Lifetime Activities:

Module 1: Tennis

Module 1: Tennis
The US Tennis Association is doing everything they can to help grow and promote the game of
tennis to younger players. USTA has teamed up with us this semester to give us equipment and
resources to better teach you all the game of tennis. How many times do you ride past your local
tennis courts and see a group of older people playing a match? Probably more times than you can
remember and this is because it is one of the most popular lifetime sports that is played. If you
are playing for recreational purposes, it does not require too much running, but if you are playing
competitively then it is a perfect cardio workout for you. By the end of this module we hope that
you will enjoy the skills you learn and can translate them into playing a match of tennis.

Goals and Outcomes

Goals
During this module, students will:
• Students will be able to perform a forehand in tennis while stationary
• Students will be able to perform a backhand in tennis while stationary
• Students will be able to hit a tennis ball while moving

Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Students will be able to hit a tennis ball using the forehand swing while moving
• Students will be able to hit a tennis ball using the backswing while moving
• Students will be able to play a game of tennis 1v1

Topic 1.1: Forehand Strike (Stationary)

This is a stroke that is played when the ball comes to the dominant side. The ball is played off
the bounce.
• Have the students hold the racquet out in front and shake hands with it
• Setup sideways to the target
• Path of the racquet should move low to high
Lifetime Activities:
Module 1: Tennis

• Make contact with the ball in line with the front foot
• Keep the racquet strings pointed where you want the ball to go (left, right, high, low)

Topic 1.2: Backswing

This is a stroke that is played when the ball comes to the non-dominant side. The ball is
played off the bounce. It is suggested for beginners to use two hands to gain additional
support.
• For the two handed backhand stroke, the non-dominant hand is placed just above the
dominant hand in the “shake hands” position
• Turn sideways to target with dominant side facing target
• Contact the ball even with the front hip for the two handed backhand
• Move the racquet low to high with the strings pointed towards the target area
• For the one-handed backhand, the index knuckle of the dominant hand is on top of the
handle and contact with the ball is a foot beyond the front foot

Topic 1.3: Striking a Tennis Ball While Moving

• Move your feet and have dominant shoulder facing the net
• Choke up on the racquet if needed for more control
• Bump the ball softly
• Use a controlled stroke, not wild swings.
• Hit the ball “eye high” for bump ups and “waist high” for tap downs

Selective Readings

Required
List 1
Learning the Backswing in Tennis

https://www.active.com/tennis/articles/backswing-keys-to-racket-preparation-878823
Lifetime Activities:
Module 1: Tennis

List 2
Articles for Beginner Tennis Players

https://tenniscompanion.org/12-essential-tennis-drills-for-beginners-and-kids/

List 3
Forehands and Backhands in Tennis

https://tenniscompanion.org/12-essential-tennis-drills-for-beginners-and-kids/#side-to-side-
forehands-and-backhands

Recommended
List 1
How to Perform a Forehand in Tennis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlA9smqZc0c

List 2
Hitting a Tennis Ball on the Move

https://livehealthy.chron.com/use-ones-feet-move-position-hit-tennis-ball-1407.html

List 3
Moving to the Ball

http://www.tennisserver.com/turbo/turbo_10_12.shtml