Jaun Martin del Potro

del Potro: He stays close to the baseline, slams driving deep balls through the court, picks his spots to hit the open court with pace, uses a slice serve, takes away time.
Best to keep the ball low and away with him.............don't let him tree the ball. He's like a 6'10" Agassi.....perhaps the new breed!


KP

Think outside the box for a moment!

I see many players adjusting their swing to accommodate the ball height rather than adjusting their feet to hit the ball in their optimal strike zone.

Quick fix: Practice standing back behind the baseline ten feet and rally the ball with your practice partner for a few minutes. Now stand right on top of the baseline and strike the ball on the rise for a few minutes. Both of the court positions feel very different and require different movement skills and timing issues and stroke adjustments. Now adjust to the ball as how you feel most comfortable based upon what you're dealt in an open range exchange; this is more how a real point is played.

The game is about adjusting your timing, strokes, and court positioned based upon what you deliver and what your opponent throws at you! Think outside the box!

Your coach in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Doubles Hand Signals

1. The first signal from the net player gives the direction of the serve: to the left, middle or right of the service box. The server acknowledges that she got the signal by saying "Yes." Or, the server says, "No" until she gets the signal she wants.

2. The second signal from the net player alerts the server to whether or not she will poach (the open hand indicates to the server to switch sides) or stay and fake (a fist). Again the server acknowledges she got the signal by saying, "yes or no."

Steps 1 and 2 are repeated before each serve.

Australian

S=server, R=receiver, P=partner, O=opponent

The Australian net position is used to cut off difficult returns by the receiver and forces the receiver to consider hitting down the line which is a more difficult return, especially on wide serves: there's not much court there and the net is higher.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Australian Poach

S=server, R=receiver, P=partner, O=opponent

Poaching in the Australian position is easiest when the serve is placed down the middle. The receiver's best options are to a) rip it cross court anticipating a poach, b) hit the down the line anticipating a stay, c) hit a lob over the net player to take them off the net.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Forward Net Position

S=server, R=receiver, P=partner, O=opponent

This graphic demonstrates two net players, the one in front of the ball is in the offensive volley zone, the other is set back in the defensive volley zone and can cover the lob. World class players both move into the offensive zone because of their athletic court coverage abilities.

Also, the third of the court that gives the opponent the hardest shot is left open.

Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease