January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Using your most devastating weapon
Consistency (ability to return every ball over the net and inside the lines) is the ultimate tactic in the game of tennis.
Your style of play is of little importance.
It doesn’t matter if you hit a one-handed backhand, serve and volley or are a baseline power player, your ability to win at any time will be based on your level of consistency.
Shot selection is an important part of having good playing tactics.
Once a player reaches a certain level with sound shots, their chances of winning will depend on their ability to hit the right shot to the right spot at the right time.
If you hit the greatest shot ever at the wrong time you are still likely to lose the point.
The same can be said for a bad shot hit to the right spot at the right time — you will probably win the point.
There are literally thousands of players in the world today that hit the ball as well, if not better, than the top ranked pros making big money in the Grand Slams.
Most of these players can’t win at the highest level.
These players sometimes have faster feet and superior conditioning, but aren’t mentally tough enough due to bad technical habits.
Most tennis players think that they are better than they actually are.
To be capable of playing tactically sound tennis, a player must know what his or her capabalities are.
Under what conditions or circumstances do you play your best?
Does pressure, power, or spin affect your level of consistency.
Once a players strengths and weaknesses have been self-realized that player must now be willing to play within their limits.
Only a very small percentage of players are willing to recognize their limits and play within them.
These guys are elite players who consistently find a way to win.
Many of the top players in men’s and women's tennis competition use a basic crosscourt game plan and incorporate modifications when necessary.
They do this because of the physical layout of the tennis court.
The crosscourt groundstroke can travel approximately 82 1/2 feet, almost four and one feet longer than the down the line shot.
The cross court shot will also pass the net at its lowest point (3 ft which is 6 inches lower than the down the line).
In analyzing the performance of the top players 80 per cent of their shots land well away from the lines (almost down the middle). Most spectators only recall the 20 per cent that land closer to the line.
As a result they believe that the world’s best players are literally aiming for the line when they hit into the 20 per cent zone.
Bjorn Borg, in his book, says that he aims a yard or two beyond the service line and that when the ball strikes close to the line it is an “accident.”
By reducing your errors you will increase your chances of being successful.
A maximum effort on the critical points and games will insure the success you are seeking.
Recognize your limits and be willing to play within them. Don’t hit the shots that you'd like to hit, hit the shots that will give you the best chance to win.[[In-content Ad]]
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