  
|
 |
     Ace - A good, usually strong hit serve that cannot even be touched by the receiving player. It earns the server a point. Advantage (“In” or “Out”) - Describes the first point won by a side, following deuce. When the serving side wins this point it is called advantage-in. If the non-serving side wins the point, it becomes “break point” and the advantage is out. The side holding the advantage wins the game by winning the very next point. However, if the side with the advantage loses the next point, the score returns to deuce and the advantage is lost. Alley - The side areas between the singles and doubles sidelines. These lanes are out-of-bounds in singles play. Approach - Describes the movement of a player from the baseline to the net. Attacking the Net - When a player aggressively approaches the net with the intent of hitting a “put away” by using a quick volley or an “overhead smash.” Backspin - Striking the ball so that it bounces back toward the net, away from an opponent. Backspin is performed by undercutting the ball with the racket. Baseline Play - The hitting of long ground strokes from the baseline, by a player who does not approach the net. Break Point - When a non-serving player has the scoring advantage and is one point away from winning the game. Breaking Serve - Describes when the non-serving side wins the game. Crosscourt Shot - A ball that is hit diagonally across the tennis court on a baseline ground stroke. Deuce - When the two competing sides are tied at “40” in a game. Double Fault - Occurs when both serving attempts fail to land inside the service court. A point is awarded to the non-serving side on a double fault. Fault - Called when a serve is illegal or fails to land in the service court. Foot Fault - Occurs when a player steps across the baseline prior to hitting the ball on his or her serve. Forced Error - Occurs when a player is out of position and is unable to return a well hit ball by an opposing player. Holding Serve - When a serving player wins his or her own service game. Let - Called when a served ball touches the net cord prior to going over it but still lands within the service court. No Man's Land - Slang term for the backcourt area between the baseline and the net. It is difficult for players caught in this area to make successful returns. Overhead Smash - A powerful overhand volley shot generally hit from the service court against a lob. The player smashes the ball down into the opposite court away from the opposing player. Playing the Net - Players approach and position themselves at the net in an effort to cut down on the court size and make quick return volleys on the ball. Put Away (or Kill) - Describes when the ball his hit hard past an opponent who has no chance to make a return play on the ball. A put away scores a point. Rally - When players trade numerous strokes back and forth on a single point. Serve and Volley - After a serve, it is the quick approach to the net by the serving player. The intent is to make a quick volley stroke on the ball against the opposing player’s service return shot. Service Court - The area of the court between the net, the singles sideline, and the service line into which the ball is served. Set - The grouping of games in a match. Each set is played until one side wins a total of six games by a margin of at least two games. If a set is even at six games apiece, a “tie-break” is played. Set Point (and Match Point) - Occurs when a player is one point away from winning the set or match. Double and triple set points describe when a player has a two or three point lead in a game that would decide the set or match. Slice - Similar to backspin in that it is a way of striking the ball so that it doesn’t bounce well for the opponent. It is used to draw a player out of position. Slice Serve - Serving the ball in a way as to cause it to spin away from the receiving player. The slice serve is often used on a player’s second serve. Stroke - The general term describing a player’s motion when hitting the ball either forehand or backhand. Tie-break - If players are tied at six games each in a set, a tie-break may be used to decide the winner. Players alternate serving after the first, third, and all odd-numbered serves until one player wins seven points by a margin of at least two points. After six points have been scored, players switch court sides. Top Spin - The opposite of back spin. The player brings the racket over the ball when he or she strikes it. Unforced Error - When a player loses a point because he or she makes an error on a ball that could easily be returned. It is the opposite of a forced error. 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. |
|
   |