Fundamentally Speaking
Some would say the aim of the game is to win a match. But others would say the real aim of this game is to get in some intense physical activity! Physical activity—it does a body good. Win or lose, you may learn to love this game. I do! My aim here is to introduce you to the basics if it’s new to you.
Locations to play or practice are often found at local parks, high schools, college campuses or tennis clubs. And, with only two players needed to get a game going, you're all set. Speaking of sets—those are what you need to win the match. The match is the ultimate goal in terms of winning here. It’s determined by who wins the most sets.
Once on the court you want to hit the ball into your opponent's court until they cannot return it (as you've probably surmised). But to win a game you must score two points more. This makes for no such thing as a really close game. Luckily, picking up a racquet, a can of balls and a pair of tennis shoes (without dark soles that can mark up the concrete surface) are all you need to take a shot at it. Pay attention to the numbers here. The player winning the first 2 sets takes the match. Or the player winning 2 of 3 sets will take the match. Did I mention the player winning 6 games in a set takes that set? Nobody said winning comes quick or easy. After all, a Wimbledon final isn't afternoon tea and crumpets!
Thankfully, serious injury during play is almost nonexistent. However, hurt feelings have been reported by those playing against John McEnroe. Tennis elbow—or lateral epicondylitis if you prefer the dry description—happens to some players; but most who suffer from it are not tennis players at all. Defying all logic! A warm-up and stretching routine often prevents this ailment.
There are two main aspects of hitting the ball—called a stroke or swing in tennis. This isn’t baseball, okay?
1. Rally using a groundstroke. It's common practice to improve your skill at this by using drills, no matter what your level. The challenge for you when using your groundstroke is to place the ball toward the back of the court—that is where the baseline is—without overhitting the shot. Equally as challenging is to place your shot in the forecourt—closer to the net. The forehand and backhand are the two different groundstrokes. As you perform these swings you develop the habit of rotating back your shoulder that holds the racquet; so the racquet’s position is well behind you before you contact the ball. Just as important is to keep pushing your racquet forward after making contact with the ball.
2. Landing a serve into the crosscourt service box within two attempts is the goal of serving. It’s an important part of your skill set because it starts every point. Receiving serves has strategy too. You'll learn to hit full swing, a full circle that is, with the proper grip, the best stance, and even the right toss.
No matter where the ball lands on your side of the net you need to cover the court. Footwork and the ability to stay alert and move in to the net, quickly come into play here. As a beginner you won't concern yourself with spin or playing the net or winning a tournament. You're doing well if you acquire some directional control, placing the ball in a certain part of the court—you know, that sweet place where your opponent is not!
Bio-mechanically Speaking
As far as pen-and-ink information goes I will use it to its utmost…wait a minute, this is digital. Excuse me! But you will catch on better if you get a feel for the moves I'm writing about by doing them. So practice with a racquet then re-read this so you get it.
To develop a reliable topspin serve you’ll need to know a few key differences between this and a flat serve. The flat serve is a basic serve where your preparation for the serve is less sideways. The contact point for a flat serve is more in front and slightly to the right, and the contact point is higher than with a topspin serve.
First, your stance behind the baseline should be positioned sideways to the court. Toss the ball high directly above you, even slightly behind you is good. In order to make it speedy you need to contact that ball as high as possible. Not only that, hitting it high gives you a better chance of getting it over that pesky net. Now, with your racquet held in front of you take a backswing. Bend both knees, rotating your body throw your weight into the ball. It’s a similar motion to how you you would throw a ball far. Feel the move, rather than thinking it through too much. In addition, there is a movement performed with your arm called pronation (not political, I promise) where you rotate your forearm counter-clockwise and contact the ball by brushing (hitting upward) up on it. This creates spin on the ball—topspin; which causes it to be pushed down as it speeds (emphasis speeds) to the service box (not beyond it).
Using forehand and backhand swings allows a player to control ball flight by controlling it with the angle and force of the racquet. Hitting arm should always be bent in the elbow. Pay attention to the position of your legs when hitting groundstrokes. You can be in a closed stance, where legs are one after another, or an open stance where they are parallel. For a one-handed backhand the body needs to remain sideways. Preparing for your shot has the butt of the racquet pointed towards the ball. Then to put spin on the ball the racquet needs to brush up from under going upwards. Complete the swing by pushing the racquet through the ball, if you will.
When you stand close to the net you will have much less time to react. So you cannot take a full swing back to prepare for the shot. In this situation you will impart what is called a slice. Guide the racquet face in straight toward your target with a short backswing; enabling you more control over it by sending it back over the net with the same spin it had coming to you. This is known as the volley technique.
The continental grip is the most common way to grip your racquet, commonly for serving and volleying. Place your racquet perpendicular to the ground. Wrap your hand around the handle so that the base knuckle of your index finger will be on the top right bevel (of the 4 beveled sides that make up the handle). Of course, lefties can do this in the opposite direction. Your thumb will rest on the other side of the grip. Keep a firm wrist throughout your strokes. Some people find that they need to strengthen their wrists and hands to improve their game. Or, instead, you could blame your opponent for hitting too hard!
Get Your Gear Right Here!
Guys and Gals both like to play the game....especially when the weather warms up.
The Language of Love, 15, 30 ...
A rundown of six common terms:
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Game
To win, a player must score at least 4 points. If their opponent scores as well the game must eventually be won by a 2-point difference.
Serve
Two attempts to land balls in the service box are given. There is, however, no penalty in using both attempts to serve it successfully. The point is lost if unsuccessful.
Let Okay, so it rhymes with net and just as well with set. Confusing? Don’t let it be! This happens only during a serve when the ball touches the net, but still lands in the service box. The serve is repeated.
Out A ball landing outside the court boundaries scoring a point for the receiving player, also known as the lucky player! If it happens on the serve, it is a ball outside the service box only.
Deuce A tied game score at 40-40. A tense moment for both players!
Alley The court has two lines forming two left boundaries. The other side of the court has two lines forming two right boundaries. Each inside line is the boundary for singles play. Each outside line is the boundary for doubles play. The space between inside and outside lines is called an alley because it is long and narrow. Boy, sure would be nice to have a graphic here!
When the ball lands in your court it can bounce only once. That's why you see players rushing madly to hit the ball, so they don’t lose a single point. Calling the lines is your responsibility when the ball is in your court. Touching a boundary line makes the ball good. Scoring proceeds like this: All games start out love - love; the next point is 15; next is 30; next is 40; next is game won or add for the player ahead by only 1 point.
When you take lessons you will learn by demonstration and practice. You will also get acquainted with insider lingo such as: "Put away a lob", "slice serve" and "racquet high in the sky". A knowledgeable instructor or pro can teach you many sound techniques and impart advice such as how to choose a racquet. Remember to win with class and lose with dignity...I had to toss that in there too!