Tennis

Study Guide

 Game Play
 On Court Rules
 Check List
 Court Diagram
 Tennis
Object of the Game: Two or four players compete to score points by hitting a tennis ball over a
net and out of an opponent’s reach, or in such a way that it cannot be returned back across the
net inside the court.

Game Play:

1. Game may be played indoors or outdoors and on various surfaces (grass, clay, or
hardcourt).
2. Games may be played between two players (singles), four players (doubles) or a male
and female on each team (mixed doubles).
3. The serving side and the receiving side can score points.
4. A zero score is referred to as "love". The first point is "15", the second is "30", the third is
"40". The fourth point scored (game point) wins the game unless the score is tied at deuce
(40 – all).
5. One side must gain a lead of two points. The first point scored after deuce is an
"advantage" or "ad". If the server goes ahead by one point, it is "ad-in". If the receiver
goes ahead by one point, it is "ad-out".
6. If the side with an "advantage" loses a point, the score returns to "deuce". A game
continues until one side wins by a 2 point lead.
7. The first player/team to score four points and have a two point lead wins the game.
8. The first player to win six games and lead by two games or wins a tiebreaker wins the set.
9. The first player/team to win two sets in a three-set match, or three sets in a five-set
match, wins the match.
10.The first player or side to win seven points wins a tiebreaker. If the score is tied at 6-all,
play continues until one side has a two-point lead.
11.The server’s score always is given first: for example, if the score is 30-15, the serving
side has two points and the receiving side has one point.
12.The winner of a coin toss or racquet spin chooses to serve or to receive and select at
which end of the court to begin play.

Singles Game:

1. Players serve from behind the right hand-court to a service court diagonally opposite and
then from alternate courts after each point.
2. Players keep the serve for a complete game, and alternate for subsequent games
throughout the set.
3. Players change ends after the first and third games and every other game thereafter until
the end of the set.
Doubles Game:

1. The players decide who serves first.

2. The same player serves the whole game.
3. The serve changes sides after every game and players on the same team alternate serving.
(The server for game 1 will not serve again until game 5.)
4. Partners decide who will receive the first serve. The other partner will receive the second
serve and they continue to alternate.

Serving:

1. The ball is served to start a game and after a point is scored. The server should call the
score before each serve.
2. The server stands with both feet behind the base line and anywhere between an imaginary
extension of the service mark and the singles sideline. The recommended place to serve is
near the center mark.
3. The first serve is made from the right side. The serve for the second point is made from
the left side. The server continues to alternate sides until the game is complete.
4. To serve the ball is thrown into the air and must be struck with the racquet before it hits
the ground. (Serves may be overhand or underhand.)
5. The ball must cross the net without bouncing and land in the receiver’s service court.
6. Service fault - when the ball goes into the net or lands outside the receiver’s court or is
swung at and missed.
7. Foot fault – when the server steps on or over the baseline with either foot, serves from
beyond the center mark, or runs or walks before hitting the ball. The server may cross the
baseline after the racquet strikes the ball.
8. If the first serve is a fault, the player is entitled to a second serve from behind the same
half of the court. If another fault occurs, it is a double fault and the receiving team scores
a point. The server then moves to the other side for the next serve.
9. Ace – a serve that the receiver cannot play.
10.Let – a serve that touches the net and still lands within the service court, touches the
receiver before it hits the ground, or was served before the receiver was ready. The serve
does not count, and the player serves again from the same spot. A let may also be called if
play has been interrupted.

Receiving and Game Play:

1. A ball that lands on a line is good.

2. The receiver must hit a properly served ball after the first bounce and return it across the
net into the proper court.
3. After the serve has been returned, the ball can be hit by either side as a volley (on the fly)
or a ground stroke (after one bounce).
 4. Rally – a series of strokes between the players until a point is scored.
5. A returned ball is good if it touches the net and goes over provided it lands within the
proper court.
6. All parts of the racket are legal for playing the ball.
7. A side wins a point when the opponent commits one of the following violations after
receiving the ball:
o Hits the ball into the net (ball does not go over)
o Lets the ball bounce twice before hitting it
o Hits the ball so it lands outside the opponents court
o Hits the ball before it crosses over the net or reaches over the net
o Hits the ball twice or carries it on the racquet
o Throws the racquet and hits the ball
o Touches the net
8. Game point – point that decides the winner of a game.
9. Set point – point that determines the winner of a set.
10.Match point – point that determines the winner of the match.

On-Court Rules

1. If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent
the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good.
2. You should not play a "let".
3. It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when
the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself any ball that you clearly see out on
your opponent’s side of the net.
4. Any "out" or "let" call must be made instantly (before a play is made on the ball),
otherwise the ball continues in play.
5. Spectators should not aid in making line calls.
6. If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.
7. To avoid controversy over the score, the server should announce the set score before
starting a game and the game score before serving each point.
8. If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there
was agreement and resume play from that point or they may spin a racquet.
9. Foot faults are not allowed. A foot fault on a first serve results in the 2nd serve being
made. A foot fault on the 2nd attempt results in a point for the receiving team.
10.Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or
returning a ball.
11.Do not stall, sulk, complain, or demonstrate bad sportsmanship. Intentional distractions
are also against the rules.
 Checklist for Modified Tennis Game

Doer ___________________________ Observer ___________________________

For the following skills, put an “X” in the box if you witness your partner demonstrating it
during the modified tennis game. After you both have completed the form, exchange and place
in your portfolio.

1. Ready Position - Facing the net and looking at the server

- Racket in front and pointing toward net

2. Forehand - Rotate so that racket shoulder is away from the net

- Racket at waist level

3. Backhand - Rotate so that racket shoulder is towards the net

- Racket at waist level

4. Volley - Contact ball before it hits the ground

- Minimum racket movement

5. Serve - Bounce ball and hit with underhand motion

- Ball is hit into the correct court (diagonal)

6. Sportsmanship - Keep accurate score

- Be positive and play by the rules
Official Tennis Court
Diagram