It is extremely important to walk on the court for a match with a plan. A game plan can be as simple as hitting two or three crosscourt groundstrokes and being patient at the baseline. Another simple idea is to serve and volley on all first serves, and work your way in to the net…
Keeping your shots deep is a strategy that most pros and coaches continuously encourage their students to follow. The reason this is such a good idea is because it reduces the options that your opponent has on their next shot. A deep ball often results in a short or weak shot from your opponent. If…
When a player decides to move forward during the point, most approach shots should be hit down the line and volleys should be hit crosscourt. If the approach shot is hit deep and down the line to one side of the court, the player can move more towards the direction of the approach shot and…
It is natural to run to where you believe the ball will end up on the tennis court. If a player can move in that direction and also go slightly towards where the ball is (forward), this will take time away from their opponent. Try to make the last few steps a little more on…
The better the player, the more difficult it is to win the point by hitting the ball away from them. Sometimes hitting the ball right towards them is a great way to draw a weaker shot, which you can then direct away from them. It is often more difficult to get out of the way…
A very important, yet overlooked aspect of moving on the tennis court has to do with when to get your feet going and when to be stopped. Whenever you, your partner or your opponent are about to hit the ball (the forward swing is starting), your feet should be set. Using the split step just…
It is much easier to move side to side on the court than up and back. Try to watch the ball coming off the racquet and the height over the net. If it comes off the racquet low with the face flat, immediately take a step or two forward even if it looks like the…
Hit three or four of your regular shots in a row on as many points as possible, and there is a good chance you will win the point. Most points last no longer than two hits each and this includes the serve and return of serve. Even at the professional level, a good serve or…
Most players try to win the point by making their opponent run. Hitting the ball to the opening is a very basic, yet successful idea against most players. Pay attention to your opponent's position-whichever side they are on in singles, try to hit the ball to the other side-keep repeating this during the point. In…
Most players focus on running to the ball quickly when practicing movement. Being a fast runner is helpful on the court. However, recovering and anticipating the next shot will be much more effective than relying on your speed running to the ball. Immediately after the follow through, you should regain your balance and move in…