  
 
|
 |
     The Basics! Tennis players use rackets to hit a tennis ball over a net in an effort to score points. Points are scored when the tennis ball drops within the boundary of the opposing court and cannot be returned. The first player to win four points wins the game. A game must be won by a margin of two points. When a player wins at least six games by two or more games, he or she wins a “set.” In most youth tournaments, the player winning two out of three sets wins the tennis match. What's Needed? A tennis racket, tennis balls, shorts (or tennis skirt for women), shirt, and tennis sneakers. How Long Is A Match? There is no set time limit for a tennis match. Players determine which side serves first by tossing a coin or spinning a racket. The first point scored by each side in a game is called “15.” (When a side has no points, its score is called “love.”) After 15, the point scored is “30,” and if players tie here it is “30 all.” The third point is “40” and when tied here, the score is called “deuce.” The fourth point scored to a side wins the game - except when the game is at deuce. At deuce, one side must win the next two consecutive points in order to win the game. The first point after deuce is known as the “advantage.” Serve It Up! Two of the most important elements of tennis are the serve and return. Service always begins beyond the baseline behind the right-hand court and alternates between the right and left service courts until the game is completed. The serve then passes to the opposite player or side. The Serve - The server stands behind the baseline and tosses the ball above his or her head, and in front of the shoulder. Then, using a throwing motion, with the arm holding the racket fully extended, he or she strikes the ball with the racket. The tennis ball must be struck in the air and the serving player may not step over the baseline onto the court until contact has been made with the ball. Serving is always made diagonally across court into the opposite “service court.” In the event that the first serve does not make it into the service court, a “fault” is called and a second serve is attempted. If the second serve also fails, it is a “double fault,” and the point is awarded to the non-serving side. If a “let” occurs, the serve does not count as a fault and is tried again. The Return - The player receiving the incoming serve stands beyond the service court with his or her racket held in front of the body. Depending on where the receiving player is positioned when the served ball lands in the service court determines whether the return shot should be made with a “forehand” or “backhand” stroke. Nice Volley! Two basic strokes exist in tennis: the forehand and backhand. However, there is an assortment of different shots within these two strokes players use when striking the ball. Forehand - Used by players when the ball is hit to their dominant hand side. (For right-handed players, their right side.) To perform the forehand properly, a player turns sideways to the net, takes a backswing, then steps forward to hit the ball. Players must keep their eyes on the ball at all times and follow through with their swing to make proper contact. Backhand - Performed on shots hit to a player’s non-dominant hand side. A player positions his or her body in the same way as the forehand. However, because the forearm and racket cross the body on the back swing, the backhand is generally not as powerful a shot as the forehand; many tennis players thus opt to hit the ball with a two-handed backhand. Ground Stroke - The most frequently used stroke in the game. It describes any shot in which the ball is struck after it first bounces on the court. A ground stroke is hit either as a backhand or a forehand. Volley - Opposite of the ground stroke. It occurs when the ball is struck in the air before it bounces on the court. Half Volley - A cross between a volley and a ground stroke. The tennis ball is hit just after it touches the court surface. Drop Shot - A lightly hit ball tapped over the net. This shot is used against opponents who play deep along the baseline. It forces them to hustle quickly toward the ball dropping at the net. Lob - The ball is hit high over the head of an opponent. The lob is used against players who “approach” the net, to try to catch them off balance, forcing them back to the baseline to reach the deeply hit ball. Passing Shot - A shot in which the ball is hit down the sidelines or crosscourt against an opponent “playing the net.” Did You Know That? The game as it is played today comes from Great Britain, where it originated as lawn tennis in the mid-1800’s. However, there is some dispute as to who actually invented the modern game. The All England Croquet Club makes its claim having sponsored the first open tennis tournament, in Wimbledon, in 1880. Later in that year the All England Club published the most comprehensive set of rules, which closely resemble those used today. Entire contents copyright © 1997-2006, MomsGuide.com , Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form for commercial re-use without prior written permission is forbidden. “Mom’s Guide to Sports” is a registered trademark of MomsGuide.com, Inc. |
|
   |