Image Galleries

These galleries cover the four basic shots in tennis. They are pictorial essays on each shot, showing the progression and steps for each. Streaming video of each action is available on the Video page.

Forehand

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A tennis player stands at the baseline holding the racket in front of him with both hands. The player holds the racket in his right hand, near the end of the grip, with the palm facing the ground, the strings facing up and down, and the head pointing towards the net. Holding the racket to the side, the underside of the grip is visible; the fingers are at a 45 degree angle with the end of the racket. The player holds the racket in the forehand grip, with the head aligned straight up and down, tilted forward toward the net, and the left hand lightly steadying it at the neck. The racket is now held in the right hand, pointing directly away from the net, still tilted up and aligned with the vertical. The player steps forward on the left foot, bringing the racket around to the side. The racket has swung through the rest of the arc, finishing over the left shoulder, with all weight on the left foot. The racket swings back with the right hand, with weight on the right foot. After the stroke, the racket is held high over the left shoulder, with weight on the right foot. The racket is held in front with the right hand, the left hand steadying, with a wide, alert stance. From the right side of the player, the twist of the shoulders, hips, and stance to accommodate the backstroke is visible. Now the left foot has stepped forward and across the body, with the racket still held behind. As the racket swings forward, the player keeps it oriented vertically. The left hand comes up again to steady the racket at the end of the stroke.

Backhand

A tennis player stands at the baseline holding the racket in front of him with both hands. The racket is held in the right hand, pointing left across the body, with the strings parallel to the net and the palm facing the ground. Here, the left hand grips the racket above the right hand, with the palm facing the net. The player holds the racket in the right hand, with the head aligned straight up and down, tilted forward toward the net, and the left hand lightly steadying it at the neck. The player puts weight on the left foot, swinging the racket across the body to the left, so it ends up behind the body, pointing upwards, with the left hand holding it at the neck. The right foot steps forward and across to the left, with the racket still behind the body, bringing the player toward the ball. The left hand releases the racket to swing forward, meeting the ball with the strings parallel to the net. At the end of the stroke, the racket is held outstretched at shoulder level, pointing directly upwards, in the right hand. The player holds the racket in both hands, with the head aligned straight up and down, tilted forward toward the net, with the left hand above the right. The player puts weight on the left foot, swinging the racket across the body to the left, so it ends up behind the body, pointing upwards and to the right, holding it with both hands. The right foot steps forward and across to the left, with the racket still behind the body, held in both hands. Both hands swing the racket around to hit the ball, straightening both elbows. The left hand stays on the racket all the way through the stroke, pulling the racket back over the right shoulder.

Serve

A tennis player stands at the baseline holding the racket in front of him with both hands. The right hand holds the racket near the end of the handle, with the palm facing the ground, the strings facing right and left, and the head pointing towards the net. Facing right, a tennis ball is held in the left hand, while the right hand holds the racket up behind the head, pointing towards the ground. Leaning on the left foot, the ball is tossed up into the air, with the racket staying behind the head. Finishing the step onto the left foot, the right hand swings the racket up and over to hit the ball forward as it falls. At the end of the stroke, the racket has wrapped around the left side of the body at hip-level. The racket is held in front, pointing towards the net, with the ball in the left hand near the racket neck. The left hand brings the ball down while the right hand swings the racket back. The left hand moves straight up and releases the ball at the top of the motion, and the right hand brings the racket up behind the head, ready to hit the ball. Stepping forward on the left foot, the right hand swings the racket up and over the head to meet the ball as it falls. The right hand brings the racket around the body, finishing the motion.

Volley

A tennis player stands holding the racket in front of him with both hands, ready to return the volley. The racket is held near the end of the handle with the right hand, palm facing down, strings facing right and left, and head pointing towards the net. The player stands on the court, holding the racket with the right hand, palm facing down, strings facing right and left, and head pointing towards the net. The player holds the racket in the right hand, with the head aligned straight up and down, tilted forward toward the net, and the left hand lightly steadying it at the neck. Leaning on the right foot, the racket swings around to the back, staying perpendicular to the arm, stopping less than halfway. Stepping across with the left foot, the racket swings forward, making contact with the ball before it passes. At the end of the stroke, the racket is held perpendicular to the arm, not quite in front of the body, with all weight on the left foot. Viewed from the left, the player holds the racket in the right hand, with the head aligned straight up and down, tilted forward toward the net, and the left hand lightly steadying it at the neck. Moving left on the left foot, the right hand swings the racket across to the left side of the body, with the left hand staying on the neck. The racket head points up and back, perpendicular to the right arm. The left hand lets go as the racket swings forward, still tilted up, and the player steps across with the right foot. The right arm ends pointing toward the net, with the racket pointing up and to the left, and the body facing left with all weight on the right foot.