Where should I stand to receive serve?

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This week’s question comes from a mid level Badge player.  Where should I stand to receive serve?  If I stand too far back, I can be aced out wide particular on the forehand court. If I stand too close, I can get overpowered particularly on a big serve?

Pros employ various strategies to returning serve to neutralize the servers advantage. Medvedev/Djokovic/Nadal play a long way back, Federer/Kyrgios/Barty play closer to the baseline.

The following stats chart illustrates the variations in the “neutralizing effect of the serve” based on the returner’s position for either the forehand or backhand court and, for first and second serve. Note the huge difference in the Second Serve position where the server has lost the advantage of the first serve!

 

Ultimately, the best approach for you is the one that provides you with a long-term advantage in getting into the game and creating the opportunity to win more points.  I teach this as your “Happy Position“.

To optimize your return position and neutralize the server’s advantage, here are a few guidelines to help you find your ‘happy position’:

  1. Assess the server’s tendencies: Observe the server’s patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. Do they often go for powerful serves or rely on placement? Are they consistent with their first serves?  Flat, slice or kick second serve? This information will help you anticipate their shots and allow to adjust your position accordingly.
  2. Consider court positioning: For first serves, standing around 2 to 4 meters behind where the ball bounces in the service box is a good starting point. This allows you to have enough time to react to powerful serves while still being able to cover a wide serve on the forehand court. Standing deeper than 4 meters may make you more vulnerable to wide serves, so find a balance between depth and court coverage.
  3. Adapt to second serves: As the chart shows, second serves often offer greater opportunities for an aggressive return. Here, the optimal return positions are significantly different. Some players excel at taking the ball on the rise, while others prefer a position where the ball has dropped slightly. On average, attempting to take the ball on the rise is much more challenging for club players, so finding a comfortable position where you can consistently make solid contact is key. Experiment with different positions during practice sessions to determine what works best for you.
  4. Focus on the key third hit: Remember that the return is just the beginning of the point. Aim to hit a deep and well-placed return that puts pressure on the server. If you force a short ball on the server’s second hit (the third shot in the point), it opens up opportunities for you (or your partner) to attack with an easy volley or a strong groundstroke.
  5. Be Adaptability: Tennis is a dynamic sport, and your return position should adapt to various factors such as different opponents, court conditions, and serve styles. Stay flexible and be willing to adjust your positioning based on the specific circumstances of each match.

Find your own “happy position,” where you can consistently return the serve and get into the point. This is typically at waist height, while allowing you to move forward into the ball, and around 3 meters from where the serve bounces in the service court! And yes it changes from first to second serve, from opponent to opponent, from day to day as court conditions change!

Good luck,
Rob  Tennis Whisperer

What’s a Good Miss?

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I’ve heard you often refer to a lost point as “a good miss”?  Why, you still lost the point!?

It’s understandable that you might question the idea of a “good miss” since losing a point is never ideal. However, the concept of a “good miss” is rooted in strategic thinking and risk management in tennis.

Statistics from Tennis Analytics show that hitting the ball into the net is one of the most common errors in tennis.  If you study the table below, two lightbulb moments will jump out at you:

1.  The vast majority of points, at any level of the game, are lost (typically 90% of points are lost!), and

2.  Over 40% of those errors result from hitting the ball into the net.

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By avoiding this FUNDAMENTAL error of hitting the ball into the net, players increase their chances of winning the point. Therefore, a “good miss” refers to a shot that does not result in a net error but may still end up out of  court.

By aiming to avoid the net and hitting with margin, players can reduce the risk of making unforced errors and increase their chances of winning the point.  Moreover, they give the opposition a change to miss and make an error.

Of course, a shot that lands in the ideal location is always the goal, but it’s not always achievable. In those situations, a “good miss” can be a strategic and effective approach to minimize mistakes.

In summary, a “good miss” is not about celebrating a lost point, but rather a strategy to minimize unforced errors and increase the likelihood of winning the point, and the match, in the long run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are some tips for coaching my child in singles? | AskThePro

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This week’s question comes from a parent of a junior player.  “Thank you very much for sharing your doubles strategies.  What are some tips for coaching my child in singles?”

As a parent of a junior player, you may be wondering how to improve both your and your child’s singles play. Singles play requires a different set of skills and strategies to doubles play. Here are some practical tips to help your child improve their singles game:

  1. Focus on the serve: A strong serve is critical in singles and can give your child a big advantage from the outset. Encourage your child to practice their serve regularly, and vary the placement, speed, and spin of their serves to keep their opponent guessing.

  2. Play to your child’s strengths: Help your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, and encourage them to play to their strengths. For example, if your child has a strong forehand, encourage them to run around the ball to use it to dictate play. I call this the “Nadal Variation.”

  3. Stay aggressive: In singles play, it’s important to stay aggressive without being overly aggressive and to take control of the match. Encourage your child to hit their shots with pace and depth to keep their opponent on the defensive and look for opportunities to move forward and finish points at the net.

  4. Be patient: While staying aggressive, it’s important to be patient and wait for the right opportunities to attack. Encourage your child not to try to hit winners on every shot, but to play long rallies as/when required and force their opponent to make a mistake.  To win the point, you have get into the point first!

  5. Stay focused: Tennis is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, so it’s important to stay mentally focused and composed throughout the match. Encourage your child to stay positive and focused on the present moment and not to get too caught up in mistakes, talking to their opponent, or bad calls.

  6. Adapt to your opponent: Encourage your child to see what’s happening with their opponent on the other side of the net and adapt their game to their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. If their opponent has a weak backhand, they can target that side of the court more often. If their opponent is a good net player, they can keep them back at the baseline with deep shots and lobs.

  7. Be prepared to change your game: In some cases, your child’s game may not match up well against their opponent’s game. They may be overpowered. Encourage them to have a “Plan B” that may involve coming to the net to volley more often; hitting high, slow balls, or slow short balls to bring the opponent to the net, particularly if the opponent has an extreme Western grip. “Plan B” is never having to make the old chestnut excuses: ” I lost because I played badly” or “the other guy cheated”! 

Remember, the real secret of the game is the player who hits the ball over the net and into the court the last time, wins the point!  

With these strategies, your child will be well on their way to becoming a well-rounded tennis player who can play both singles and doubles at a high level, giving them a priceless gift of lifelong enjoyment and potential life long social connections through tennis.

Good luck!
Rob  Tennis Whisperer

Ps: Questions always welcome.