Break Point
In tennis and similar sports, a point on which the receiver can win a game the opponent is serving.
Definition
A break point is a game point held by the returning side, a chance to "break serve" by winning a game that the opponent is serving. Because the server is normally expected to win their own service games, converting a break point is a significant swing that often decides sets.
Break points are counted, as in "two break points" at 15-40, or "double break point." If the receiver wins the point it is a "service break"; if the server wins it, they have "saved" the break point. A related idea, "break back," describes the previously broken player breaking serve in return. Break point applies to sports where one side serves a whole game, chiefly tennis and padel.
Scope: This entry covers the tennis and racquet-sport scoring sense, not unrelated uses of the word "break" in cue sports or motorsport.
Where you’ll hear “break point”
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Skills
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- TacklingThe skill of legally challenging an opponent to win the ball or stop their progress.
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- Returning serveThe skill of reading and playing back an opponent’s serve to stay in the rally.
Rules
- Tennis serving rulesThe rules governing how a tennis point begins, including where the server stands and where the serve must land.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- LetA call that stops a point and has it replayed without penalty, used across several racket sports.
- Touching the netA net-play rule that penalises a player for contacting the net during a rally in net-divided sports.
Disciplines
- FoilFoil is a fencing weapon in which touches are scored only with the point on the opponent's torso, governed by right-of-way rules.
- ÉpéeÉpée is a fencing weapon with point-only touches valid anywhere on the body and no right-of-way, so both fencers can score at once.
- KumiteKumite is the sparring discipline of karate, in which two athletes exchange controlled strikes and kicks under judged rules.
- SabreSabre is a fencing weapon scored with the edge and the point on targets above the waist, governed by right-of-way and known for its speed.
Scoring systems
- Table tennis scoringTable tennis is scored on every rally to 11 points per game, won by two clear points, over a best-of odd number of games.
- Tennis scoringTennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.
- Badminton scoringBadminton uses rally scoring to 21 points per game, with matches decided over the best of three games.
- Volleyball scoringVolleyball uses rally scoring, in which a point is won on every rally, and matches are decided over a best-of-five sets.
- Padel scoringPadel borrows tennis scoring, counting points as 15–30–40 within games and playing sets to six games decided by a tiebreak.
Skills Academy
Decision making
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- Shot selectionChoosing which shot to play from the options available — weighing the situation, the risk and what you are trying to achieve.
- Adapting to conditionsAdjusting your decisions as the conditions around you change — weather, surface, equipment, fatigue or an opponent's style.
- Reading an opponentPicking up an opponent's cues — stance, weight, positioning and habits — to sense what they are likely to do and decide how to respond.
- AnticipationForming an expectation of what is likely to happen next, and starting to prepare for it before it does.