Tactics in Red Ball Stage?
Is there space in the Red Ball stage to work on tactics? Is it worth it?
The answer is yes. It’s not only worth it, but it is one of the main purposes of using soft balls in the first place! We use soft balls in order to slow down the game and allow our kids to actually play the game of tennis instead of just hitting the ball.
Obviously, there are competency requirements to be able to execute game ideas. The following “red ball tactical fundamentals” we are going to discuss are meant for players who are starting competition in red ball (they should be able to serve and sustain a medium rally).
Even though some of these ideas are general tactical concepts, in this article, we’ll center on the specific ones suitable for red ball.
What are the “Red Ball Tactical Fundamentals”?
There are three main tactical ideas I like to work with our Red Ball teams. In our programs at Centercourt, I set these three ideas as a benchmark to evaluate the maturity of our red ball competitive players:
- Out-Rally
To be able to extend the rally until your opponent makes a mistake first is the simplest tactical concept to understand, and the first one player’s have to strive to master, which is consistency. There are many games to develop this game idea suitable for red ball. My favorites are:
→Grinder’s Paradise: Each point has the value of the number of strokes played during the rally, so for example, if they rallied five times before the ball was missed, that is worth five points. The player who reaches 20 total points first, wins the game (adjust this number to the level of the players).
→Game of Errors: Players can only win a point if it comes from a mistake of their opponent. In this game, clean winners do not give a point, only errors.
→Points start after a set number of controlled rally shots (adjust depending on the level).
- Move Your Opponent
To understand how to use the space left to right and deep to short is a process that needs to start during the Red Ball stage. Sending the ball to the “empty space” or “open court” is a fundamental tactic in tennis. I like to use soccer balls or basketballs to introduce this tactical thinking before using rackets. Cross court and down the line are targets we’ll have to introduce later in this stage, however, I prefer to start always talking about “empty space” instead. “Empty space” is simpler and directly connected to the fundamental tactic.
Use progressions from easy to difficult (using hands to using rackets) to develop this tactic:
→Soccer ball cooperative rally over the net rally with recovery spot: Using two hands side throw, rally cooperatively. Make sure you set a “recovery spot” with a marker or dot on the ground.
→Soccer ball rally with points: Encourage moving your opponent and finding the open space. Using side hand throw will help them have enough consistency to be able to understand and execute the game idea.
→Soccer Goal: Set a goal with two cones on the down the line target. Players start a cooperative rally crosscourt (with coach or other player), one of the players tries to change direction down the line and score a goal within the two cones. Count the goals in a set time and change roles.
→Hit the empty space: The King of the Court starts touching the side singles line. Coach feeds the ball to the “challenger”, who has to hit down the line to the empty space and point starts.
- Finish at the Net
Red ball players have to be able to read short balls and transition to the net. Attack the short ball and finish at the net is a tactic that can be introduced and mastered during the red ball stage.
→Attack the short ball: Coach feeds a short ball to the “challenger”. He/she has to hit the attack and transition to the net. This game can be played to the first “challenger” who wins three points becomes the “King of the Court”.
→Read the short ball and attack: Set a depth line with markers. Whenever a ball lands short of the depth marker, that player has to approach and come to the net. You can have the players shouting “short” when they read a ball about to land short (shouting it before the ball lands helps to develop anticipation).
Tactical thinking and game mind are skills we have to foster from an early age. We must include games and drills that develop these skills from red ball stages; that is one of the purposes of using soft balls. If our kids are playing the game, they’ll be more engaged, they’ll have more fun, they’ll be better players and we’ll be able to retain them in the sport.
