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Tennis Glossary
Learn the language of Tennis — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
282 terms
- Kinetic Chain BreakdownIntermediateA kinetic chain breakdown is a skipped or broken link in the ground-up leg, hip, torso, and arm sequence. The arm then has to make power on its own.
- Late Contact (Tennis)IntermediateLate contact means the racquet meets the ball behind the ideal contact point, usually behind the front hip. It costs pace, direction control, and spin.
- Late Split StepIntermediateA late split step lands after the opponent has struck the ball. The player is still airborne or resettling just when they need to push off toward the shot.
- Lead Tape: Where to Put ItAdvancedMost players start at 3 and 9 o'clock on the racquet head, which adds stability on off-centre hits and a little extra pop. Moving it up to 2 and 10 o'clock or to 12 o'clock adds more power and makes the racquet more head-heavy. Tape under the grip makes it more head-light, and matching it to tape on the head keeps the balance the same.
- Leg Drive on GroundstrokesIntermediateLeg drive is the push off the ground that starts the kinetic chain on a groundstroke. It sends upward and rotational energy into the hips, torso, and arm.
- Leg Drive on the ServeIntermediateTo use your legs on the serve, bend your knees as you toss and let your hips move forward toward the court. Then push up and forward into the ball as the racquet drops behind your back, and land on your front foot inside the court. The leg drive adds height and racquet speed.
- Let (Serve Rule)BeginnerA let is called when a serve clips the net cord and still lands in the correct service box. The point is then replayed with no penalty to the server.
- Let During a RallyBeginnerIf a ball from another court rolls onto yours mid-point, any player on your court may call a let as soon as they see it. The whole point is then replayed, and the server gets two serves again. Call it right away, because playing on and then asking for a let is not allowed.
- Line Calls Without Officials (The Code)BeginnerIn matches without officials, each player calls the balls on their own side of the net, and any doubt goes to the opponent. Calls must be prompt and clear, out loud or with a hand signal. If an opponent makes a pattern of bad calls, The Code says you may contact an official.
- Live-Ball Drills for Two PlayersIntermediateLive-ball drills put both players in a real rally with a rule or a score. Good ones for two include crosscourt rallies to 11 and deep-ball games where a short ball loses the point. Others pair one player down the line with one crosscourt, or start points with a serve and return. They build consistency and decisions that carry into matches.
- LobIntermediateA lob is a high, arcing shot meant to clear a net player's reach. On defense it buys time; on offense, a topspin lob near the baseline can win the point.
- Lob DefenseBeginnerLob defense is using a high, deep shot over an approaching or net-positioned opponent. It buys time, resets the point, or forces a difficult overhead.
- Lob VolleyAdvancedHit a lob volley when you and your opponents are all close to the net and trading quick volleys. A soft, lifted volley over their heads forces them to turn and chase. It works best when they are leaning in and you have a ball at a comfortable height.
- Long Backswing Timing IssueIntermediateA long backswing timing issue is a backswing that takes longer than the ball allows. The forward swing is rushed or unfinished, however clean it looks.
- Loop BackswingIntermediateA loop backswing takes the racquet back and up, then drops it down into the forward swing. The circular path builds racquet-head speed and rhythm.
- Loss of Balance on Stretch ShotsIntermediateLoss of balance on stretch shots is reaching past a stable base for a wide, low, or hard-hit ball. The center of mass falls away from the shot at contact.
- Low Balls (Groundstrokes)IntermediateTo hit low balls, bend your knees and widen your stance to get down to the ball instead of bending at the waist. Swing more steeply from low to high with a vertical or slightly open racquet face, and aim higher over the net. Stay down through contact.
- Low VolleyIntermediateTo hit a low volley, bend your knees to get down to the ball instead of dropping the racquet head. Open the racquet face slightly, keep the wrist firm and punch forward and under the ball with a short stroke. Aim deep with some height over the net, then move in for the next ball.
- Lower Back Pain and the Kick ServeIntermediateIt can. On a kick serve, players toss the ball further over the head, arch the back and drive upward, and the serve takes the lower back close to the end of its range. Back pain while serving is a reason to cut your serving volume and get checked by a medical professional, not to push through. A coach can then adjust your toss and body action.
- Match NervesIntermediateMatch nerves are normal, and the aim is to play well with them, not to make them vanish. Use a between-point routine, breathe out slowly and pick one simple target for the next ball. When you feel tight, keep a relaxed grip, swing through to a full finish and play shots with margin instead of going for the lines.
- Match Tiebreak (10-Point)BeginnerA match tiebreak (or "super tiebreak") is a first-to-10-points breaker, won by two clear points. It is played instead of a full third set in many doubles and some singles formats.
- Mini TennisBeginnerMini tennis is a short rally inside the service boxes, hit softly with full, relaxed strokes. Many players start every session with it to wake up their feel, footwork and contact point before moving back to the baseline. It also trains touch for drop shots, low volleys and half-volleys.
- Mis-Hit CausesBeginnerMis-hits usually trace to four root causes: contact timing, footwork spacing, balance, or grip mismatch. Finding the one that repeats is the fastest fix.
- Missing Easy SittersIntermediateEasy sitters are usually missed for a few reasons: looking up at the target before contact, overswinging, not moving your feet and changing your mind late. Pick your target early, set up with small steps, keep your head still and hit firmly but below full pace, with spin.
- Mixed Doubles Strategy (Tennis)IntermediateMixed doubles strategy is mostly good doubles strategy. Serve well, get to the net, communicate and hit the ball low and at the feet. Play to the strengths of each partner, and target the player who is less comfortable in that part of the court. Decide sides and serving order by skill, not gender.
- Momentum Shift in a MatchAdvancedA momentum shift is a clear change in which player controls a match. Breaks of serve, long games won on key points, and runs of games often trigger it.
- Moon BallIntermediateA moon ball is a very high, heavily topspun groundstroke. It disrupts rhythm and buys recovery time without going as high or defensive as a lob.
- Movement PatternIntermediateA movement pattern is the sequence of footwork steps a player uses to reach the ball, execute the shot, and recover to position — combining split step, approach steps, stance, and recovery.
- Natural Gut StringAdvancedNatural gut is made from cow intestine. It offers the most elasticity, tension retention, and comfort of any string, but costs more and is less durable.
- Net Approach TimingIntermediateNet approach timing is when a player moves in to the net, relative to their shot and the opponent's reply. The aim is to split step as the opponent hits.
- Net ClearanceIntermediateNet clearance is how high your shot passes over the net. The net is 3 feet (0.914 m) high at the centre and 3½ feet (1.07 m) at the posts (ITF Rule 1). Rally balls with topspin can pass well above the tape and still land deep. Keep low clearance for passing shots, attacking balls and shots hit from close to the net.
- Net Player in DoublesIntermediateWhen your partner serves, start about halfway between the net and the service line, near the middle of your service box. Shift with the ball, cover your alley when it comes down your side and poach weak crosscourt balls you can reach. When your partner returns, start near the service line and move forward once the return gets past the opposing net player.
- Net Points WonIntermediateThere is no single target number, so compare your net points with your baseline points. Net points won is the share of points you win when you come to the net. If you win more of those than of your points from the back, coming in more often is likely to pay off. If you win fewer, work on your approach shots before you come in more.
- Neutral Rally BallBeginnerA neutral rally ball is a moderate-pace, high-margin shot hit deep and crosscourt. It keeps the rally going without risk or giving up the initiative.
- Neutral Stance (Square Stance)BeginnerA neutral stance is when your front foot steps toward the net, so a line through your feet points at the net. It is also called a square stance. It lets you transfer weight forward into the ball. It suits short balls, approach shots and one-handed backhands.
- No-Ad Scoring (Deciding Point)BeginnerNo-ad scoring replaces deuce and advantage with a single deciding point at 40-40. So the next point played wins the game outright.
- Non-Hitting ArmIntermediateYour non-hitting arm guides the turn and your balance. On the forehand it reaches across in front during the unit turn, then folds in toward your chest as you swing. On the serve the tossing arm lifts straight up and stays up after the release. It pulls down into your body as the racquet swings up.
- One-Handed BackhandIntermediateA one-handed backhand uses only the dominant hand. It gives more reach and disguise than a two-hander, but less stability against high-bouncing pace.
- Open StanceIntermediateAn open stance positions both feet roughly parallel to the baseline at contact. This allows the hips to rotate powerfully through the ball without requiring a weight transfer step.
- Open-Stance BackhandIntermediateYes, you can hit your backhand from an open stance, especially a two-hander on wide or fast balls. Load on the outside leg, turn your shoulders fully and rotate through. One-handers can do it too, but they usually need a closed or neutral stance for full power.
- Open-Stance ForehandIntermediateAn open-stance forehand is hit with the front foot and hips facing the sideline, not the net. Hip rotation then powers it without a full weight transfer.
- Over-Hitting (Going for Too Much)IntermediateYou keep going for too much when you pick a shot that is riskier than the ball allows. Usually it is too much pace, too close to the lines or too early in the point. Fix it by aiming bigger targets, adding net clearance and waiting for a short ball to attack.
- OvergripBeginnerAn overgrip is a thin wrap that goes over the racquet's base grip. It adds tack or soaks up sweat, protects the base grip and makes the handle slightly bigger. Change it when it feels slick, worn or hard. Players who sweat a lot may change it every match or two.
- Overhead / SmashIntermediateThe overhead (or smash) is a serve-like stroke struck above the head to put away a lob, demanding quick shoulder turn, a trophy-position racquet path, and aggressive pronation through contact.
- Overhead Smash FootworkIntermediateOverhead smash footwork is the adjustment steps and final scissor or step-in move that get a player under a lob. It lets them hit with power and balance.
- Passing ShotIntermediateA passing shot is hit by the baseline player when the opponent has approached the net, aiming to place the ball past the net player through an angle or pace that cannot be volleyed.
- Percentage TennisBeginnerPercentage tennis means choosing the shot most likely to go in and win the point over time. You aim at safe targets, clear the net with margin and attack only when the ball allows. It is about winning more points, not hitting the most winners.
- Pickleball and Tennis: Does One Hurt the Other?IntermediatePlaying pickleball is unlikely to hurt or ruin your tennis if you treat it as a different sport. The risk is carrying habits across. Pickleball rewards short, compact swings, an underhand serve and soft touch at the net, while tennis needs full swings and racquet speed. Before you switch back, hit a few minutes of full tennis strokes to reset your timing.
- Platform vs Pinpoint Serve StanceIntermediateBoth serve stances work. In the platform stance your feet stay apart throughout the serve. In the pinpoint stance the back foot slides up next to the front foot before you drive up. Pinpoint can add upward drive and rhythm. Platform is simpler and steadier for many players.
- Playing a Left-HanderIntermediateAgainst a left-hander, expect the slice serve to swing wide to your backhand in the ad court. As a result, stand a step further left and move forward diagonally to cut it off. In rallies, a lefty's crosscourt forehand lands on your backhand. As a result, flip the pattern: hit your forehand crosscourt to their backhand, then change direction down the line with your backhand when you get an opening. Return through the middle with big margins.
- Playing in Sun and HeatBeginnerWhen serving into the sun, shift a little along the baseline or change your stance so the toss is out of the glare, and wear a cap or visor. If the sun catches your toss, catch the ball and toss again; that is not a fault. In the heat, drink at every changeover rather than waiting for thirst, cool down with shade and ice towels, and stop if you feel dizzy, sick or unusually tired.
- Playing in the WindIntermediateIn the wind, play simpler tennis with bigger margins. Aim away from the lines, use more topspin for control and take extra small steps before contact, because the ball moves late. If a gust blows your toss away, catch it and toss again; that is not a fault. With the wind behind you, add spin and skip the drop shot; into the wind, hit deeper and use the drop shot.
- Poaching (Doubles)IntermediatePoaching is when the net player in doubles crosses over to intercept a ball meant for their partner. It cuts off the angle and finishes the point at net.
- Point Penalty System (Code Violations)IntermediateA point penalty is a point taken away from a player as punishment for a code violation. Code violations include smashing or throwing your racket, ball abuse, swearing, abusing an opponent or official and unsportsmanlike conduct. In USTA play, the first offence costs a point, the second a game and the third a default. Time violations start with a warning instead.
- Polyester StringIntermediatePolyester is a stiff, durable monofilament string built for spin. But it transmits more shock to the arm compared to natural gut or multifilament strings.
- Practice-to-Match TransferIntermediateMany players hit well in practice but not in matches because practice is too predictable, with fed balls, no score and no pressure. Make practice more like a match. Play live points that start with a serve or return, keep score, mix shots, and add pressure such as starting games at 30-40.
- Practicing Tennis AloneBeginnerYou can practise a lot alone. Hit against a wall or backboard for rally rhythm, volleys and footwork. Take a basket of balls to work on serves and targets, and do shadow swings to groove technique without a ball. A ball machine, if you have one, adds groundstroke repetition.
- Pre-Match RoutineIntermediateA good pre-match routine covers gear, food and fluids, a warm-up, and a simple plan. Pack spare racquets, grips, water and a snack the night before. Eat a familiar meal a few hours before play, arrive early, and do a dynamic warm-up before the on-court hit. Finish with two or three tactical goals.
- Private Lessons or Group ClinicsBeginnerGroup clinics cost less, are social and give you lots of balls and game play. Private lessons cost more but focus entirely on your technique, so they suit a specific fix or faster progress. Many players mix a weekly clinic with an occasional private lesson. Whichever you choose, practise between sessions so the coaching sticks.
- Pronation on ServeAdvancedPronation on serve is the forearm's natural inward turn around contact. It squares the face and adds speed, but shoulder internal rotation adds the most.
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