Serves to Match Point

• Definitions
• Rules
• Scheduling/Rosters
• Coaches Gifts
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• Parents

Backcourt: The back half of the court between the service and baseline. This zone is a taboo zone also known as "no man's land."

Backhand: A ground stroke hit on the left of the body by right-handed players, and on the right of the body by left-handers.

Baseline: The line at the end of the court.

Cross Shot: A stroke played diagonally across the court, either long or short. Long cross shots are usually played from baseline to baseline, while short cross shots generally bounce near the opponent's service court line, often being played with topspin.

Defensive Player: A type of player who generally stays at the baseline and tries to keep the ball in play without taking risks. Players like this leave the attacking to their opponents, winning most of their points from opponent errors.

Drop Shot: A slice shot that stops very quickly and hardly bounces.

Forecourt: The front part of the tennis court, the ideal position for controlling a point, is between the net and the service line.

Forehand: A ground stroke played by left-handers to the left of the body, and by right-handers to the right.

Net: The net runs between the two halves of the court. Made of hemp, nylon or synthetic mesh, it hangs on a taut cord with a diameter not exceeding 0.034" which is suspended between two net posts. Height of net: 3 ft.

Line Judge: Line judges have the task of deciding whether a ball has landed in the court or outside. Their decisions can only be overruled by the umpire.

Offensive Player: Offensive players use aggressive tactics in an attempt to force errors from their opponents. They take risks in order to win points quickly. Offensive players often have a good serve and can volley well, in which case they usually employ "serve and volley" tactics - serving powerfully and trying to volley the return of serve for a winner.

Server: The player who is currently serving.

Umpire: The umpire decides which player has won a point and also keeps the score. In major tournaments the umpire is assisted by a number of judges (e.g. line judges).

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Ace: A serve the receiver fails to return or even touch. The server wins the point immediately.

Advantage: The game point following deuce. If a player wins the "advantage" point, he or she wins the game.

Big Point: A crucial point deciding which player wins a set or an important game. For example, when the scores are level and the server is 30-40 down.

Break (of service): Where the serving player loses the game.

Deuce: The score in a game where both players have forty points.

Double Fault: A situation where the server has failed to serve correctly on both attempts, i.e. the first and second serve. The server loses the point.

Game Point: The point needed to win a game.

Love: Zero in tennis language, e.g. love-thirty = 0-30.

Match Point: The score where a player only needs one more point to win the match.

Serve and Volley: A tactic where players serve and then rush to the net with the aim of playing a winning volley off the opponent's return.

Set Point: The point needed to win a set.

Tie-break: Rule for deciding sets where the score has reached 6-6. During tie-breaks players are awarded points numerically. The first player with 7 points wins the set, provided he or she has a lead of 2 points, e.g. 7-5. If not, play continues until this two-point advantage lead has been established, e.g. 10-8. The score for the set is then recorded as 7-6, i.e. seven games to six.

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While the coach normally will hand these out at the first practice, it's a good idea to bring extra copies to each game. Schedules invariably get lost or misplaced. It's a good idea to combine the drink and refreshment list with the schedule.

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Remember that in most leagues the coaches are volunteers. They make a commitment to the sport and players between the work, family and other responsibilities. While you may be tempted to buy a gift certificate to the local sporting goods store, the coach might enjoy a diversion from tennis and sports, particularly if the season did not live up to expectations. Passes to the movie theater or a gift certificate to a local restaurant are worth considering.

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In many cases, parents are asked to provide a team snack/drink following at least one game during the season. Before purchasing the food and drink consider the nutritional value. Frosted cookies, chocolate milk and sugar-ladened sweets don't offer much in the way of replenishment for dehydrated and thirsty athletes.

Cut up oranges or other fresh fruit are ideal along with 100 percent fruit juice or cold water.

Don't, don't, don't offer Munchkins or any snack to the players during the game or between periods.

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Unfortunately, some parents do not share enjoyment of tennis that their children do. Their competitiveness and will to win can become too strong and even detrimental. Screaming at and questioning the commitment of a four- or five-year-old athlete is not productive. These parents need to be reminded gently that it is "only a game." The score, particularly where very young athletes are concerned, is not important.

As the players become more familiar and comfortable with the game, so do the parents. Before long, a parent is yelling out at the players on the field, competing with the coach's direction and requests. Again, they should be reminded to let the coach do the coaching and to offer words of encouragement to the players.

On a more positive note, many proud parents take pictures during the games. Encourage these photographers to periodically take pictures of the other kids and offer copies to the other parents.

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