TennisTip Glossary of common tennis terms

Angular Momentum:

All shots are hit with rotating inertia from a center axis. The center axis for tennis players is the middle of their dominant playing hand or palm.

Back Foot:

The foot used to leverage power off the tennis court.

Bounce apex:

Height of the ball after it bounces.

Core:

Your trunk, abdominals, butt and hips. (a.k.a. the powerhouse)

Load:

Starting point of the weight transfer in the tennis swing utilizing one's footwork.

Plyometrics:

Fast-twitch muscles skills in the feet and legs used to develop quick explosive reactions on the tennis court.

Pronation:

The inward rotation of the arm from the shoulder socket that helps create topspin on forehand ground strokes.

Racquet Face:

Defines the direction that the racquet face is held at impact including Open, Square, Closed and various degrees in between.

Stance:

There are three stances players can choose from when executing their strokes: Open, Semi-Open and Square stances.

The "T" area:

The intersection on the court between the service line and the center line. Forms the letter "T".

Wheel House:

The bounce height a player loves to strike the ball above the ground. Good players find the ball at this height when they play to get the most out of their shots.