Tennis/Terminology
< Tennis
Basic Tennis Terms
- Volley
- usually deflecting the ball at the net.
- Serve
- usually an overhand hit used to get the ball in play.
- Forehand
- a hit with the inside of the hitting hand facing the court, almost always a one-handed shot.
- Backhand
- a hit the back of the hitting hand facing the court. Can be a one or two-handed shot. The two-handed backhand, though difficult for some, if mastered, offers good power, direction, and spin. The one-handed backhand offers power, speed, and flexibility.
- Racquet
- the stringed bat used to hit the tennis ball.
- Backspin
- when the ball is literally spinning backwards while traveling forwards. Produces a low bounce and/or less forward motion after the bounce.
- Topspin
- when the ball is spinning forward while traveling forward. Usually produces a high bounce.
- Slice
- hitting the ball with left or right side spin, produces a low or sideways bounce.
- Rally
- hitting the ball back and forth.