Can you hit the ball before it bounces?

Yes, except on the return of serve, which must bounce first. Hitting the ball out of the air is called a volley.

What happens if the ball hits you?

If the ball touches you or your clothing before it bounces, you lose the point, even if you are standing outside the court.

Tennis Rules Explained for Beginners

3 video lessons

Serving, lines, scoring and the rules you need to play.

Quick answer & tips ▾

In tennis you win a point when your opponent fails to return the ball into your court before it bounces twice. The serve must land in the diagonal service box, and you get two tries. A ball that lands on any part of the line is in.

Points build into games (15, 30, 40, game), games into sets (first to six, by two) and sets into a match. In singles the narrow inner sidelines count; in doubles the wider alleys are in play after the serve. Players change ends after the first game and every two games after that.

Key tips

A ball touching the line is in.
The ball may bounce only once on your side.
A serve that clips the net and lands in is a let, replayed.
Call the score out loud before you serve.

FAQ

Can you hit the ball before it bounces?: Yes, except on the return of serve, which must bounce first. Hitting the ball out of the air is called a volley.
What happens if the ball hits you?: If the ball touches you or your clothing before it bounces, you lose the point, even if you are standing outside the court.