How to Become a Better All Around Tennis Player
The first thing to do to improve your all around tennis game is DON’T PLAY TENNIS! Well, don’t ONLY play tennis. Tennis is made up of not just hitting the ball to the other side of the net but footwork, positioning, conditioning, and strategy.
Of course, serves, volleys, forehands, backhands, approach shots, lobs and all the other shots you can make in tennis should be practiced to become proficient in them. To be the best you can be with any style of tennis, including footwork, positioning, conditioning and strategy are essential
Let’s Begin With Strategy
The strategy of being an all around tennis player is the ability to not only not lose control of the point but also the ability to gain control over any point in almost any situation. Executing a backhand as well as a forehand should be a priority. This means all shots must be practiced in all positions using all types of spins. The long rallys must be prepared for as well as short, deliberate points.
Develop a practice schedule that you cluster 2-3 elements together with each lesson. This should mean you can cover all of your basis in 3 lessons, to be repeated over and over again. Therefore, you should be having a repeat lesson every fourth lesson. Consider grouping your ground strokes into one lesson, serve and volley into another lesson, and approach shots and lobs into the third lesson, with footwork, positioning, conditioning, and strategy a part of every lesson.
How to Practice for Forehands and Backhands
When trying to become an all around tennis player, remember not to solely stand at the baseline hitting backhands and forehands to the other side. This will gain a simple comfort for the stroke necessary from that spot on the court, which is important considering it is the standard waiting spot, but the purpose of practice will be to attempt shots from many different spots on the court.
Attempt your shots from each the left and right side of the court. Also, break the court down into three sections from the net to the back of the fence. This breaks the court up into 6 sections. The left service box, the right service box, the left side of no man’s land, the right side of no man’s land, and the left side behind the baseline as well as the right side behind the baseline.
When making shots from inside the service box, stand toward the back of the service box but feel free to move around to create different situations. Remember, volleys will be covered during a different lesson, so save those or another time.
When making shots from no man’s land, don’t limit those to approach shots but remember to move side to side, constantly focusing on your positioning which is key to this area more than any other. No man’s land in my eyes means no one should play tennis from this spot on the court. You are out of position if you base yourself here, however you will find a large amount of shots being hit here anyway, so practice moving toward these shots by ensuring movement with them.
Shots from behind the baseline are the most common practice shots, so when behind the baseline focus on gaining control of a point. Do this by trying to move your opponent around on their side of the court. This will open up lanes and give you more chances for winners.
Backhands should be practiced JUST AS MUCH as forehands. Having a backhand not be a weakness will truly make you a better all around player.
How To Practice for Serves and Volleys
The serve is integral for any player. For the all around player, it needs to be practiced for consistency and effectiveness. The serve must never be so week that it puts you out of control of the point. The serve is the single best weapon to gain and retain control of a point, so don’t screw it up by feeding a pathetic second serve.
First serves are great for forcing the opponent way off their game. A successful first serve will give you the greatest chance to win the point, but the ability to be a great second server can make the difference in a longer match. Practice your first and second serves similarly, only ever so slightly taking some speed off to add control over the serve. You can add a touch of topspin to gain back that edge.
Volleys should be practiced as usual, looking to exploit the opportunities that your quick returns to your opponent will give you. Placement and consistency are key to keeping the volley from becoming a weakness in your game.
Put Yourself in Great (Court) Position
As always, footwork, positioning, conditioning, and strategy should be a part of every lesson. Be mindful that your feet do not cross, and that you are practicing tired as often as you can. Remember to consider where you are on the court at all times, and where is your opponent going to hit their next shot. Your positioning will have a HUGE effect on your opponents next shot.
Integrate your footwork and positioning by giving yourself a home spot to retreat to after each shot in a drill. You can also give yourself other points of position on the court to move toward in sequence for practicing hitting the ball while moving. Be mindful to face your shoulders toward your opponent after each shot so you are ready for your next shot. Don’t cross your feet, and think through what will be hit at you if you are standing over ‘here’ versus over ‘there’. Be observant to these cause and effect situations and keep a mental or even written log, if that helps.
Conditioning should be included in every drill. After going through a series repetitions using constant movement, only allow for short burst of rest, around 20-25 seconds to mimic time in between a point in a tennis match.
Strategy should be discussed at every lesson. Why each drill is being performed and the benefits it brings to your tennis game should be laid out before each drill begins. Communicate the purpose and be on the same page.
Don’t Forget…..
To be an All Around Tennis player means you can execute each shot from each position on the court. You know how to not lose control over a point as well as how to gain control over a point. It is difficult to beat you no matter what style is played against you. You are prepared for anything and can defend against anything. You might not have that one shot that will blow someone away, but you also don’t have that one weakness that can be exploited. Get out there when you can and enjoy the opportunity to practice and play the wonderful sport of tennis!
