Effective tennis singles strategy begins with a visual breakdown of the court horizontally and vertically to help you make quick baseline shot selections.
Dividing the court in this manner will also allow you to position yourself properly during a baseline rally to set up points to hurt your opponent.
For this tennis singles strategy tip, we’ll rely on the horizontal breakdown of the court as shown in the diagram below as a reference point in positioning yourself forward or back from the baseline during a match.
1. Evaluate The Situation
The first step in determining forward and backward positioning during a baseline rally is to evaluate your shot and the situation after you hit to your opponent. You will make one of three reads. I am in an even trading situation (neutral). I have an advantage (offense). I am in trouble (defense).
2. Your Position Will Depend on Situation
If your opponent is in trouble to any degree (on defense) move forward from neutral position into offensive groundstroke position.
If you have retreated into defensive groundstroke position to play a deep shot, recover back to neutral groundstroke position after the shot.
If you play a shot from offensive groundstroke position and don’t hurt your opponent, retreat to neutral groundstroke position.
Your ability to evaluate your opponent’s strategic state and adjust forward or backward decisively will improve with experience and awareness of this concept.
For a free copy of the diagram shown above to help you move into an offensive position when the appropriate situation presents itself, click the button below:
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