How to Play Tennis: Basic Rules, First Strokes and a Four-Week Practice Plan

To play tennis, two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles) hit a ball back and forth over a net with rackets, trying to land it inside the opponent's half of the court so they cannot return it. The ball may bounce no more than once before being hit back. A point starts with a serve, ends when someone misses or hits out, and points build into games, sets and a match. That is the whole game; everything else is detail and practice.

Know the court

A tennis court is a rectangle split by a net. A few lines matter from day one.

• Baseline: the back line at each end. Rallies usually start from just behind it.
• Service boxes: the two boxes nearest the net on each side. Serves must land in the box diagonally opposite.
• Singles sidelines: the inner long lines, used when one player stands on each side.
• Doubles alleys: the extra strips outside the singles sidelines, in play once the rally starts in doubles.
• Center mark: a short dash on the baseline. The server stands on one side of it and must not step over it before contact.

The rules that matter in a first match

1. Serve diagonally. Stand behind the baseline and serve into the opposite service box. You get two attempts; missing both is a double fault and loses the point.
2. Lets are replayed. A serve that touches the net and still lands in the right box is a let, and the server tries again.
3. The return must bounce. The receiver has to let the serve bounce once before hitting it.
4. After that, one bounce at most. During a rally you can hit the ball after one bounce or before it bounces (a volley).
5. Lines are in. A ball touching any part of the line counts as good.
6. Do not touch the net. If you, your clothing or your racket touch the net while the ball is in play, you lose the point.
7. Alternate serving games. One player serves a whole game, then the other serves the next.

The counting system (15, 30, 40, deuce) trips up most beginners. It has its own explainer: how tennis scoring works.

Gear for the first few weeks

• A forgiving racket. A mid-weight frame with a generous head size suits most adult starters. The details are in the guide to choosing a tennis racket.
• The right balls. Low-compression training balls, often marked with orange or green dots, bounce lower and slower, which gives beginners more time.
• Court shoes. Running shoes are built for forward motion; tennis shoes support quick sideways steps and usually have non-marking soles.
• Water and a cap. Outdoor courts can be hot and exposed.

Learn the strokes in this order

1. Ready position and footwork

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees softly bent, racket held in front. As the opponent hits, make a small hop called a split step so you land balanced and ready to move either way. Good footwork makes every stroke easier.

2. Forehand

The stroke on your racket-hand side. Turn your shoulders sideways, swing from low to high, and finish with the racket over the opposite shoulder. Most players learn it with an eastern or semi-western grip; the differences are covered in how to grip a tennis racket.

3. Backhand

The stroke on the other side, played with one hand or two. Two hands feel more stable for most beginners, while one hand gives more reach.

4. Serve

Start with a simple version: toss the ball slightly in front of you, bring the racket up behind your head and swing up to meet it. Consistency matters far more than speed at first.

5. Volley

A short punch, not a swing, played near the net before the ball bounces. Keep the racket head up and in front of you.

A four-week practice plan

Two sessions a week of about an hour is enough to see real progress. Warm up gently each time, and stop if something hurts; persistent pain is worth raising with a medical professional.

Week	Focus	Session idea
1	Contact and control	Rally from the service line with a partner, aiming for ten shots in a row
2	Forehand and backhand from the baseline	Cross-court rallies, counting how many land past the service line
3	Serve and return	Twenty serves to each box, then practise returning the partner's serves
4	Playing points	Short games to four points, keeping score aloud

A lesson or group clinic in the first month can save a lot of trial and error, particularly on the serve.

Etiquette that keeps everyone happy

• Call the lines on your own side, and give the opponent the benefit of the doubt on close balls.
• Wait until a point ends before walking behind another court or retrieving a stray ball.
• Return balls to the server between points, ideally with a gentle bounce.
• Keep track of the score aloud so nobody has to guess.

Mistakes that slow beginners down

• Swinging as hard as possible instead of building a steady rally.
• Standing flat-footed and reaching for the ball rather than moving to it.
• Gripping the racket tightly, which tires the forearm and stiffens the stroke.
• Choosing equipment for looks; the list of racket mistakes beginners make covers the usual traps.

Short answers

Can you play tennis alone?

Yes, for practice. A wall or a ball machine is a good way to groove strokes, though matches need at least one other player.

Is doubles easier than singles for a beginner?

Doubles covers less ground per player, so it is gentler on fitness, but positioning takes some getting used to. Many people enjoy starting with both.