Lawn Tennis Rules and Mechanics of the Game
bounces twice loses the point
Learning Outcomes:
 Discuss the rules, mechanics of lawn tennis
 Appreciate the correct fundamental skills in executing
the forehand and backhand ground strokes, serving and
volleying
 Show interest and appreciate individual and group
participation in different tennis drills
 Exhibit a feeling od enthusiasm and interest in
improving his/her wellness to enjoy playing lawn tennis
Tennis Rules
First of all, the rules of tennis are different (although
mostly similar) for singles matches and doubles matches. But
before we go over that stuff, let’s review some of the general
tennis rules and regulations that apply to all of the tennis before
we learn how to play tennis for singles and doubles
General Rules of Tennis
 A ball must land within bounds fir play to continue; if
a player hits the ball outside the bounds, this result in
the loss of the point for them
 Players/teams cannot touch the net or posts or cross
onto the opponent’s side
 Players/teams cannot carry the ball or catch it with the
racquet
 Players cannot hit the ball twice
 Players must wait until the ball passes the net before
they can return it
 A player that does not return a live ball before it
 If the ball hits or touches the players, that counts as
penalty
 If the racquet leaves the hand or verbal abuse occurs, a
penalty is given
 Any ball that bounces on the line of boundary are
considered good
 A serve must bounce first before the receiving player
can return it
Equipment
 Racquet
o A racquet is comprised of a handle, a frame, and
string that are bound in a crisscross weaving
pattern
o A racquet’s frame should not exceed 32 inches
in length, with a handle no longer than 12.5
inches in width, and a surface no more than 15.5
inches in over length or 11.5 inches in overall
width
o There can also be no objects or devices on the
racquet except for ones that prevent vibration
and wear and tear
 Ball
o A tennis ball is white or yellow in color for
tournaments, with measurements of 2-1/2 to 2-
5/8 inches in diameter and weighing anywhere
from 2 – 2-1/16 ounces.
 o The elasticity if the ball and the uniform outer
surface are also determined by approved
specification
 Scoring
o Smallest unit of measurement
o Points increment from Love (0)-15-30-40-game
 Games
o Games consists of 4 point each, and is won
when player reaches 4 points with at least a 2
points advantage
 Sets
o A set consists of 6 games and Is won by the
player/team who reaches 6 games first with least
2 points lead
 Advantage set
o If a game score of 6-6 is reached and advantage
set rules are used, a player/team can only win a
set with a 2 games lead
 Matches
o A match is usually played as best of 2 or best of
5 sets
 Deuce
o Occurs if a score f 40-40 is reached
o In order to win the game, a player/team must
win 2 consecutive points in order to take the
game
o If a player wins one point, they have advantage,
but if they lose the next point, the score returns
to deuce
 Tie-break game
o If a game score of 6-6 is reached and tie-break
set rules are used, players must play a tie-break
game in order to decide who wins the set
o In a tie-break game, a player/team must reach 7
point with a 2 points advantage to win.
o For the serving format of a tie-break game, 1
player serves for the first point, player 2 serves
for the next two points, player 1 serves for the
next 2 points after that, etc.
 Point-Game-Set-Match
o Point
 smallest unit of scoring
 starting at Love (0)-15-30-40-game
o Game
 A game consists of 4 points, just as long
as the leading payer hast at least 2-pont
advantage
o Set
 A set is won when a player wins 6
games with a lead of at least 2 games
o Match
 Whichever player/team wins the
majority of the sets wins the match
 A typical match is always an odd
number, often either 2 or 5 sets

What do the lines mean?
 Baseline
o The baseline are the lines on either end of the
court that determines the boundaries of play
going lengthwise.
o They are also where a player serves behind
 Center Mark
o The center mark determines the two halves of
the tennis court.
o It may help with service to determine where a
player should stand prior to serving
 Centerline
o The center line divides the two service boxes
into a distinct left service box and right service
box on either side of the court
o Landing a serve on the line is considered good
 Net
o The net stands 3 feet and 6 inches high where
the posts lie while the middle of the net is 3 feet
tall. With the posts 3 feet outside of the court
either side
o Hitting the ball into the net is considered an out
while any ball that hits the net cord and falls
into the other side is considered good except for
a serve, which allows for a re-do, or let
 Service line
o The service line separates the forecourt from the
backcourt, and it also marks the length of the
service box
 Singles sideline
o The singles sideline is the innermost line
running lengthwise and determines the
boundary of play for singles matches as well as
the width of the service box
o Doubles sideline
 The doubles sideline is the outermost
line running lengthwise and is only used
in doubles matches
Who serves first?
A flip of the coin or spin od the racquet, known as the toss,
determines which player or team serves first. Of called
correctly, the player or team that dd so chooses who serves
first. The player/team who did not call it correctly decides
which side of the court they want to play on first
 Rally
o The rally consists of the exchange of shots after
the serve is made until a player/team makes a
mistake and loses the point.
o Any shot that is hit within bounds is considered
good and allows the rally to continue
o If you want to learn how to play tennis, you will
need to know how to rally consistently
Serving and choosing sides
 Foot fault
 o A foot fault is when a player steps in to the
court or crosses the center mark before they had
contact with the ball. This result in the loss of
the serve
 Proper serve
o A player serves in the right side of the court at
the beginning of each game, with the goal of
serving the ball in to diagonal service box. If the
serve lands in the correct service box, the play
continue
o The server switches to serve on the left side for
the next point, and vice versa until the game is
over
 First service
o The server is allowed two chances to land their
ball into the service box. The first attempt is
known as the first service
o Failing the first service leads to the second
service
 Second service
o The second service attempts is known as the
second service.
o Failing the second service results in the loss of
the point
 Let
o A let is a re-do given to a player who serves
although the ball hits the net cord before falling
into the correct service box
o You are allowed an infinite amount of lets,
although it does not happen often
 Order of service
o The player/team who wins the toss serves first
(team that wins chooses which player serves). If
playing single matches, player alternate between
serving and receiving every game. If playing
doubles matches, teams alternate between
serving and receiving every game, with each
player on a team getting the chance to serve
before the cycle repeats.
 Switching sides
o Players/teams switch sides for every odd-
numbered game (o, games 3, 5, 7, etc.)
Single Vs. Doubles Tennis Rules
The tennis rules for singles and doubles matches are a
little different, although mainly regarding serving order and
court size. Doubles tennis rules are just slightly adapted to
make room for an extra player on either side of the court, but
for the most part, doubles tennis rules are very much the same
as singles matches. So, here’s how to play tennis for singles
and doubles matches.
Singles Tennis Rules
 Court size
o A singles court uses the innermost sideline and
measures a total of 27 feet wide by 78 feet long
 Serving order
o The player who wins the toss who serves first.
o Whomever is serving first serves for the entire
duration of the first game.
 o After the game, the next server will be the It really all depends in the preferences if the player on the rules
player who received last, serving for the of the tournament.
duration of the second game
Doubles Tennis Rules (Court size)
o For every odd-numbered game, players switch
sides of the court A doubles court uses the outermost sideline and
measures a total of 36 feet wide by 78 feet long
Tie-break serving order
If a score if the 6-6 is reaches and tie-break rules are Serving order
used, a tie-break game is played in order to determine which
The team who wins the toss chooses which team serves
player wins the set. For a tie-break game, the goal is to reach 7
first, and that team will choose which team will serve first.
points with a lead of at least 2 and doing so results in the win
Whoever is serving first serves for the entire duration if the
of the set. The player who serves first is the player who would
first game. After the game, the next server will be choses by
normally serve after 6-6, or 12 games.
the team and will serve for the duration of the second game.
The serving order for the tie-break is as follows: For every odd-numbered game, teams switches sides of the
court, and the player who hasn’t served yet from the forst game
 Point 1: Player A must now serve, and the player who hasn’t served yet from the
 Point 2: Player B second team serves afterward, and so on.
 Point 3: Player B
 Point 4: Player A 6 basic tennis strokes
 Point 5: Player A All games of tennis consist of six basic strokes. The
 Point 6: Player B serve, forehand groundstroke, backhand groundstroke,
 Point 7: Player B forehand volley, backhand volley, and the overhead smash.
 Point 8: Player A The 6 basic strokes are the fundamental movements a player
 Point 9: Player A performs to hit a tennis ball. A shot on the other hand is hat
happens as a result of a stroke. For example,
Match format
Forehand groundstroke = stroke
A singles match is often played to the best of 3 sets,
although some men’s singles tournaments play to the best of 5. Inside out topspin forehand winner = shot
The difference is subtle but important. Especially if you’re a
beginner looking to learn and understand the game. But all you
really need to know is that every single shot like a lob or drop
shot, regardless of the spin used, comes from one of the six
fundamental strokes.
The Basic Mechanism of Tennis
All strokes in tennis are a sequence if motion referred to
a “kinetic chain”. It begins at a player’s feet, extending through
the legs, hips, chest, shoulders, arms, and wrist to the racquet
as it impacts the tennis ball, the kinetic chain or kinetic linkage
as it’s often called allows the buildup, storage, and transfer to
generate power for your shot. Biomechanically sound tennis
technique comes from your kinetic chain working in concert.
Bad technique and injuries are the result if dysfunctional
movements within your body’s kinetic chain.
What does all this mean?
Essentially it means you want all parts of your body to work
together and in harmony. In other words, the correct amount of
rotation, up/down movement, side-to-side movement, and
forward/backward momentum will result in the best possible
tennis technique. So now that you understand the basic
technical principles let’s move on the six core strokes starting
with the most important tennis shot:
Beginner tips: How to serve step-by-step
Before starting, make sure you’re standing behind the baseline.
Next place your feet in a side on stance where if you drew an
arrow between the tips of your feet it’d point towards your
opponent (this may feel a little strange at first but will help
with power). Finally, grip the racket in your dominant hand
using a continental grip (like you’d hold hammer) and hold the
tennis ball in your non-dominant hand. Now you’re ready to
start serving.
Below are eight simple step-by-step beginner tennis tips for
developing a consistent serve capable of generating power and
spin. For the purpose of this instruction I’ll assume you’re.
Without further ado here is how to serve in eight steps:
 Begin your service motion by holding your racquet and
ball in front of you
 Start your momentum forwards by leaning towards the
opponent, toss the ball in the air with your non-
dominant arm while dropping your racquet arm straight
back. The ball and backswing happen simultaneously
 Now your body should be in a ready position, fully
coiled and ready to unload
 As the ball moves into striking position above your
head start uncoiling by driving up your legs, rotating
your body, and pulling your non-dominant arm down.
 Continue extending and uncoiling as your racquet arm
whips up and around following the rest of your body
 At this stage your body and head position should be
facing or almost facing the net as you pull down and
make contact with the tennis ball
 As you continue the follow through your body would
be falling forward and to the left as your racquet arm
whips through the ball and slightly to the right
 Finally, as you finish your serve motion you’ll land on
your left foot in the court while your dominant arm
finishes it’s swing in the left side of your body (if
you’re right handed)