I once asked a great college tennis coach, Jim Verdieck, what would happen to his tennis knowledge if he died. He responded, “If I die, it dies.” Consequently, I would like to share the knowledge I’ve compiled about tennis freely here on my blog. The subjects covered will include singles and doubles strategy, coaching instruction, and insights from 40 years of coaching alongside Dennis Van der Meer, Welby Van Horn, Chet and Bill Murphy, Jim Verdieck, and my mentor, Jim Leighton.
I’d like to start with the basic strategy of tennis, based on Wayne Sabin’s “Inside Tennis.”
1. Keep it In. Beat your opponent with concentration, hustle, and steadiness.
2. Find a Weakness. Most often, your opponent’s backhand will be their weaker side.
3. Keep it Deep. Your objective is to move your opponent from side to side.
4. Attack Short Balls. Learn to hit accurate approach shots from inside the baseline.
5. Volley Away from the Source.
Four of five points are determined by unforced errors, not by great shots. The next best thing to an error is a short ball from your opponent. The short ball is the green light to attack. You transfer yourself from a baseline defensive player to an at net offensive player with an approach shot. It is often an underspin shot, and should be directed down the line and/or at your opponent’s weakness. Close in on the net, and bisect the angle of your opponent’s best two passing shots. Volley away from your opponent towards the open court. A deep, aggressive approach shot often results in an easy volley. Practice your approach shots (and your passing shots).
