I want to teach myself tennis. Any pointers?

Question

I pretty much know nothing about the game and I got totally confused when I read all those official rules and stuff. Can any of you give me a heads-up?

Thank you Yahoo! for putting my question on featured. And thank you everyone for your terrific answers!

I'm not going to play with myself the whole time! Anyway I just want to play the game & have fun, I don't think I'll get a professional trainer or anything and I'm not going to college yet -- so -- thanks!

Answer 1

Start by watching the U.S. Open which is on TV right now or any other tournament, that will help you with the scoring and such.

As for learning it on your own, it's probably best to take a few lessons first so that you'll know how to hold the racquet properly. Thereafter, just hit the ball against a wall to get some practice.

I hope this will help. Good luck with the game.

Answer 2

Its not that tough to figure out the rules, its mastering the game itself that's actually tough. I play tennis about 5 times a week and watch a lot on tv, so if you have other questions you could ask me.

If your just learning you shouldn't worry so much about playing sets and how all the rules work and should instead focus first on your technique (how to hit the ball) and then on proper movement.

Since you are just getting started you should have someone feed you balls from a net. Focus on watching the racket swing up and through the ball on contact. Your weight should be moving into the ball and the contact spot should be between your feet, about waist height.

A lot of new players make the mistake of hitting the ball by trying to "muscle it." The best way to hit the ball is with fast, smooth strokes. Look at how effortless Roger Federer is when he strikes the ball. He hits it harder than anyone and he's not that strong. He gets the pace and control with good racket acceleration and perfect timming.

Another thing I can think of is that you need to try and hold the follow through, to make sure you don't pull off the ball. After you hit the ball "freeze" for a second to ensure your weight is forward and your racket is up.

Answer 3

I was self taught in tennis. The cheapest way to do that is to find a park that has a tennis court with a practice board... usually a large board on the fence with a white line at net level. I basicly just started playing against that. Then I got to the point where I could move all around the court and still hit the ball just barely above that line.

By the time I took the class in college, I found that I was far above most other players in that class. I could actually get the ball over the net. Which can save you from the "why am I paying 79 bucks a credit hour" thoughts you will have if you suck at it.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

If you live where there are city courts, and better yet city tournaments, just go to the courts and practice on the backboards. Someone will come along and help you get started.

At any city library you can find or order books on tennis technique, usually with plenty of pics. You can find plenty on Yahoo Search by entering
tennis/technique/photos

Also consider that some tennis clubs will pay a pro to cover a clubs practice session. That way you get professional help and share the cost with other club members.

One of the most fun things I ever did was volley against a wall of smooth bricks inset about 1/4 inch. The change in angle of return did wonders for my reaction time. It was sometimes harder than playing with a live partner. You can't second guess a brick wall at all distances.

Answer 5

Firstly you could find a flat wall, mark a horizontal line 3 feet high to represent the height of a tennis net. Then from a distance of 15 feet play the ball above the line. Play gently until you can return the ball easily. Remember the foehand is a chopping grip and the backhand is a frying pan grip. Lead with the left leg for a forehand and lead with the right leg for a back hand very important. You will need to get someone who knows to teach you how to serve. Good Luck

Answer 6

pick up a second hand racket, a few balls, and try playing by yourself, to do this, as other players of the game do it to practice, all you need is a good solid wall to bounce the balls back at you.

you can play lightly, to get the hang of it, eventually you can get more aggressive and play harder - you'll also be getting an excellent cardio workout in the process (its better than running in circles on a track or park jogging path, coz you're working your mind, co-ordination and your muscles at the same time. Eventually you could join a tennis club if you want to, or just practice till a cute guy comes by and asks if you'd like to play a few rounds,.....

Just play the game of tennis, you don't need to know all the rules and finer details. Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Eventually you can even dress the part if you want to, you know cute little skirt and top, cute ruffle panties, cute tennis sneakers, little sweat bands for your head and wrists.

Anyway in time you'll get an appreciation of the details, just have some fun, thats what counts!!!

Answer 7

Alright then, I've taken a college tennis class last semester and am taking it again this semester; all I can tell you, screw the rules, just make sure the ball doesn't touch the net and lands inside the court (by which I mean the painted area on the ground, not the entire court itself). Also, just learn backhand, forehand, and volley (the volley isn't really necessary, to be honest, if you can run fast). The one key thing you must know, you'll be running and changing direction a lot, make sure you do a lot of cardio to condition yourself for this sport. When I started, I didn't know much either but I ran a lot and did a lot of cardio, so it was easy for me, I think you should do the same.

Answer 8

If you are just gonna learn for fun, get a friend that has some knowledge of the game, and then:

1. Watch the US Open so you get an idea of the general rules at least the most common
2. Let your friend show you the different ways to hold a racket depending how you want to hit the ball and not making a home run.
3. Play, play, play and you'll get better

Enjoy it !!! Tennis is a very complete exercise for your body.

Answer 9

Have you got yourself a tennis racket, yet? There's the first thing to do to be commit to anything new. I'm sure your community should have some kind of video that you can watch. Or maybe a movie rental store may even have that type of self taught video. One other thing I used to do (I never was good at it anyway), if you live closed to an elementary school is to pratice it on the wall of the school. I mean you have to stay a little further away from the wall. It's like plaing by yourself and that's how most kids learned it. If you're in a Senior high school, they do have that in your P.E. classes. Good enough, yes?

Answer 10

i think its great you want to learn something new especially something that's going to give you some physical activity. With a sport like tennis form seems like it would be kind of important. If I were you I would take a little time to learn how to hit the ball properly only because i don't want you to get hurt. Don't forget to stretch!!! Then once you understand the rules you should be able to play in no time. If you google learn to play tennis quite a bit comes up. Most sites are to order books on learning to play tennis. I would check out your local library instead of buying new. Goodluck