How to Play Tennis

Before we get started on how to play tennis, it's important to understand the basic rules of the game. Tennis is played between two opponents, (such a match is referred to as 'Singles') or four opponents (when the title 'Doubles' is used). Opponents stand on opposite sides of the court, the center of which is demarcated by a net.

Tennis Points System

Tennis is divided into games and sets. Each game follows the tennis scoring system of Love-15-30-40.The person who serves first, (decided by a toss at the beginning) is called the server, and his or her score is always referred to first - if the server scores a point first, the score is 15 Love, should he lose the first point the score would read Love 15. If the ball hits the net, falls outside the court limits, or is unreturned, the point is lost. The points continue till one person reaches 40, and then wins the next consecutive point, thereby winning the game. If both opponents reach 40, the point is called 'deuce' and one opponent must win two consecutive points from deuce (advantage and game) to win the game. After the game, the opponent serves, and the score reverts to Love All. The first player to win 6 games, with a difference of two, wins the set. In women's tennis, the first to win two sets, wins the match, while in men's tennis, the first to win three sets wins. Now that the basic rules are sorted, the following will give you some pointers to help you learn how to play tennis.

How to Play Tennis for Beginners

Once you understand the tennis basics, the next step is to work on your serve, and various strokes. As a beginner, it's to your advantage to play with someone who's experienced and who knows the rules and intricacies of the game. As with all skills, you will improve faster and learn how to play tennis better when playing with a person of higher skill. To get going with tennis for beginners, the following are some important tennis terms to learn.

The Serve
A strong serve is a very valuable weapon in the game of tennis as it can get you ahead and win you points faster than any other stroke. It's also one of the first strokes to work on when you're starting to learn how to play tennis. There are rules to keep in mind when serving, the most important being that a player's foot cannot touch, or extend over the baseline before the racket makes contact with the ball. If this does happen, the serve is not counted and you must serve again. Two serves in a row count as a double fault, and would lose you a point. A nonreturnable serve is known as an ace.

The Groundstrokes
The forehand and backhand are the two groundstrokes in tennis. A forehand stroke is one in which the ball is hit with the dominant hand gripping the racket and the opposing foot forward - a right-handed player would turn to the right and hit the ball with the racket in the right hand, left foot forward. To play a backhand stroke, a right-handed player turns to the left and plays the stroke, with the right foot forward. Groundstrokes can also be played using both hands to grip the racket.

The Volley
When a player is playing close to the net, or hits the ball before it bounces, the shot is called a volley. The volley is most commonly played from the net but it can also be played from the baseline or the service courts. Players who advance towards the net after a serve, are often known to follow a 'serve and volley' style of play. A volley requires good hand eye coordination, and is an offensive move giving the opponent less time to return the shot. This is also a favored shot when learning how to play tennis on clay, as the surface may cause an uneven bounce which is difficult to return. A number of famous tennis players like Tim Henman, Patrick Rafter and John McEnroe, favored the serve and volley style of play. Among other important strokes, are the lob, the smash, the half volley and the overhead stroke.

What to Wear When Playing Tennis

Depending on where you're playing, there could be a dress code, so it's best to check for one, if you're at all unsure. In Wimbledon, considered the most prestigious championship by many, for instance, the dress code is strictly all white. White is considered a good color to play in since it reflects the sun and keeps players cool. Most clubs insist on T-shirts, though colors are generally flexible. Tennis shoes are a must so as to not damage the playing surface, and many women choose skirts, shorts or tennis dresses to play. It's also important to use good tennis equipment, so make sure you check your racket, and carry a spare.

In many ways, tennis is as mental a game as it is physical, and uses many strategies to win over an opponent. Identifying an opponent's strengths and weaknesses prior to or during a match can help you even when you're just beginning to learn how to play tennis. Staying positive and focused is also of prime importance, as is regular practice sessions to ensure fitness levels are prime. Whether you plan to turn pro, or just want to add a new sport to your life, once you've got the hang of how to play tennis, you'll be wishing you started earlier!