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The ball squeezes between the net and the post. In or out?

The ball goes over the net or outside the post. Through the gap between them, or under the net, is out.

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A ball hit low and wide slips through the gap between the end of the net and the net post, and lands in their court. Whose point?

The ball goes over the net or outside the post. Through the gap between them, or under the net, is out.

Why

A legal ball crosses to the other side either above the net, touching the tape or the post on the way is fine in a rally, or outside the post, at any height. The one route that is not legal is through the net assembly: through a hole, under the bottom band, or through the gap that many courts have between the end of the net and the post. It is rare, it usually happens on a desperate low ball from the side, and the players who know the rule are the ones who stop and say "through" before anyone celebrates.

What this means at your level

Beginner

The ball has to go over the net. Anything that gets through it or under it is out, however good it looked.

Intermediate

On courts where the net does not reach the post, the round-the-post shot is still legal. It goes outside the post, not through the gap. Know which is which.

Advanced

If a ball wedges in the net or rolls under it mid-point, that is the point over, not a let. Only interference from outside the point earns a replay.

Rule of the gameThe ball must pass over the net or outside the net post to be in play. A ball passing through or under the net, or between the net and the post, loses the point.

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Common questions

A ball hit low and wide slips through the gap between the end of the net and the net post, and lands in their court. Whose point?

Theirs: the ball must pass over the net or outside the post. The ball goes over the net or outside the post. Through the gap between them, or under the net, is out. A legal ball crosses to the other side either above the net, touching the tape or the post on the way is fine in a rally, or outside the post, at any height. The one route that is not legal is through the net assembly: through a hole, under the bottom band, or through the gap that many courts have between the end of the net and the post. It is rare, it usually happens on a desperate low ball from the side, and the players who know the rule are the ones who stop and say "through" before anyone celebrates.

Why not yours. It landed in and did not touch anything?

Where it lands only matters if it got there legally. Through the net assembly is not over the net or outside the post.

What should a beginner do here?

The ball has to go over the net. Anything that gets through it or under it is out, however good it looked.

How does this change for an advanced player?

If a ball wedges in the net or rolls under it mid-point, that is the point over, not a let. Only interference from outside the point earns a replay.

What do the rules say?

The ball must pass over the net or outside the net post to be in play. A ball passing through or under the net, or between the net and the post, loses the point.

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