Learn How to Play Tennis

Tennis is one of the most demanding sports in terms of energy requirements also the skills needed. This game is basically played between two opponents (pairs in case of a doubles match) on different surfaces like the clay, grass and synthetic (known as hard court). A net is erected to divide the court in equal halves. A specially manufactured tennis ball and rackets are used for playing this sport. In order to learn how to play tennis, knowledge of the basics should suffice. One can learn to play tennis and understand the details about scoring, court dimensions, detailed tennis rules as he/she makes progress. Let us obtain the knowledge of basic rules for playing tennis through this article.

Learn How to Play Tennis

The activity of serving is what the players begin with. Each side of the tennis court is divided into two halves. A player has to serve from either of these halves. One should toss the ball up to a height from which he finds it is suitable to hit (serve) the ball. The ball after serving should land in the box of the court that is diagonally opposite to the player who serves. The return shot is allowed to land in any part of the opponent's side of court. The important tennis facts can be understood with the help of information about different shots being played.

Types of Tennis Shots

There are different types of shots played in the sport of tennis. Players have to learn and master these shots in order to make progress. The information about these shots should help understand how to play tennis for beginners in detail.

Forehand
It is the most powerful shot that a tennis player can make use of. For playing the forehand shot, one has to swing the racket (sideways-backward-forward) and hit the ball forcefully. There are subtleties and nuances of the forehand shot which can be learned at an advanced stage. However, it is important to let the shot evolve in its own way, at least in the initial stages.

Backhand
A backhand shot is played with the hand which faces the opponent. The racket is swung around the body and in a direction where ball is directed. It is not as forceful as the forehand. The shot is mostly used to slice the ball. The backhand slice can also be separately explained as a different shot.

Volley
The volley is a shot played before the ball bounces. This shot is played from near the nets. There are variations in the shot being played on the basis of hand being used. These two types are the backhand volley and forehand volley. The forehand volley can be played from different positions: either by keeping the shoulders straight or swinging the body along the vertical axis. A cocked wrist helps in playing this shot in a better manner. In the backhand volley shot, the hand should be comfortably placed away from the body. The chances of playing a late shot can be prevented with this position. Instead of bending the lower back while playing this shot, one should bend the knees.

Lob Shot
In tennis the lob shot is played over the head of opponent when he approaches or is already near the net. This shot can be used for dealing with aggressive players who approach the net quite often. Good judgment is required to play this shot properly. There is always a risk of the lob shot falling beyond of the baseline of the opponent's court. The height and angle of the shot has to be such that it comfortably clears the opponent and safely falls well within the baseline.

The sport of tennis requires a player to stay extremely fit. One has to run, stretch and also play the shots with right timing and energy. It is not just the power of shots that matters, but also the placement and angle at which these are played. One should get some idea so as to learn how to play tennis through information presented in this article.