Tennis Rackets

Tennis Court

The Baseline - The back line.

The Service Line - The back line of the service court, extending

from side-line to side-line at a point 21 feet from the net.

The Alleys -The space on each side of the court between the side

service-line and the outside sideline of a doubles court. They

are used only when playing doubles and are not marked on a single

court.

The Net - The barrier that stretches across the court in the exact

centre. It is 3 feet high at the centre and 3 feet 6 inches high

at the posts which stand 3 feet outside the sidelines.

STROKES  (Two General Classes).

(a) Ground strokes - All shots hit from the baselines off the bounce of the ball.

(b)  Volleys - Shots hit while the ball is in flight through the air.

The Service - The method of putting the ball in play.

The Drive - A ground stroke hit with a flat racket face and

carrying top spin.

The Chop - An undercut ground stroke is the general definition of a chop. The slice and chop are so closely related that, except in

stroke analysis, they may be called chop.

Stop Volley - Blocking a ball short in its flight.

Half Volley or Trap Shot - A pick up.

The Smash - Hitting on the full any overhead ball.

The Lob -Hitting the ball high.

TWIST ON THE BALL

Top Spin - The ball spins towards the ground and in the direction

of its flight.

Chop, Cut, or Drag - The ball spins upwards from the ground and against the line of flight. This is slightly deviated in the slice, but all these terms are used to designate the under-struck, back-spinning ball.

Reverse Twist - A ball that carries a rotary spin that curves one

way and bounces the opposite.

Break - A spin which causes the ball to bounce at an angle to its

line of flight.

LET -  A service that touches the net in its flight yet falls in

court, or any illegal or irregular point that does not count.

FAULT - An illegal service.

OUT - Any shot hit outside legal boundaries of the court.

GOOD - Any shot that strikes in a legal manner prescribed by

rules of the game.

FOOTFAULT - An illegal service delivery due to incorrect

position of the server's feet.

SERVER - Player delivering service.

RECEIVER or STRIKER - Player returning service.