Two players (or two pairs) hit a ball over a net with rackets, letting it bounce once at most, and try to make it land in the other player's court so they cannot return it. Children play with slower, softer balls on smaller courts: red (smallest court), then orange, then green, then the yellow ball on the full court.
How a point is played
The server stands behind the baseline and serves diagonally into the service box, with two tries. The receiver lets it bounce, then players rally, hitting the ball after one bounce or before it bounces (a volley). A point is lost when the ball goes into the net, lands out, or bounces twice.
How scoring works
Points are called 15, 30, 40, then game; at 40 all (deuce) a player needs two points in a row. A set is usually the first to 6 games with a two-game lead. Young children play short games, such as first to 4 or 7 points.
Rules children break first
Serve from behind the baseline, diagonally into the box.
Keep a racket's length from other players; never swing when someone is near.
Clear balls off the court so nobody trips.
Call the lines honestly on your own side.
At home and in the park you start with
Racket and ball control games, throwing and hitting over a net, wall tennis, a mini-court game and the serve, judging the bounce, then rallies with direction, net play, choosing the shot and doubles. Match tactics come with a coach.
Words you will hear (25, in plain language)
Red
The stages of tennis balls, from the slowest and softest to the normal ball, each with its own court size.
Mini court
A small court for young children, about 11 m by 5.5 m.
Baseline
The back line of the court, the line that ends the service boxes, and the box the serve must land in.
Grip
How you hold the racket, and the part you hold.
Strings
The strung face of the racket.
Ready position
Facing the net, feet apart, knees soft, racket in front.
Forehand
Hitting on your racket-hand side; on the other side; with both hands on the racket.
Backswing
Taking the racket back before the hit, in a loop like the letter C, then swinging up through the ball.
Follow-through
Letting the racket keep going after the hit, toward the target.
Bump-up
Bouncing the ball up on the racket.
Rally
Hitting the ball back and forth.
Serve
The shot that starts a point; a serve hit after a bounce; from below the waist; from above the head after a toss.
Toss
Throwing the ball up for the serve.
Fault
A serve that misses the box; the second try.
Volley
Hitting the ball before it bounces, usually near the net.
Smash
A hard hit from above the head; a high ball over the other player.
Split step
A small hop as the other player hits, ready to move.
Cross-court
Hitting diagonally across the court, or straight along the side.
Deep
A ball that lands near the baseline, or one that lands near the net.
Defend
A safe, high ball when under pressure; a steady deep ball; going for a winner on a short ball.
Recovery
Getting back to the middle after each shot.
Deuce
40 all, and the point after it.
Set
A group of games; a format where everyone plays everyone.
Doubles
Two against two; the net player crossing to cut off a ball.
Nobody is late. A beginner of any age starts at Basic.
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Basic5 cards · show· hideThe red ball (about 5 to 8): throwing, catching, tracking and striking with a short racket; the hand at the bottom of the grip, the ball met to the side and in front, back to the ready position after each hit; short rallies and fun. Keep matches short for the youngest. Beginners can stand well behind the bounce and take the ball as it falls, for more time.
Move on whenthe child meets the self-checks on b1 to b5.
Intermediate5 cards · show· hideOrange and green balls (about 9 to 12): a split step as the opponent hits, a C-shaped backswing swung low to high, the feet behind and to the side of the ball, an overarm serve, volleys, getting back into position. Tactics: place the ball by height, width and length, read each ball as defend, build or attack, and attack a short ball.
Move on whenthe player can rally with depth and direction on the green ball.
Advanced1 cards · show· hideAbout 15 and older: technique that holds under pressure, a personal game style with at least two weapons, scouting, adapting to surfaces and weather, and avoiding injury.
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.