Double Tennis

Rules for Doubles Tennis

Serving

The player who plays the ball first is the server and the person who returns it is the receiver.

The server's partner and the receiver's partner may stand anywhere they like on the court during the serve.  Usually each player takes one side of the court. 

The server starts each game serving behind the baseline of the right hand court.  The server must stand between the center mark and an imaginary continuation of the doubles sideline.  The server must change sides after each point.  So he will serve from behind the baseline of the left hand court for the second point and from behind the baseline of the right hand court for the third point, etc.

The server has two attempts to get the ball into the correct service box. If he fails on both attempts, it’s a double fault and the receiver’s team is awarded the point. There are also a few other ways a fault is committed:

·        If the ball lands anywhere outside of the appropriate service box — in the net, out of bounds, etc.  If any part of the ball touches the line, the ball is in.

·        If the server swings and misses the ball.

·        By the server moving his feet illegally.  This movement is called a foot fault.

Foot faults can occur in a variety of different ways:

·        Illegal movement: Once the server begins the serving motion, he cannot change his positioning. Walking or running, for example, would result in a fault.

·        Touching the baseline: The server’s feet cannot touch or cross the baseline while serving. Once the server makes contact with the ball, he can then cross the line.

·        Crossing the sideline: Imagine that the doubles sideline is extended to the back fence — it would be illegal for the server to cross that line. This violation is somewhat rare, though, since most players line up near the center of the baseline.

·        Crossing the center hash mark: The server’s feet cannot cross over or touch the center hash mark. Just like the sideline, the center hash mark has an imaginary extension to the back fence that’s illegal to cross or touch.

Let

A ball which clips the net and bounces inside the service box is known as a 'let'. If this happens the player is allowed to serve again.  However if the ball hits the net and lands outside the service box, it is a fault.  If the server throws the ball in the air but does not attempt a shot it is a 'let'.  If the server throws the ball in the air, attempts a shot but misses, it is a fault. 

Tossing the Ball

The server must toss ball into the air using their arm, not their racket.  Then the server must hit the ball before it hits the ground.  Players may not run or walk while delivering the serve, but they may move their feet.

Scoring

Tennis has an unusual scoring system.  The first point in a game is called 15, the next 30, then 40, then game.  And the score of a player who has not won any points is “love”.

The server should always say his score first. So if Team 1 is serving to Team 2 and Team 2 gets the point, the score is love-15.  If Team 1 wins the next point the score is 15-all, and so on.

The first team to win four points wins a game.  So if a team wins four points straight their scoring will go 15-love, 30-love, 40-love, and then game winner.

The exception is if both teams win three points each (i.e. 40-40) which is called deuce.  Once at deuce, one team must win two consecutive points to take the game.  For example:

·        If deuce is the score, Team 1 is serving, and Team 1 wins the point, then the score is “Advantage In” or “Ad In.”  If Team 1 wins the next point, that’s the game.  If Team 1 loses the next point, the score goes back to deuce. 

·        If deuce is the score, Team 1 is serving, and Team 2 wins the point, then the score is “Advantage Out” or “Ad Out.”  If Team 2 wins the next point, they win.  If Team 2 loses the next point, the score goes back to deuce.

Here are the conditions under which a point will be lost:

·        The server commits a double fault.

·        A player is unable to return the ball before it bounces twice.

·        A player hits the ball outside the court.

·        A player returns a serve before it hits the ground or crosses the net.

·        A player hits the ball twice or carries the ball with his racket.

·        The ball hits a player’s body.

·        A player touches the net with his body.

Rotating

Let’s say that Player A and Player B are on Team 1 and Player C and Player D are on Team 2.  Player A from Team 1 will serve for the entire first game.  After the first game is over, the teams change sides.  Then Player C from Team 2 will serve.  After the second game, Player B from Team 1 will serve.  After the third game, the teams change sides.  Then Player D from Team 2 will serve.  Continue to have the players take turns serving: Player A, then Player B, then Player C, then Player D.  The teams will change sides after the odd numbered games, so after the first, third, fifth, etc. games until the end of the set.

A couple other things to know:

Unless it’s being served, the ball doesn’t have to bounce before the players can hit it. 

The ball can hit the net and still be in play, except on the serve. 

If the ball lands on the line, it is in.

Game, Set, Match

A match can either be Best of Three Sets (First player to win 2 sets, wins the match) or Best of Five Sets (First player to win 3 sets, wins the match).  A player wins a set, when he wins 6 games, provided he is ahead of his opponent by two games. If the difference between the players is less than 2 games, the set may continue till either wins the set by a margin of two (known as the Advantage set scoring method).

Alternatively, if both players are tied with 6 games to their name, whoever wins the tie-breaker game, will win the set (this is known as the Tie-Breaker Method). The latter strategy is mostly adopted in ATP tournaments.

Tennis Terms to Know

ace: A serve that the returner doesn't even touch with her racquet. An ace wins the point immediately for the server.
backhand: The side of your body that you usually don't do business on. For example, if you're right-handed, your backhand side is the left side of your body.
baseline: The line, parallel to the net, which defines the outer-most edge of the court.
center line: The line in the direct center of the baseline. You must stand to either side of the baseline when you serve.
drop shot: A very soft shot hit just barely over the net. You hit drop shots to get your opponent up to the net.
foot fault: You commit a foot fault when your foot touches the baseline or center line during your serve.
forehand: The side of your body that you perform most tasks on. For example, if you're right-handed, the right side of your body is your forehand side.
grip: The way you hold your racquet. You can choose from three standard grips in tennis: the eastern, continental, and western grips.
groundstrokes: Your basic forehand and backhand strokes.
lob: A shot that you hit with any stroke high and deep into your opponent's court. You typically use a lob to get the ball past an opponent when she stands at the net.
overhead: A shot you hit over your head during play, either on the fly, or after the ball bounces. The overhead is also known as a smash.
passing shot: A forehand or backhand you hit past an opponent when she stands at the net.
serve: A stroke, made from over your head, which you use to start each point.
sideline: The lines on the court, perpendicular to the net, which define the widest margins of the court.
spin: Hitting the ball in such a way that when it bounces, it does some funny things that your opponent doesn't expect.
volley: A shot that you hit before the ball bounces, usually at the net.