Around the Net Post and Net Cord (Rule)
Also known as: around the net post tennis, hit around the net post, around the post shot in tennis, ball hits the net post in a rally, net cord in a rally, ball clips the net and goes in
Yes, you can hit around the net post in tennis. Under ITF Rule 25, a return that passes outside the posts is good if it lands in, even below net height or after touching a post. In a rally, a ball that clips the cord, a post or a singles stick and lands in is also good.
Rule 25 of the ITF Rules of Tennis lists what counts as a good return. A ball does not have to cross over the top. It can travel around the outside of the post, above or below the height of the cord. It is good as long as it lands in the correct court.
Touching the cord is fine during a rally. A ball that clips the tape, a post or a singles stick and still lands in is good. The serve is different. A serve that touches the tape and lands in is a let. A serve that strikes the post or a singles stick is a fault.
There is one catch in singles. When a singles match uses a doubles net with singles sticks, the doubles posts and the mesh outside the sticks count as permanent fixtures. A ball that hits them before bouncing loses the point. A ball that passes under the cord between a singles stick and the post, without touching anything, is good if it lands in.
Tips by skill level
Play every ball until it bounces twice or goes out. A cord ball in a rally is still live.
On very wide balls, look for the angle around the outside. Keep it low, since it can pass below the height of the tape.
Example
Pulled far wide, she whips a forehand around the outside of the upright. It never crosses above the cord, but it lands in the corner. The point is hers.
Why it matters
Players often stop a point that is still live. Knowing what counts as a good return keeps you from giving points away.
Common mistakes
- Stopping play when a rally ball clips the tape
- Thinking a ball must cross above the cord to be good
- Treating a serve off the post like a rally ball
Frequently asked questions
Can you hit around the net post in tennis?
Yes. Under ITF Rule 25, a ball that passes outside the post is good if it lands in the court, even below the height of the cord.
Is it good if the ball hits the net post and goes in?
In a rally, yes. A served ball that hits the post is a fault. In singles with a doubles net, hitting the doubles post loses the point.
What happens if the ball clips the net during a rally?
Play on. If the ball carries over and lands in the correct court, it is a good return.
Sources
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 — Rule 25 A Good Return, items (a), (c) and (d), and Case 1 (singles stick), p. 11
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 — Rule 2 Permanent Fixtures (doubles net posts in a singles match), p. 3; Rule 24(d), p. 10
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 — Rule 19(c) Service Fault (serve touching a net post or singles stick), p. 8; Rule 22(a) The Let During a Service, p. 9
Related terms
- Service FaultA serve is a fault if it misses the correct service box or if you swing and miss the toss. It is also a fault if the serve hits the net post, a singles stick, you or your partner before landing. A foot fault is a fault too. Catching a bad toss is not a fault.
- Let (Serve Rule)A let is called when a serve clips the net cord and still lands in the correct service box. The point is then replayed with no penalty to the server.
- Touching the Net (Rule)You lose the point if you, your racquet or anything you are wearing or carrying touches the net. The posts or your opponent's court while the ball is in play. Contact after the ball is dead, such as after a second bounce or once it has landed out, is fine. Your racquet may follow through over the net after you hit the ball on your side. You may not reach across to play a ball before it has come over.
- Tennis Court DimensionsA tennis court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long. It is 27 feet (8.23 m) wide for singles and 36 feet (10.97 m) wide for doubles. As a result, each doubles alley adds 4.5 feet. The net is 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the center and 3.5 feet (1.07 m) at the posts. The service lines are 21 feet (6.40 m) from the net.
- Short-Angle CrosscourtTo hit a sharp angle crosscourt, aim to land the ball near where the service line meets the sideline. Use heavy topspin, meet the ball out in front and swing more across the ball than through it. It works best from a ball that is already wide or short.
Related guides & benchmarks
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