Tennis
By: Allison & Sarah
Rules & Game Play
- The game starts with a coin toss to determine which player must serve first and which side they want to serve from.
- The server must then serve each point from alternative sides on the base line. At no point must the server’s feet move in front of the baseline on the court prior to hitting their serve.
- If the server fails to get their first serve in they may take advantage of a second serve. If they again fail to get their second serve in then a double fault will be called and the point lost.
- If the server clips the net but the ball goes in the service area still then let is called and they get to take that serve again without penalty. If the ball hits the net and fails to go in the service area then out is called and they lose that serve.
- The receiver may stand where they wish upon receipt of the serve. If the ball is struck without the serve bouncing then the server will receive the point.
- Once a serve has been made the amount of shots between the players can be unlimited. The point is won by hitting the ball so the opponent fails to return it in the scoring areas.
- Points are awarded in scores of 15, 30 and 40. 15 represent 1 point, 30 = 2 and 40 = 3.
- You need 4 points to win a game. If a game lands on 40-40 it’s known as deuce. From deuce a player needs to win 2 consecutive points to win the game. After winning one point from deuce they player is on advantage. If the player wins the next point they win the game, if they lose it goes back to deuce.
- To win the set a player must win 6 games by 2 or more. The opening sets will go to a tie break if its ends up 6-6 where players play first to 7 points. The final set will not have a tie break and requires players to win by two games with no limits.
- If a player touches the net, distracts his opponent or impedes in anyway then they automatically lose the point.
- The ball can hit any part of the line for the point to be called in, outside the line and the ball is out.
- The balls in a tennis match are changed for new balls every 6 games
- A player loses a point if they fail to return the ball in either the correct areas on the court, hits the net and doesn’t go into opponent’s area or fails to return the ball before it bounces twice in their half.
Scoring
History
Definitions
Ace: a point scored on a serve that an opponent fails to hit in tennis
Alley: the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline
Deuce: a tie in tennis after each side has scored 40 requiring two consecutive points by one side to win
Double Fault: two bad serves that result in the loss of a point
Ground Stroke: a stroke made (as in tennis) by hitting a ball that has rebounded from the ground
Volley: the flight of the ball or its course before striking the ground; also : a return of the ball before it touches the ground
Serving
Before the service motion, the server must stand at rest, with both feet behind the baseline (in between the center mark and the sideline). The server then releases the ball by hand and must hit it before the ball reaches the ground. The service motion is complete once the racket either hits or misses the ball. A player who only has the use of one arm may use the racket to toss the ball.
The first serve is a fault, the server must serve again without delay from behind the same half of the court from which that fault was served, unless the serve was from the wrong half.
The server alternates serving from the two halves of the court. In both a standard game, and tie-break game, the server begins by serving from the right half of the court. The serve must pass over the net and hit the service court that is diagonally opposite the server, before the receiver may return it.
The players, or teams, stand on opposite sides of the court. The server is the one who puts the ball into play for the first point. The receiver is the player who is ready to return the ball put into play by the server.
Equipment
- Racquet: most essential part of your gear, without it you cannot play. They are categorized into power racquets designed for beginners and intermediate players; tweener racquets, intended for intermediate and advanced players; and control racquets, designed for professionals and expert players.
- Clothes: wear loose gym shorts, tennis shorts or a tennis skirt. T-shirts are acceptable as a top, but in competition you may want to use a traditional tennis polo shirt for appearance.
- Tennis Shoes: you will want to wear shoes specifically labeled for the sport, as they will have flexible soles designed to take an impact and keep you gripped to the ground.
- Tennis Balls: pick one that has the tightest, smoothest fuzzy surface
- Accessories: wearing sunglasses can help cut down glare and shield your eyes, sweatband to keep you hair and perspiration out of your eyes, as well as a visor to further shade your face from the sun.
Singles vs. Doubles
Singles involves two players competing against each other, usually two men or two women, although games between a man and a woman may be played on an informal basis or as exhibitions.
Doubles is played by two players of two teams each, most often all-male or all-female. It utilizes a wider court than singles matches: it includes the area in the alley (tramlines, in British terminology), whereas singles does not. The two players on the receiving side change positions after each point played (one at the net and the other near the baseline, preparing to return serve).