These are great tips for anyone out on a tennis court in Toronto as the weather warms up.
At Baseline
1. Cross court shot - hit outside of ball to create wide ball and keep cross court opponent wide ( this opens up angles that you have to defend.....often better to just hit towards the singles sideline 5-8 feet from the baseline)
2. Move in( With balance)to hit service return
3. Move into service line and hit ball cross court to set up point
4. On opponent's second serve, hit to person at net if not a good volleyer...(hit crosscourt and attack is better and safer)
5. Ad side: go down the line inside inside when ball goes to left. If ball to left, go to middle ( hit crosscourt)
6. Deuce side return of serve: if to backhand, lob over net person; if to forehand, topspin deep and move in for volley, overhead or swinging volley ( no need to ever lob down the line when one opponent at the baseline and one at the net, too risky with zero real advantages)
When Opponents Both at Net
7. Hit low dipping through the middle....( hit crosscourt to deeper net player and only lob down the line, not crosscourt)
8. Low dipping ball to opponents means attack i.e. "Low means Go"
Volleys and When at Net
9. Pounce after the bounce
10. Move straight in( on angles) and not sideways
11. Take out swing and just block with underspin; Racquet goes from high to low( gently)
12. Move to service line between points
13. Poach when can and hit to net opponent's feet ( plan to poach in advance)
14. When poach stay there and let partner at baseline call the switch (baseline partner is the boss)
15. Leave ball if don't intend on poaching; poach when sure and must get 99% of time ( 80)
16. Get in position: knees bent and in fencing position
17. Always follow ball in on volley and partner should cover empty court ( crosscourt person to the ball always stays deeper, California doubles thoughts)
18. If both partners at net, one should be a couple of steps behind ( agree.....see above)
Handling Lobs
19. Get balls in the air (forehand and backhand)
20. Person at net gets balls in 3 zones of court in the air (zone 4 is for partner)
21. After great deep lob, move in
22. If ball bounces, return to opponent at baseline or through the middle and move in ( avoid middle)
23. When being lobbed on service return, both can stay back and then move in together ( first take a step or two back to appear larger before going all the way to baseline)
24. Hang out at service line as easier to move back in a lob than backward
25. Move back when partner is being lobbed
26. One up and one back with lobbers
When Being Smashed
27. Run backwards ( couple quick steps, turn your body sideways to protect yourself prior to opponent hitting the smash) looking at net and split step and try to retrieve ball through middle; never look backwards when running back
Overheads
28. Get ball square on racquet and racquet back early
29. If defensive, hit to person at baseline; If aggressive, hit to person at net
30. Big side steps sideways to get deep and racquet back early
31. Zones
A) Red zone (when deep in court): get it back easy and don't kill it
B) Yellow zone (mid court): get it back easy and don't kill it
C) Green zone (near net): aggressive volley
Overall
32. Hit within the single lines
33. Down the middle (DTM) always ( CROSSCOURT ALWAYS)
34. Don't look at partner when she is hitting; take a quick peek to see if in trouble and then look at opponents ( LOVE THIS ONE)
35. Move back on partner's second serve ( ONE STEP)
36. Move forward on opponent's second serve ( ONE STEP)
37. Stay within your calm
38. Volley and overhead every ball with same speed; don't kill it
39. Go for placement over power
40. Keep feet moving
41. Call to partner when coming in from baseline and when staying back; baseline player is the boss
42. Always communicate with partner - yours and mine
43. Both partners follow the ball like tied on a string together (YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS)
44. Move back when opponents are in aggressive position
45. Move forward when opponents are in defensive position
46. Focus on the play and constructing a point
47. Don't worry about score
48. Hit with authority and confidence (even when not feeling it)
49. Vary balls with middle, wide and empty court; Keep finish near bicep!
50. When in doubt, hit Wilson or Penn!
Enjoy!
Karen
Enjoy!
Karen
