I contend that a systematic and progressive approach to tennis strategy is as important to player development as swing mechanics, understanding scoring, conditioning, technique, mental toughness training and any other skill that coaches traditionally address.
Even the most serious league players and many coaches add strategy as an afterthought.
Coaches typically wait until a player reaches a certain competitive level and even then, only provide tips reactively and sporadically as the player experiences various situations. As you can imagine, this approach isn’t effective and doesn’t promote confidence or consistent results.
I teach all of my students, regardless of age, ability or level, a formal system of strategy that allows them to effectively plan, execute and react with a high-speed thought process. This approach optimizes practice time and gives players an advantage during matches. Strategy becomes as much a habit as a serving ritual, a pre-match routine (actually, it becomes part of the pre-match routine) or changeover behaviors.
The elements of my system are basic enough to allow any player to implement them immediately for effective results (in a match or practice). As a player progresses, her strategic decisions become automatic and natural.
Since even beginning players are aiming for precise targets, they can evaluate their accuracy and progress during practice and set measurable goals during matches. This “deliberate practice” is more effective than either repetition or time dedicated to improving a skill alone.
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