Tennis Nets

Installation Guide

Tennis Net Lacing Cord Court Dimensions & Elevations Replacement Net Headband Replacement Net Cable

How to Install a Tennis Net

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1.	Install the net posts and pipe anchor, making sure the anchor is installed flush with the surface and that the pin is parallel to the net line to avoid twisting the center strap.
2.	Begin installing your net by connecting the loop end of the net cable to the post cable hook/cleat on the dead end post. If you are installing your net onto an internal wind post, you may have to cut the entire loop and any excess cable from the other end of the net cable depending on which internal wind post you are installing. Do not peel back coating because the end that goes in the winder must have coating still on it. Pull this end of the cable over the top of the winder post, lining up the cable with the winder mechanism. Feed cable into internal wind post mechanism and begin winding until the net is a little over 3' above the court surface at the center.
3.	If you are installing your net onto an external wind post, connect one loop end of the net cable to the post cable hook/cleat on the dead end post. Take the other cable loop and hook it onto the pin on the crank assembly and begin winding. Continue to crank the post so that the net is a little over 3' above the surface at the center.
4.	Fit dowels/side stakes if available into side pockets.
5.	Install lacing cord at each end by making a 2" knotted loop on one end of the lacing cord. Run the other end through both grommets in the headband and around the post, through the 2" loop and back around the post in the opposite direction. (See Net Lacing diagrams, below.) Continue wrapping the cord around the post, through the lacing bars if available, and through the grommets on the side band, applying equal pressure as you wrap. Tie off the cord at the bottom of the post. Repeat for other post. Finally, install the center strap and adjust it to maintain a net height of 36" at center.
6.	When you're finished the net should be fully extended so that it completely fills the space between the two net posts. The net height at the center of the net should be 3' and at the post end 3'-6" above ground. If a Doubles net is used for Singles play, the net should be supported to a height of 3' by using Singles Sticks, which are placed 3' on center outside the Singles court on each side.
7.	During the off season or when winterizing, either remove the net or at least loosen the net cable and center strap. It is best to remove net posts, too, and plug the sleeves with sleeve covers to prevent moisture and dirt from falling in.

Typical Net Lacing Diagrams

(not to scale)

Net Lacing Diagram Reprinted from the Tennis Facilities Construction and Maintenance Manual by permission of the American Sports Builders Association.	Typical Elevation of Properly Laced Net	297W Repair Cord
Drawings are illustrative only and we accept no responsibility for their use.

Net Lacing Diagram

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Reprinted from the Tennis Facilities Construction and Maintenance Manual by permission of the American Sports Builders Association.

Typical Elevation of Properly Laced Net

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RepairCord

297W Repair Cord

Drawings are illustrative only and we accept no responsibility for their use.

Tennis Court Dimensions

Typical Tennis Net Elevations

(not to scale)

How to Install a Replacement Net Headband

	1.	Cut off two short pieces of lacing twine and use them to secure each end of replacement headband to posts. Note that it is not necessary to remove old binding from net.
	2.	With remainder of cord, begin lacing headband to net, beginning with the second eyelet from the end and continuing to the opposite end. Make sure you keep the lacing cord pulled tightly as you lace.

How to Install a Replacement Net Cable

In the unlikely even that a tennis net cable should break inside the net headband or if a cable gets pulled back into the headband, it is very hard to try and pull the cable back out. It is much easier to remove it entirely. Lay the net flat on the court surface. Pull the cable completely out of the net headband. Using an electrical fish tape (a device used by electricians to pull electrical wires through conduit), push the fish tape into the headband from one end and thread it through to the other end, being careful not to pull it through completely. Fasten the cable to one end of the fish tape and pull the cable through the net headband by pulling on the other end of the fish tape. Reinstall net to post.

In the unlikely even that a tennis net cable should break inside the net headband or if a cable gets pulled back into the headband, it is very hard to try and pull the cable back out. It is much easier to remove it entirely. ReplaceNetCable

Lay the net flat on the court surface.
Pull the cable completely out of the net headband.
Using an electrical fish tape (a device used by electricians to pull electrical wires through conduit), push the fish tape into the headband from one end and thread it through to the other end, being careful not to pull it through completely.
Fasten the cable to one end of the fish tape and pull the cable through the net headband by pulling on the other end of the fish tape.
Reinstall net to post.

How to Cut Net Cable

With some net post winders, it is necessary to cut one end or cut the loop off of the cable to properly install the net and insert the cable into the winding mechanism. Using the proper tools makes this task easier.
Cable Cutters, designed specifically for this job, can be purchased at any local hardware store and make this job easy. Pliers, wire cutters or hacksaws mess up the cable ends.

Another way to cleanly cut cable is with a cold chisel and hammer. Lay the cable on a piece of steel or concrete and position the chisel where the cut is needed. Strike one clean blow on the chisel to cut through the cable.

Vinyl coating - do not strip vinyl coating off the cable as the coating keeps the cable snug when inserted into the hole in the winder, as well as keeping the cable wires from unwinding.