Take Over the PointTaking over the point means not waiting for your opponent to make the first move. Start by hitting a heavy first ball. This allows you to creep into the court. Then, take proactive steps to win the point. Attack the ball and throw yourself forward.
Playing Your NemesisThere’s always going to be an opponent that you can’t stand. It could be because of their game style, attitude, or personality. The truth is, you just don’t like them. The best way to beat this person is to block them out. Change your mindset so that you’re playing the court instead of that individual […]
Defending the Deep CornerWhen the ball is hit deep and in the corner of the court, the first instinct many players have is to run straight across the baseline to get to the ball. The problem with running straight across the baseline is that your weight is moving backward, not forward. It’s better to go back at an […]
Track a MatchTracking a tennis match is a great way to visually break down how you’re playing. If you’ve never had one of your matches tracked, you have no idea how you actually play. Practice tracking a match by watching the pros. Draw a straight line across a page. This is the baseline. Every time your player […]
Form a Game PlanWhether you’re playing social tennis, recreational tennis, or in a tournament, tennis is supposed to be competitive. The reason you’re stepping onto the court is to win the match. In order to do that, come up with a game plan for most situations. Start by watching your opponent when you warm up. This will give […]
Controlled AggressionDon’t ever think of a counterpuncher as a bad thing. Most people think of a counterpuncher as someone just waiting for their opponent to make mistakes. A good Counterpuncher has controlled aggression and can force mistakes…. meaning they hit the ball in the same area, but aggressively push their opponents back at the same time. […]
Stop Hitting Short BallsWhile it’s important to know how to produce a short ball, not many tennis players understand how to avoid hitting a short ball themselves. Most players panic and tend to block the ball when they realize they’re late. This sets up a perfect short ball to their opponent. Instead of blocking the ball, try to […]
Counter PuncherOne of the four styles of tennis play is the “counter puncher.” A counter puncher consistently returns every ball to their opponent and relies on their opponent to make mistakes. You will lose to a counter puncher if you try to beat them at their own game. They’ve been doing it longer than you and […]
Play the Full CourtPlaying the full court means playing from the baseline all the way up to the net. In order to play the full court, you need to be able to see and understand what’s going on. The best way to do this is to stay moving after every shot. Either go back to “home base”, or, […]
Tennis MentalityTennis is a mental sport just as much as it is a physical sport. To get into the right headspace, your attitude should shift as soon as you walk onto the tennis court. We all have busy lives, so it can be hard to get into the zone. But, letting go of the outside world […]
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Weak Second ServesEvery player knows what it’s like to miss their first serve, and the pressure that comes with the second serve. When you’re on the receiving end, you can add to the pressure without saying a word. The closer you are to the service box, the more you’ll get into your opponents head. Simply moving your […]
Hit the Ball DeepHit the ball deep to give yourself a chance to reset. It does two things. It buys you time to get back into position and it pushes your opponent back. To reset the point, aim for the highest percentage shot, deep and in the middle of the court. If you hit a great deep shot […]
Winning MentalityMentally preparing for a match is just as important as physically practicing in tennis. Before you step foot on the court, try to think about the steps you need to take to achieve your goals!
Deep/Short PatternThe Deep/Short Pattern works for all levels, but is a great strategy for beginners. If you’re opponent is better on the baseline, try to switch it up by hitting your ball deep. Then, when you’re opponent returns the ball, hit one of the short angles.
Hit Your SpotUse your tossing shoulder to point to where you want your serve to go. Your feet stay in the same position, but your hips will adjust to allow your shoulder to go the direction you need it to. When you can control your serve, you can aim for your opponents weakness.
2×1 PatternIt’s important to think ahead in tennis. If you’re returning the serve and need your first shot in a neutral zone to get set up, take that. Pull your opponent to one side by hitting your next two balls to the wide marker. Then open the court up by hitting your next ball to the […]
Advanced PatternsEvery shot you take should have a purpose. Try to hit one of the five X’s on the court. Always be thinking two shots ahead and be looking for the short ball.
Simple Patterns of PlayIt’s important to learn simple patterns of play to understand how to open up one side of the court. You do this by hitting the ball at least two times to one side. This pulls your opponent to that area of the court without them realizing it. Then hit the ball over to the opposite […]
Approach Shot StrategyAfter you hit your approach shot you should start to transition closer to the net, but don’t move so far forward that you won’t be able to hit a volley. Stay on your toes and be prepared for your opponent to get to the ball, even if you don’t think they will be able to. […]
Warming UpTo prepare for a tennis match or recreational play, it’s important to warm up properly. Warm up hitting cross court. Don’t hit the ball directly to your partner. It won’t do you any good. You’re trying to warm yourself up, not your partner. Instead, practice hitting different variations of the shots you might hit in […]
Take Over the PointTaking over the point means not waiting for your opponent to make the first move. Start by hitting a heavy first ball. This allows you to creep into the court. Then, take proactive steps to win the point. Attack the ball and throw yourself forward.
Playing Your NemesisThere’s always going to be an opponent that you can’t stand. It could be because of their game style, attitude, or personality. The truth is, you just don’t like them. The best way to beat this person is to block them out. Change your mindset so that you’re playing the court instead of that individual […]
Defending the Deep CornerWhen the ball is hit deep and in the corner of the court, the first instinct many players have is to run straight across the baseline to get to the ball. The problem with running straight across the baseline is that your weight is moving backward, not forward. It’s better to go back at an […]
Track a MatchTracking a tennis match is a great way to visually break down how you’re playing. If you’ve never had one of your matches tracked, you have no idea how you actually play. Practice tracking a match by watching the pros. Draw a straight line across a page. This is the baseline. Every time your player […]
Form a Game PlanWhether you’re playing social tennis, recreational tennis, or in a tournament, tennis is supposed to be competitive. The reason you’re stepping onto the court is to win the match. In order to do that, come up with a game plan for most situations. Start by watching your opponent when you warm up. This will give […]
Controlled AggressionDon’t ever think of a counterpuncher as a bad thing. Most people think of a counterpuncher as someone just waiting for their opponent to make mistakes. A good Counterpuncher has controlled aggression and can force mistakes…. meaning they hit the ball in the same area, but aggressively push their opponents back at the same time. […]
Stop Hitting Short BallsWhile it’s important to know how to produce a short ball, not many tennis players understand how to avoid hitting a short ball themselves. Most players panic and tend to block the ball when they realize they’re late. This sets up a perfect short ball to their opponent. Instead of blocking the ball, try to […]
Counter PuncherOne of the four styles of tennis play is the “counter puncher.” A counter puncher consistently returns every ball to their opponent and relies on their opponent to make mistakes. You will lose to a counter puncher if you try to beat them at their own game. They’ve been doing it longer than you and […]
Play the Full CourtPlaying the full court means playing from the baseline all the way up to the net. In order to play the full court, you need to be able to see and understand what’s going on. The best way to do this is to stay moving after every shot. Either go back to “home base”, or, […]
Tennis MentalityTennis is a mental sport just as much as it is a physical sport. To get into the right headspace, your attitude should shift as soon as you walk onto the tennis court. We all have busy lives, so it can be hard to get into the zone. But, letting go of the outside world […]
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Weak Second ServesEvery player knows what it’s like to miss their first serve, and the pressure that comes with the second serve. When you’re on the receiving end, you can add to the pressure without saying a word. The closer you are to the service box, the more you’ll get into your opponents head. Simply moving your […]
Hit the Ball DeepHit the ball deep to give yourself a chance to reset. It does two things. It buys you time to get back into position and it pushes your opponent back. To reset the point, aim for the highest percentage shot, deep and in the middle of the court. If you hit a great deep shot […]
Winning MentalityMentally preparing for a match is just as important as physically practicing in tennis. Before you step foot on the court, try to think about the steps you need to take to achieve your goals!
Deep/Short PatternThe Deep/Short Pattern works for all levels, but is a great strategy for beginners. If you’re opponent is better on the baseline, try to switch it up by hitting your ball deep. Then, when you’re opponent returns the ball, hit one of the short angles.
Hit Your SpotUse your tossing shoulder to point to where you want your serve to go. Your feet stay in the same position, but your hips will adjust to allow your shoulder to go the direction you need it to. When you can control your serve, you can aim for your opponents weakness.
2×1 PatternIt’s important to think ahead in tennis. If you’re returning the serve and need your first shot in a neutral zone to get set up, take that. Pull your opponent to one side by hitting your next two balls to the wide marker. Then open the court up by hitting your next ball to the […]
Advanced PatternsEvery shot you take should have a purpose. Try to hit one of the five X’s on the court. Always be thinking two shots ahead and be looking for the short ball.
Simple Patterns of PlayIt’s important to learn simple patterns of play to understand how to open up one side of the court. You do this by hitting the ball at least two times to one side. This pulls your opponent to that area of the court without them realizing it. Then hit the ball over to the opposite […]
Approach Shot StrategyAfter you hit your approach shot you should start to transition closer to the net, but don’t move so far forward that you won’t be able to hit a volley. Stay on your toes and be prepared for your opponent to get to the ball, even if you don’t think they will be able to. […]
Warming UpTo prepare for a tennis match or recreational play, it’s important to warm up properly. Warm up hitting cross court. Don’t hit the ball directly to your partner. It won’t do you any good. You’re trying to warm yourself up, not your partner. Instead, practice hitting different variations of the shots you might hit in […]