Tennis is played by swinging a racket to hit a small rubber ball over a net on a tennis court. Competition either involves a "singles match" or a "doubles match." Singles is one-on-one play and doubles is played with a partner. The "server" starts off the point, and players alternate serving during the match. Points are won by hitting a clean winner or by making the opponent hit an unforced error (a ball that lands in the net or outside the lines). In tennis, the first player to win six games wins the "set," and two out of three sets wins the "match."

Tennis involves hand-eye coordination, footwork, endurance for long matches, and quickness for sprinting around the court to hit the ball. A coach or tennis instructor can help a beginner learn the proper technique for swinging the racquet, since there are many different strokes in tennis.

ALASKA KID TIP: "In tennis the key is to get your racquet back early and always keep your eye on the ball." - Emma L.

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