Tennis is a sport that requires a variety of strokes to be successful. The most common strokes used in tennis are the backhand, CHOP, SMASH, overhand, forehand, LOB, and SERVE. The backhand stroke is performed by swinging the racket across the body with the back of the hand facing the ball. The CHOP stroke is a defensive shot that is hit with an underhand motion. The SMASH is an offensive stroke that is hit with a downward motion. The overhand stroke is similar to the SMASH but is hit with an upward motion. The forehand stroke is performed by swinging the racket across the body with the palm of the hand facing the ball. The LOB is a defensive stroke that is hit with an upward motion. Finally, the SERVE is the stroke used to start each point and is hit with an overhand motion.