One Size Does Not Fit All

Marcin Bieniek

The "game based" approach is a common coaching methodology these days. We understand that tennis players are different so we cannot use the same teaching method for everybody. Some athletes improve faster by verbal communications, some prefer visual cues, while still others may benefit more from a kinesthetic perception. It is of the utmost importance to approach each player individually.

In the past, coaches ran the same drills for all players. While some players improved, many stagnated using this approach. Learning from their mistakes, coaches started implementing a more individualistic approach. This individual approach is used in just about every field. Advertising companies tailor campaigns to reach specific audiences. Nutritionists design weight loss programs to meet individual needs based on factors like body structure, weight and activity. In the same way, tennis programs should be structured to conform to a student's individual playing style.

In my opinion, playing style should be extremely important when preparing plans, drills and corrections for any tennis player. We should not base practice on the same drill for everyone because somebody’s weaknesses can be another player’s strengths.We must train players to excel in the way they actually play the game. In other words, one size does not fit all.

Developing quality tennis players can’t happen without understanding crucial areas like strengths, weaknesses, patterns, playing style etc. Every player has an individual path that will lead to greater improvement, which means we, as coaches, have design a program to make this path smoother and easier to go through. We should understand that individualization is the only way to train tennis players properly. Incorporating this approach does not mean listening to the player and agreeing with everything he or she says. As an example, a player might say his strength is to take risks by cracking big shots from behind the baseline.It is our job as coaches to explain why this might not be the best option.

Tennis practice is collaboration between coach and player (sometimes it is even a triangle if you include the player's parents), so knowing a player’s opinion is just a one piece of the process. Once the coach becomes aware of the player’s ideas, he has to form his own opinion, analyze both perspectives and try to find the best way forward.

Playing style is one of the most utilized areas during this planning phase. Looking at a particular player and projecting into their future, we have to decide what drills will be best to use for the next few months or years. A player’s mental and physical abilities, body structure, and skills all can have an influence on a player’s playing style so the more we know about the athlete, the easier it is to effectively structure the session. Looking at a player as an athlete and not a tennis player can provide coaches with a wider view of the student's potential and the path they should take.

The Baseliner

The baseliner bases his/her game on groundstrokes.To play this style, the student must be able to hit forehands and backhands with monotonous consistency, so drills that emphasize this shots should take most of the practice time. Consistency is a paramount to play successfully from the baseline and that's why this skill should be present in every exercise.

An aggressive baseliner should have a solid serve and the ability to win a point with a baseline drive, so serves and drives are the main areas of training. However, we have to focus on the big picture. It's not all about winning points, we must consider what opponents would do to counteract the baseliner. Drop shots and change of rhythm are the most effective to play against players who love to stay at the end of the court, so responses to these shot have to be included into training sessions.

Counter-Puncher

This type of player is a real warrior. Counter-punchers base their games on their reaction to an opponent’s decision. That’s why constantly changing environment is crucial when training these players. Percentage play from the baseline is the key to this style. Passing shots must be well placed to guarantee success because opponents will try to finish points at the net.

Counter-punchers have to be prepared to counter different shots, patterns and playing styles. All court skills are a must because every rival is unique. Long rallies are common with counter-punchers so we have to apply the same rule to the practice court. The counter-puncher must be able to retrieve shot after shot and wait patiently until a finishing situation comes up. This kind of patience is a tactical skill that can only be achieved by spending solid hours on specific drills.

Serve and Volley

This is a bit of the old style but it is still visible today, especially on ATP tour. Volleys and serves are the crucial parts of this style. Combinations of these two shots must be proficient to guarantee success with different opponents. The ability to hit different types of serves into various locations inside the service box are what make serve and volleyers dangerous. Low volleys, half volleys, body shots and reaction drills must be worked on to keep the net game on a high level.

Deep groundstrokes are another area to train because these players are constantly looking for ways to get to the net quickly where they can end the point. Deep shots are key to achieving decent net position and avoid being passed by an opponent.

Second serve returns are another area that can’t be forgotten if one is to create a good serve and volley player. Playing balls on the rise and coming to the net is a traditional pattern, playing percentage tennis from the baseline while waiting for an approachable ball is what these players have to do. Focusing on drills that develop these shots will provide the best chance of success for the serve and volley player.

The Big Hitter

Power and short rallies are the hallmarks of this type of player, however, this playing style is somewhat of a risky option. The number one weapon must be the serve. This is a is necessity because these types of players must be able to win easy points off of powerful and well-placed serves or to use these serves to set up a big drive that can finish a point quickly. Forehand and backhand’s drives are essential tools for the big hitter. Perfectionism must be stressed because of difficulty and risk related to this style of play.

The number one rule when practicing with big hitters is: short rallies. These players don’t need to practice sequences of long patterns because they won’t use it in matches. Few shots is a maximum so the same amount must be trained on practice.

The All-Court Player

This type of tennis is perhaps the most difficult to master. It requires a universal bag of skills to be successful. All court players can play well from every area on the tennis court so this must be considered when planning a long-term development. There are no special shots they need more than any other — they need everything. That’s why practice with all court players should include various drill, shots, patterns and situations. They can’t have clearly visible weaknesses. A good option would be to take some drills from every other style of play (Baseliner, Counter-puncher, Serve and volley, Big hitter) and add them to the all court player’s arsenal. It will ensure that no matter whom the opponent is, this type of player will be able to handle the situation.

Conclusion

Remember, playing style is a base in which to start training with a tennis player. Tennis is too variable to force every player to the same mold using the same bag of drills. An individual approach is a necessity if you are going to help create successful tennis athletes. By taking playing style into consideration while structuring practices, we increase the chances of a player reaching his or her maximum potential.

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Marcin Bieniek's article by emailing us here at TennisOne.

Marcin Bieniek

Marcin Bieniek is a tennis coach from Poland and a former professional player (Polish National Juniors Team). Marcin is a founder of TENNIS ISLAND (coaching tennis website with over 1400 tennis drills, articles and videos — http://tennisisland.us). He is a certificated tennis coach by the Polish Tennis Coaching Association and the Professional Tennis Registry. Marcin has worked with WTA/ATP players, the top 150 players in the world (ITF) and many of the top 20 Polish and American juniors.