To play tennis, you need to understand some basic rules, grips, and strokes, as well as the court setup and scoring system. Here's a concise guide to get started:
Basic Rules and Game Setup
- Tennis can be played as singles (one player on each side) or doubles (two players on each side).
- The court consists of a net dividing two sides. Key lines include the baseline (back line), service line, and sidelines.
- Players serve the ball diagonally into the opponent’s service box to start a point and then rally by hitting the ball over the net within the court boundaries.
Essential Strokes
- Serve : Start by tossing the ball straight up and hitting it overhead into the opponent’s service box. The serve initiates each point.
- Forehand : Hit the ball on the dominant side with one hand (for beginners). Swing from low to high finishing over your shoulder.
- Backhand : Hit the ball on the non-dominant side. Can be one-handed or two-handed, using a low to high swing.
- Volleys : Hit the ball before it bounces on your side, usually near the net.
Positioning and Footwork
- Start in a ready position with knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, weight forward on the balls of your feet.
- Use the split step when your opponent hits to prepare to move quickly in any direction.
- Turn your body sideways when preparing to hit forehands and backhands for better power and control.
Playing the Rally
- Move behind the ball and hit it as it comes to your forehand or backhand side.
- Keep the ball inside the court lines.
- Focus on consistency and control before power.
Scoring Basics
- Points progress as 15, 30, 40, and game.
- A player must win by 2 points if the score is deuce (40-40).
- Matches are typically best of sets, where a set is won by the first to reach six games with a two-game margin.
With practice, learning to serve, rally with forehands and backhands, positioning, and understanding scoring will help start playing tennis effectively.
