| To properly learn how to play tennis, it is best to go | | | | hit the serve either before it bounces (if he knows that |
| out to the tennis courts with an instructor or a friend | | | | the ball would be in) or after it bounces once - if it |
| that already knows how to play and who can give | | | | bounces more than once, then it is the server's point. |
| you some pointers. Of course, if you want to get a | | | | The person returning must hit the ball over the net, and |
| good idea as to how to play tennis before you hit the | | | | it can bounce anywhere on the opponent's side of the |
| courts, here are some pointers: | | | | court (remember that the alleys are out, though). |
| · The main pieces of equipment needed when | | | | · The two players hit the ball back and forth |
| learning how to play tennis are tennis racquets, tennis | | | | until one person misses - either by missing the ball |
| balls, and a tennis court. | | | | when it bounces on his side, or by hitting the ball out of |
| · A regulation tennis court as a few different | | | | bounds onto the opponent's side. The person who did |
| lines on it - the tennis net goes across the very middle | | | | not miss gets a point. |
| of the court. The closest parallel lines to the net (on | | | | · The server switches sides for every serve - |
| either side of the net) are called the service lines. The | | | | the second serve will be served on his left-hand side |
| parallel line furthest from the net is called the baseline. | | | | of the court and into the opposite side service box (on |
| The two long strips on both sides of the court, | | | | the opponent's left-hand side). |
| perpendicular to the net are called the alleys. | | | | · This article on how to play tennis will not get |
| · In singles tennis, the alleys are considered | | | | into scoring (love, fifteen, thirty, forty, deuce, etc.) |
| "out" - if the ball bounces in them, it does not count. In | | | | except to say that a player wins a game after scoring |
| doubles tennis (tennis with two teams of two, one | | | | at least four points and wins by two. |
| team on each side of the net), the alleys are "in." | | | | · The next game, the other person serves and |
| · A game starts with a serve. The serving | | | | they continue to switch off, game after game, until |
| player starts behind the baseline on the right-hand side | | | | someone wins the set. Generally, to win a set, a player |
| of the court (his right-hand side) and hits the ball into | | | | must win at least six games, and two more than his |
| the service box on the other side. | | | | opponent. |
| · The service box is the box on the opposite | | | | · A match is made up of a number of sets |
| side of the court - both over the net, and on the | | | | (often 5 or so), and the player that wins the most sets |
| server's left-hand side (the returner's right-hand side). | | | | wins the match. |
| The service box is between the alley and the middle | | | | These are only the basics on how to play tennis. |
| of the court, between the service line and the net. The | | | | Again, if you really want to learn how to play tennis, it |
| ball must bounce once in this box for it to be | | | | is best to go out and play with someone who already |
| considered a good serve. | | | | knows how. Although, it can be very fun to simply go |
| · If the server misses the box, he gets one | | | | out and hit a few balls back and forth with a friend, |
| more chance to get it in. A server always gets two | | | | regardless of whether or not you know how to play |
| tries. If he misses, it is the opponent's point. | | | | tennis properly. |
| · If the serve goes in, the person returning must | | | | |