The Jensen Zone: Properly Seeing the Game of Tennis

I was recently working with a group of skilled tennis players at Sea Island and we were in game mode. These players were of different age and skill levels, but all were tournament players.

A doubles game I like to play is what the Jensen Brothers call "Bump the Chump.” It is a number of variations of what you play at your courts called "King or Queen of the Court.”

In this variation of the game, one team had the net and the other had the baseline. I just want to remind you that ALL the players on the court were tournament players!

I fed the ball across the net to the baseline team and POW! The baseliner hitting the ball HIT the back fence … okay … Out! If you lose, you cruise to the back of the line. Next team …

Another feed and bam! A new team and another shot to the back FENCE!

Whoa … hey Godzillas! What’s going on here?

There was this long blank look on their faces.

Then there was a whimper of an answer … hitting passing shots.

After my clinics and lessons, I self-evaluate my approach and how I connected with my players. I was taught to perform the same process as a player after every practice and match.

The fact that these talented players were really just hitters and not players at all. Give them a rocket ship for a racket and string some big banger in the frame … Game on! They might as well be shooting at clay pigeons at the shooting school.

I often see too much hitting and too little playing. Smart players with high tennis IQs really see the game for what it is. Whoever makes the fewest amount of errors … WINS!

If you truly watch the greats, there are so many layers to their game. They work the point using the entire court with a variety of speeds, acute shot placement and with a purpose behind all shots.

I told Team Godzilla to take the first ball and dip the shot at the feet of the net players to force a tough volley for them and maybe a short ball to have an easier passing shot on the second ball.

Really just the basics …
There are complicated approaches also like this singles baseline play I like called the “Three and One Game.” No matter where the ball comes to you, play three of let's say cross-courts and the one down the line. If the ball comes back after your fourth shot, run the three and one play again.

I saw a buddy of mine beat Andre Agassi with that formula. I won't name him because he is extremely LOW key, but I will only say that, "He ain't afraid of ya.” There is your only hint.

Anyway, if that pattern is not for you, try the Roger Federer pattern. The 17-time Grand Slam champion has something right. Fed likes the one for one pattern. Basically every shot to the open court with extreme placement to find the opening and slide a winner to that opening. Fed stresses to keep it simple and execute the plan.

So go out and become a smarter tennis player and fill up your confidence with victories!

Keep going for the lines!!!!!!