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
Showing posts with label points. Show all posts
Showing posts with label points. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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
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
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