SANJANSHEL C.
RAMOS
11 INNOVATION
DUAL SPORT: LAWN TENNIS
a) HISTORY
-Lawn tennis is a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and
forth over a net that divides the court.
-The inventor of the game was Major Walter Wingfield, of Her Majesty's Body Guard,
and he introduced it in 1874 under the name of "Spharistike." The first match ever played
was in Denbighshire, England, and the first public contest took place in 1875. The game
was popular from the start.
b) COURT DIMENSION AND VENUE
-A tennis court is 78ft long, with a service line 21ft from the net. Courts for singles
matches are 27ft wide, while doubles matches courts are 36ft wide. The total playing area
for a singles court is 2,106ft² and 2,808ft² for a doubles court.
c) BASIC SKILLS
-Serve
It might be a little down this list, but that is just because most beginners in tennis are
going to hit groundstrokes and volleys first. Once that is mastered and balls can be hit
back-and-forth quite a bit, the serve is essential for any player to take that next step.
A player with a great serve is always going to find ways to compete in a match. Being
able to hold serve is essential, and it is not always about having a fantastic combination
of speed and spin. Sometimes, location is what makes the difference, and being able to
consistently get the ball in will at least start the point.
-Forehand
This is the most natural shot, and the one that is easiest to start controlling relatively early
on. Players almost always have a better forehand compared to their backhand, but really
refining it into a weapon is essential.
-Backhand
While a forehand feels natural, a backhand is anything but that for most players. Most
players find it a lot more difficult to start developing a backhand early on, and even
deciding on what type a backhand is complicated.
-Volley
Decades ago, the volley was much more important than it is today. Players still need
quality volleys, especially if they play doubles, but players spend a lot more time near the
baseline in the modern game. Having the ability to pull off some for surprise attacks can
certainly pay off, and putting away points at the net can make the difference between a
win and a loss.
-Lob
To counterattack a player rushing the net, a lob is a great shot if executed correctly. A
properly timed lob is going to switch how the point is going, and allow players to feel a
lot more confident overall turning defense into offense.
-Overhead
Hitting an overhead in tennis seems like a shot that any average player or above should
hit in the vast majority of times.
An overhead is usually a defensive shot from the opponent, and it is sitting up in the air
ready for a player to hit hard for a winner. Since a player might only get a few overheads
during a match, sometimes it is easier said than done to be sharp.
-Drop Shot
A drop shot is a strategic ball a player can hit to keep their opponent honest. If they are
staying back at the baseline and trying to get everything back, a drop shot pulls a player
up and might even leave them stuck for an easy winner. Even if they are scrambling to
get the ball back, it can open up the court for a putaway shot to follow things up.
-Half-Volley
This is when a player is hitting a ball on the rise. It is quickly bouncing off the ground
while moving into the net. It is considered an advanced shot because it takes a long time
to master. Those were able to do it will be able to rest and that with a lot more
confidence, and it can put a ton of pressure on any opponent.
d) EQUIPMENT AND GEARS
1) Racket
-Rackets can be made of many alloys or wood. There are no restrictions on the
size or materials used in making a racket. It has an oval head and a gradually
widening throat that connects the narrow handle with the head of the racket.
2) Ball
-As per ITF rules, Tennis balls are yellow colored spherical balls, with a diameter
between 2.5 and 2.625 inches. They weigh between 2 and 21/16 oz. Pressurized
rubber is used to make semi spherical half shells. They are then joined with
compressed air between them.
3) Net
-A rectangular net is used to separate the two sides of a Tennis court. The net
should cover the space between the two net posts. The net is woven in such a way
that it does not allow the Tennis ball to pass through. It is usually tied in about 3
feet above the ground at the centre.
4) Wrist bands
-Wrist bands are worn around wrists to prevent sweat from wetting the players’
palm or the racket. A wet grip might not be strong.
5) Head band
-Headbands are used to absorb sweat. They also tie player’s hair away from their
face. Any tight cap made of absorbent material can also be used instead of a head
band.
6) Tennis shoes
-Just running shoes don’t provide enough lateral support to players. Tennis shoes
are designed to give players better stability and prevent them from sliding while
moving sideways. Shoes shouldn’t damage the court when players move briskly
across the court.
7) Dress
-Men wear T-Shirts or shirts made of materials like polyester that does not absorb
sweat and keeps the player cool. They wear shorts that do not cover their knees.
-Though women are advised to wear just any comfortable dress, of late many
Tennis champions try to make a style statement with their carefully designed
clothes. Many players prefer wearing a tank top or a T-shirt on a short skirt.
e) RULES OF THE GAME
GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS
A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally
the best three of five Games.
ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS
Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied
10-10 (“deuce”), service alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong?
Yes! There is no separate rule for serving on Game Point.
TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING
How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your
end of the table. Toss at least 6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit
your side of the table and then the other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server’s
hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver’s point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.
THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES
There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the
table. It can bounce two or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point),
bounce over the side, or even hit the edge.
DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT
The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE:
landing on center line is fair). Doubles partners switch places after their team serves
twice.
A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”
Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the
net and then otherwise lands as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball
hits the net on the way over and otherwise legally bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is
done over. There is no limit on how many times this can happen.
ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY
Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on
the table.
VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may
“volley” the ball (hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table
tennis, this results in a point for your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball
that sails over your end of the table without touching it and then hits you or your paddle,
that is still your point.
IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT
If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting
your opponent’s side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching
it, that is your point.
TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED
What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball
touches your PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation
and play shall continue as normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area
below the wrist. But what if the ball touches a player’s body anywhere else during a ping
pong rally? You may not touch the ball with your non-paddle hand for any reason. It will
result in a point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit sails over your side of the
table without touching it, and hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still your point.
YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND
You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a
short serve, for example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all
from your touching it during a rally, that is your opponent’s point.
AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE
IS GOOD
An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top
surface and be counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the
table are NOT part of the legal playing surface.
HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS
If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the
“honor system” applies and the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over.
Ping pong carries a tradition of fierce but fair play. Help us keep it that way!
f) OFFICIALS AND HOW TO OFFICIATE THE SPORT
1. LINE UMPIRES
Line Umpires get to call the shots – literally – at all levels of tournaments.It might
appear simple, but the best Line Umpires need to be able to concentrate for long
periods of time, be team players, and (of course) require excellent eyesight. As
well as calling the lines, they act as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Chair
Umpire.
2. CHAIR UMPIRES
The Chair Umpire has enormous responsibility during a match, and is responsible
for calling the score, enforcing the rules and managing the players. A successful
Chair Umpire needs great communication skills, the ability to stay calm under
pressure, and 20:20 vision.
3. COMMUNITY OFFICIALS
Community Officials start as Competition Assistants which help to identify on
court queries but can quickly graduate to Court Supervisors to help enforce the
Rules of Tennis and Code of Behaviour, as well as resolving on court queries.
4. REFEREES
The Referee is the expert in all things rules and regulations. Referees supervise all
aspects of a tournament, from taking charge of the draws and schedules, to
enforcing the rules and making sure everything runs smoothly and in the spirit of
fairness.
