitive population (registrants) of about 600,000 in Japan. The Japan Soft Tennis Federation estimates that there are about 7 million enthusiasts [7]. However, it is also a fact that the minor feeling is extremely strong in the consciousness of lovers in general. The causes are that it is not an Olympic event, that there have been no professional athletes in Japan for a long time [Note 38] [8], and that it is recognized that school physical education (junior high school, high school) is the main focus [Note 39]. ], The influence of tennis (rigid tennis, lawn tennis) [Note 40], which has rapidly become popular in Japan since the 1980s, is considered.

International Soft Tennis Federation

The International Soft Tennis Federation (ISTF) was established in 1973 and is the premier soft tennis governing body. [2]

In 1970 the Japan-US Soft Tennis Promotion Liaison Council was established. This is a liaison organization with American schools, and organised a friendly match between Japan and the United States for junior high school students.

In 1972, the Hawaii Soft Tennis Federation was established in Hawaii, United States. A state championship was held at the same time. Soft tennis was adopted as a regular PE event at a public high school in Hawaii.

Before and after the establishment of the Hawaii Soft Tennis Association, the Hong Kong Soft Tennis Association was established with the efforts of Taiwan (Republic of China Network Association). The Soft Tennis Association was also established in Venezuela and Brazil.

In June 1974 the first Japan-US High School Friendship Tournament was held.

Members

As of 2022 the ISTF had 60 members: [3]

Countries

ISTF Members
Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Flag of Austria.svg Austria
Flag of the Basque Country.svg Basque Country
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica
Flag of Curacao.svg Curaçao
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechia
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican Republic
Flag of France.svg France
Flag of Germany.svg Germany
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong
Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary
Flag of India.svg India
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia
Flag of Italy.svg Italy
Flag of Japan.svg Japan
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea
Flag of Laos.svg Laos
Flag of Macau.svg Macau
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia
Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives
Flag of Malta.svg Malta
Flag of Monaco.svg Mongolia
Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal
Flag of the Netherlands.svg The Netherlands
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea
Flag of Norway.svg Norway
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan
Flag of Panama.svg Panama
Flag of Peru.svg Peru
Flag of the Philippines.svg The Philippines
Flag of Poland.svg Poland
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Puerto Rico
Flag of Romania.svg Romania
Flag of Russia.svg Russia
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia
Flag of Spain.svg Spain
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Chinese Taipei
Flag of Tajikistan.svg Tajikistan
Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand
Flag of East Timor.svg East Timor
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Turkmenistan
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg The United Kingdom
Flag of the United States.svg The United States
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Uzbekistan
Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela
Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam
Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia

Asian Soft Tennis Federation (ASTF)

[4]

Competition

Most of the rules for soft tennis are the same as those for regular tennis. When the rules were revised in 1992, singles became a formal event. This revision also enabled a forward player in doubles to serve. The serve plays an important role in a team's chances of winning. The world championship was held every two years until 1987. Thereafter, the competition is held every four years. The following is a list of World Soft Tennis Championships and World Junior Soft Tennis Championships held by the International Soft Tennis Federation. [5]

World Soft Tennis Championships

YearNumberHost CityHost Country
1975 1 Hawaii Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
1977 2 Taichung Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan
1979 3 Daegu Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
1981 4 Hawaii Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
1983 5 Taichung Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan
1985 6 Nagoya Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
1987 7 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
1991 9 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
1995 10 Gifu Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
1999 11 Taipei Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan
2003 12 Hiroshima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2007 13 Anseong Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
2011 14 Mungyeong Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
2015 15 New Delhi Flag of India.svg  India
2019 16 Taizhou Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2024 17 Anseong Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea

World Junior Soft Tennis Championships

YearNumberHost CityHost Country
2009 1 Yokkaichi Flag of Japan.svg  Japan [6]
2014 2 Ahmedabad Flag of India.svg  India [7]
2019 3 Suncheon Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea

Court dimensions

The dimensions of a soft tennis court Tennis court metric.svg
The dimensions of a soft tennis court
Line NameLine Length
Base Line for Singles8.23 m
Base Line for Doubles10.97 m
Side Line for Singles23.77 m
Side Line for Doubles23.77 m
Service Line8.23 m
Side Service Line12.80 m
Center Service Line12.80 m
Center Mark0.15 m
Net12.65 m

References

  1. "日本ソフトテニス連盟 » ソフトテニスとは". www.jsta.or.jp. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  2. "History". ISTF. International Soft Tennis Federation. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. "국제소프트테니스연맹".
  4. "Asia Soft Tennis Federation".
  5. "List of all world championships". International Soft Tennis Federation. International Soft Tennis Federation. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. "1st International Junior Soft Tennis Tournament Results & Photos". Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI). Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI). Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  7. "Result". Asian Soft Tennis Federation. Asian Soft Tennis Federation. Retrieved 15 January 2022.