Types of Strokes in Lawn Tennis

Lawn tennis is a game of tennis played on an outdoor grass court. The same types of strokes used in any standard game of tennis will be found in lawn tennis. The roots of tennis, the practice of two opposing players or teams hitting a ball over a net, dates to the 13th century. Tennis as most know it today wasn't widely practiced until the 19th century, and it is still a popular competitive sport.

  1. Forehand

    • Forehand stokes are made with a sweeping movement of the arm. In the forehand ground stroke, the player hits the ball after it has bounced on the tennis court once. The forehand ground stroke is the most commonly used stroke in tennis. Generally, the stroke is made near the baseline. The forehand volley is a stroke that's used on the ball before it bounces on the surface of the court. As such, the forehand volley is used when the play is standing close to the net.

    Backhand

    • Backhand strokes are performed with a backhanded sweeping motion. The backhand ground stroke is the second most common stroke used in tennis, usually performed after the ball has bounced once on the tennis court. Like the forehand ground stroke, the backhand ground stroke is usually hit near the baseline. In the backhand volley, the ball is hit before the ball has bounced on the surface of the tennis court.

    Overhead

    • The overhead stroke is a rarely used stroke. To execute the stroke, the player hits the ball by holding the racket over his head. The ball is struck when it is in a downward motion. Usually, this move is seen when the player is close to the net. The overhead stroke can be used in a forehand or backhand motion, but is most commonly used in the forehand motion.

    Serve

    • Similar to the overhead stroke, the serve is always hit by the player when standing behind the baseline. The serve is used to begin the tennis point. Players on each side of the court alternate turns. When serving, players toss the ball above their heads and then hit it forcefully with the racket in an overhand motion.