TennisHandbook

(Serve, Volley, Doubles)

By: Timothy Fink

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

History of TennisThe history of tennis dates back several thousand years. The game was first created by

European monks to be played for entertainment purposes during religious ceremonies. To begin

with, the ball was hit with the hand. Soon the leather glove came into existence. This was soon

replaced with an adaptive handle for effective hitting and serving of the ball. Thus was born the

first racquet. With the evolution of the racket, the tennis balls also underwent frequent

alterations. The first tennis ball was wooden. It gave way to a bouncier, leather ball filled with

cellulose material. The monasteries across Europe cherished the game during the 14th century

much to the chagrin of the Church.

The game soon became very popular, predominantly in France where it was adopted by

the royal family.  During the period between the 16th and 18th centuries, the game called ' Jeu de

paumme' - the game of the palm was a highly regarded by kings and noblemen. The French

players would begin the game by shouting the word “tenez!” which meant “Play!” The game

soon came to be called royal or “real tennis.”

 In 1874, Major Walter Wingfield acquired the patent rights for the equipment and rules

for the game which bore close resemblance to the modern tennis. On the same year, the first

tennis courts emerged in the United States. The game soon spread to different parts of the world

like Russia, Canada, China and India. The smooth croquet courts served as ready tennis courts

during those times.  The original court devised by Wingfield was in the shape of an hourglass

which tapered at the net. It was shorter than the modern court which we have today. His version

of tennis courts and the rules of games underwent a fair amount of changes and amendments till

the game gave to the modernized version which is played today.

EquipmentTennis Racket

The racket is necessary for every student to have one to for almost all activities and for game play.

Tennis Balls The tennis balls are essential for the equipment since they are to be used for lead-up

activities, drills, and game play.

Cones Boundary markers are very important in Tennis drills so that the students know the

boundaries and can be using in various games.

Rules and Regulations General Information

One hit to advance the ball over the net. Players may not touch the net. Play begins by serving to the left service box and alternating thereafter between the left

and right boxes. Two chances are granted to successfully serve the ball into the service box.

Lines of the Court

2. Lines of the court:Doubles Alley

End Line Side Line

Service Line

Scoring

Number of points won Corresponding call[1]

0 "love"1 "15"2 "30"3 "40"4 "game"

Points Earned 4 = Game Over (2 Point Advantage Required)

If each player has three points, the score is deuce. After deuce, terms instead of numbers are used to keep score. For example, following deuce, the player who wins the next point has the “advantage”.

If that person with advantage wins the next point, they win the game, if not the score is again deuce.

A player must win six games; win by two, to win the set. If the score becomes six, six, a tie breaker is played.

During tie breakers, the first player to seven points, win by two, wins the set. A player must win two of three sets to win a match. The score of the person serving is always read first followed by the opponent’s score.

Example Scoring Scenarios For instance, if a tennis competitor’s score is …

30-40 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'game point'. This means this tennis competitor has one chance to close out and win the game.

40-15 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'double game point'. This means this tennis competitor has two consecutive chances to close out and win the game.

0-40 or love-40 and the competitor only has one point to win the game, this tennis competitor has a 'triple game point'. This means this tennis competitor has three consecutive chances to close out and win the game.

OR 30-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a

'break point'. This indicates that the receiver has one chance to break the server's serve to close out and win the game.

15-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a 'double break point'. This indicates that the receiver has two consecutive chances to break the server's serve to close out and win the game.

0-40, the receiver only has to score one point to win the game. The receiver has a 'triple break point'. This indicates that the receiver has three consecutive chances to break the server's serve to close out and win the game.

Serving For any given point, the server is permitted two attempts at a successful serve. A

successful serve occurs when a legally-delivered ball lands in the cross-court service box without touching anything in flight. If the ball lands outside the box, it is a fault. If both service attempts result in faults, it is a double fault and the point is awarded to the receiver.

A foot fault takes place when the server assumes an illegal position while serving. A server's feet must not touch the baseline or the extension of the center line until the ball is struck. The server is also required to stay roughly on the same position to prevent the opponent from being misled as to where the serve will originate. Running or walking while serving is not allowed.

If the server tosses and swings his racquet but misses the ball, it is a fault. However, if the server is unsatisfied with his toss, he can let the ball fall or catch it (with his hand or racket) as many times as he wants without incurring a fault.

A service is called a let when the ball hits the net cord but still lands in the service court. Such a serve is not considered a fault and the server may repeat the service attempt. A ball that hits the net cord but lands outside the service box is still a fault

Choice of Ends & Service The choice of ends and the right to be Server or Receiver in the first game shall be decided by toss. The player winning the toss may choose or require his opponent to choose:

The right to be Server or Receiver, in which case the other player shall choose the end; The end, in which case the other player shall choose the right to be Server or Receiver.

The diagram below illustrates where the serve must land if serving from the right side. Servers always serve to the opposite side in the front box.

Doubles Tennis Serving RotationServes rotate from team to team, but instead of a two player rotation (singles) a four player rotation (doubles) is noted and maintained throughout a set.

For instance, let’s say competitors A and B (Team 1) are playing a set against competitors X and Y (Team 2). Player B is serving first on Team 1 and Player X is serving first on Team 2. It has been determined that Team 2 is serving the first game in the set.

o Game 1 - Player X serves o Game 2 - Player B serves o Game 3 - Player Y serves o Game 4 - Player A serves

The serve continues to rotate - X, then B, then Y, then A, then X, then B ... for the entire set. Simply put, each player rotates to serve every fourth game until the set is finalized. In the set(s) that follow, teams can decide which player will serve first for their respective team and establish a new rotation. Strategic game play comes into play, but my advice is to let the best server on your team serve first.

There is a slight addition to serving options in doubles in relation to singles. The server gains the area behind the alley, along baseline between the singles and doubles sidelines.

In other words, the server in doubles tennis can choose to serve from anywhere behind and along the baseline from the center mark to the doubles sideline on the team's end of the court.

Changing Ends Normal scoring - change ends when the total of games is an odd number.

For example, after the first, third, fifth etc....game. For example, if the score is 5-2, the total is 7, an odd number, therefore, change ends.

Tie breakers - change ends when the total of points adds up to 6 or a multiple thereof.

Tennis Etiquette

Tennis etiquette is a standard of conduct expected on the court. Examples include not yelling while the opposition is hitting, not throwing your racket, not swearing, shaking hands following a match, showing your opponent when serving with new balls, and not arguing line calls.

Styles of Play / StrategiesServe and Volley Players - Follow a serve directly to the net and prepare to volley.Baseline Players - Serve and strike ground strokes from the baseline. Baseline players normally don’t approach the net unless forced to by the opposition.Opportunists - Serve and strike ground strokes at the baseline but advance to

the net on short balls to volley.

Strategies incorporated to help win points include moving your opponent around the court (hitting to open areas), attacking your opponents’ weaknesses, and/or using one of the three styles of play.

Protect the middle more than the alleys in double

Communicate with your partner

Poaching serve is an important strategy in doubles tennis play. A good poacher puts tremendous pressure and disrupts the return of serve from your opponents

The cross-court return of the serve avoids the net player and usually the best return

The chip and charge.  The more aggressive team usually wins the point.  Controlling the net is a key to being successful.  This puts both you and your partner in offensive positions and places your opponents on their heels.

Terminology Terms Definitions

ace a good service, landing in the proper service court, untouched by the receiver

ad in the server's winning point

ad out the receiver’s winning point

backhand stroke used to hit balls on the left side of a right handed player , right side of a left handed player

chop shot in which the racket is swung downward sharply under the ball to give it backspin

cross court

phrase indicating a ball hit diagonally from one corner across the net to the opposite corner

deuce even game score when each side has 3 or more points

drop shot a shot hit softly with backspin so that it barely clears the net and does not bounce very high

fault failure to serve the ball into the proper court

fifteen term used in scoring to indicate the first point won by a player in each game

foot fault a service violation usually consisting stepping on the line while serving

forehand stroke used to hit balls on the right side of a right handed player or the left side of a left handed player

game unit of a set completed by winning four points or by winning two consecutive points after deuce

kill a hard hit well placed shot which the opponent cannot return

let a point to be replayed because of some interference

OR

when the ball touches the net but lands within the opponent's designated service box. The serve is replayed.

lob a high arching shot aimed to land near the opponents baseline

love term used to mean zero score

match a contest consisting of two out of three sets or three out of five sets

let service when the ball touches the net but lands in the proper court

set unit of a match completed by winning six games or gaining a two game lead after each side has won five games

set point the point which if won by the player ahead, gives the player the set

volley a ball hit in the air before it bounces

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan 1 / 5Objectives: •The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis serve with the toss (hold ball at shoulder level and extend arm fully) and the execution (high-five the ball with racket, snap wrist, finish across body under opposite arm)•Students will demonstrate the knowledge of proper tennis etiquette and the history of the sport.•Students will demonstrate tennis etiquette and proper sportsmanship.

Equipment: Tennis rackets / Tennis balls / Cones

Lesson Content: Introduction to Tennis / Tennis Serve

History of Tennis = brief introduction & give context to some of the sports that have been played for as long.Tennis Etiquette = discuss and explain what appropriate behavior on the tennis court looks likeSafety = emphasize to students that the rackets need to be handled with care.

Tennis Toss: hold ball at shoulder level extend arm fully

Tennis Serve: high-five the ball with racket snap wrist finish across body under opposite arm

Tennis Serve Activities

** Activity #4 & #5 **

Safety Considerations:•Before entering the tennis courts, ask students what physical dangers are present. Obvious examples include the net poles, the fence, and the wood wall. Other dangers might include a wet surface, rolling balls, objects such as a pencil on the playing surface, inadequate clothing for the weather, and rackets in motion.•Emphasize to students that the rackets need to be handled with care and cannot be thrown at someone or into the ground.•Students will communicate with other students on different courts if their tennis ball bounces away so students do not trip over the ball during games.

Lesson Plan 2 / 5Objectives:

•The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis serve with the toss (hold ball at shoulder level and extend arm fully) and the execution (high-five the ball with racket, snap wrist, finish across body under opposite arm)•The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis volley (step and punch and racquet never goes behind front shoulder).•Students will demonstrate the knowledge of tennis rules and regulations and begin to work on tennis scoring.•Students will demonstrate tennis etiquette and proper sportsmanship.

Equipment: Tennis rackets / Tennis balls

Lesson Content: Serve Review and Introduction to Volley

Review Tennis Serve: high-five the ball with racket snap wrist finish across body under opposite arm

Tennis Serve Drill

Introduce Tennis Volley step and punch racquet never goes behind front shoulder no follow through

Tennis Volley Drills

** Activity #1 #2 & #4 **

Safety Considerations:•Proper spacing will be used to keep students from running into each other during drills allowing them to use the most amount of space as possible especially for Activity #2.•Students will communicate with other students on different courts if their tennis ball bounces away so students do not trip over the ball during games.

Lesson Plan 3 / 5Objectives:

•The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis volley (step and punch and racquet never goes behind front shoulder).•Students will demonstrate the knowledge of tennis rules and regulations and begin to work on tennis scoring with some of the games.•Students will demonstrate teamwork by showing effective communication by playing with a partner in drills of tennis doubles.

Equipment: Tennis rackets / Tennis balls

Lesson Content: Review of Volley Skill / Activities & Drills developing Double Play

Review Tennis Volley step and punch racquet never goes behind front shoulder no follow through

Tennis Volley Drills

Introduce Tennis Doubles video clip

Activities that work on the entire skill set (forehand, backhand, serve, and volley) that prepare students for tennis doubles

** Activity # 7, #9, & #10 **

Safety Considerations:•Proper spacing will be used to keep students from running into each other during drills allowing them to use the most amount of space as possible.•Students will communicate with other students on different courts if their tennis ball bounces away so students do not trip over the ball during games.

Lesson Plan 4 / 5Objectives:

•The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis serve with the toss (hold ball at shoulder level and extend arm fully) and the execution (high-five the ball with racket, snap wrist, finish across body under opposite arm) and the tennis volley (step and punch and racquet never goes behind front shoulder).•The student will demonstrate knowledge of correct scoring demonstrated by playing a game and set correctly. In addition, students will practice and develop strategies for playing tennis doubles. •Students will demonstrate teamwork by showing effective communication by playing with a partner in a game of tennis doubles.

Equipment: Tennis rackets / Tennis balls

Lesson Content: Tennis Lob & Overhand Smash with Tennis Doubles drills

Review of Skills activity working on all skill sets in doubles fashion

Tennis Lob Racket face open Shift feet to the side Bring racket under the ball Follow through low to high

Tennis Overhand Smash Scratch your back with racket, cock your wrist, and weight on back foot Shift weight to front foot Contact with a closed racket face and follow through

** Activity #6, #3, & #8 **

Safety Considerations:•Proper spacing will be used to keep students from running into each other during drills allowing them to use the most amount of space as possible.•Students will communicate with other students on different courts if their tennis ball bounces away so students do not trip over the ball during games.•Before entering the tennis courts, ask students what physical dangers are present. Obvious examples include the net poles, the fence, and the wood wall. Other dangers might include a wet surface, rolling balls, objects such as a pencil on the playing surface, inadequate clothing for the weather, and rackets in motion.

Lesson Plan 5 / 5

Objectives:

•The student will demonstrate proper technique of the tennis serve with the toss (hold ball at shoulder level and extend arm fully) and the execution (high-five the ball with racket, snap wrist, finish across body under opposite arm) and the tennis volley (step and punch and racquet never goes behind front shoulder).•The student will demonstrate knowledge of correct scoring demonstrated by playing a game and set correctly. In addition, students will practice and develop strategies for playing tennis doubles. •Students will demonstrate teamwork by showing effective communication by playing with a partner in a game of tennis doubles.

Equipment: Tennis rackets / Tennis balls

Lesson Content: Tennis Doubles (exhibition game & game play)

Exhibition Game rules scoring

Review of Strategies Protect the middle more than the alleys in double Communicate with your partner Poaching serve is an important strategy in doubles tennis play. A good poacher puts

tremendous pressure and disrupts the return of serve from your opponents The cross-court return of the serve avoids the net player and usually the best return The chip and charge.  The more aggressive team usually wins the point.  Controlling the

net is a key to being successful.  This puts both you and your partner in offensive positions and places your opponents on their heels.

Game day The students will go over the rules of the game and be able to compete against different

teams for the entire period

** Game Play **

Safety Considerations:•Before entering the tennis courts, ask students what physical dangers are present. Obvious examples include the net poles, the fence, and the wood wall. Other dangers might include a wet surface, rolling balls, objects such as a pencil on the playing surface, inadequate clothing for the weather, and rackets in motion.•Students will communicate with other students on different courts if their tennis ball bounces away so students do not trip over the ball during games.

Lead-Up Games & Activities

Activity 1 – Volley TeamworkHave a partner stand in the service box across the net. Volley to each other as many times as you can without letting the ball hit the ground. As you become better at volleying and controlling the ball, increase the pace of your shots.

Activity 2 – Volley against Wall Stand back from the backboard/wall about 6 feet. Hit the ball against the wall and try to keep the ball from bouncing by hitting volleys against the wall.

Activity 3 – 2 vs. 1The person hitting volleys will be at the net while the other 2 players will be on the baseline on the other side of the court. They drill you at the net and you practice hitting volleys to each person every other shot.

Activity 4 – Serving to WinThis is a drill similar to the above one with the added pressure of playing against a partner.2 players serve one against each other cross court. Player A serves first, then player B. If A hits the court and B misses, A wins a point. If A hits the court and B hits the court, neither gets a point. If A misses and B hits the court, B wins a point.

Activity 5 – Accuracy by CansYou first get two empty cans and place them in the service box across from you. You place them about 4 feet apart, and try to serve in-between them. Gradually you narrow the room between the cans to increase your accuracy. This can also be played using hula-hoops, cones, etc.

Activity 6 – Lob or LoseTeam 1 start on a baseline, team 2 start up at the net on the opposite side. A player from team 2 hits the ball to team 1 to start the drill. A player from team 1 then has to hit a lob shot and try to clear team 2 with it. If the lob falls short then team 2 can try an overhead smash to win the point. However if the lob successfully clears team 2 then they have to run after it, attempt a return and try to get back into the net. This drill carries on until each point is won or lost. Team 1 is only allowed to lob. Swap roles and repeat and the drill

Activity 7 – 4’s Up This drill needs 4 players. 1 player stands in each service box. Player 1 starts with the ball and hits it to player 2. Player 2 is standing the other side of the net but directly opposite player 1. Player 2 then volleys the ball to player 3 who is standing the same side as player 1 but in the other service box. Player 3 volleys the ball down the line to player 4 who is the same side of the net as player 2 but again in the other service box. Player 4 then hits diagonally across to player 1 and the drill starts again. Swap roles and repeat the drill.

Activity 8 – Don’t Break the CyclePlayers 1 and 2 start on one baseline and players 3 and 4 start on the other baseline. Player 1 starts with the ball. Player 1 serves the ball to player 3. Player 3 then has to return the ball down

the line to player 2, who then hits the ball cross court to player 4. Player 4 must then return the ball down the line to player 1, and the sequence starts again. This pattern should not be broken, but whoever breaks it must lose a point. All players start on 10 points and when the first player loses all their points, the winner is the player with the most points remaining.

Activity 9 – Volley to WinThis drill is completed through the normal game of singles, including the same scoring. However players can only win a point in the game by coming into the net and hitting a winning volley.

Activity 10 – Miss the MiddleThis drill really needs between 4 and 6 players. If it is played with 6 players there will be 2 players on each baseline and 1 player up at the net on either side. The 4 baseline players hit the ball between them trying to win points, but apart from trying to beat the baseline players at the opposite end they also have to attempt to miss out the player standing near the net on the opposite side. The net player can try and intercept the ball, and hit a winning volley when it comes across the net. If the net player manages to intercept three balls the players on that side switch positions.

PA Standards

PA Standards met with this lesson:

PA 10.4.9. A: Analyze and engage in physical activities that are developmentally/individually appropriate and support achievement of personal fitness and activity goal.

10.4.12 E - Analyze the interrelationships among regular participation in physical activity, motor skill improvement and the selection and engagement in lifetime physical activities.

PA 10.5.9. A: Describe and apply the components of skill-related fitness to movement performance.

•Agility•Balance•Coordination•Power•Reaction time•Speed

PA 10.5.12. A: Apply knowledge of movement skills, skill-related fitness and movement concepts to identify and evaluate physical activities that promote personal lifelong participation.

National StandardsNational Standards met with this lesson:

NPH. K-12.1 - Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

NPH. K-12. 2 - Applies movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.

NPH. K-12.5 - Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.

References Websites:

http://tennis4you.com/

http://www.historyoftennis.net/history_of_tennis.html

http://www.thenewpe.com/fitness-tennis/Tennis/tennis_unit.doc

http://www.teachpe.com/tennis/drills_index.php

http://www.tennistips.org/doubles-tennis.html

Reference Person:

Timothy M Fink. Physical Education Teacher. Phone number: (610)-513-1248