A form of tennis from Japan, played with a soft, air-filled rubber ball that is lighter and slower than a tennis ball. The court and net are the same size as tennis. Most soft tennis is doubles, two against two, with one player near the net and one at the back.
How a point is played
The server hits the ball diagonally into the service box; the ball must bounce once before it is returned, then players may hit it before or after one bounce. A point is lost when the ball goes into the net, lands out, or bounces twice. Each server has two tries.
How scoring works
A game is the first to 4 points, but at 3 all (deuce) a side needs two clear points. A match is usually 5 or 7 games; if it is level at the end, a final game is played to 7 points. The scoring is simpler than tennis: points are counted 0, 1, 2, 3.
Rules children break first
Serve from behind the baseline, diagonally into the box.
Let the serve bounce before returning it.
In doubles, call "mine" or "yours" on every ball.
Keep spare balls out of the way of players.
At home and in the park you start with
Scoring a game, bouncing and juggling the ball on the racket, the grip and ready position, fed forehands, counting rallies, the underhand serve and a one-against-two game. Volleys, smashes, doubles roles and poaching come next, many at a club.
Words you will hear (28, in plain language)
Soft tennis ball
A light, soft rubber ball filled with air.
Racket face
The flat, strung part of the racket that hits the ball.
Western grip
Holding the racket as if picking it up flat from the ground; the same face hits forehands and backhands.
Eastern grip
A different grip some coaches use for the smash.
Ready position
Standing with feet wide, knees soft and racket in front; a small hop as the other player hits.
Forehand
Hitting the ball on your racket-hand side, or on the other side.
Groundstroke
A shot hit after the ball bounces.
Volley
Hitting the ball before it bounces; a volley from below the net height.
Smash
A hard overhead hit of a high ball, like a throw.
Lob
A high, deep shot over the other player.
Shoot ball
A low, fast shot.
Under stroke
A swing at knee height, waist height or above the shoulder.
Cross
Hitting diagonally, diagonally the other way across the body, or down the line.
Rally
Hitting the ball back and forth.
Baseline
The back line of the court, the line that ends the service boxes, and the small mark in the middle of the baseline.
Service court
The box the serve must land in.
Underhand serve
A serve hit from below the waist; one hit from above the head; a serve with spin.
Fault
A serve that misses the box; the second try after a fault.
Receiver
The player returning the serve.
Deuce
3 points all, where two clear points are needed; the next point after deuce.
Final game
The deciding game of a level match, played to 7 points.
Umpire
The person who calls the score and the lines.
Front player
In doubles, the partner near the net and the partner at the baseline.
Pivot foot
The foot set first, which the body turns on.
Run round
Moving round the ball to hit it with a forehand.
Poach
The net player crossing over to cut off a ball meant for their partner.
Triples
A practice game with three players a side.
Spin
The ball turning in the air, which changes how it flies and bounces.
Move on wheni1 and i2 self-checks are met and i4 has been played.
Advanced2 cards · show· hidePlanned patterns at the net, such as crossing to cut off a ball (poaching), then a club for serves with spin, formations and singles play.
More space and a second person. A grown-up can run every card.
You do not need to know the sport. Each card tells you where to stand, what to say and what to look at.
Pick one thing to say in a session and say only that. The first week looks messy; that is normal.
End every session on one that works.
Cards marked At a club are taught by a coach. They tell you what the
coach teaches, what is safe at home, and what to ask the club before your child joins.