Groundstrokes
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit after the ball bounces: forehand and backhand.
Say it on court
“Groundstrokes are your rally shots.”
TennisTeam · Player Development
Tennis Development Glossary
Plain-English definitions and on-court coaching cues for players, parents, and coaches across all development stages.
Technique
20 termsStrokes, grips and the parts of a good swing.
Volleys
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Shots hit before the ball bounces: forehand volley, backhand volley, serve and smash.
Say it on court
“No bounce. Catch it out of the air.”
Forehand
PlayersParents
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The groundstroke hit on the dominant-hand side of the body.
Say it on court
“Forehand side is your racquet-hand side.”
Two-handed backhand
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The backhand hit with both hands on the grip. Most orange-stage players use it because it gives more control and strength.
Say it on court
“Two hands give you more control right now.”
Serve
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The shot that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline after a toss. In orange, players build a simple, repeatable toss and swing.
Say it on court
“Same toss, every time.”
Volley technique
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
A short, firm punch at the ball before it bounces, with little backswing and the racquet in front.
Say it on court
“Short and firm. No big swing at the net.”
Grip
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
How the hand holds the racquet handle. The grip decides the racquet face angle at contact. The main grips are continental, eastern, semi-western and western.
Say it on court
“Check your grip before every point.”
Continental grip
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Often called the hammer grip. Used for serve, volley, smash and slice.
Say it on court
“Hold it like a hammer.”
Eastern grip
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
A classic forehand grip, like shaking hands with the racquet. A natural first forehand grip for many children.
Say it on court
“Shake hands with the racquet.”
Arm–racquet setup
Coaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
A core technical foundation with four parts: starting position, preparation, acceleration, and coordination between the hitting arm and the free arm.
Say it on court
“Get the setup right and the swing takes care of itself.”
Preparation (backswing)
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Taking the racquet back to get ready to hit. It can be circular (a loop) or straight back (linear). Early preparation gives more time.
Say it on court
“Racquet back as soon as you see which side.”
Acceleration (swing)
Coaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The part of the swing where the racquet speeds up toward the ball.
Say it on court
“Speed up through the ball, not before it.”
Contact point
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Where the racquet meets the ball. For most shots it should be in front of the body and at a comfortable distance to the side.
Say it on court
“Hit it out in front.”
Follow-through
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The part of the swing after contact. A full, relaxed finish shows the swing wasn't cut short.
Say it on court
“Finish over the shoulder.”
Free-arm action
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
What the non-hitting arm does. It helps turn the body, track the ball, and balance the swing.
Say it on court
“Point at the ball with your free hand.”
Spacing
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
The side distance between the body and the ball at contact. Too close cramps the swing, too far stretches it.
Say it on court
“Give yourself room. Not too close.”
Head position
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Keeping the head still and eyes on the contact point through the hit.
Say it on court
“Keep your head still until after contact.”
Timing
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Starting and finishing each part of the movement at the right moment relative to the ball.
Say it on court
“You were late. Start your preparation earlier.”
Rotation
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
Turning the shoulders and hips to prepare and then uncoiling them to hit. The main power source in the orange stage.
Say it on court
“Turn, then unwind.”
Underarm serve
CoachesPlayers
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)
A simple drop-and-hit serve used by beginners so every point can start. It is replaced by the overhead serve as coordination develops.
Say it on court
“Drop it, hit it, start the point.”