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Visually Impaired TennisClick to open
What is visually impaired Tennis?
Visually impaired tennis is growing in participation numbers and players are classified according to their visual ability, from B1 to B4, B1 players are totally blind.
Rules are currently being developed but currently the only differences to mainstream tennis are to allow play with shorter rackets, on smaller courts and to have more bounces of the ball.
The Word document below is for adaptations to the normal rules of tennis for blind and partially sighted players.
Tennis Rule 1st international congress – Latest
Rules of Tennis link below in PDF format.
How do I play visually impaired Tennis?
The ball is larger than a regular tennis ball and in the centre is a plastic shell holding ball bearings which make a sound as the ball bounces on the ground. The ball can bounce 3 times for a B1 player and twice for B2-B4 players. The game can be played on a smaller court using shorter rackets; you will need to use a VI specific ball to play.
Where can I play Blind and VI Tennis in London?
Below are the main venues where Metro holds VI / Soundball Tennis sessions
Islington Tennis Centre (ITC), Market Road, London, N7 9PL.
Crooklog Leisure Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath DA7 4HH.
National Tennis Centre (NTC), 100 Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JQ.
Sutton Tennis Academy
Please visit Metros tennis event list for more information asnd contact info on the above venues and sessions.
Where can I play VI Tennis outside of London?
The Tennis Foundation supports visually impaired domestic competition opportunities in the UK and runs a number of VI camps for people to come along and have a go at playing. For further information about the camps please have a look at the Tennis Foundation website.
To find out more about where to play regularly please email the Tennis Foundation on disabilitytennis@tennisfoundation.org.uk
We have a number of venues offering weekly and/or monthly VI tennis sessions as part of our Disability Tennis Network.
Where do you get VI Tennis Balls?
Visually impaired tennis balls (also known as audible tennis balls, or soundballs) have been designed to offer people with varied visual impairments the opportunity to participate in tennis. The ball is audible, allowing players with any level of impairment (including if you are completely blind) to participate in activity.
Vision impaired tennis balls can be purchased at cost, if we have some in stock from Amanda Green: amanda.green@metroblindsport.org
I want to Know more?
To find out more about what we offer or to get involved, contact Odette Battarel odetteb@pocklington-trust.org.uk