Lawn Tennis Rules and Mechanics of the Game  A player that does not return a live ball before it

bounces twice loses the point

Learning Outcomes:
 If the ball hits or touches the players, that counts as
 Discuss the rules, mechanics of lawn tennis penalty
 Appreciate the correct fundamental skills in executing  If the racquet leaves the hand or verbal abuse occurs, a
the forehand and backhand ground strokes, serving and penalty is given
volleying  Any ball that bounces on the line of boundary are
 Show interest and appreciate individual and group considered good
participation in different tennis drills  A serve must bounce first before the receiving player
 Exhibit a feeling od enthusiasm and interest in can return it
improving his/her wellness to enjoy playing lawn tennis
Equipment
Tennis Rules
 Racquet
First of all, the rules of tennis are different (although o A racquet is comprised of a handle, a frame, and
mostly similar) for singles matches and doubles matches. But string that are bound in a crisscross weaving
before we go over that stuff, let’s review some of the general pattern
tennis rules and regulations that apply to all of the tennis before o A racquet’s frame should not exceed 32 inches
we learn how to play tennis for singles and doubles in length, with a handle no longer than 12.5
General Rules of Tennis inches in width, and a surface no more than 15.5
inches in over length or 11.5 inches in overall
 A ball must land within bounds fir play to continue; if width
a player hits the ball outside the bounds, this result in o There can also be no objects or devices on the
the loss of the point for them racquet except for ones that prevent vibration
 Players/teams cannot touch the net or posts or cross and wear and tear
onto the opponent’s side  Ball
 Players/teams cannot carry the ball or catch it with the o A tennis ball is white or yellow in color for
racquet tournaments, with measurements of 2-1/2 to 2-
 Players cannot hit the ball twice 5/8 inches in diameter and weighing anywhere
 Players must wait until the ball passes the net before from 2 – 2-1/16 ounces.
they can return it
 o The elasticity if the ball and the uniform outer
surface are also determined by approved  Tie-break game
specification o If a game score of 6-6 is reached and tie-break
 Scoring set rules are used, players must play a tie-break
o Smallest unit of measurement game in order to decide who wins the set
o Points increment from Love (0)-15-30-40-game o In a tie-break game, a player/team must reach 7
 Games point with a 2 points advantage to win.
o Games consists of 4 point each, and is won o For the serving format of a tie-break game, 1
when player reaches 4 points with at least a 2 player serves for the first point, player 2 serves
points advantage for the next two points, player 1 serves for the
 Sets next 2 points after that, etc.
o A set consists of 6 games and Is won by the  Point-Game-Set-Match
player/team who reaches 6 games first with least o Point
2 points lead  smallest unit of scoring
 Advantage set  starting at Love (0)-15-30-40-game
o If a game score of 6-6 is reached and advantage o Game
set rules are used, a player/team can only win a  A game consists of 4 points, just as long
set with a 2 games lead as the leading payer hast at least 2-pont
 Matches advantage
o A match is usually played as best of 2 or best of o Set
5 sets  A set is won when a player wins 6
 Deuce games with a lead of at least 2 games
o Occurs if a score f 40-40 is reached o Match
o In order to win the game, a player/team must  Whichever player/team wins the
win 2 consecutive points in order to take the majority of the sets wins the match
game  A typical match is always an odd
o If a player wins one point, they have advantage, number, often either 2 or 5 sets
but if they lose the next point, the score returns
to deuce
 o The service line separates the forecourt from the
backcourt, and it also marks the length of the
What do the lines mean?
service box
 Baseline  Singles sideline
o The baseline are the lines on either end of the o The singles sideline is the innermost line
court that determines the boundaries of play running lengthwise and determines the
going lengthwise. boundary of play for singles matches as well as
o They are also where a player serves behind the width of the service box
 Center Mark o Doubles sideline
o The center mark determines the two halves of  The doubles sideline is the outermost
the tennis court. line running lengthwise and is only used
o It may help with service to determine where a in doubles matches
player should stand prior to serving Who serves first?
 Centerline
o The center line divides the two service boxes A flip of the coin or spin od the racquet, known as the toss,
into a distinct left service box and right service determines which player or team serves first. Of called
box on either side of the court correctly, the player or team that dd so chooses who serves
o Landing a serve on the line is considered good first. The player/team who did not call it correctly decides
 Net which side of the court they want to play on first
o The net stands 3 feet and 6 inches high where  Rally
the posts lie while the middle of the net is 3 feet o The rally consists of the exchange of shots after
tall. With the posts 3 feet outside of the court the serve is made until a player/team makes a
either side mistake and loses the point.
o Hitting the ball into the net is considered an out o Any shot that is hit within bounds is considered
while any ball that hits the net cord and falls good and allows the rally to continue
into the other side is considered good except for o If you want to learn how to play tennis, you will
a serve, which allows for a re-do, or let need to know how to rally consistently
 Service line
Serving and choosing sides
 Foot fault
 o A foot fault is when a player steps in to the  Order of service
court or crosses the center mark before they had o The player/team who wins the toss serves first
contact with the ball. This result in the loss of (team that wins chooses which player serves). If
the serve playing single matches, player alternate between
 Proper serve serving and receiving every game. If playing
o A player serves in the right side of the court at doubles matches, teams alternate between
the beginning of each game, with the goal of serving and receiving every game, with each
serving the ball in to diagonal service box. If the player on a team getting the chance to serve
serve lands in the correct service box, the play before the cycle repeats.
continue  Switching sides
o The server switches to serve on the left side for o Players/teams switch sides for every odd-
the next point, and vice versa until the game is numbered game (o, games 3, 5, 7, etc.)
over
Single Vs. Doubles Tennis Rules
 First service
o The server is allowed two chances to land their The tennis rules for singles and doubles matches are a
ball into the service box. The first attempt is little different, although mainly regarding serving order and
known as the first service court size. Doubles tennis rules are just slightly adapted to
o Failing the first service leads to the second make room for an extra player on either side of the court, but
service for the most part, doubles tennis rules are very much the same
 Second service as singles matches. So, here’s how to play tennis for singles
o The second service attempts is known as the and doubles matches.
second service. Singles Tennis Rules
o Failing the second service results in the loss of
the point  Court size
 Let o A singles court uses the innermost sideline and
o A let is a re-do given to a player who serves measures a total of 27 feet wide by 78 feet long
although the ball hits the net cord before falling  Serving order
into the correct service box o The player who wins the toss who serves first.
o You are allowed an infinite amount of lets, o Whomever is serving first serves for the entire
although it does not happen often duration of the first game.
 o After the game, the next server will be the It really all depends in the preferences if the player on the rules
player who received last, serving for the of the tournament.
duration of the second game
Doubles Tennis Rules (Court size)
o For every odd-numbered game, players switch
sides of the court A doubles court uses the outermost sideline and
measures a total of 36 feet wide by 78 feet long
Tie-break serving order
If a score if the 6-6 is reaches and tie-break rules are Serving order
used, a tie-break game is played in order to determine which
The team who wins the toss chooses which team serves
player wins the set. For a tie-break game, the goal is to reach 7
first, and that team will choose which team will serve first.
points with a lead of at least 2 and doing so results in the win
Whoever is serving first serves for the entire duration if the
of the set. The player who serves first is the player who would
first game. After the game, the next server will be choses by
normally serve after 6-6, or 12 games.
the team and will serve for the duration of the second game.
The serving order for the tie-break is as follows: For every odd-numbered game, teams switches sides of the
court, and the player who hasn’t served yet from the forst game
 Point 1: Player A must now serve, and the player who hasn’t served yet from the
 Point 2: Player B second team serves afterward, and so on.
 Point 3: Player B
 Point 4: Player A 6 basic tennis strokes
 Point 5: Player A All games of tennis consist of six basic strokes. The
 Point 6: Player B serve, forehand groundstroke, backhand groundstroke,
 Point 7: Player B forehand volley, backhand volley, and the overhead smash.
 Point 8: Player A The 6 basic strokes are the fundamental movements a player
 Point 9: Player A performs to hit a tennis ball. A shot on the other hand is hat
happens as a result of a stroke. For example,
Match format
Forehand groundstroke = stroke
A singles match is often played to the best of 3 sets,
although some men’s singles tournaments play to the best of 5. Inside out topspin forehand winner = shot
The difference is subtle but important. Especially if you’re a with power). Finally, grip the racket in your dominant hand
beginner looking to learn and understand the game. But all you using a continental grip (like you’d hold hammer) and hold the
really need to know is that every single shot like a lob or drop tennis ball in your non-dominant hand. Now you’re ready to
shot, regardless of the spin used, comes from one of the six start serving.
fundamental strokes.
Below are eight simple step-by-step beginner tennis tips for
The Basic Mechanism of Tennis developing a consistent serve capable of generating power and
spin. For the purpose of this instruction I’ll assume you’re.
All strokes in tennis are a sequence if motion referred to
Without further ado here is how to serve in eight steps:
a “kinetic chain”. It begins at a player’s feet, extending through
the legs, hips, chest, shoulders, arms, and wrist to the racquet  Begin your service motion by holding your racquet and
as it impacts the tennis ball, the kinetic chain or kinetic linkage ball in front of you
as it’s often called allows the buildup, storage, and transfer to  Start your momentum forwards by leaning towards the
generate power for your shot. Biomechanically sound tennis opponent, toss the ball in the air with your non-
technique comes from your kinetic chain working in concert. dominant arm while dropping your racquet arm straight
Bad technique and injuries are the result if dysfunctional back. The ball and backswing happen simultaneously
movements within your body’s kinetic chain.  Now your body should be in a ready position, fully
What does all this mean? coiled and ready to unload
 As the ball moves into striking position above your
Essentially it means you want all parts of your body to work head start uncoiling by driving up your legs, rotating
together and in harmony. In other words, the correct amount of your body, and pulling your non-dominant arm down.
rotation, up/down movement, side-to-side movement, and  Continue extending and uncoiling as your racquet arm
forward/backward momentum will result in the best possible whips up and around following the rest of your body
tennis technique. So now that you understand the basic  At this stage your body and head position should be
technical principles let’s move on the six core strokes starting facing or almost facing the net as you pull down and
with the most important tennis shot: make contact with the tennis ball
Beginner tips: How to serve step-by-step  As you continue the follow through your body would
be falling forward and to the left as your racquet arm
Before starting, make sure you’re standing behind the baseline. whips through the ball and slightly to the right
Next place your feet in a side on stance where if you drew an  Finally, as you finish your serve motion you’ll land on
arrow between the tips of your feet it’d point towards your your left foot in the court while your dominant arm
opponent (this may feel a little strange at first but will help
finishes it’s swing in the left side of your body (if
you’re right handed)