The following skills are absolutely necessary to play tennis. The easiest way to learn these skills is through pictures. That is why I have added a sequence of pictures for each skill. I hope you will be able to learn how to play tennis from this page.
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The Forehand |
| The forehand is one of the most often used strokes and one of the easiest to learn. The forehand can even win games for you. First, you start with the racket at shoulder height. Then you make a little "c" with your elbow. Finally you hit the ball while making this "c" and finish with your racket above your left shoulder if you are a right-handed person, if you are a left handed person finish with your racket above your right shoulder. Examples of this shot done by professional players are below. |
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The Backhand |
| This shot is similar to the forehand. First, start with both hands on the racket. Make sure your racket is almost at shoulder height though. Then make a little "c" and drop your racket to waist height and hit the ball in front of you, finish above the opposite shoulder you started the shot on. Examples are below. |
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The Volley |
| The volley is an offensive shot. You should not try to hit this shot on defense. In the basic volley start with your racket at shoulder height. When the ball comes toward you. Use your racket and just push the ball back. An example of Pete Sampras hitting a volley is below. |
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The Serve |
| The serve is both an offensive and defensive shot. There are two types of serves, the first serve and the second serve. The first serve is usually offensive and the second serve is usually defensive or neutral. To hit a serve, first throw the ball into the air (straight up) and then hit it above your head. An example is below. |
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