How to Get a Fault in Tennis

A fault in tennis results when you perform an illegal action when serving the ball. Faults in tennis are typical and can be called against you in various ways. Even professional tennis players commit faults when serving; it's a very common part of the game because serving requires precision. Placement of the serve, making contact with the ball and foot positioning are all factors that judges must observe when determining if a fault has taken place. Committing one fault on a service point serves as warning. If you then commit an additional fault, you will lose that service point to your opponent.

Instructions

    • 1

      Serving the ball outside of the service court will result in a fault. The ball must land on its first bounce within the proper service court. The correct service court is the diagonal quadrant opposite from the where the serve is taking place.

    • 2

      Swing at the serve and miss it completely. This will also result in a fault's being called.

    • 3

      Serve from beyond the baseline. A proper serve is made when the server is standing right at the baseline and in the proper service court.

    • 4

      Serve from the incorrect side of the center mark. Service courts alternate on each point, and the server must change from one side of the center mark to the other to avoid a fault.

    • 5

      Step onto the court before the racket makes contact with the ball on your serve. This is specifically called a foot fault.