Module 5 Lawn Tennis
Module 5 Lawn Tennis
1
Tennis
Tennis
Background
Tennis is a sport usually played by one player in each playing court for
singles and two players for doubles. It can also be played with mixed doubles
with a boy and a girl player for each team. The objective of the game is to
play the ball over the net in such a way that the opponent will not be able to
return a good ball. The player uses a racket to strike the ball over the net into
the opponent’s court.
Tennis was originated from a French game called Jeu de Paume (Paume,
meaning “Palm”). It was a court game where the ball was struck back and
forth using the hand. It was then evolved all throughout and eventually,
rackets were used instead of the hands. In Europe, the game was then spread
and in 1873, Major Walter Wingfield, a student of court tennis introduced the
game called “Playing Ball” from which modern outdoor racket game was
played. From then on, tennis was introduced and it was known as Lawn
Tennis.
In playing this game, players must keep the ball in play by returning it over
the net before it touches the floor twice. Tennis matches were played on
courts with different surfaces, including grass, clay or hard court. The
International Tennis Federation is the governing body for tennis and all the
standard rules in playing the game are set for all tennis competitions by this
body.
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Facilities and Equipment
Racket
It is very important for a player to choose the right kind of racket. One must
consider the weight, size of the handle, the string, balance and the quality of
the frame.
Ball
The tennis ball should be of good quality brand. Balls with worn-off fuzz
should be discarded once the fuzz is removed because the ball becomes very
light and has the tendency to drift or float in its flight, making it different to
control. The ball is bright yellow in color.
Playing Court
The playing court for tennis has the following measures:
The eastern grip is the most popular grip. The player holds the
handle as if shaking hands with the racket. There are some of the
advantages of this grip. One such example is that it allows an
extremely wide reach as this is suitable for the low bouncing of the
ball and allowing the maximum power with the minimum effort.
2. Western Grip
This grip is seldom used because of some disadvantages as such
limited stroke production and awkward grip: the ball is hit on a
downward motion and to do this stroke, there must be a fairly
high ball. To obtain this grip, the broad part of the handle must lie
squarely against the palm.
3. Continental Grip
player can execute good slices and chops, but not for flat hitting
that it will be difficult for an average player.
B. Strokes
1. Forehand Stroke
Course Module
Always move your body forward with a swing and a good
follow-through is very important because it will direct the
flight of the ball.
2. Backhand stroke
The least practiced tennis stroke and is weaker than the
forehand
Used in baseline rallies and in approach shots
Right backhand shot limits the ability of the player to
generate power as well as inhibit the necessary rotation
needed to hit a powerful and heavy tennis backhand
Let tennis backhand come along with the ride.
The body should help initiate the backswing on the
backhand
The hands and racket should do minimal work in taking the
racket back.
Feet are turned sideways on the preparation.
Make clean contact and extend outwards with the arm and
racket towards the intended direction of the ball.
Full extension of the arm and racket will maximize the line
of the shot.
References:
Muyot, et.al. Soaring with MAPEH. Quezon City: Bright House Publishing.
2015
How to Play Tennis. Retrieved from: https://www.tennistips.org/how-to-
play-tennis.html on April 15, 2018
A Diagram of Tennis Court Dimensions and Layout. Retrieved from:
http://www.tenniscompanion.org/a-diagram-of-tennis-court-
dimensions-layout/ on April 15, 2018
Tennis for Beginners. Retrieved from:
http://www.optimumtennis.net/tennis-for-beginners.htm on April
15, 2018
Introduction to Tennis. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/tennis/introduction-to-tennis on
April 12, 2018
Continental Grip. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/tennis/continental-grip on April 10,
2018
Eastern Forehand Grip. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/tennis/eastern-forehand-grip on
April 10, 2018
Western Grip. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/tennis/western-grip on April 10,
2018
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