General Rules

Tennis

Object of the Game: Two or four players compete to score points by hitting a tennis ball over a net and out of an opponent’s reach, or in such a way that it cannot be returned back across the net inside the court.

General Rules:

1. Played indoors or outdoors and on various surfaces (grass, clay, or hardcourt) 2. Played between two players (singles), four players (doubles) or a male and female on each team (mixed doubles) 3. Coin toss or racquet spin determines choice of: o serve o receiveing & side of court on which to begin play

Scoring:

1. Game Scoring: o The first player/team to score four points and have a two point lead wins the game o The Serving and the Receiving side both score points o A zero score is referred to as "love", the first point is "15", the second is "30", the third is "40" o The fourth point scored (game point) wins the game if there is a 2 point lead o If the score is tied at "40 – All" or anytime after this is referred to as "Duece" o Advantage: The first point scored after deuce is an "advantage" or "ad" . If the server goes ahead by one point, it is called "ad-in" . If the receiver goes ahead by one point, it is called "ad-out" . If the side with the "advantage" loses the next point, the score returns to "deuce" . If the side w/ the advantage wins the next point the game is won o The server’s score always is given first . Example, if the score is 30-15, the serving side has two points and the receiving side has one point o Game point – the point that decides the winner of a game 2. Set Scoring: o The first player to win six games and lead by two games wins the set o If games are tied at 6 -6, a tiebreaker is played o Tiebreaker: . The first player or side to win seven points w/ a 2 point lead wins the tiebreaker. . If the tiebreaker score is tied at 6-all, play continues until one side has a two-point lead. o Set point – the point that determines the winner of a set 3. Match Scoring: o A player/team must win two sets in a three-set match, or three sets in a five-set match to win the match o Match point – the point that determines the winner of the match

Singles Play:

1. Players begin serving on the right side from behind the baseline to a service court diagonally opposite. The next serve is made from the left side and this continues to alternate until the game is completed. 2. The same player serves for the entire game and the opponent serves the next game. They continue to alternate for subsequent games throughout the set. 3. Players change ends after the first, third, and every other game thereafter until the end of the set.

Doubles Play:

1. Players decide who serves first and which partner will receive the first serve. 2. The same player serves the whole game. 3. The server alternates sides (right & left) while the receivers stay on their respective sides (right / left) alternating who is receiving the serve. 4. Receiving Serve: o Receivers decide who will receive the first serve (right side). o Their partner will receive the second serve (left side). o Receivers continue to alternate receiving serves as the server alternates which side (right / left) they serve from. 5. Once the ball is served and returned, either player on the team may hit the ball back over the net. 6. Service Order: Following the completion of a game the other team has one of their players serve the next game. No team or player serves a 2nd game until both players on both teams have served a game. The order of serve must be maintained throughout the match.

Serving Rules:

 The same player always serves for an entire game. The following game the opponent serves the entire game.  The server calls the score before each serve.  The server stands with both feet anywhere behind the baseline between an imaginary extension of the service mark and the singles sideline. (The recommended place to serve is near the center mark)  The first serve is made from the right side. The serve for the second point is made from the left side. The server continues to alternate sides until the game is completed.  Technique: o The ball is thrown into the air and must be struck with the racquet before it hits the ground o Serves may be overhand or underhand o The ball must cross the net without bouncing and land in the receiver’s correct (right / left) service court.  Service Fault: o ball goes into the net or lands outside the receiver’s correct service court o ball is swung at and missed  Foot Fault: o stepping on or over the baseline with either foot during the serve o serving from beyond the center mark, or runing / walking before hitting the ball during the serve o crossing the baseline after the racquet strikes the ball is legal  Double Fault: o A server is allowed 2 attempts to initiate play for each point. o If the server faults on both the first and second attempt, the receiving team scores a point o and the server now moves to the opposite (right / left) side to begin their service attempts for the next point.  Ace: a serve that the receiver is unable to play back  Let: a replay is given in each of these situations o a serve that touches the net and still lands within the receiver's proper service court o a serve touches the receiver before it hits the ground o play is interrupted

Game Play:

1. A ball that lands on a line is good. 2. The receiver must hit a properly served ball after the first bounce and return it across the net into the server's court. 3. After the return of serve, both opponents hit the ball back and forth over the net until a fault occurs scoring a point. o Rally: a series of strokes between the players until a point is scored o Volley: hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces on your side of the court (not legal for returning a serve) o Ground stroke: hitting the ball after one bounce 4. Other than on the serve, a ball is good and play continues if it touches the net and goes over landing within the court 5. All parts of the racket are legal for playing the ball. 6. A side wins a point when the opponent commits one of the following violations after receiving the ball: o Hits the ball into the net (ball does not go over) o Lets the ball bounce twice before hitting it o Hits the ball so it lands outside the opponents playing court o Hits the ball before it crosses over the net or reaches over the net o Hits the ball twice or carries it on the racquet o Throws the racquet to hit the ball o Touches the net

Ettiquete Rules:

1. Give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good when there is any doubt as to whether a ball is in or out 2. Do not play a "let". 3. Call all balls on your side and help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it. 4. Call against yourself any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net. 5. "Out" & "Let" calls should be made instantly (before a play is made on the ball). If no call is made play should continue. 6. Spectators should not aid in making line calls. 7. If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, correct your call immediately. 8. Servers should announce the set score before starting a game and the game score before serving each point to avoid controversy over the score. 9. When players cannot agree on the score: o Go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point o Spin a racquet to determine the score 10. Wait until the players on an adjacent court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball. 11. Do not stall, sulk, complain, or demonstrate bad sportsmanship. 12. Intentional distractions are illegal.