How To Stay On Schedule To Win

Analyzing your performance is one of the more challenging roles you

must play in building a competitive game. It's very easy to get confused and lose track of how points are being won or lost. In this lesson, you will learn how to stay on schedule to win.

Unless you're playing doubles from the baseline, most points last approximately six hits. This means your doubles team has three interactions with the ball per point. A chef who's attempting to satisfy his patron with a good meal knows the role of the appetizer, the entree and the desert. Likewise, a tennis player needs to know the objective for each of his three hits if he is to build a winning game.

insert- tennisone#1.00.jpg

"Entrance" shots are used to enter the point. They are your first exposure

to the ball and are as important in tennis as making a good first impression during a job interview. If you begin on a poor note it's difficult (though not impossible) to recover.

insert-tennisone#1.01.jpg

Entrance shots are hit from near the baseline. These are generally serves and service returns. Enter the point motivated by a solid tactical intention like serving down the middle or returning at the server's feet. Keep in mind that you have two additional shots to finish your opponents off. This is no time to be a hero and win the point in one hit. Make a good solid shot and move forward.

"Transition" shots are played from the area between the baseline and the

service line. The reason they're called transition shots is because they're hit with the idea of transitioning forward toward the net. The objective is to keep the ball low when transitioning against two existing net players. This will minimize the strength of your opponents' reply making it safe to take a net position.

insert-tennisone#1.02.jpg

When one of your opponents has elected to stay back, keep your shot as deep as possible. This will provide time to reach the net and minimize your opponent's ability to pass you by keeping them deep in the court.

"Net" shots are hit in the area between the service line and the net. This is where you'll complete your three shot flurry of tactical devastation! From here, hit a shot designed to finish off your opponent. Find an opening or angle your volley off the court.

insert-tennisone#1.03.jpg

Playing a solid point is a matter of linking these three shots together to do tactical damage. Although they're all interrelated components of a strong tennis point, each should be analyzed separately for it's effectiveness. For example, just because you popped up your transition and your partner got pounded doesn't mean your entrance shot was poor. When you have an off serving day you can still make effective transitions and finish off your opponent with a strong volley.

Evaluate your game based on the successful execution of each concept and you'll have an accurate assessment of your progress and the skills that need improvement.

Enjoy your challenges and good luck until next time.

Steve Tourdo

The Doubles Specialist