Tennis Vocabulary

If you are new to tennis here is a list of some of the various shots that you will hear people talk about as a match progresses. Players use combinations of these shots and adapt their strategies based on the situation and their opponent's playing style.

1. Forehand: A shot hit on the dominant side of a player's body (right-handed players hit with their right hand) using a swinging motion from low to high. It's one of the fundamental groundstrokes in tennis.

2. Backhand: A shot hit on the non-dominant side of a player's body (right-handed players hit with their left hand) using either a one-handed or two-handed grip. The backhand can be hit with topspin, slice, or flat.

3. Volley: A shot hit in the air before the ball bounces, typically at or near the net. Volleying requires good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes.

4. Overhead Smash: Also known as a "smash," it's a powerful shot that is hit overhead when the ball is high in the air, often as a response to a lob from the opponent.

5. Serve: The shot that starts each point. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box on the other side of the net.

6. Drop Shot: A shot that is hit softly, usually with backspin, to make the ball barely clear the net and land close to the net on the opponent's side. It's used to surprise opponents who are positioned deep on the court.

7. Lob: A shot hit high in the air over the opponent's head, intended to land deep in the court. Lobs are used defensively or strategically to change the pace of the game.

8. Topspin: A type of spin applied to the ball that causes it to rotate forward as it travels through the air. Topspin shots drop quickly after crossing the net and bounce higher on the opponent's side.

9. Slice: A shot hit with underspin, causing the ball to have a backward rotation. Slice shots stay low after crossing the net and skid through the court.

10. Flat Shot: A shot hit without significant topspin or slice. Flat shots tend to travel through the air in a straight line and bounce relatively lower than shots with spin.

11. Inside-Out Shot: A shot hit diagonally across the court from the inside of the baseline to the opposite corner. It's often used to open up the court and change the direction of play.

12. Inside-In Shot: Similar to the inside-out shot, this shot is hit diagonally from the inside of the baseline to the opposite corner, but the ball is hit back to the same side from which it came.

13. Approach Shot: A shot hit with the intention of moving forward to the net, typically following a deep shot to set up an easier volley or overhead.

14. Half Volley: Also known as a "chip shot," this shot is played by hitting the ball immediately after it bounces off the court surface. It's a difficult shot requiring good timing and control.

15. Swinging Volley: A volley executed with a full swing of the racket, usually hit deeper in the court than a regular volley.

16. Passing Shot: A shot hit by a player trying to get the ball past an opponent who is at the net.

17. Sidespin: A type of spin that causes the ball to curve to the left or right as it travels through the air. It's often used to create angles and deceive opponents.

18. Kick Serve: A serve with heavy topspin that causes the ball to bounce high and kick sideways after hitting the court.

19. Reverse Slice: A shot with slice spin but hit from the opposite side, resulting in a curving path that surprises opponents.

20. Offensive Lob: A lob that is hit with topspin and depth to challenge the opponent's positioning at the net.