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How to Play Tennisby jknight on June 6, 2007

Table of Contents

How to Play Tennis ............................................................................................................

Intro: How to Play Tennis ....................................................................................................

Step 1: Choosing a raquet ....................................................................................................

Step 2: Tennis Grip .........................................................................................................

Step 3: Forehand Stroke .....................................................................................................

Step 4: Backhand Stroke .....................................................................................................

Step 5: Volleys ............................................................................................................

Step 6: The Serve ..........................................................................................................

Step 7: Rules .............................................................................................................

Related Instructables ........................................................................................................

Comments ................................................................................................................

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Intro: How to Play TennisTennis is a sport that is played all over the world, and is fun none the less. This Instructable is designed to teach the basics of tennis, as well as some advanced tips timprove your game.

Whether you are just beginning, or hoping to refine your game, continue to read this Instructable!

Step 1:Choosing a raquetWhen looking to buy a raquet, you should figure out the level of play you are at.

Beginners might want to choose a head that is wider, which reduces the chance of missing the ball. More experienced players might want to choose a more narrow hewhich has more power and accuracy.

The material used for the raquet are nowadays synthetic materials such as composites and others. Wood is out of date, but you can always go old school.

Younger players might want to choose a raquet that is lighter so it is easier to hit the ball. As you grow older, you will become stronger, and a heavier raquet will beneeded.

Step 2:Tennis GripThe grip on your raquet is an important aspect in your tennis play.

You should grip the tennis raquet loosley between strokes, but when you are about to swing, it is better to tighten your hold.

The following is the Eastern Grip1)Note that the eastern grip is popular with beginners and is widely used with forehands because of its comfort. The grip can also be used to hit backhands, serves anvolleys.2)Hold the racket in front of you in your left hand (or right hand if you're a left-handed player).3)Rotate the racket so that the face (strings) of the racket is perpendicular to the ground.4)Lay the palm of your free hand flat on the face of the racket.5)Move your palm toward your body, down the shaft of the racket, until it hits the end of the handle.6)Wrap your fingers around the handle and space them slightly apart. Your thumb and forefinger should lie almost directly on top of the handle, forming a V that pointstoward your right shoulder (toward your left shoulder if you're left-handed). Your thumb should lie across the top of the handle.

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Continental Grip1)Note that the continental grip is used by more advanced players in serving and volleying. Begin by forming an eastern grip.2)Ease your grip and turn the racket with your left hand (or right hand if you're a left-handed player).3)Turn the racket until it is perpendicular to the ground, or pointing to the "12 o'clock" position. Then, if you are right-handed, turn the racket to about the "1 o'clock"position. If you are left-handed, turn the racket to the "11 o'clock" position.4)Wrap your fingers around the handle and space them slightly apart. The V formed by the thumb and forefinger should point toward you, and the thumb should lie alothe length of the handle. The bottom knuckle of your index finger should lie r ight on top of the racket.

'Western Grip1)Note that the western grip is excellent in forehand play but feels awkward for beginners, especially when used for backhands, serves and volleys. Advanced playersoften use it to enhance their forehand play.2)Start by holding the racket with an eastern grip.3)Relax your grip and turn the racket counterclockwise until the top of the racket points toward the "11 o'clock" position. Left-handed players should turn the racketclockwise to the "1 o'clock" position.

4)Wrap your fingers around the handle and space them apart slightly. The V formation should point to your right (or left), and your thumb should lie across the top of thhandle.

Picture 1 is the Eastern Grip

Image Notes1. Eastern Grip

Image Notes1. Continental Grip

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Image Notes1. Western Grip

Step 3:Forehand StrokeThe forehand stroke is usually the most powerful and the stroke most users want to use. Of course it has to be on the right side of the person to get the forehand strok

The forehand in tennis is a shot made by swinging the racquet across one's body in the direction of where the player wants to place the shot. For a right-handed playethe forehand is a stroke that begins on the right side of his body, continues across his body as contact is made with the ball, and ends on the left side of his body. It isconsidered the easiest shot to master, perhaps because it is the most natural stroke. Beginners and advanced players often have better forehands than any other shoand use it as a weapon.

The way I learned was to:Break Up (Release two handed grip)Come Around (Begin to come around in a circular form)Contact (Make contact with the ball)Follow Through (Follow through over your shoulder)Finish Up (Just finish the stroke)Back to the ready position (Back in the two handed grip)

Step 4:Backhand StrokeThe backhand stroke is when the ball is on the opposite side of you. It is the opposite of the forehand.

There are two types of back hands. There is the two-handed back hand, which is the first picture below. There is also the one handed back hand which are primarily thsame thing, except you are using different amounts of hands.

The backhand in tennis is a stroke hit by swinging the racquet away from one's body in the direction of where the player wants the ball to go. For a right-handed playebackhand begins on the left side of his body, continues across his body as contact is made with the ball, and ends on the right side of his body. It can be either a one-handed or a two-handed stroke.

The backhand is generally considered more difficult to master than the forehand. Because the dominant hand "pulls" into the shot, instead of pushing, the backhandgenerally lacks the power and consistency of a forehand. Beginner and club-level players often have difficulty hitting a backhand and junior players often have troublebecause they are not strong enough to hit it . Even many advanced players have a significantly better forehand than backhand, and there are many strategies based oexploiting this weakness.

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Step 5:VolleysNet play is an important aspect to playing tennis. At the net, the player will primarily use a volley to hit the ball.

The volley is when the ball does not hit the ground before you hit it. It is out of the air pretty much.

You want to get yourself about 3 feet away from the net. Make sure you keep your feet shoulder width apart. Hold your racket in your continental grip. Keep the racketfront of you, with the head pointing up. The bottom of the handle should be even with your belly button. Lightly hold the top portion of the racket handle with the fingersyour non-dominant hand. Bend your knees slightly. You should be able to feel some strain on your quadriceps muscles (in your thighs).

Step toward the ball with your left foot (or your right foot if you're left-handed) as the ball is hit toward you above waist level. Turn your shoulders slightly to the right (oleft) until you bring the racket back to a point even with your right (or left) shoulder. This motion should be smooth.

Drive the racket forward to meet the ball - use a quick "punching" motion. The head should be vertical and the ball should strike the face evenly. Make contact as the bis about even with your right (or left) shoulder.

Turn your racket hand slightly so that the palm faces the ball upon contact. This turns the racket face so that the ball hits squarely off the strings.

Follow through slightly with your swing. The follow-through for the volley is shorter than that for the regular forehand ground stroke; the racket should not cross the froyour body.

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Step 6:The ServeThe serve in tennis is a shot to start a point. The serve is usually initiated by tossing the ball into the air and hitting it (usually near the apex of its trajectory) into thediagonally opposite service box without touching the net. It may be performed underhand or overhead. The serve is the only shot where a player can take his time to sup, instead of having to react to an opponent's shot.

The serve is one of the more difficult shots for a novice, but once mastered it can be a considerable advantage. Advanced players can hit the serve in many differentways and often use it as an offensive weapon to gain an advantage in the point or to win it outright. Because of this, professional players win most of their service gamand the breaking serve plays a crucial role in a match.

If you miss their opposite service box, then you get another chance, and that is considered a fault. Doing this twice is called a double fault, and you lose the point.

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Step 7:RulesTo make it easier, I just added the link of the rules of tennis below:

http://www.itftennis.com/shared/medialibrary/pdf/original/IO_23858_original.PDF

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Comments

14 comments Add Comment

Max396 says: Dec 19, 2010. 3:34 AM REP

Yea a great overview of how to play tennis, I think a extra page on tactics and strategies for beginners to advanced would have been nice.

It always good to mention how to set up the points with your strengths and the serve combinations to predict where the ball is coming. Serve combination isalso a great way to deal with pressure as you have a set plan ready. (Serve out wide, the return will go cross court 75% of the time, to your forehand) So y

can be ready for that! Along with other tactics such as always hitting down the line when you come into the net so as not to give your opponent angles for apassing shot. Here's a sampler athttp://www.how-2-tennis.com

As Flea rightly mentioned as well, the footwork is another vital element! But I wouldn't say the open stance is always best. In todays game you need both.The closed for approach shots (as it disguises where your hitting, and allows you to move up to the ball quicker) and the open for baseline (as you recoverlaterally quicker)

Either way great information!All the best

David M.Law says: Oct 12, 2010. 6:53 PM REP

Thanks....I'm trying to get as much information about tennis.........my son (6yrs) is a begginer and is under coaching

Flea says: Jun 7, 2007. 12:50 AM REP

One major thing you forgot to mention is the stance. The older variety is the closed stance where you stand with your feet parellel to the net. You wouldbasicly be looking down the baseline. Many players now use the open stance. Your toes would be pointed at the net and your power foot is usually slightlycloser to the net. This is the stance I use and it came natural to me. There are many advantages to using the open stance. Here's a little cuttie pastie fromtennisserver.com

Immediate recovery.It forces your back hip to turn to into the ball allowing you to hit with your legs.It minimizes how far you can take your racket back.It is easier to change direction after hitting the ball.It is easier to return balls hit near or at you, for example, serves hit into your body.

I'm not sure when the open stance started or who started it, but I've been using it since the early 90's. It's probably not recommended for most beginners, bit's something that should be taught and as you get better, you'll find yourself using the open stance more often.

Gjdj3 says: Jan 24, 2008. 4:37 PM REP

yeah. open helps you to hit farther. my tennis teacher told me that.

Ulquiorra1313 says: Apr 30, 2010. 7:46 PM REP

No.... that is not the point of open stance :) Open stance helps you get more power, yes but also can help get a lot more spin which would bring thball in... Just as a a note ;)

moratmarit says: Aug 30, 2009. 9:10 AM REP

Hii..thank for tutorial, this useful for me.regard..moratmarit

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tennis wilson says: Jul 9, 2009. 9:25 AM REP

I hope this helps you for next week Janetta! Study this site diligently! I look forward to collecting on our bet!

blackcheeta12 says: Jun 15, 2009. 12:16 AM REP

this site is cool cuz it helpd me a lot with tennes me and my dad can play tenes now

jazmin123 says: May 13, 2009. 8:55 AM REP

ya i love tennis i've been playin for 6 years and i love it i think alot of other people should play i also think tennis should be a loved sport like foot ball

JackPotte says: Oct 12, 2008. 4:24 PM REP

Thank you for your site. In order to gain perfection it should propose a service photo and a clock scheme with the 5 grips : 11h eastern, 0h continental, 1hhammer, 3h western, & 4h semi-western. Best regards, homonym-list.com

guitarmansmitty says: Jul 16, 2008. 7:48 PM REP

Hey, really nice one man. I'm just starting out with a few friends and this is really going to help.

backhand says: Jun 7, 2008. 2:50 PM REP

well i am a beginer and i wish i would have looked at this sooner because i just went out and bought a $75 racket and its pretty big and heavy but i also thinthis may be a good thing because i do have a nasty backhand because i have a lot of power

Hypocaust says: May 11, 2008. 10:29 PM REPIt was interesting......

jknight says: Jun 7, 2007. 1:26 PM REP

k i will get on that as soon as posible and make shore i get good info