Tennis Glossary

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Ace – When a point is won with the serving shot.

Backhand - is when a player hits a ball with the back of their hand facing the ball. This usually happens when a right-handed player hits a ball on their left side.

Backcourt – The back section of a tennis court. It is the furthest part of the court away from the net on either side of the court.

Backspin – The spin on a ball that causes it to bounce low when landing, making it harder to return.

Baseline – The line at the very back of the court on both sides of the net.

Boundaries – A defined space where a tennis match is played. The size can be changed depending on the area or numbers playing.

Break – When the player who does not serve to start a point wins a game.

Court – The standardised area where a tennis match is played. It is split into two equal sides, divided by a net in the middle.

Cross-court – A shot hit diagonally across the court, over the net.

Doubles – A match played 2 v 2.

Double fault – When a player who is serving commits two faults in a row. This leads to the opponent winning a point.

Fault – When a serve does not land correctly into play. 

First serve – The first attempt at hitting a legal serve by a player.

Forecourt – The part of the court closest to the net on either side. It is usually considered between the net and the service line.

Forehand – Hitting a ball whilst the palm of your hand is facing the ball. So, for example, a right-handed hit where the ball is on the right side of the body.

tennis forehand

A tennis glossary can help teachers gain a solid foundation for the terminology and keywords they may encounter when teaching the unit.

Game – Part of the scoring system in tennis. A player wins a game by being the first to win 5 points. In turn, a player must be the first to win 6 games by 2 clear games to win a set. E.g a player could win 6-4 or 6-3 but not 6-5…the game would have to go onto another point to win 7-5.

Let – When a serve hits the net but still lands as a legal serve. No fault is applied in this instance, and the server retakes the shot.

Lob – A shot that is hit high in the air. The aim is to go over the opponent and land near the baseline in the backcourt.

Love – The name given when a player has a score of zero. This could be points or games.

Mid-court – The middle part of the court on either side of the net.

Net Play – Playing a shot when in the forecourt.

Net – The dividing material between the two halves of the court

Out of bounds – Any area where a ball lands that would not win a point. Often, this would be outside the court markings.

Point – Part of the scoring system in tennis. A player wins a point by forcing an opponent to either not return a ball or return it out of bounds. A player needs to win 4 points to win a game. Love = 0, 15 = 1, 30 = 2, 40 = 3, Game = 4.

Racquet/racket – The equipment used in tennis to hit the ball.

tennis basic grip

We have glossaries for all sports and activities on The PE Hub platform including tennis.

Rally – Hitting of shots between two or more players, where players take turns to hit the ball.  

Second Serve - The player's second attempt at hitting a legal serve. If a player faults a second serve, their opponent takes the point.

Self-feed– The throwing or dropping of a ball to be hit and commonly used for a serve

Serve – The shot played to start a rally or a point. It is a shot that travels diagonally cross-court.

Service line – A line in the centre of each half of the court parallel to the net. A service has to bounce over this line to be a legal serve.

Set - Part of the scoring system in tennis. A player wins a set by being the first to win 6 games or by two clear points e.g. 7-5.

Singles – When a game is played 1 v 1

Topspin - The spin on a ball that causes it to dip down lower over the net and then bounce higher when landing, making it harder to return.

Umpire – The name of the official of the match. They enforce the rules and make calls on any infractions that may take place during a game.

Volley – A shot played to a ball hit over the net before it bounces.

Winner – A shot that wins a point for the player hitting it that is unreturnable by the opponent.

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