Know your opponent’s weaknesses and strengths

Tennis tactics begin with knowing all about your opponent’s game. Try to observe their weaknesses and strengths before every tennis game. This can be categorized into three aspects; technical, physical and mental.

Before you play your tennis match, you have to know what are your own strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, you also have to know the weaknesses and strengths of your opponent. Knowing his weaknesses will enable you to find ways and means to expose them in the game. This is an important tennis singles tactics especially for players looking to gain an advantage over their opponents at the start of the match.

Like for example, if you know that your opponent’s backhand is his weakest point, then in the actual game make sure that you make more shots to his backhand side. To know his strengths is of equal importance, if you know that his forehand is very powerful then you avoid your shots to his forehand as much as possible.

Be mentally ready

To be mentally ready can also be a big factor in tennis match. You have to be mentally positive that you are going to win. Like for example, if someone is playing against Federer and Nadal, the top two best players in the world, be mentally conditioned that you will win so that you will have a chance. However, if before the start of the game you don’t believe you will win, you won’t win the game.

Surprise your opponent

In this tennis singles tactic, you need to think and move fast. When you want to surprise your opponent, your opponent should think the opposite of what you actually do. A very good example in these tennis tactics is when you are going to hit a very high overhead ball. You have to position yourself as if you are going to hit the left side of the court, but in your mind you hit the opposite side. You opponent would normally run to the left side but he will just be surprised that the ball lands in the right side of the court. The element of surprise is absolutely necessary as a tennis singles tactic, because as soon as your opponent begins to become comfortable, then the match is usually going to fall in his or her favor.

Be aggressive on the second serve

This singles tennis tactic is very important if you are playing against a strong server. It is very hard to break a player whose serve is very strong. However, a player does miss his first serve from time to time. Once your opponent misses his first serve, you should be very aggressive in returning his second serve. One very good tactic in returning a second serve is to go down the line and generate more pace and do the chip-and-charge tactic. Winning more points in your opponent’s second serve may even force your opponent to execute less intense but safer first serve and this will result to your advantage.

Play to win

Play to win is among tennis tactics that relates to the mental side of tennis. In any sport, there is always a winner and a loser, but what do you need and what do you have to do in order to win? This situation is to your advantage because he or she has less opportunity to hit aggressive shots. In addition to a flat return, you can also add topspin in your shot to produce a high bounce which can be uncomfortable to your opponent.

The best answer is to use your skills against your opponent and not against you. If you are very good in one part of the game, it does not mean that you can make use of it with every opponent. Like for example, if you are a net player, but your opponent is a player with good passing shots, then your net skill won’t work with him.

On one hand, if you are very good in hitting big groundstrokes, but you opponent is like Nadal who has very powerful groundstrokes and very good in baseline plays, then your powerful weapon becomes neutralized.

You don’t need to change your tactic, but the most important thing is you are able to adjust and counteract your opponent’s play as well as his weapons.

Topspin counterpart

One power tennis singles tactic is to hit the ball with topspin. This tennis tactic is very common in professional tennis. If your opponent has this weapon, you will be left always as the defensive player. One way to counteract this is to prevent your opponent from producing topspin by returning the ball with a gentle slice and a soft backspin into the net. Another way to counteract your opponent’s topspin tactic is take balls early in the baseline.

Panic is always your best enemy when your opponent plays at the net. If you start to panic because you opponent is playing in the net, then your opponent’s tactic worked.

Effective drop shot

A drop shot can be a very effective tennis tactic to win a point if you execute it accurately and perfectly. However, if it is executed poorly, surely you will lose a point. The first thing to consider is your position and your opponent’s position in the court. Your ideal position should be short while your opponent should be deep, way behind the baseline.

Another situation is when your opponent is in the other corner side of the court (left corner) and then you drop shot your ball in the other side of net (right side of the net). This means that your opponent has a very long way to run to be able to return the ball. A very important thing to consider in this single tennis tactic is when you do a drop shot, you should surprise your opponent. Do not give him a hint that a drop shot is coming. This tactic is very fulfilling when you succeed, but it can be addictive and become less effective especially if you do it consecutively.

Don’t play against yourself

Some players get impatient if they are playing with an opponent who likes to play safe tennis. Safe tennis is one of the inevitable tennis singles tactics that you will encounter at the club level. Some tennis enthusiasts calls them ‘moonballers.” These are the players who just wait for their opponent to make unforced errors. Generally they are very good defensive players who do not attack, but prefer to play defense. If you are playing against a player like this, you have to be very careful not to get impatient. When a player gets impatient, he tends to play shots that he never practices before the actual match. If you do this, you will allow your opponent to manipulate you. This can result to your errors and an advantage to your opponent.

Is it right to play safe or be aggressive?

In any of the tennis tactics, you can either play safe or be an aggressor. A safe play means you don’t hit attacking shots or hit winner shots. You just play the safe side of tennis which is to return the ball effectively.

The aggressive player is the one who hits winners. The question is which is a better tennis tactic?

When you play tennis, you can’t play safe all the time because your aggressive opponent will find the best shot to topple you down. Your opponent can vary his or her shots that can force you to move around the court resulting you to make errors. However, it is not right also to hit winners all the time. This means your percentage of errors can increase.

Game plan

A game plan is the recipe behind every tennis tactic. In every match you play, you play against different types of opponents. So before the start of the game, you need to evaluate yourself and make out a plan how to play your game based on your weaknesses and strengths as well as your opponent.

Like for example, if your opponent has very good footwork and groundstrokes in the baseline, then the best counter attack on that is your baseline defensive tactic. If your opponent is a very aggressive player in the baseline, then you will outplay him if you play more short balls forcing him to commit errors. Having a game plan is essential as a singles tennis tactic because without one, it is like driving into a highway blindfolded.

It does not mean that you have to have all the weapons in order to win a tennis match. All you need to do is to have some game plan for you to be able to counteract your opponent’s weapon and at the same time make use of your strengths.

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What do those with advanced tennis strategy and tennis tactics know?

Firstly, they know their style of game, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are, and how to best utilize both. That is, masters of tennis strategies and tennis tactics know their game and how to impose it on their opponents. And, by observing their opponent during warm-up, they quickly become aware of his or her style of play, and his or her tennis strategies.

Advanced tennis players look for weaknesses in their opponent’s technique, movement, weight transfer, and reaction time. Those with advanced tennis strategies and tennis tactics observe what shots their opponent prefers. And those with advanced tennis strategies and tennis tactics quickly realize the mental characteristics of their opponent — whether he or she is overly self-confident and self-assertive or uncertain and lacking confidence, et cetera.

The above information is gleaned during warm-up and the first few minutes of play, and a tactical plan for advancing tennis strategies is formed; much more information is gathered throughout the game, and the tactics for advancing tennis strategies are refined.

Win More Points

The best tennis strategy are similar to those of any sport: win more points and lose fewer points. But what tennis tactics support a tennis strategy of winning more points? Use the knowledge you’ve gained by observing your opponent. For instance, you’ve observed which is your opponent’s weaker side. Now attack this weaker side with serves, returns, and ground strokes. Force your opponent to use this weaker side; and play faster shots to that side, giving your opponent less time to react. Use variations of height, spin, and speed to disrupt your opponent’s timing.

Observing Weaknesses is Key

If your opponent is tall, land the ball low, forcing him or her to bend. If your opponent appears out-of-shape or slow, force him or her to run from side-to-side or from shallow-to-deep and back again. A full array of tactics can be applied to most game situations, allowing you to outplay your opponent, thus winning more points. Perhaps, for example, among your tennis strategy to win more points is to play aggressively from the baseline.

Differing tactics may be used to achieve this secondary strategy: you may strike balls on the rise to put pressure on your opponent; or you may use as many inside out forehands as possible. Or, if for example, your opponent is uncomfortable at the net, you can hit short, then lob or you can make your opponent volley.

Remember to remain flexible and resilient throughout your match; if a stroke is not working, don’t stubbornly keep trying it to support your tennis strategies even though it’s obviously “off”. And, against all of your opponents, it’s essential to disguise your strokes and vary your placements; deception is important to your tennis strategies, more important even — at times — than sheer power or technique is to supporting your tennis tactic.

Make Fewer Errors

And what tennis tactics support tennis tactics of losing fewer points? Remember, your opponent is trying to outplay you as well, that’s among his or her tennis strategy, so you need to neutralize his or her attacking game. You’ll thus lose fewer points while winning more points since — unlike in sports like soccer or basketball — tennis scoring always gives someone a point.

Firstly, always play to your strengths until your opponent forces you to do otherwise. But let’s say your opponent — to support his or her tennis strategies — is challenging your weaker side; how do you neutralize this attack? Use your weaker shot to stay in the rally. Your tennis strategy and tennis tactics here are not to win more points, but to lose fewer points.

Then, once losing fewer points, you can use intelligent tactics to win more points, one of your two tennis strategy. Try to use your weaker shot to challenge your opponent’s weaker side — then finish the point with your strong shot, likely a forehand, approach shot, or volley. Do this by using your weaker shot to keep your opponent away from the sidelines and baseline; move him or her to the net and lob, or make him or her play a volley on his or her weaker side. This will hinder your opponent’s tennis strategy.

Add Variety

You can also surprise your opponent with a moon ball or drop shot. Then, when you’ve set up a short, weak ball, attack with your strong shot, that forehand, approach shot, or volley. Do not take unnecessary risks thus making unnecessary errors and losing a point — this does not support your tennis strategy; play to stay in the point until that opportunity arises to win a point. Those who are less savvy with their tennis strategies and tennis tactics often try to hit offensive shots to win a point from positions on the court where they should try to hit defensive shots to lose fewer points.

Your opponent may also serve to your weaker side — to support his or her tennis strategies, forcing mistakes or weak returns. What tennis tactics support your tennis strategies of losing fewer points now? Move back as far as possible, giving your self enough time to judge the ball and make good contact. Keep defending with varied shots — whether low slices, slow balls, or even moon balls — discovering what neutralizes your opponent’s swing.

Try a high topspin, pushing your opponent farther and farther behind the baseline. Hit a deep but also penetrating shot by striking the ball when it is still rising after it has bounced. It’s difficult for your opponent to attack from this position; you’ll either gain points from unforced errors or your opponent, in moving back, will no longer be able to attack, frustrating his or her tennis strategies.

Play straight down the middle to take the angles away from your opponent. Or, if your backhand is your weak shot, which is often the case, play a down-the-line backhand, forcing your opponent to change his attack to a cross-court shot, which then comes to your forehand. Finally, if absolutely necessary, simplify your strokes, just blocking the ball but improving consistency.

Reacting to the Opponent’s Shot

Now let’s say your opponent is using variations of spin, speed, or height to disrupt your timing — how do you neutralize this attack? Again, your tennis tactics here are not to win more points, but to lose fewer points. Read the ball. Those who are masters at tennis strategies and tennis tactics do this well, observing shots carefully, quickly reading the height, spin, and trajectory.

It’s also important to know what is your best return on various shots. Again, those with advanced tennis strategies and tennis tactics know their style of game — that is, what their strengths are and how to best utilize them. Often, if you receive a low slice, you want to return a low slice, and if your receive a high ball, you want to return a high ball.

And if your opponent serves and volleys on first serves — another tactic to support his or her tennis strategy; how do you neutralize this attack? You need to force a complicated volley. Either move back, achieving enough time for a forceful swing that returns a fastball; or move inside the court, blocking the ball and landing it at the feet of your opponent; or determine your opponent’s weaker volley and land the ball on that side.

All of the above neutralize your opponent; they are not offensive tennis tactics, but rather that of losing fewer points. Yes, you have to know how to win more points and how to lose fewer points; keep both in mind as you analyze your and your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

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There are some basic points for a good tennis player when it comes to tennis singles strategy. Singles is a game played one on one, and there will be very little help from anyone but yourself. It is important to develop sound tennis singles strategy in order to become a smarter player on the tennis court.

A Common Scenario for Tennis Players

How often has this scenario occurred. In the warm-up, prior to a competitive tennis match you notice that your opponent is a “worse player” with “bad or ugly” tennis strokes. But often times, these club hackers or inept counter punchers are deceptive and have a uncanny ability to maneuver the tennis ball according to their tennis singles strategy, causing you to be on the defensive. The end result is often a win for them, and a loss for you. Logically, you should have won this match, but clearly your opponent outplayed you with a wise mix of tennis singles strategy.

These principles of tennis singles strategy can make a big difference for you as a tennis player. Developing proper tennis strokes is only one part of the recipe needed to be a successful tennis player. The other part is being smarter on the tennis court and understanding the key principles of tennis singles strategy. Developing strategy comes from awareness followed by execution.

High Percentage Tennis Singles Strategies

Any good tennis singles strategy will be based on high percentage tennis where you have the highest chance of making the shot with the least amount of risk. This is often why lower level players can beat players with better strokes, only because they have learned to develop high percentage plays based around the laws of physics and gravity.

For example, the crosscourt rally shot is often the most critical because it allows for the longest distance court-wise, giving the ball additional space for margin of error. Also, a crosscourt shot passes over the shortest part of the net, so it is often considered one of the primary singles tennis strategy shots.

A good player always tries to hit to the left of the opponent, on right, over the head, at feet of him. These all points are necessary for basic tennis strategy. A player must have some knowledge about tennis strategy so that he can do a quick analysis of his own game as well as observation on his opponents’ weakness.

Tennis Singles Strategy #1

There are some fundamental aspects of tennis strategy that a player must have full command on every shot: crosscourt, deep, and down the line. Advanced tennis players that follows this rule will have the opportunity to attack the net once the opponent is put into a defensive position. Keenness is an essential element for the development of a tennis player.

Tennis Singles Strategy #2

An experienced player will try to reduce the errors and keep his eyes to win the match as it is a rule of tennis strategy. When both players are equally matched, then to win the match the player who makes fewest unforced errors will dominate. More errors will increase the chance to lose the match; a clear percentage of errors will decide the winner of the tennis match. Reducing unforced error is a key rule for tennis singles strategy.

If a tennis player follows the tennis strategy of reducing their unforced errors, then they will donate fewer points to their opponents. And then the chance to win the match increases. Once fewer unforced errors are made on your own part, the opponent will be forced to hit better and riskier shots to win points.

Tennis Singles Strategy #3

It is very important to note that the pressures of tight match situations will rule on the player. Remember to stick to your tennis singles strategy and not let other outside thoughts interfere which will throw off the entire biomechanical stroke production. Players must remember to play the match more aggressively which will then lead to defensive short balls to attack.

Its important to define your game plan prior to the match and stick with it. Once the mind becomes confused. It is more likely to start choking. It means that player knew the exact shot but he failed to execute it due to tension in the game. Any good tennis player that follows the rule of tennis strategy knows that constant attack will be a necessary cause for his victory in the match.

Tennis Singles Strategy #4

When a player gets pulled widely off the baseline, this action forces two extremes. In hope of winning either he will either try to hit the ball or he will produce an error for his opponent. It is a rule of tennis strategy that a player should elevate his shot 10 to 12 feet higher than the net to quickly neutralize his or her position.
Its important to increase the topspin and loop of your shot, especially when you are under pressure.

Tennis Singles Strategy #5

If your opponent plays soft shots to throw off your rhythm, then a advanced player should prepare to play differently, this is also a very important tennis strategy. And it is not always necessary to play beautiful game for winning the match. A good player must utilize topspin, slices, deep hits and high balls to lose the counteract his opponent. And he must focus on his game and on each and every short of the opponent.

Pushers or dinkers can be a dread to play, and it’s tempting to bash the ball hard right back at them. But, simply hitting as hard as you can against a pusher is poor tennis singles strategy, as it will often result in an unforced error every time. Unfortunately, patience is key when playing a pusher and it might mean you will have to work the point harder before you receive a easy ball to put away.

Tennis Singles Strategy #6

It is also an important rule of the tennis strategy that if any player has a weak backhand and a great forehand then he must not let his opponent use his or her strength. He must anticipate the power and the direction of the next shot from the opponent and always play better than him. This may cause the increase in difficulty level of the game but it is necessary to win the match.

Focusing on making plays towards an opponent’s weakness is considered a sound singles tennis strategy. But how often do you consciously execute this tennis singles strategy? If the answer is rarely, then you may want to consider adding this one element to your repertoire.

Tennis Singles Strategy #7

Diagonal crosscourt forehands should be your primary asset in your tennis game. The crosscourt shot, whether it be forehand and backhand should be your bread and butter when it comes to tennis singles strategy.

Tennis Singles Strategy #8

An important tennis strategy is understanding this rule that you must play with confidence and avoid risky shots. It is very important to hit the right shot using high percentage plays at the right time.

Tennis Singles Strategy #9

Another tennis strategy is to develop a proper game plan for the tennis match ahead of time. Without a tennis singles plan, you will struggle and suddenly change your plan and movement during the match.

Tennis Singles Strategy #10

Here are some basics for very powerful tennis strategy.

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In tennis, a pusher is a club player who doesn’t hit the ball all that hard but wins a lot of the time. The stereotype would be someone who has ungainly looking strokes but is able to run down almost every ball. His shots have little or no pace but he wins by properly placing the ball, using the right kind of spin and just out rallying and outlasting his opponents. He is a master of extracting errors.

Tennis pushers are usually dreaded opponents because they seem to make you beat yourself. Because they aren’t hitting winners or forcing errors through the power and spin of their shots, you get the impression that he is not a better player than you. If he is the stereotype pusher – the one with the ugly strokes – then you will feel even more like you should be better than him.

Psychological Affect of the Tennis Pusher

Then when you get to the court, you find that he is getting everything back and making you play one more ball point after point. Eventually, you will make errors. With each error, you get more frustrated. Suddenly, you find that you are behind in the score, about to be beaten and you think to yourself “this shouldn’t happen because I’m better than him!” This only adds to your anger.

Once a tennis pusher gains this reputation, he already has a psychological advantage over his most of his rivals. If you have to play him, you are immediately under pressure to play well or even at your best if you want to have any chance of beating him. If you are not playing well, the pusher will win from your errors. So even before the match starts, you will be afraid to make errors.

The Tennis Pusher’s Affect on Your Game

Naturally, the tendency from this kind of approach is to play carefully, sometimes too much. When this happens, your strokes will not be fluid, which, ironically, will lead to committing errors. With each error, the frustration and fear of losing grows. Playing a match with fear and anger will definitely lead to a loss. (You can play a match with anger if you are John McEnroe, but even he never played with fear.)

If you think that these tennis pushers are no fun to play against, then maybe you should just avoid them altogether. There’s no point to playing if you know you’re not going to have fun. But there are situations where you cannot avoid them. If you join a tournament, you will have to play against whoever gets in your way as determined by the draw. So the best thing to do is to just learn how to deal with them. You might even eventually learn to have fun playing them!

Learning to Play Against the Tennis Pusher

Learning how to play against tennis pushers is one of the great mental exercises in the game. The first thing that needs to be done is to respect the pusher. Whether they admit it or not, these players relish being seen as inferior players. They love to think “I’m not good, but I can beat a lot of better players!”

Even if you say to them that they’re good, they move so well and hit drop shots and lobs so precisely, they will say, “but I don’t know how to hit hard and play aggressively, like the pros, or like you.”

It is like a reverse psychological way of thinking and talking. Deep inside, you both know that results on the court counts for more than having nice, powerful strokes. In effect, this is his way of saying that he is better.

Winning the Psychological Match Against The Tennis Pusher

Pay no mind to his psychological warfare. Respect him because the pushing strategy is a valid way of playing the game, and the sooner you admit it, the better.

At the beginning of the match, take your mind off how annoying he is. This is easier to do once you have learned to respect him and the way he plays. Instead of focusing on the opponent, focus only on the ball. After all, it is his shots that you have to deal with, not him per se.

You might have heard of the phrase “give him a taste of his own medicine.” This is true to a certain extent. There are actually different ways to play a pusher type of game. The most common is to hit lots of floating slices, drop shots, angled slices and lobs. Other pushers like to loop the ball constantly, and then hit a few drop shots and lobs.

Tennis Strategy Against Tennis Pushers

If you play against a pusher who likes the slices more, you can probably be successful against him by using the moonballing strategy and vice versa. It is not advisable to try to do the exact same thing that he is doing because he’ll probably end up executing his shots a lot better than you since he is more experienced at doing so.

Another viable approach to playing tennis pushers is to play serve and volley. They generally do not have great passing shots and their lobs are usually well-disguised. But these players have great court coverage so be ready for the ball to keep coming back, even if you are already at net.

Pushers are usually better at moving side to side along the baseline than moving on a diagonal. Therefore, the deep approach-angled volley or deep volley-angled volley combination should work well against them.

Although the net rushing style is advised, you should do so with caution. Always keep an eye out for the lob. Patience should be practiced because being too aggressive will lead to errors. Playing against tennis pushers is actually a good way of improving on some basic things.

How to Beat the Pusher in Tennis

Movement is one of the keys to playing against tennis pushers. You should always keep your feet moving and adjusting properly to hit each shot. Another key is ball control. This always precedes power in terms of importance. Try to control your shots more when playing the pusher. Hit at ¾ pace and go for proper placement.

Don’t try to overpower the pusher because he likes to feed off your pace. Trying to overpower someone also means that you will be making more errors and errors are the most usual way for pushers to win points. Hitting a variety of shots is also effective. Mix up your serves, returns and rallying shots. Anticipation and early preparation are usually things one does when playing a power player but these are just as valuable when playing the pusher.

Proper mechanics need to be maintained because the pusher is always trying to make it as awkward as possible for you to hit your favorite shots.

Not Letting the Pusher Dictate Points

In terms of the mental approach to playing tennis pushers, always remember not to let him dictate the point. In particular, be aware if the pusher is trying to speed things up or slow things down. He is an expert at such subtle tactics of gamesmanship. He will usually speed things up when you are getting frustrated and slow things down when you are hitting the ball well in order to try to disrupt your rhythm.

As much as possible, keep the match going at a rhythm that is more comfortable for you and not for him.

For example, if he is trying to rush things when serving, try to slow things down by putting your hand up signalling that you are not fully ready to receive yet.

Above all, the most important thing to keep in mind is to never show fear or frustration, even if you are not executing well. Tennis pushers feed off your negative energy so if you can somehow find a way to suppress any negative emotion, you will not be giving them as big a mental advantage as they want. All this goes back to respecting them as competitors. If you can acknowledge that they’re doing a lot of the right things needed to win matches, then you can be calmer on court against them.

You will not be thinking anymore how superior you are and how it should be so easy for you to beat a pusher. The more you see them as equals, the less there will be fear and frustration at the prospect of losing. The more you can play without fear, the better your chance of winning and the more fun you will have.

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Tennis doubles tactics begin the moment a team steps on the tennis court. Every movement and shot choice must be carefully placed to defeat an experienced team of doubles experts. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of doubles tennis tactics, we must first explore the basics of the game.

Basics of Tennis Doubles Tactics

Tennis doubles is one example of a team sport that is fun and interesting to play. Tennis singles is considered a battle of wits between two competing players, whereas the tennis doubles focus more on the teamwork and partnership aspects of the game. In a competitive point of view, it is very important to know and execute the specific tennis doubles tactics and strategies to win matches.

Serve and Volley Tennis Doubles Tactics

In professional tennis, the serve and volley is a common practice utilized after the first serve or even after the second serve. However, with the advent of very powerful groundstokes in modern tennis, doing a serve and volley attack is getting more difficult.

As a result, groundstroke returns is more common than the serve and volley. However in professional tennis, the serve and volley still remains as one of the most effective tennis doubles tactics. The reason for this is the fact that the server or the server’s partner can always execute a low or an excellently placed return that lead to a weak or faulty return from the receiver’s team.

For the players to execute an exceptional serve and volley return, they need to have more than just the skills but a lot of practice as well. During their practice they need to achieve a higher percentage of good hits than the miss hits.

On the receiver’s team point of view, if the receiver’s partner anticipates an aggressive volley return, he or she should be ready to move backwards until the opponents are about to hit the ball. But if he or she anticipates a powerful groundstroke, he or she should move forward to pick off his teammate’s weak return.

Poach in Tennis Doubles Tactics

If the serving team plans a poach, the server’s partner does a hand signal that he/she is going to poach regardless of the receiver’s return (weak or powerful). Just as the receiver starts to swing the racket, the server’s partner immediately cut diagonally forward and towards the side of the server.

The poach will be very effective and most probably will give a point to the server’s team if the receiver hits the usual cross-court return. The server on one hand has to cover the space vacated by his partner to avoid an open court. An open court will give their opponents an opportunity to hit a winner shot.

Hand signals are normally used by each team member in this type of execution. The signals are one finger to poach after the first serve; two fingers to poach after the first or the second serve and no finger for no poach.

The hand signal should be done at the start of a point and the server should reply by saying yes or no if he/she understood the sign or not. Signals and communication may vary between teams. Sometimes, it’s the server who tells his/her partner when to poach and where he/she will hit the serve. In cases like this, the players normally confer before the start of a point.

Using Doubles Tennis Tactics With the I Formation

The I formation is one of the most common serving doubles tennis tactics. The server executes the serve near the center point of the baseline. The server’s partner positions at the midpoint point of the center service line and crouches.

The crouching posture limits the destruction for the server’s point of view since he/she is just behind his/her partner. Immediately after the ball passes over the server’s partner, he/she anticipates the return and cut diagonally towards the ball. In the same manner as the Poach tactic, the server’s partner has to give a hand signal to the server so that the server can cover the open court.

After the serve, the server has to stand on the middle part of the court for him/her to quickly run towards the open court. In addition, the server has to be ready at any time for a possible straight down return in the middle of the court if his/her partner misses to reach the ball.

This I formation tactic is very effective in confusing the receiver’s team and to get them out of their momentum if there are very good in returning serve.

Australian Formation: An advanced doubles tennis tactic

The Australian formation is where both players (the server and the server’s partner) stand on the same side of the court. Like for instance, if the server serves in the deuce court (beside the center part of the baseline), the server’s partner stands on the service box in front of the server and positioned close to the center service line and to the net.

The Australian formation is one of the examples of tennis doubles tactics that is very effective in destroying the opponents’ effective return of serve. Cross-court shot is normally used to return a serve in tennis doubles matches and the Australian formation puts the opponents out of their comfort zone by forcing them to return a forehand or a backhand down the line shot.

Specific Tennis Doubles Tactics

Tennis Doubles Tactics #1: Fake Poach

From the name itself, the server’s partner pretends to poach by moving early (earlier than when you actually do poach) for the opponents to see him/her moving but only to move back to cover the doubles alley. The server’s partner should move always confusions to the opponents as to what the next returns will be.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #2: The server

In tennis doubles, the server normally stands between the doubles sideline and the center. One of the tennis doubles tactics is to keep the receiver guessing on the type of serve to hit by changing the serving positions every now and then. Like for example if you are planning to hit the backhand side of the receiver, try to be deceptive and stand at a point where the receiver won’t anticipate your serve.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #3: Cringe

In tennis doubles especially for the less experience players, it is very easy to be hit by your opponent’s ball. If your opponent intends to hit any part of your body or your racket to put you off balance, try to evade it as much as possible because you partner has still a chance keep the ball in play.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #4: One-up or one-back

This tennis doubles tactic means that one player is positioned near the net while the other player is positioned further back. This tactic is less effective compared to the two-up (means the two players stand near the net) but it can still be effective in some circumstances. This can be useful when your opponents do not like to play net or when they like to lob.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #5: Angled volley

Angled volley shots are volley shots hit to the side of the court instead of hitting the ball straight in front of you. It is ideal to hit angled volley shots when both or one of the opponents are positioned at the back.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #6: Get the first serve in

It is more difficult to return a serve (especially the first serve) in tennis doubles than in tennis singles because of the server’s partner who normally stands at the net. Thus, for the server’s team side, one of the best tennis doubles tactics to win points is to let the first serve in. The server’s team has a better chance of winning if they achieved high percentage of good first serve.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #7: Proper communication

One of the tennis doubles tactics that may make or break a tennis doubles match is the team’s communication. Team work is lost in the absence of communication and the absence of team work in tennis doubles means disaster. Proper communication is vital for the two players in a team to play as one. Right and timely communication allows the players to execute the perfect and timely tennis doubles tactics to win points.

Tennis Doubles Tactics #8: Good movement coordination

Since tennis doubles is a teamwork game, movement coordination between the two players is vital. In tennis doubles, it is necessary not to leave an open court or else your opponents find an opportunity for an offensive attack. Thus, one member of the team should try to cover an open court left by the other player. Like for example, if the server’s partner has to run to the far right side to return a wide shot, the server should move in the same direction to avoid an open court.

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When you are in the baseline position, play with the player who is positioned farthest from the net but if you are in the net, target the player nearest to the net. Make use of your strengths and at the same time use every strategy to expose your opponents’ weaknesses.

Always hit the ball in the gap between your opponents. This can result to their confusions as who is to hit the ball. Be alert and be ready to any possibility and position yourselves accordingly based on your opponents’ position.

First serve matters most

A powerful and accurately placed first serve is always a very important tennis doubles strategy. The best way to win a game is to do well at the start. A powerful and accurately placed first serve in doubles is very crucial because it is the best way to set your net game. You will be able to prepare better to play the net game with a first serve than with a second serve. Missing your first serve can also frustrate your partner which might affect his or her play.

Right target

The right target is a tennis doubles strategy that can help a team win points. In a tennis doubles match, the best target is your opponent’s feet. Targeting your opponent’s feet will set him off guard and if ever he is able to return the ball, you have more chances to be in a better position and better preparation than your opponents.

Crosscourt return of serve

Don’t try to be flashy and attempt too many passing shots when you return the serve. Hitting a crosscourt return is a better doubles strategy. To be more effective in your cross-court passes, hit the ball low and of course cross-court and land the ball around the service line (dipping to the opposing team’s feet). Another thing to remember to avoid deep returns especially if the player who is not serving (server’s partner) is a mobile person. If you do so, there is a big chance that he will poach (means he will hit the ball that is supposed to be hit by his partner).

Good defense

If your partner is serving, your role is defense. Your partner’s good serve will be useless if you cannot return the ball (after your opponents’ return serve) to your advantage.

When your opponent as on serve, aside from an ace your best enemy is the partner of the server. Your defense is very important here. You should be very attentive with his return because he could hit an easy winner if the serve is executed perfectly. Be aware of the types of return your partner does after the serve (but do not watch him!). This should give you an idea on the type of shot the server’s partner is going to apply. Like for example if your partner‘s return is high and wide, you should defend your tramlines (alleys) because it the best possibility that your opponent will target.

Your opponent is the focus not your partner

Focus your eyes on your opponent, and not your partner. One of the biggest mistakes a player can do in tennis double matches is to watch your partner as he returns the ball after the serve. If you do this, you will miss your opponent’s attack because your focus was on your partner but not on your opponent’s side. Focus your attention to the net player and observe his movement for a possible volley. You will be more prepared in case your opponent hits a volley.

Strategic Placement

The main objective is to target the most vulnerable player of the team or target the weakest spot of the court (weakest spot means the part of the court which can create problems to your opponent’s return like gaps between them). When you are away from the net (baseline), your target is the server’s half court. This is to avoid server’s partner who is near the net. This player can be dangerous if you hit near him.

Movement coordination

Another important tennis doubles strategy to consider your team’s movement coordination. The movement of both players in a team should be well coordinated all the times. It is important not to leave a big gap between you and you partner. If your partner is forced to move far right, you should also move right to cover the gap. This will lead a space in your left side but it is safer this way to avoid a straightforward winner in the big gap space between you and your partner.

Defense and attack

In tennis doubles, you also have to be ready to take every opportunity to win points. Rather than watching your partner as he hits the ball, take your time to watch your opponents’ movements and be ready to hit another shot if you find even the smallest opportunity.

I formation

The I formation is a tennis double strategy to apply if the server in your team serve is weak or when the opponent’s serve return becomes deadly. In this situation, you have to think of an alternative strategy to counteract that deadly serve return.

I formation double tennis strategy can be attained with the server’s partner (partner of the player who is serving) squatting down low near the net at the center line of the court. The server does his serve just behind his partner. This I formation tennis doubles strategy will create confusion to the opposing team as to where the net player of the serving is going to position himself.

Counter attack to opponents’ lob game.

The lob is the best doubles tennis strategy to counteract a net play, so expect you opponents to play lob if you are playing in the net. Continuous lob shot can frustrate you and your partner so you better do something about it.

The Australian formation

The Australian formation is a tennis doubles strategy which is used to win a quick point but it can also be very risky, so it is not advisable to use frequently. However, if your team decides to make use of this tactic, the server should position himself near the center line. This is to cover more angles to give the returning team a harder time.

Communication

Good communication is a part of tennis doubles strategy that is indispensible. Forget about playing doubles if you and your partner cannot communicate each other during the game. Good communication is a vital part in playing tennis doubles matches because it enables each player to contribute to the team’s success. Through good communication, both players in a team can produce well coordinated movements, thoughts and actions.

Net play counter attack

Generally, the serving team engages in net play after a very good serve. Beforehand, when you return a serve (you are facing the server’s partner in the net), the best strategy is to target the server because he is the most vulnerable at this stage after hitting the serve. If your opponents were able to return your shots and they are now positioned in the net, you can still make them vulnerable. This time, you can hit a lob forcing them away from the net, or you can hit the ball right in between the two players.

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More than just tactics of tennis, every player must learn how to win against those with different styles of play.

In order to succeed as a tennis player, you must learn to play against all types of players with different styles of playing. Ideally, your game plan for every match should allow you to use your strengths as much as possible and expose your opponent’s weaknesses to the full extent.

At the same time, you must protect your own weaknesses while minimizing the damage from your opponent’s strengths.

Tactics of Tennis: Working on High Percentage Tennis Strategy

There are two key words that need to be defined: strategy and tactics. Strategy refers to your general approach to playing a match. The tactics of tennis are the specific shots and your court positioning that will help you execute your strategy successfully. This varies according to the strategy being used.

Four basic playing styles are identified based on the major strategies of playing tennis. The first playing style is the counterpunching defensive style. A counter puncher is a reactor. He or she responds to whatever his or her opponent does on court instead of really taking the initiative. This does not mean that the counter puncher is an unintelligent player. In fact, some of the smartest players in the world are counter punchers.

Counter puncher: Another Viable Set of Tactics of Tennis

They are usually able to hit the right shot that neutralizes or even beats their opponent’s best shots. Additionally, counter punchers usually have great stamina and are able to simply outlast their opponents. The tactics of tennis used by the counter puncher are usually the following:

• Stay back on or behind the baseline to retrieve all of the opponent’s shots.
• Use high heavy topspin, floating slices or low skidding slices to keep the ball deep and prevent the opponent from attacking.
• Feed off the opponent’s pace to hit hard shots that surprise him or her.
• Hit lobs against aggressive, attacking players.
• Get a very high percentage of first serves in by not going for too much.
• Be very mentally tough, patient and willing to stay out on court for as long as it takes to win the match.

Tactics of Tennis: The Aggressive Baseliner Mentality

The second playing style is that of the aggressive baseliner. This is the most common style you see on the professional tours today. This player has several big shots, usually the first serve and the forehand.

Their main strategy is to overpower or out hit their opponents. These players are willing to take the risk and go for big shots to hit winners, force errors or short sitters that can easily be put away. The tactics of tennis that this type of player commonly uses are:

• Hit big first serves and put away the short return off the bounce.
• Hit deep and set up their big inside out forehands.
• Rally cross court and pull the trigger by going for a winner down the line.
• Aggressively return the second serve, looking to put it away immediately.
• Hit sharp angles to open up the court.
• Hit passing shots or hard body shots against a net rushing opponent.
• Hit drop shots as a surprise tactic.

Tactics of Tennis: The All Court Player

The third type of player is the all-courter. This player is comfortable in all areas of the court. He or she can hit all kinds of shots from anywhere, but these players still have some weaknesses in their game. Sometimes, they can hit everything well but don’t have one shot that can be called as a real weapon.

The tactics of tennis that these players use vary according to their individual abilities. But because they are usually the most versatile players, what they usually like to do is to keep their opponents guessing with what they are going to do form point to point. If they are executing well, they give themselves a very good chance of winning.

• Use variety in the rallies. Mix up the spin, pace, trajectory and direction of ground strokes with the intention of opening up the court for a winner, either from the baseline or the net.
• Defend against aggressive players just like a counter puncher, using consistency, depth and retrieving ability.
• Attack against a passive player by hitting big shots and approaching the net to knock off volleys.
• Bring the opponent to wherever he or she is not comfortable. For those who are not good at the net, drop shots can be used. Net rushing opponents can be kept back by hitting deep, moving forward and taking the net away from them.

Tactics of Tennis: Playing against a Serve and Volley Player

The last type of player is the net rusher or serve-volley player. The strategy they use is to constantly put pressure by coming to the net on almost every point.

At the professional level, this style of play has largely gone by the wayside because the modern equipment and court conditions have made it easier for the baseline player to hit clean passing shots.

But in doubles, this is still the best way to play, though gradually, baseline play is creeping in to take over that as well, especially in the women’s game. The tactics of tennis that a serve-volley player uses are:

• Serve hard and wide to open up the court and volley into the space.
• Aggressively take the second serve early and chip it deep to approach the net and volley.
• Combine deep volleys with angled or drop volleys to make the opponent run forward and diagonally instead of just side to side.
• Hit short and low volleys to make hitting passing shots more difficult.
• Aggressively put away lobs by crushing the overhead.

There are several keys to remember when playing against all types of players.

Tactics of Tennis Against a Counter puncher:

• Mix up hitting hard and deep with short angled slices to force him or her off the baseline.
• Hit drop shots and then lob or pass.
• Be very patient in constructing points. Expect everything to come back and don’t be surprised if the shot you thought was going to be a winner gets returned.
• Attack the serve, especially the second serve.

Tactics of Tennis Against an aggressive baseliner:

• Get a lot of first serves in.
• Try to return the first serve deep.
• Keep the ball deep and mix up the spin, trajectory and pace of your shots to keep him or her from developing a rhythm.
• Hit short, low angled slices to force him or her off the baseline and hit awkward shots.
• Hit drop shots if the player is uncomfortable at net.
• Surprise him or her from time to time by coming to the net.
• Feed off the pace and create big shots of your own.
• Be willing to defend by hitting high, heavy topspin or deep slices to stay in the point.
• Analyze what kind of shots make him or her uncomfortable and prone to error and keep hitting those shots to draw even more errors.

Tactics of Tennis Against an All Court Player

Against an all court player, the tactics of tennis will greatly vary according to his specific strengths and weaknesses stroke-wise. Since this type of player is comfortable in all areas of the court, his or her weaknesses tend to be technical. For example, if this player is generally good on the baseline but has trouble hitting backhand passing shots, then he should be attacked on this side. Here are other guidelines:

• Focus only on the ball and try not to be confused or surprised by what your opponent is doing from point to point.
• Hit deep consistently and use variety in spin, trajectory and pace.
• Use your own strengths to create openings on the court.
• Be alert and aware as to what kinds of shots cause him or her more trouble. Make him or her hit more of these shots.

Tactics of Tennis Against a Serve and Volley Player:

• Get a high percentage of first serves in.
• Return low at the feet.
• Hit lobs early to keep him or her from crowding the net and open up the passing lanes.
• Set up your passing shots by hitting low to his or her feet first.
• When he or she is at the baseline, keep the ball as deep as possible and test his or her patience in a long side-to-side baseline rally.

The tactics of tennis you use also depend greatly on your own ability and aptitude with each particular type of shot. This is why it is always advisable to keep learning and using new shots so that you will have a better chance of winning against all types of players.

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Many people who play tennis love the sport because it requires more than athletic ability–it also draws on mental acuity as well.

Tennis can actually become something of a chess match as the games progress, each opponent planning a strategy of attack and preparing for countermoves. Others liken tennis to a boxing match, where adversaries feel each other out early in the match, then make continual strategic adjustments as the fight continues, mano-a-mano.

How to Use Tactical Tennis to Your Advantage

Whatever analogy you prefer, you need to learn a bit about tactical tennis if you want to win more matches and perhaps advance up your club’s ladder or your region’s standings.

Tactical tennis will simply add to your already-formidable physical abilities, although it must be said that many unforced errors are from “too much plan, not enough execution.” That said, understanding tactical tennis will give you an advantage over most opponents that you will encounter.

As you gain experience playing, you will become better and better at tactical tennis, eventually reaching the point where you are more than one shot ahead mentally as you slug it out in a rally.

That is a cool level to reach, to manipulate your foe as you wish, setting him or her up for difficult situations where he or she is more likely to fail. It also increases your chances of hitting a winner as you think ahead and do your best to move your opponent out of position.

For those who want to think ahead and devise shot combinations that will fluster their challengers, we offer up five combos that form the heart of tactical tennis:

Tactical Tennis Tip #1 – Hit Short On Purpose:

Hit a shot short enough to draw your opponent 10 or more feet forward into the court, preferably a low ball that is hard to handle.

This presents problems because the shot hit while running in is one of the toughest in tennis. If he or she succeeds in getting your short ball, he or she will often fail to sprint back to the baseline.

That’s when you hit the next shot deeper and at least eight feet to either side of your foe. Such moving up and back of an opponent can be extremely helpful to winning rallies.

Many players can hit shots hard when they don’t have to move. It’s a different story when they have to hit on the run. And, of course, the less fit your opponent, the more you will want to make him or her move.

Tactical Tennis Tip #2 – High and Deep to the Backhand:

When you have a ball that you can put a lot of topspin on, a forehand in your wheelhouse, for example, hit it deep and high to your opponent’s backhand so that it will kick above the shoulders. This presents a very difficult shot for your challenger. It is very hard to generate pace on a ball above the shoulders on the backhand side. The result is often a high, floating ball that is easy to put away at the net.

This shot is especially effective, because when your shot kicks high, your opponent will be looking up and to the side as he or she hits the ball, so he or she won’t see you moving in to volley. Thus, a decent shot by your foe becomes fodder for your volley smash. In general, deep shots to the backhand, followed by a rush to the net, will often work against many players.

You don’t want to overuse this tactic, or your opponent will simply run around all backhands. In the midst of a long rally, though, it brings a nice change of pace and an element of surprise. It is not high risk unless you are a poor volleyer. “Deep to the backhand, up to the net” is not a bad credo for any player that is looking for a simple mantra in tactical tennis.

Tactical Tennis Tip #3 – Run Your Opponent Around:

Do you want to get your opponent running a zig-zag, spending precious energy tracking down your shots?

Try this classic strategy in tactical tennis: hit to your opponent’s “side pocket”, the outside corner of the service box, then hit the next ball to the opposite side OR behind your opponent as he or she hurries back to the center of the court. Either strategy is a winner.

Either you put a ball far away from your opponent and make it extra-difficult for him or her to reach it, or you hit a shot that is against all of the momentum that he or she has, making it almost impossible to get.

The only danger of this shot is if your foe gets to your first wide shot and hits it with even more angle than you put on it.

That will happen from time to time, but you will win most rallies with this sequence, if executed properly.

Tactical Tennis Tip #4 – Drop shot and Lob Tactic:

The classic drop-shot/lob combo has worked for decades, and it can work for you, too.

You will need to have a good drop shot to make this strategy feasible, but with a little work, you can develop a killer drop shot.

Again, you are forcing your opponent to run in and hit, which is one of the more difficult shots in tennis. The only danger with this short shot is if you do not get the lob over your opponent’s head. If not, he or she will have a field day smashing volleys back at you after you have drawn him or her in.

Your adversary will grin every time that you hit a drop shot, knowing that you will follow that with a weak lob that he or she can crush.

Obviously, for this piece of tactical tennis to work, you need to hit a solid lob, one that lands no more than four feet from the baseline and does not rise too high (giving your opponent much more time to get back and retrieve it).

The lob does not have to be a particularly hard shot for you.

Practice a bit and soon you will be putting them within a foot or less of the baseline, making this strategy more effective than ever. And talk about fatigue! Your opponent will probably have hihe or sher tongue hanging out after a few of these drop shot-lob combos. Don’t snicker too loudly as you watch him or her suffer.

Tactical Tennis Tip #5 – Use Your Slice Backhand:

One final combo that might be a little tough for you to pull off is the sidespin-slice backhand followed by a rush to the net. As you come towards the net on a short ball, try to slice it and bring your racquet towards your body, creating a side spin as well.

While your opponent is busy trying to figure out if you are going to continue to the net, he or she will be too distracted to watch the strange bounce that is about to give him or her fits.

When the ball both dies on the court thanks to your slice, and it spins just a bit away from your antagonist, the result will be either a soft ball that you will gobble up at the net or an unforced error.

Other Tactical Tennis Tips

Apart from these shot combinations, there are many other things that you can do that will contribute to excellent tactical tennis. Another strategy that you should try is changing up speeds on your serve. In baseball, pitchers try to fool batters by not only making the ball move up, down or sideways, but by changing their speeds from time to time. You can do the same with your serve.

When you have a sizeable lead on your serve, try a very soft first serve with lots of spin. Many times, your opponent will be so stunned that he or she will be late in running up to return it, and the result will be a very weak return or unforced error.

Different Tactical Tennis and Combinations

Also, if you have a nice lead while serving, hit your second serve just as hard as your first serve. You have a lead and can take this risk. The result many times will be an ace or service winner as your opponent wonders where you got your new second serve.

The combinations and possibilities of tactical tennis are almost endless. These five shot combinations will come in handy during your next match. Varying your serve will also help you to win many easy points. Between these two strategies, you will gain enough of an advantage to surely triumph the next time you play, perhaps even to best a player that has more skill than you.

Tactical tennis can be the great equalizer of talent, which means more wins for you.

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This article describes some of the singles tennis strategies that are vital in any tennis singles matches.

Singles Tennis Strategies #1: Take every opportunity to attack the net

This singles tennis strategy applies to any tennis match. Hitting the ball down the middle and deep are the two main basic aspects of singles tennis strategies. However, the ability of the tennis player to anticipate short ball and attack the net at every opportunity add to his tools to win tennis matches. Anticipation is vital for an effective net play. Do not wait for your opponent to give you a short ball before you decide to play net but rather always anticipate a short ball be ready to play net if you glimpse an opportunity to do it.

Remember that to win tennis, you have to create your opportunities with singles tennis strategies rather than wait for your chances. Thus to achieve your goal, you have to take every opportunity to score every point as possible and do not let your opponent dictate the tempo. To be able to do this, you must play your way to get to the net. One way to do this is to pin down your opponent at the baseline with deep shots.

This singles tennis strategy can be done when your opponent hits a short ball, then hit an approach shot and execute volley then come into the net. The more confident you become to apply this technique, the easier will it be for you to anticipate and move forward instead of waiting for your opponent’s ball at the baseline. To add tools to your other singles tennis strategies can add pressure to your opponent which can affect his concentration and rhythm.

Singles Tennis Strategies #2: Play by the percentage

One of the best singles tennis singles strategies is to be consistent and reduce unforced errors. Generally, a match is finished with more errors committed by players than points won. And most often, the player that produces more errors loses. So players should remember to play the percentage and must try their best to reduce the error percentage. The best way to achieve this is to simplify your tactics.

You have to hit deep balls, always give enough allowance (avoid hitting the lines), always be ready for your opponent’s attack and always anticipate short balls.

When your opponent attacks and force you to hit tough a shot, your best counterattack singles tennis strategy is to hit a ball that gives you the highest percentage of staying in the game and if possible giving you a point. When your opponent is ahead of you by points, always find a way to stay with the game by surely crossing the ball over the net with deep shots. Also avoid hitting winner shots (unless you are absolutely sure) to get out of trouble.

If you are ahead of points, maintain the momentum by doing the tactics that gave you the advantage. If you are going to try something new, there is a possibility for the momentum to shift in favor to your opponent. Momentum can change quickly before you notice it, thus avoid this by taking risk of experimenting unfamiliar and fancy shots. Save these new shots for your next matches after you mastered them.

Singles Tennis Strategies #3: Choose the right tactic when under pressure

Choosing the right tactic when under pressure is a key singles tennis strategy when a tennis player is under pressure. A player’s normal tendency is to play safe balls. Pressure can rattle the player’s control resulting to poor strokes execution. As result, you will just notice that slowly your opponent is eating you up with his aggressive deep or baseline shots. In this situation, surely you know what shots to take but you fail to execute because of the lack of courage to do the right shot.

If you are in this situation, avoid thinking on how to win the match or avoid thinking the about the pressure of every point. Instead, remember the best singles tennis strategies to get out of trouble, which are to be consistent and aggressive.

Singles Tennis Strategies #4 : A high ball in response to a wide ball

When you are in the middle of a baseline rally and your opponent hit a wide ball forcing you to make an error, the best counterattack is to slow down the pace of the game by hitting a high ball (at around 10to 12 feet above the net). This will allow you to be able to recover and take the opportunity to change the momentum of the play. If your opponent plays the net (which what players should normally do!), the best thing you can do is not to give him the chance to hit a very good volley. Thus when you hit a high ball, be sure to add more topspin on it. As a result, your opponent will be forced to hit up and over the net which can be an awkward volley shot, unless of course your opponent is on the net. If indeed he is on the net, then the best shot you can do is a lob shot.

If your opponent stays at the baseline, you have a good chance to get your opponent frustrated while waiting for the slow paced ball because of the high ball you hit. At this instance, he has the tendency to try to hit deeper balls and in this situation, chances are high that he will hit long or the ball hit the net.

Singles Tennis Strategies #5: Slow down your opponent’s momentum

One of the best singles tennis strategies against a player who likes to play at a very fast pace is to return a soft and high ball that forces him to change his usual shot preparation. You have to remember that winning does not mean you have to play extravagantly. Like for example, if your opponent is a two-handed player (uses two hands for the forehand and the backhand strokes), normally he likes to hit the ball when it is in his striking zone. That’s because he can hit the ball using his natural body movement and produces accurate and powerful groundstrokes.

Thus as much as possible, you have to avoid this area and hit a short and low ball, or hit a high ball with enough topspin to force him to adjust to your changes and put him out of this rhythm.

Basically, the principle of sound singles tennis strategy is not to give your opponent the shots that he wants. Thus, it is imperative for you to learn about your opponent, know the shot that he is most uncomfortable with to make him frustrated and lose concentration and in the end commit errors. It is also very important that you know the tennis shots that creates power and which of them don’t. Like for example, a high and deep ball with enough topspin are very hard to return because they normally are out of the power zone of the body. These shots have to be returned with outreached hands and have to be hit when the ball is on the rise, making them very tough to hit accurately.

Singles Tennis Strategies #6: Make your opponent’s strongest shot to your advantage

An important part of singles tennis strategies is formulating a good strategy and playing your own game on your terms. Don’t be intimidated by your opponent’s strongest shot. If your opponent’s forehand is his greatest asset and his backhand his greatest liability, don’t make him out play you with his forehand but make him commit errors through it. As always, anticipate the shot and force your opponent to execute shots better than he is capable of. You can do this by overplaying to his best side and when he hits flat forehand, overplay again and hit a cross-court shot to force your opponent to hit the sideline or down the line shot. This type of shot is difficult to execute which will likely cause an error.

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