The court is divided into two sides:

• Champion Side
• Challenger Side

The coach always feeds from the Champion side to the Challengers.

At the start of play, both Champions and Challengers begin at the baseline for a "rally ball."

• Optimal: 6 players
• Supported: 5–8 players

Knockout was designed to work smoothly with flexible group sizes.

You can only score points while on the Champion side.

1. Champions start at the baseline
2. Win the rally ball → move to the service line
3. From the service line, win 3 rallies in a row to score 1 point
4. After scoring a point or losing any rally, the Champions reset to the baseline

If Champions lose a point from the service line, they reset to the baseline for a new rally ball.

Challengers:

1. Start at the baseline
2. Win the rally ball → move to the service line
3. From the service line, win 3 rallies in a row to become the new Champions

If Challengers lose:

• They rotate out
• New Challengers rotate in

For all rounds except the final:

• Champion side is determined by luck of the draw
• The coach hides a numbered tennis ball (1–3)
• Teams guess until one is correct

For the final round:

• The team with the lowest combined points starts on the Champion side

• The coach always feeds the Challengers
• Baseline feeds bounce before contact
• Service-line feeds are volleys

Feeds usually alternate between partners and are typically:

• Forehand to deuce side
• Backhand to ad side

However, feeds can vary — always be ready.

If the coach feeds the "wrong" player, the ball is still live.

A clean winner is a ball that is untouched before the second bounce.

• If Challengers hit a clean winner → they instantly become Champions
• If Champions hit a clean winner → they instantly score a point

Unlike traditional doubles, never give up on a ball.

Touching the ball before the second bounce cancels the clean winner.

You'll play a timed round with every other player in the session.

Your individual points from those rounds determine:

• Your partner for the final round
• Count towards your final session score

Players are paired based on total points:

• Highest scorer with lowest scorer
• 2nd highest with 2nd lowest, etc.

Final round scores are team scores, calculated by combining individual totals.

There are two ways to win:

1. Finish with the most individual points
2. Be on the winning team in the final round

Often (but not always), the individual winner is also on the winning final-round team.

As long as there are at least 5 players, the session runs as scheduled.

With 5 or 7 players:

• Players rotate individually on the Challenger side (no set teams)
• Scores are tracked individually
• Team scores are not used

Round length is set by the head coach.

For a typical 90-minute session, we recommend:

• 10 minutes warm-up
• 5 rounds × 10 minutes
• 15-minute final round

Remaining time is used for ball pickup and team assignments.

Yes! Every point you earn counts toward the season leaderboard.

After each session you'll receive:

• Round-by-round scores
• Your session total
• Updated season totals

Leaderboards are available at knockouttennis.com.

Not at all.

Play when you want, as often as you want.

Some players come for the workout and convenience — others chase the playoffs and season title.

Usually, yes — depending on the league.

Example:

In San Diego, the top 24 players qualify for playoffs.

If someone can't attend, the next player in line is invited.

No.

Leagues cap the maximum number of sessions that count toward playoffs.

Example:

• 10-week season
• Max of 8 sessions count
• Play more if you want — only your top scores are used

(Yes, Knockout addiction is real but many players reach the playoffs playing less than the max sessions that count.)

Anytime on knockouttennis.com.

You'll also receive a post-session email with:

• Round scores
• Session summary
• Season leaderboard position

A league is defined by:

• Geographic area
• Skill level
• Participating clubs

Players can earn points at any club within the same league.

Yes.

As long as the club is in your league, your points count toward the same leaderboard.

We're actively adding clubs.

Email to learn more.

Yes — as long as you have exclusive weekly access to at least one court at a set time.

At this time, Knockout leagues are only offered through:

• Professional tennis coaches
• Public or Private Tennis facilities

Yes!

Contact a Knockout coach at your club for details.