1.) Do the small things right at practice. There are obvious things you should do at every practice, like give good effort, but the small details might make all the difference. Starting behind the line for every suicide, having proper technique during the warm up, or staying focused while hitting serves. 5-5 deuce is just one point but it is a very important point. All the small details might seem unimportant, but if you want to win the 5-5 deuce point, you need to take care of the minor details.

2.) Have a competitors mentality. Do you hope for easy practices or fitness sessions? Do you hope for easy draws or defaults? You might need a mentality adjustment.

3.) Do things right when no one is looking. Some of us want to give great effort at the tournaments or while a coach/parent are present but how we are preparing while no one is watching will determine how we do in the tournaments we play.

4.) Hit the ball in practice that you will hit during your tournament.

What Does it Mean to Make Balls?

• Know your ability level and stay within it.
• Your ability level is a combination of how hard you can hit the ball and how close to the line you can hit.
• All tennis players should constantly be improving their ability level and re-evaluating where you are.

How Can you Get Better at Making Balls?

• Admit if you are losing matches because of consistency.
• Hit the ball at practice that you will hit in your tournaments.
• Start thinking about your mistakes like this…(1) Do I need to put more spin on the ball? (2) Do I need to aim further from the line?
• Over the course of time — due to getting bigger, faster, stronger, and logging practice hours — slowly start increasing the speed of the ball you hit and how close to the line you hit.
• Continue re-evaluating what your abilities are factoring all relevant factors — time off, weather, situational tennis…

1.) Stay Greedy

• Think about a score that motivates you. If you play better behind, pretend you are behind. If you play better even, pretend you are even.
• Remember, you need to stay hungry because you must earn tennis matches. You need to finish, you cannot simply run out the clock or rely on a teammate to make a play. You must be proactive.

2.) Stay in the Moment

• Determine specific phrases to say to yourself that help you focus.
• Do not look ahead or behind. Do not think about times you have lost a lead in the past. Do not take the situation for granted and assume the match is over.
• Understand the percentages to help keep you motivated. If you are playing a good player and have been winning a high percentage of the points, they are “due”, so stay humble and hungry.

3.) Continue with Your Game Plan

• Do not become overly creative and try to trick your opponent. Stick with your primary strategy and tactics. Only deviate from this if you are ahead but losing the momentum and you need a positive play to switch the momentum.
• Play high percentage.
• Big shots, safe targets.
• Long points and making your opponent work are always good.

What do you need to do before you move from Red to Orange Group?

• Know the shots of tennis and basic technique (ready steps, split, invisible wall, step, swing to the ear or small push forward)
• Know the
  traditional footwork moves (ready steps, split step, run to the ball, step in, recover)
• The ability to rally consistently to 10 with every shot
• Ability to throw a red ball consistently over the net and in the court
• Know how to play a tie breaker without being told where to stand or reminded to say the score
• Competing in 6 red ball tournaments/year
• Months of attending 2 classes/week
• Months of taking a 1/2 hour private lesson

Doubles Tips

1.) Move with your partner. If your partner is moving left, you move left. If your partner is moving back for an easy OH then start closing forward and look to poach. If the lob goes over your partner’s head then start running back.

2.) Do not be an alley protector. Alley protectors UNITE in the middle of the court. If someone beats you by consistently hitting winners down the alley then too good!

3.) If you have a low or difficult shot, hit the ball to the baseline player. If you have a high or easy ball, hit the ball to the net player.

4.) Play down the middle of the court if you are playing against alley protectors but if you are playing a more advanced doubles team then play through them.

5.) If the ball is between an easy shot and a difficult shot and you do not know if you should go to the net player or the baseline player, then hit two balls to one player and then one to the other. When you hit a shot a couple of shots to one player, the other player becomes a spectator and might not be ready for the ball especially after seeing their partner hit two shots.

6.) Focus on making the first 3 shots that you hit every point. For example, serve, first volley, and finishing volley.

7.) If you are playing against a team in which one opponent is clearly stronger than the other opponent, do not simply hit the ball to the weaker player. You need to maintain a balanced attack. If playing against a quality doubles player, the worst thing that can happen is they know where you are hitting every shot. You need to play through the stronger player as well to keep the stronger player honest. A 2:1 ratio of hitting to the weaker:stronger works best.

8.) Your #1 priority when playing doubles is your partner’s emotions! Never turn your back on your partner!

3rd Set Tie-Breaker Formula

1.) Know yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Play to your strengths and away from your weaknesses. It is time for YOUR best stuff, not necessarily your opponent’s worst stuff.

2.) Remind yourself that you are in a great position! However your got there — whether you won the first or second — you have put yourself in a position to win the match! Great job! All you need is 10 focused points, one point at a time.

3.) Have a serving location that you will frequently use. Spin and location. Use it frequently and then mix it up just enough to keep them honest but have a “go to” serve spot that you serve the majority of the points.

4.) Have a specific tactic that you will frequently use. Your goal is to be able to use your tactical play 60-70% of the time. If you do that, then you should feel very good about your chances. Remember, it is about what you do well!

5.) Have a mental, emotional, or physical goal. For example, to show positive emotion at some point, to do ready steps before every point, or to go to the towel between each point. Something that will help you perform mentally, emotionally, or physically better.