The court is divided across the middle by a net suspended by a cord or metal cable which passes over or is attached to two net posts at a height of 3.5 feet.
The net posts shall not be more than 6 inches square or 6 inches in diameter. The net posts should be no more than an inch above the net cord.
The net should completely fill the space between the two net posts. While it may be hard to completely fill the space, a ball should not be able to pass between the net post and net.
An example of too much spacing.
The net must extend completely to the ground so no ball can get under it.
it must be of sufficiently small mesh to ensure that a ball cannot pass through it.
Large holes in the meshing is not allowed, especially big enough for a ball to get through.
The height of the net is 3 feet at the center.
It is held down tightly by a white strap. The maximum width allowed for the strap is 2 inches. The strap should be weaved through the net so that the bottom of the net is still touching the ground.
Many straps are not weaved making the bottom of the net off the ground.
The cord used to suspend the net is generally made of metal as the net is heavy. The maximum diameter allowed for the the cord or metal cable is 1/3 inch.
A band, sometimes called “the net tape,” must cover the cord or metal cable and the top of the net. It must be completely white. The band must be between 2 and 2.5 inches.
For doubles matches, the centers of the net posts should be 3 feet outside the doubles court on each side.
Although rarely seen on public courts, if a singles net is used, the centers of the net posts must be 3 feet outside the singles court on each side. You mainly see these types of nets at pro tournaments like Wimbledon.
If a doubles net is used for a singles match, then the net should be supported, at a height of 3.5 feet, by two singles sticks, the centers of which shall be 3 feet outside the singles court on each side. This is also rarely done on public courts, but is always done for sanctioned tournament matches.
The singles sticks shall not be more than 3 inches square or 3 inches in diameter. The singles stick should be no more than 1 inch above the net cord.