TennisOne Lessons

Pattern Play Tactics, Part 1:
Play like Pete and
Approach Down the Center

By Monty Basnyat
TennisONE Associate Editor

Pattern play is a common strategic tactic pros use repeatedly to set up points. Individual pros often have a favorite pattern they are known for. For example, a favorite pattern would be Stephie Graf's heavy, deep forehand crosscourt followed by her low sharp angled backhand slice (she loves this play against two handers) or John McEnroe's can opener wide serve followed by a volley to the open court.

Tactical patterns can also be used effectively against certain styles of players, for example, a player who tends to run around his backhand. On baseline exchanges, these players will often position themselves slightly to the ad side (right hander) so they get more opportunities to hit forehands. Pull these players toward the right side by hitting to their strength (forehand) in order to open up the court and expose their weaker backhand side.

Against Speedy players, Pete takes the approach deep and down the center.

For the average club player, pattern play is all too often neglected. Instead, what you see are mindless rallies with each player hoping the other misses first, no one really setting up a point. Yet the player with an idea has a clear advantage. To have success with pattern play tactics you must be aware of your opponents strengths and weakness as well as your own. Understanding your opponent’s capabilities as well as your own can provide you with a decided edge.

Part 1

Pete Sampras, one of the greatest all court players of our time, is a master at pattern play. His over all transition game from baseline to net is phenomenal. In this lesson, we will examine Pete’s mid court approach shot.

Kuerton is handcuffed by Pete's penetrating center approach as Pete moves into position  to knock off the easy winner.

When facing players with blazing speed along with the ability to make accurate shots on the move like Chang, Agassi, and Kuerten, Pete does something very interesting with the mid court ball. Like most players, he hits a fair amount to the sides and into the corners, but against the speedier players, Pete likes to mix it up by taking the approach down the center. Approaching down the center neutralizes Pete’s opponents’ speed and provides them with less of an angle to pass.

For the average player the success of this approach depends on three factors - court awareness, the depth of the ball and, most important, the "unforced error". To better understand court awareness, study the diagram below carefully and take note of both players’ positioning on the court.

The approacher should be positioned in the mid court area (yellow square), inside the baseline when he makes contact with the ball. So, by the time the opponent attempts to pass, the approacher will have achieved the ultimate volley position, well inside the service box.

Note that the passer, is either already in the center of the court or is recovering towards it when the approach shot is struck (blue box). Approaching down the center severely limits the angles available, making passing shots more difficult. Keep in mind, if the passer is already in the center, the approach shot should be hit just off center (right or left depending on the side the opposing player least favors). This allows the passer less time to set up his shot. Sampras can either go over (topspin) or under the ball (backspin) depending on the situation. The important thing is that he keeps the ball deep, then puts pressure on the passer by rushing the net.

You don't need Pete's ability to take advantage of this tactic. The center approach will work on any level. For the club player who wants to use it, the key is to keep the ball deep and stay away from the "unforced error". Whether you have the ability to come over the ball or you prefer to slice it, get it deep like Sampras, keep it in play, and make the passer beat you. More often than not, you will come out ahead.

Last Updated 9/1/98. To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com

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