HANTIS
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Rules and Regulations
HISTORY OF HANTIS (HAND TENNIS)
The game began in a media arts classroom at Scott County High School in Georgetown, KY. After completing
their class work, the students began playing around with a tennis ball and four tables. For big groups, Hantis is
played as a rotational activity similar to the popular playground game, four square. For competition, Hantis is
played as a sport; much like doubles table tennis.
EQUIPMENT & SPACE
● Four tables
● Tennis ball (wood tables)
● Bouncier ball (plastic tables)
● Gym, hallway, outdoors
FREESTYLE PLAY VIDEO
For large groups, several sets of
four tables are set up in a 2x2
pattern. A player enters the game
at the first table in rotation. The last
table in rotation is the serving table.
As mistakes are made, ‘outs’ occur
which force players to the back of
the line. When an ‘out’ happens,
players rotate around the tables to
fill in the empty gap made by the
person who got ‘out’. Players that are side by side are always teammates, which change rapidly as players
rotate through the game. A maximum of 12 students per 4 tables is encouraged.
COMPETITIVE PLAY VIDEO
During competitive play, games are played to 21 and the winning team must win by 2 points. A match is played
as a ‘best of’ 1, 3, 5 or 7 game series. It is recommended to use rock-paper-scissors-SHOOT to determine
which team serves first. The serving responsibility switches from team to team every 5 serves and players
must alternate serving accordingly until the game point is reached. When a team reaches game point (20
points) the losing team can choose their best server to attempt a tie. On every game point attempt, the serving
team is allowed one fault. This allows the underdog to force fast serves on their first attempt without risking a
total game loss on a serve. When the game is tied, serving responsibility must switch to the other team. Once
a team leads by two points, they have won the game.
BASIC RULES
1. Tables are spaced equally in all directions. Recommended spacing is 3 feet for beginners, 4 feet for
advanced and 5 feet for professionals.
2. The serve is always performed from the serving table. The ball must always hit the server’s table first.
3. The offensive team is the team serving the ball. They must not cross the offensive line of scrimmage
until the ball is served. This line runs parallel to the line formed by the back edge of their tables.
4. The defensive team is the team that receives the ball. They must not cross the defensive line of
scrimmage until the ball is served. The defensive line of scrimmage runs parallel to the line formed by
the front side of the defenders’ tables. This prevents the defensive players from getting too close to the
opposing team before the ball is live.
5. Each player is allowed a maximum of two hits per possession. Each team is allowed one hit on each
table per possession. Therefore, in one possession, teams of two players can hit the ball four times
(twice each) and the ball is allowed to bounce two times (once on each table).
6. The contact between the player and the ball is best described as a hit, strike or slap. The ball may not
be cupped, grabbed or carried. This results in a point for the other team.
7. If two hands are used simultaneously to hit the ball, this counts as two hits.
8. Hantis is unique because you can use any part of your body to strike the ball. If a player’s clothing or
other part of the body deflects the ball, it can be counted as one hit.
OUTS/POINTS
Player-Ground: After the ball is served, the last person to touch the ball before it hits the ground is out
(freestyle); the other team gets a point (competitive).
Table-Ground: After the ball is served, the last table to have the ball bounced on it before it hits the ground is
out (freestyle); the other team gets a point (competitive).
Table x 2: After the ball is served, the table where the ball bounces twice without changing possession is out
(freestyle); the other team gets a point (competitive).
Player x 3: After the ball is served, the person who strikes the ball three times without changing possession is
out (freestyle); the other team gets a point (competitive).
Double Out/Point: A double out happens when one team gets both opposing players out in one play
(freestyle) or receives two points in one play (competitive). It can only happen when the ball hits both players’
tables on the same team consecutively before hitting the ground.
Out of Play: When the ball goes out of play, the player/table with the last possession is out (freestyle); the
other team receives a point (competitive).
CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Dribbling: Anytime the ball is hit onto a player or table, the possession changes, so the ball can be hit again to
bounce it out of the opponents’ reach. Essentially, the ball can be dribbled indefinitely on the opposing team’s
tables because it is changing possession after every bounce and hit. Players who are being dribbled on can
attempt to intercept the dribble at any time.
Edge Rule: If the ball hits the table’s edge directly, the ball must bounce up to count as a tabletop hit. If the
ball bounces down after hitting a table’s edge, the last player or player’s table that touched the ball is at fault.
X-Factors: Any surfaces besides the players, the four tabletops and the ground are called X-Factors and are
completely neutral. These may include walls, ceilings, or anything else surrounding the playing area. During
the serve and for the remainder of the volley, the ball may bounce off these surfaces with no penalty to the
other team. If the ball gets stuck, it is deemed out of play.
HANTIS
4 Tables, 4 Players, Anywhere!
Purchase the Full PE
Unit to get all 10 Hantis
Lessons.
Freestyle Lesson
Lesson Title:
Freestyle Hantis for Secondary Physical Education
Topic:
Serving Procedure, Two Hit Rule, Teamwork, Movement & “Outs”
Learning Targets:
The learner will:
●
understand and apply basic safety and rotation in Physical Education. (terminology)
●
understand and apply the six rules to “getting out” in Hantis. (terminology)
●
explain how rules, safety and sportsmanship are important in using appropriate conflict
resolution skills in a physical activity setting.
●
show personal etiquette, respect and safety skills during physical activities.
●
demonstrate the serve using the Hantis ball or tennis ball correctly and effectively.
●
correctly demonstrate the two hit rule using the Hantis ball or tennis ball.
●
identify and/or analyze skill and health related fitness concepts associated with
participating in Hantis and utilize these concepts to determine health benefits.
Introductory Activity /
Focus Activity /
Anticipatory Set
Hantis video clips
●
Hantis How to in 2 minutes
Lead-up games
●
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5
Lesson Description:
In this lesson the learner will be introduced to the basics of Hantis. Hantis is an activity great for
all ages because all participants are new to the activity which provides an equal playing field for
all. Since everyone is virtually new to the activity, everyone is a beginner. Some may progress
faster than others but ultimately depends on practice!
Safety is paramount and students should be encouraged to move around the tables safely,
strike the ball appropriately and solve disagreements by using rock/paper/scissors/shoot
method or by utilizing your sideline players to make the best call.
The learner will observe correct serving technique to include the ball hitting the serving table
first before it hits an opponents’ table.
The learner will observe correct two hit technique and practice passing the ball to themselves to
either set themselves up to pass to their partner or return the ball to their opponents.
The six types of outs should be discussed and can be found on the Hantis Rules Handout.
Students should be encouraged to participate to enhance muscular strength and muscular
endurance (health related fitness components) as well as agility, coordination, reaction time and
speed (skill related components of fitness).
Materials Needed:
Tennis balls
Hantis Tables or Any Tables*
(*4 Tables per 12 students maximum)
HANTIS
4 Tables, 4 Players, Anywhere!
Hantis Lead-Up Games
#1 - Throw, Bounce, Catch
Facing each other, partners may stand 6-10 feet apart. Begin by throwing the ball with one hand down towards
the ground in front of your partner so that it bounces up to your partner to catch. Focus on throwing it lightly so
that the ball bounces to your partner’s chest level so they can catch it. Encourage alternating hands.
#2 - Serve, Bounce, Catch
Facing each other, partners may stand 6-10 feet apart. Begin by serving the ball with one hand down on the
ground so that it bounces up to your partner to catch. To serve, the player must hold the ball in one hand and
strike it down, out of their hand, towards the ground in front of their partner. Encourage alternating hands.
#3 - Serve, Bounce, Set, Catch
Facing each other, partners may stand 6-10 feet apart. Begin by serving the ball with one hand down on the
ground so that it bounces up to your partner to pop and catch. Focus on serving it lightly so that the ball
bounces to your partner’s chest level so they can pop the ball up by raising their palm up. The ball should rise
a few feet above their head and then they must catch it when it comes within range. Encourage alternating
hands.
#4 - Serve, Bounce, 2-Hit Return
Facing each other, partners may stand 6-10 feet apart. Begin by serving the ball with one hand down on the
ground so that it bounces up to your partner for a 2-Hit Return. Focus on serving it lightly so that the ball
bounces to your partner’s chest level so they can pop the ball up by raising their palm up. After popping the
ball a few feet above their head they must hit it down on the ground so that it bounces up to their partner to
return the same. Encourage alternating hands.
#5 - Keep Up 2-Hit
Facing each other, partners may stand 6-10 feet apart. Begin by using one hand to toss the ball underhand up
into the air toward your teammate so that it reaches them at chest level. The receiving player uses their first hit
to underhand pop the ball up, a few feet above their head. When the ball is within range, the player must strike
the ball upward (underhand or overhand) so that it arcs and reaches their partner at chest level. Encourage
alternating hands.