Tennis Study Guide 1. The player who first delivers the ball is called the server, and the other the receiver. 2. Players change sides of the net after the games played in each total an odd number. 3. Fault­ the serve is a fault if… a) If the server fails to hit the ball into the proper court. b) If the server misses the ball while attempting to strike it. (It may be tossed several times without penalty) c) If the ball touches a permanent fixture (other than the net) or the server’s partner before it hits the ground. d) If a footfault is committed. 4. Footfault­ A footfault is called if… a) If the server changes his position by walking or running before he/she hits the ball. b) If the server touches the baseline or the court area within the baseline before hitting the ball. c) If the server serves from outside the area between the sideline and the centermark. 5. A Let­ A let is called if… a) The ball served touches the net and falls within the proper service court. b) The ball served touches the net and then touches the receiver or anything he/she wears or carries. c) The receiver was not ready for the serve. 6. The player loses the point to the opponent if… a) He/she serves a double fault (two missed service attempts). b) He/she fails to return the ball before it bounces twice. c) He/she returns the ball in play so that it hits the ground, a permanent fixture or other objects outside of any of the lines. d) He/she volleys the ball and fails to make a good return. e) If he/she or his/her racket or clothes touches the net, posts, or the ground within his opponent’s court anytime the ball is in play. f) He touches or strikes the ball in play with his racket more than once or if more than one player contacts the ball on one side. g) He/she contacts the ball before it comes over the net. h) If the ball touches him/her or anything he/she is wearing or carrying, except the racket. i) If he/she throws the racket to hit the ball. 7. Order of service in doubles: The order for receiving is determined at the beginning of each set. The receiving pair decide who is to receive the first point,
and that player continues to receive the serves directed to that particular service court throughout the set. The other partner does the same to the serves directed to the other service court. 8. Order of receiving in doubles: The order for receiving is determined at the beginning of each set. The receiving pair decide who is to receive the first point, and that particular player continues to receive the serves directed to that particular service court throughout the set. The other partner does the same to the serves directed to the other service court. 9. The scoring of a game Points are called as follows, with the server’s score always called first: 0 points­love 1 st point­15 2 nd point­30 3 rd point­40 4 th point­game Deuce­each side has won three points (40­40) At deuce one side must win two consecutive points to win the game. The first point after deuce is called advantage. If the server wins it, the score is called ad in. If the receiver wins the first point after deuce, the score is called ad out. 10. The scoring of a set The first person or team to win six games by two. i.e. 6­4 11. Match Women­ 2 out of 3 sets Men­ 3 out of 5 sets TERMS Ace­ A ball that is served so that the opponent fails to touch it with the racket. Ad­ Short for advantage. Ad court­ The left service court. Alley­ The area on either side of the singles court which enlarges the width of the court for doubles. Back court­ The area between the service line and the baseline. Baseline­ The end boundary line of a tennis court. Center mark­ The short line that bisect the center of the baseline. Deuce court­ The right service court. Double fault­ The failure of both service attempts to be good. Face­ The hitting surface of the racket. Fault­ An improper hit, generally thought of as a serve or error. Foot fault­ A fault caused by the server stipping on or over the baseline before hitting the ball in service. Grip­ The method of holding the racket handle.
Let­ A point played over because of interference, or a serve that hits the top of the net and lands in the correct court… therefore is replayed. Lob­A ball hit high enough in the air to pass over the head of a net player. Service line­ The line which outlines the base of the service court, parallel to the baseline. Singles­ A match between two players. Smash­ A hard overhead shot. Volley­ To hit the ball before it bounces. Line by line There are a number of different lines on a tennis court, and these lines separate the court into different sections. The lines can seem a little complicated at first, but you'll soon get used to the layout. 1. Baseline 2. Baseline centre mark 3. Service line 4. Centre service line 5. Service box 6. Net 7. Singles sideline 8. Doubles sideline 9. Doubles alley 10. Net post