Singles Strategy 101

Regarding singles strategy, there are two main issues each with their own components:

1) You are playing against the geometry of the court and of your body.
Hit the ball cross court to reach the most court available, the lowest net, use the natural
rotation of the body, and least amount of recovery distance.

2) You are playing an opponent who has strengths and weaknesses (you hope); so you must
match your skills against theirs relative to #1.

Example 1 For instance you might have to overplay your forehand to your opponents backhand and risk more down the line shots otherwise they beat you to often on the forehand exchange cross court.

Example 2 You might have to hit lower drives to your opponent's forehand because they hit difficult angles on you which open up the court and create a disruption to your timing.

Example 3 You are close in level but in better shape. Wear them down and don't check out of
points too soon.

The example are endless; what makes singles fun is to try to figure a way to balance (1) and (2) that allows you to dictate play regardless of the final outcome of the match.

Basic plans:

Hit cross court till you get a short ball and then hit a down the line approach, or stinger and stay back, angle or drop shot: then get ready for the next shot!

Good Luck!


Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Slice Serve v. Kick Serve

Today the serve. Is it important to be able to hit a kick serve? I think it's important to learn but it doesn't have to be your bread and butter shot. First, if your kick serve isn't a good one, it's going to get "rocked!" A good kick serve has strong pace with spin, a deadly combination. If your kick serve is marginal, work on a better slice serve and flat serve. Many matches I have used a flat second serve to get out of a jam. Sure its dicey, but it's not as bad a receiving a cannon winner return. The slice serve stays low and can mess with timing especially when you vary placement and with flat ball combinations. I equate the slice serve to the slider in baseball.

A good slider pitcher can kill you; look at McEnroe--he gives everyone trouble when that slider is hitting the lines. Accuracy and consistency can always be improved; speed can be improved upon to a degree but the gene pool determines most of that component.

Doubles Tip

When you play doubles your favorite flavor should be vanilla. What the hell does that mean, Kev?

IT means when you hit a passing shot go down the middle and rip it with topspin. That is not the time to get creative with low percentage angles and down the line shots.

But hey, those are my best shots.

If they go in then do it; if they miss, go with vanilla.
Same with the first volley and most second volleys; hit through the cross court middle; forget about the sick drop volley angle.

But hey, I love that shot.

Then do it when your up by two or more points. Don't risk losing the point with a low percentage shot against a skilled opponent.

The Power of Modeling and Channeling

By modeling, do you mean how I look on the court—what am I to wear? Not exactly, modeling is copying to the best of your ability a standard of excellence found in superior players. For example: I notice that Andy Murray stretches his elbow back from his body on his forehand; this causes me to incorporate the movement into my swing. I have filmed Andy’s strokes which I’ve included on my website during the 2007 US Open on the back practice courts. At that time he was with Brad Gilbert who was warming him up for a match. I was but just a few feet away enjoying the banter and hitting. More importantly, I got it on film for you to see.

Channeling would be my attempt to become Andy Murray during a point; naturally receiving his ready position, strokes, spins, movements, shot sequences, personal rituals, and mannerisms. If my modeling homework was detailed and diligent then my channel ability would be of the highest definition.

Modeling and channeling are fun and effective tools in developing your game and the key to becoming an impressionist. In the end your game will have sound fundamentals. I have assisted my students for many years with model player interpretations.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Warm Up

Make sure you warm-up slow before play and stretch down after play. I'll take a good warm-up over a hamstring stretch outside in March any day. If you plan to play outside, drop your string tension a little. You are now playing against the elements...I swear outdoor tennis is a different sport. Outdoor clay should be ruled another sport.

Kevin Pease

Doubles Positioning

How close am I supposed to get to the net? I feel like I'm out of position. I'm not sure where to go. My partner says get to the net yet we get lobbed like crazy so we can't get in; plus when we go to the service line I feel like I'm out of position. Get used to the service line. Read that line three more times. Practice half volleys, low volleys, mid-volleys, high volleys, and overheads right there. There are no members of the club that have the speed to cover a good lob when positioned six feet from the net. That is a tour play! Let the game come to you; hold that service line and you control the center of the court. Close the net and finish when the ball is up. Hold the line when challenged. Practice your mid court transition game. I then get other questions like: What do I do when my partner closes but doesn't put the ball away? I answer, "That is really aggravating. Get a better partner!" Seriously though, be ready to cover their back by holding the service line. That way you have covered their failed put-away. What if the other team closes the net and puts away our shots. I would then say, "Try to get in closer to the net to beat them to the punch." The team that controls the net usually wins the match. Hey, my partner only comes to the net to shake hands at the end of the match. You will need to work on your poaching and have your partner hit great low passing shots and incredible lobs when forced.

Good luck!,

Kevin Pease

Paying Attention To The Details Of Your Doubles Match

1. What is your hold rate? What's that? If you were to serve ten times, how many times would you hold serve against your peers? In doubles you need to be above 80%. Why? Your serve needs to be a weapon! Work on it till it becomes one or back it up with a volley that seldom misses or both!

2. What is your break rate? What's that? If you were to receive ten times, how many times would you break your opponents serve? If you can break 25% or higher and hold 80% or higher you are winning most of your matches.

In world class competition and very competitive doubles matches, just about everyone holds serve and all it takes is a mini-break in a tie-breaker to decide the match.

Are you competing against yourself in your doubles matches or your opponent? Many smart people would answer both. I guess that's true in a general sort of way. But that doesn't really help me manage my game in any specific way. I have come up with a simple formula to determine the level of competition you are playing: In competitive matches you must get your serve in play and the return of serve in play away from the opposing net player. If you can not do this, you are not at the level of the player(s) you are facing. If you can make two shots in a row -- serve and return the next shot, return a serve and return the next shot you are starting a competitive point. If you cannot start a competitive point then you are not competing and you are out of level. If you return more than two shots that are hit to you in or out of sequence then you are competing. The match now hinges on how well you compete during the key points for games, key points for sets and matches. Matches (any level) are exciting when competition is fierce. It's that's simple folks. Look at the facts. If you cannot remember what you do, ask your partner. It's a good idea to develop tennis memory -- who's doing what to whom, otherwise its really difficult to discuss point situations and adjustments.

In a future tennis tip I will discuss the key points of a tennis match. Point management helps putting strategies in perspective and helps you manage risk and pressure.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease