Tennis Coaching

Serving: Think of Yourself as a Major League Pitcher

The fast ball is the one hit hardest down the center. This is the one that often causes unforced errors. It is the easiest one to follow to the net because it leaves no angles for your opponent. Notice this serve crosses the net on the right side of the center strap.

The curve ball is often used to pull opponents off the court. It is not the speed that counts, but the accuracy. If you can place the ball on the sideline two feet up from the service line, it is almost impossible to return. This serve keeps #2 from leaning in on the fast ball and is often an ace when #2 tries to protect the backhand side.

The slider is the serve that chases the returner. The ball comes in to #2’s body which allows #2 little chance to create power. It is often referred to as the “jammer.” This serve is crucial when playing big hitters because they cannot hit out on the return easily and will become frustrated.

Winning Strategy For The First 3 Games

Obviously the first three games of any match are extremely important. Try these tips to see if you can get that winning edge!

1. Hit crosscourt and do not try to force an amazing shot. Only go down the line when you know you can make it.

2. Analyze what is working well. Figure out how you are winning points and why you are losing them. Try to repeat the winning pat terns and avoid the errors.

3. Experiment! Try to explore what your opponent is capable of doing. Most importantly, find out what your opponent is not capable of doing! Use spins, and vary the speeds and heights of the ball. Use your brain - not just your pure athletic ability.

4. Get your serves in to get started and build your confidence. Do not hit your best serves to begin or you will not have anything left when it is 5-4. The higher the first serve percentage, the better the chance for success.

5. Last - but not least, don’t worry if you lose all three games. Do not let yourself get discouraged or the match will soon be over. Try to regroup, establish your pace, find a way to win. Get determined and set small goals like trying to win 3 points in a row.

Serving Tips: Things to Look For

1. Is the toss consistent?

If not, place the player beside the fence and use the fence as a guideline; develop a straight consistent toss. Also, place a racket (handle close to toe) on the ground in front of the server, the toss should land on the strings of the racket.

2. Is there weight transfer?

If not, use the example of a major league baseball pitcher and explain how your weight must go forward when serving. When serving, it is like a rocking motion, starting on the front foot rocking back on to the back foot and then moving forward through the serve.

3. Are the feet properly aligned?

If not, try lining the feet with a racket so the racket is pointed to the service box. This will make sure you are not hitting with an open stance.

4. Is the ball struck from inside/out?

The ball should be hit so that you go left to right across it (for righthanders) not outside to inside.

Serving: Tossing According to the Clock

This teaches players where to toss the ball in order to achieve certain spins.

The “Kick” Serve

In order to produce the necessary upward rotation on the ball to get a kick serve, the player must toss the ball at 11 o’clock, thus arching the back and brushing up the backside of the ball. The advantage of this serve is it kicks upward when it bounces thus taking the opponent out of the power zone. This is most often used as a second serve although variety is important.

The “Flat” Serve

The “flat” serve is most commonly used on first serves because it allows maximum power. The player should toss the ball at 1 o’clock and reach as high as possible to make contact. At the contact spot, the player is actually in a p with the wrist (thumb forward). This opens the racket face and allows the serve to be hit hard and flat.

The “Slice” Serve

This serve is usually not hit as hard as the flat or the kick, but the slice makes the ball move right to left and makes it difficult to return. The server tosses the ball at 2 o’clock and tries to hit around the outside of the ball thus creating the slice. This serve is usually effective when trying to jam the opponent in close or when trying to pull the opponent off the court.

Strategy Serving

Location and mixing locations is more important than pace. There are three ideal serving targets on each side of the court. For practice, set targets in the 3 critical spots. Hit 10 serves to each spot. After you feel comfortable, alternate spots on each serve.

1. Wide to the forehand; not deep into the corner but up the sideline. This serve will pull the opponent off the court & open the whole other side.

2. In the middle, deep near the service line. This serve is good for opponents with poor mobility. By serving the ball straight at them, you will jam them and rob them of a powerful return.

3. Straight down the middle to the backhand side. Although this serve does not pull the opponent off the court, it does limit return angles.

4. Wide to the backhand; not deep into the corner, but up the sideline. This serve will pull the opponent off the court & open the whole other side.

5. In the middle, deep near the service line. This serve is good for opponents with poor mobility. By serving the ball straight at them, you will jam them and rob them of a powerful return.

6. Straight down the middle to the forehand side. Although this serve does not pull the opponent off the court, it does limit return angles.

Defending the Serve

These tips will help players defend the serve.

1. Make a player change from their first choice of serve location by positioning yourself to return their best serve.

2. Make them beat you with their second choice of serve.

3. Change your position for returning a second serve because it is likely to be a weaker shot. Move forward 2-3 steps.

What to do in Warmups

The warmup period before a match affords players the perfect time to do much more than loosen up and hit balls. Scouting an opponent is extremely important. Warmups can give you a decided edge over your opponent if used wisely.

Yourself

1. Concentrate on foot movement.
2. Hit ball in center of racket.
3. Begin to concentrate, block out all outside distractions (crowd, music, etc.).
4. Hit a few forehands, backhands, volleys, overheads.
5. Don’t show your best shot, but don’t avoid your weak shot. (i.e. if your forehand is your best shot, instead hit your backhand.)
6. Concentrate, not only on strokes, but also with placement and pace.
7. Be aware of playing conditions: sun, wind direction, background, etc.

Opponent

1. Pick up on strengths and weaknesses.
2. Be sure you test all aspects of the other person’s game (i.e. forehand, backhand, low, high, etc.)
3. Gauge their mobility.
4. Notice if they have 1 or 2-handed backhand. (If 2-handed backhand, play low and high to backhand side.)
5. Notice their height. (If they are tall, try to jam them inside.)
6. Notice grips. (If extreme western, they should have trouble with low and high forehands.)
7. Watch and see if they have favorite shots, placement, and pace.

Tips for a Better Forehand

1. Be sure your hands are close together on the back swing. If they are, you will use your shoulders to hit the ball. If they are not, you will use your arm. This helps close the stance!

2. Follow through by catching your racket in your left hand and coming over your shoulder. A great tip is to pretend you have an apple on your bicep and after you hit “you take a bite out of the apple.”

3. After the hit, your weight should be on your left foot and the right foot will be heel up and toe down. Leave the left foot stationary to maintain balance.

Tips and Drills for Players First Learning to Volley

1. Place them in a gate in the fence and only allow the player to move forward and hit the ball. This eliminates back swings as the player would hit the fence.

2. Use a tennis ball can and have the player try to catch a tossed ball in the can. Again you eliminate the concept of backswing.

3. On forehand volleys, try to have the left foot hit the ground and disguise the sound of the ball hitting the racket. Hit each player several volleys, trying to disguise this sound.

4. Be sure to keep wrists cocked up. The racket head never drops below the wrist. Try giving players three volleys high, middle. and low.

5. Teach the proper spin! Emphasize a small 2-4 inch downward cur to create underspin. The racket head does not move up when hitting a volley.

Prepare Mentally For A Windy Day!

1. Remember that you are not alone in the wind.

2. The wind can be an enemy or friend. The choice is yours.

3. On changeovers, think about the advantages the wind offers you on your side of the court and try to use them to your advantage.

4. Shorten your strokes and be sure to take smaller steps when you are about to hit the ball. Both of these tips allow you to adjust if the ball is affected by the wind.

5. Finally, never let your opponent know the wind is bothering you. That will only fuel your opponent’s competitive fire to win!