Guides · Tennis
Tennis strokes explained: the basic shots and when to use them
Tennis has five basic strokes: the forehand, the backhand, the serve, the volley and the overhead (also called the smash). Everything else, from the slice to the drop shot, is a variation on one of them. This page says what each stroke is, when you reach for it, and gives you one cue to practice. Each one has its own full guide.
Short answer: the basic tennis strokes are the forehand and backhand (groundstrokes, hit after the bounce), the volley (hit before the bounce), and the serve and overhead (hit above your head). The slice, lob, drop shot, return and half-volley are variations. The table below has them at a glance.
The basic strokes at a glance
| Stroke | What it is | When you use it | Practice cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forehand | A groundstroke hit on your dominant side, palm facing forward | Most rally balls; the shot most players attack with | Free hand points at the ball |
| Backhand | A groundstroke hit on your non-dominant side, with one hand or two | Balls on the other side of your body; the side opponents pick on | Chin on the front shoulder |
| Serve | The overhead stroke that starts every point | Once per point, from behind the baseline | Legs first, then arm |
| Volley | A short stroke hit before the ball bounces | At the net, to finish a point or take time away | Racket head above the wrist |
| Overhead (smash) | A stroke hit above your head, with a serve-like motion | Against a high lob you can reach | Point at the ball first |
| Slice | A backspin variation of the forehand or backhand | Defense, low approach shots, changing pace | Finish pointing at the target |
How the strokes are grouped
Tennis players sort shots by when you hit the ball. Groundstrokes are hit after the ball bounces: the forehand and backhand. Volleys are hit out of the air, before the bounce. The serve and the overhead are hit above your head. Names like "slice", "lob" and "drop shot" describe how or where a ball is hit, so they sit on top of those groups. A forehand can be a groundstroke or a volley, which is why you hear both "forehand" and "forehand volley".
Every stroke below shares the same six swing fundamentals (balance, turn, contact, a relaxed arm, path and finish). They are covered once, in the swing fundamentals guide, so this page doesn't repeat them.
Forehand
The forehand is a groundstroke hit on your dominant side of the body, with the palm of your racket hand facing forward toward the target at contact. Right-handed players hit it on the right, left-handed players on the left.
When you use it: for most of the balls in a rally. It is the shot most club players build their game around, and the one they use to take control of a point.
Cue: the non-hitting hand points at the ball during the turn and catches the racket at the finish. If it stays at your side, you're arming the ball.
Full guide: how to hit a tennis forehand.
Backhand: one-handed and two-handed
The backhand is a groundstroke hit on the side of your body away from your racket hand, with the back of the hitting hand facing the target on a one-handed backhand. It is the other groundstroke, and the side opponents tend to pick on.
When you use it: for any ball that arrives on your non-dominant side. You can hit it two ways, and both are correct.
One-handed backhand
One hand on the racket. It gives you more reach and a freer swing, and it asks for more shoulder turn and a contact point further in front of you.
Cue: chin on the front shoulder at the start of the swing. If you can see your back shoulder, you haven't turned.
Two-handed backhand
Both hands on the racket. It gives you more stability, which is why most beginners and many pros choose it. Your top hand does most of the work and hits a forehand.
Cue: the top hand hits a forehand. If you could let go with the bottom hand at contact and still make the shot, the balance is right.
Full guide: how to hit a backhand, one-handed and two-handed.
Slice
A slice is a stroke hit with a high-to-low swing path that puts backspin on the ball, so it stays low and slows down after the bounce. It is a variation, not a third side: you can slice a forehand or a backhand, and most players use it more often on the backhand.
When you use it: to buy time when you are stretched, to keep an approach shot low, and to break the rhythm of an opponent who likes pace.
Cue: finish with the racket pointing at the target, not the ground. A slice that chops down floats up and sits there.
Full guide: how to hit a slice, backhand and forehand.
Serve
The serve is the stroke that starts every point: you toss the ball up and hit it overhead into the diagonal service box. It is the only stroke in tennis that your opponent has no say in.
When you use it: once at the start of each point, with a second chance if the first one misses. The rules of where you stand and where it must land are in the beginner rules guide.
Cue: legs, then arm. If the racket starts forward before the knees straighten, the legs did nothing.
Full guide: how to serve in tennis, first serve and second serve.
Volley
A volley is a stroke hit before the ball bounces, usually near the net, with a short punch instead of a full swing. You can hit it on either side, so there is a forehand volley and a backhand volley.
When you use it: at the net, to finish a point you have already set up, or to take time away from someone who likes to rally. Good volleys are small: a turn, a step and a short forward punch.
Cue: racket head above the wrist. If it drops, the volley goes into the net.
Full guide: how to volley in tennis.
Overhead (smash)
An overhead, also called a smash, is a stroke hit above your head against a high ball, using a motion close to the serve. You can hit it before the ball bounces or, against a deep lob, after.
When you use it: when an opponent lobs and the ball is high enough to reach but not deep enough to be out of range. It is usually a chance to end the point. Most missed overheads are lost in the first second, when the player backpedals instead of turning sideways.
Cue: point at the ball before you hit it. No pointing hand means a late setup.
Full guide: how to hit an overhead smash.
Other shots: lob, drop shot, return, half-volley
These are not separate strokes. They are situations or variations built on the five above, so each gets one line here.
- Lob. A high, arcing ball hit over an opponent at the net, used to defend or to push them back. You can hit it off the forehand or the backhand.
- Drop shot. A soft shot with backspin that lands just over the net and stays low, used when your opponent is standing deep.
- Return of serve. The first shot the receiver hits, almost always a forehand or a backhand. The serve is fast, so the swing gets shorter and the goal is to get the ball back deep.
- Half-volley. A ball hit just after it bounces, as it is rising, with a short swing and a low contact. You use it when the ball lands at your feet and you can't step back or move in to volley.
Practicing strokes without a ball
The quickest way to learn what each stroke feels like is to swing it with no ball: a shadow swing. Take the ready position, turn, swing at match speed, finish, and reset. Do ten of one stroke, then ten of the next. The shadow swing drills guide has routines for every stroke. The only catch is that nothing tells you whether the swing was good, which is where a little feedback helps.
Questions
What are the basic strokes in tennis?
The basic tennis strokes are the forehand, the backhand, the serve, the volley and the overhead (smash). Forehands and backhands are groundstrokes hit after the bounce, volleys are hit before it, and the serve and overhead are hit above your head. The slice, lob and drop shot are variations of these.
What is a forehand in tennis?
A forehand is a groundstroke hit on your dominant side of the body, so the right side if you are right-handed. You hit it after the ball bounces, with the palm of your racket hand facing forward at contact. It is the shot most players use most, both for rallying and for attacking.
What is a backhand in tennis, and should I use one hand or two?
A backhand is a groundstroke hit on the side of your body away from your racket hand. A one-handed backhand gives more reach and a freer swing. A two-handed backhand gives more stability and is common among beginners. Both are correct, so choose the one that feels more natural to you.
What is an overhead in tennis?
An overhead is a shot hit above your head against a high ball, usually a lob, with a motion much like the serve. It is also called a smash. You use it at the net or in midcourt to finish the point, and you can hit it before the bounce or, against a deep lob, after it.
What is a slice in tennis?
A slice is a stroke hit with a high-to-low swing path that puts backspin on the ball, so it stays low and slows down. It is a variation of the forehand or backhand, not a separate stroke. You use it to buy time on defense, keep approach shots low and change the pace of a rally.
What is the difference between a groundstroke and a volley?
A groundstroke is hit after the ball has bounced, usually from the baseline. A volley is hit before the bounce, usually near the net, with a short punch instead of a full swing. Forehands and backhands can be either, which is why you hear both "forehand" and "forehand volley".
Is an overhead the same as a smash?
In everyday tennis, yes: both words mean a stroke hit above your head against a high ball, in a serve-like motion. "Overhead" is the general name. "Smash" usually means an overhead hit hard to finish the point, while an overhead can also be a controlled, placed shot that keeps the rally alive.
Can I practice tennis strokes without a ball?
Yes. Shadow swings let you rehearse the shape of each stroke at match speed with no ball: turn, swing, finish, then reset. Use a mirror or a phone camera to check your body. ShadowSwing adds a swing sound and a count on a phone held like a racket, but it measures the swing only, not the ball.