Tennis Tactics

Growth Of Tennis Tactics Through The Years

1. Tennis started as a backcourt game, the players staying near the baseline, never coming to the net. The game was slow because the players waited until the ball bounced very low before hitting it. A lifting stroke with lots of top spin was a favorite, introduced by an Englishman named Lawford, for whom the stroke was named.

2. Net play next developed, and it was found that a player at the net could win over the backcourt player using the Lawford stroke. This resulted in the popularity of net play over the backcourt type of game.

3. Next came the players (Tilden is the great example) who were equally at home in the backcourt and at-the-net. This type of player is called "the all court" player and could beat either the baseline expert or the net expert. The "all court" game is the game of the present, and no one can predict what the game of the future will be. a. The "all court" player must have the following strokes at his command:

The forehand and backhand drives--as a foundation for his game.

The forehand and backhand chops or slices--as accessory strokes mixed in with the drives.

Two types of serves—in order to assure the winning of his service games.

The volley and overhead smash--weapons for net play.

The lob--defence against net play.

The half volley--weapon against balls bouncing at his feet.

1. The "all court" player must feel equally at home at the net, or in the backcourt, while serving or receiving, and in executing strokes imparting top spin, back or side spin to the ball, as well as the punch stroke without spin. If he is caught in midcourt, he must be able to use a half volley.

Types Of Players Met On The Courts (Tilden's Classification)

1. Joe Gettum

He returns all balls and keeps them in the court. His form is terrible, but he makes few errors. His balls lack speed but are very accurate. He plays a defensive game, waiting for the opponent to beat himself by hitting the ball out of court.

2. Alec Smashem

This player gets great joy from hitting the ball as hard as he can. His form is often beautiful to watch, but the majority of his strokes result in errors and points for the opponent. Alec has sacrificed accuracy for speed, and he seldom gets beyond the first round of a big tournament.

3. The Tennis Player

He has good form, without being spectacular, and keeps a good balance between accuracy and speed, never hitting a ball harder than he needs to in order to gain the point. He can cope with any type of competition and not let his form degenerate.

Types Of Games

1. The three-stroke game

This is the sensible game to use when learning tennis, the player realizing that it is better to perfect the drives and the serve before going on with the more advanced strokes. This is a backcourt game.

2. The five-stroke game

By adding the volley and the lob to his stroke vocabulary, the player is able to play at the net and defend himself against the net playing opponent. Intermediate players, who have used the backcourt game a few years, should advance into the five-stroke game during the second phase of development, emphasizing the development of a good volley and lob.

3. The all-court game

The smash, chop, or slice, and half-volley are added to finish the education of the tennis player. Now he is at home anywhere on the court and can change the pace of the game by use of different kinds of ball spins.

Strategy Points

The player's aim is to make his opponent err, either in stroking or court position. He must keep the ball in the court, and yet make it difficult for his opponent to return the ball within bounds. The mental strife which goes on between two players is as great as the physical combat. Anticipation of what the other player is planning to do, coupled with effort to make him do what he doesn't want to do, makes tennis "the greatest game in the world."

1. Play to your opponent's weakness

a. If he hates to run, place the balls so he will have to run for them.

b. If he likes to hit high balls, give him low ones.

c. If he likes soft balls, send him fast ones.

d. If he likes to play at the net, keep him in the backcourt with long drives and high lobs.
 
e. If his backhand is weak, place your shots to his left hand side, whenever you need the point.

f. If he is weak at the net, use drop shot to bring him up.

g. If he is fat or lazy, wear him out by running him all over the court.

Note.—This advice sounds Cruel, but remember, you are really giving your opponent practise on the things he needs. This is a kindness.

2. Your opponent is using the same advice which you are following—so:

a. Be sure that your own game has none of the weaknesses you find in him. Enjoy everything that comes your way, whether it be net play, driving, running, cut bounces, backhand shots, drop shots, etc.

b. Use your head to save your heels.

1. Assume the correct court position at all times. Anticipate where the balls are going and get there before you have to hurry.

a. Never find yourself caught in midcourt or off court to the side.

b. Come to the net only when you have made an "opening," i. e., placed your opponent at a disadvantage. Once at the net, stay there and fight it out, unless a high lob forces you back.

c. Do not come to the net when your opponent is at the net or in the middle of the court ready to send the ball past you.

Doubles And Singles

1. Contrast Of The Two Kinds Of Tennis Games

They are very different in strategy points, court positions, and the types of strokes used. Singles players may be very poor doubles players and vice versa. Singles is an individual game, while doubles is a team game. Tilden, always an outstanding singles player, seldom won doubles championships. George Lott, considered the best doubles player in the world in 1933, was never outstanding in singles.

a. Characteristics of the singles game (a baseline game with net trimmings).

V. One player covers the whole court; thus speed and endurance are the outstanding features.

2. Kind of strokes

a. Serve is very fast to keep opponent from making placement shot, b'. Drives are deep and fast, c' Chop is used for defense and changing pace in a rally, d'. The lob and volley are used infrequently compared with the drive.

3. Tactics

a. The player's aims are to force the opponent into errors and to score placements, b'. A point may be won in just a stroke or two through accurate placements because the court is covered by only one player, c'. The singles player comes to the net only to "finish off" a point, when his opponent is at disadvantage and the volley will win the point.

b. Characteristics of the doubles game (a net game with baseline trimmings).

1. Two players cover the court, so that team work is the keynote of the game. Placement, finesse, and good team work in assuming the proper court positions are important factors.

2. Kinds of strokes

a. The vollev and smash are the most important point winners.

b. The lob is used frequently to drive opponents from the net.

c. The serve is not so fast, with accuracy and spin taking the place of speed. Double faults are unpardonable sins, and good first serves are advisable because of the server's dash to the net.

d. Drives are short, and cross-court drives are most valuable, because of the alleys being in bounds.

e. The chop is seldom used because it falls an easy victim to the net players.

3. Tactics

a. Practically all points are won by the team at the net. Consequently the object of the game is to get to the net and drive the opponents into the backcourt. "Hitting down" (as in net play) wins the doubles match—while "hitting up" (as in back-court play) is defensive and characteristic of a losing team.

b. Placement wins in doubles whereas speed may win in singles due to the difference in number of players covering one court.

c. Much strategy must be used to maneuver a doubles team out of position so that there is a hole in which to place the ball. Therefore, many strokes are exchanged before the point is won. Sometimes both the couples are at the net and the quickest volleyers win the point.

2. Planning The Attack

The singles player or doubles team should plan the attack, knowing where to place the ball on each return in order to gain the point. The player plans one or two strokes ahead thinking along the following lines: "If my opponent returns this shot, my next one must land in the left corner of his court. If he returns that, T shall drive a fast one to the right corner, following in to the net, and dropping his next return over the net."

a. Suggestions for stroke sequence in singles

A. Serve to get opponent off court.

B. Drive to backhand corner.

C. Drive to forehand corner (server follows shot to net).
 
D. Stop volley to win point,

b. Court positions in doubles

1. The Parallels Theory in doubles is advocated by every tennis authority. It states that the doubles court is too wide for one player to cover. Partners should always play parallel to each other on the court, covering their own length of the court, not the width. If one is at the net, the other must be at the net. If one player is forced back to the baseline, the partner must also retire from the net. Thus we may imagine that there is a rope tied between the partners, so that if one goes to the net, the other is pulled along, and vice versa. The reason for this rule is made clear by Figs. 39, 40.

There are no holes into which the ball may be placed. The side A players may attempt lobs over the heads of side B but they must be at a disadvantage, else side B would not be at the net. We may presuppose poor lobs, and resulting smashes to win the point for side B. In case of a successful lob over players' heads on side B, they retire to the baseline to return lob, and wait for another opportunity to get to the net.

With one player trying to cover the width of the forecourt, and the partner covering the width of the backcourt, there will always be two holes on each court, into which the ball may be placed to win the point. Thus cross-court drives or chops will win the game for those players who see the weaknesses of their opponents' positions and capitalize on them (Fig. 40.)

Fig. 39.—Good doubles court position.

Drives To Vulnerable Areas
Fig. 40.—Poor doubles court position.

2. Court positions of server and partner.

a. If the server has a very weak stroke, it is best for his partner to stay back on the baseline with him. Then they can rush to the net together when they have made an "opening."

Exception: If the server's partner being at the net bothers the opponents, acting as a mental and physical hazard for them, the net position is advisable. In this case the server will not follow his serve to the net (it is too weak) but will try to return the next ball with a fast deep drive which will be his "opening" to join his partner at the net. If he fails to make this "opening" his partner should retire from the net and play back-court with him, until they place their opponents at a disadvantage,

b. If the server's stroke is adequate, he should follow it to the net immediately after the ball leaves his racquet. His responsibility is to get to the net, volleying any return that comes in his path as he runs forward. The server's partner's responsibility at the net is to return the ball which comes within his reach and run back for lob return of the service. He is in a better position to scramble for a lob than his partner, who is dashing to the net, with his weight forward. In the event of a lob, both players retire from the net until another opening is made.

Note.—Many women players do not have good enough volleys, nor the adequate service stroke, to follow to the net after serving. In women's play the server often admits her weakness and stays back after serving until she makes an opening with her drive. The admission of weakness is a tradition in the women's game and should be discarded along with bustles and mutton sleeves.

c. Four optional returns of the serve in doubles. (Server's partner at net.) The receiver should decide which return will work best.

1. Drive to the feet of the server as he comes to the net. This is the most popular tactic, and most practical in returning a forceful serve. Lob over the head of the server's partner.

(The receiving side may follow this lob to the net, if it lands near the baseline.)

3. Drive short cross court shot to forecourt alley. (This will be most difficult for the server to return.)

Fig. 41.—Four returns of service.

4. Drive past the server's partner in the alley (in case the net player's position is toward the middle of the court). (See Pig. 37.) d. Three optional returns of the service. (Server and partner in backcourt.)

1. Drive deep shot between two players. (Often each player thinks the other will take it, and neither of them hits it.)

2. Use a short cross court chop, drive or drop shot. (If one of the opponents runs up to take it, a nice hole is made for the next shot.)

3. Drive to the deep backhand corner. (Follow to the net, since the next return will doubtless be weak.) (Fig. 42.)

Fig. 42.—Three optional returns of service (serving side in backcourt).
Note.—The receiver's partner may play net in this formation, if the receiver plans to come to the net after his return of service.

Advice To Players

A. For beginners in tennis

1. Learn the correct strokes under the six points of analysis and stick to them.

2. Practise against a backboard every spare minute, trying to improve the rhythm and timing of your strokes, until they are machine-like.

3. Work for smoothness. If you use a full swing with good body action, accuracy and speed will develop naturally.
 
4. Never take your eyes off the ball until it leaves your racquet.

5. Never be hurried.

a. Take your backswing long before the ball bounces.

b. Always pause at the end of the backswing in order to aim your racquet at the ball and insure good timing in your forward swing.

c. Start moving into position for the ball as soon as you can tell in what direction it is coming.

d. Never rush into the bounce of a ball. Stand to the side of the ball, waiting until it bounds opposite your forward foot before starting the forward swing.

6. Keep racquet's reach away from the ball at all times. Practise, practise, PRACTISE!

7. Attend the best tournaments and observe the best players, then practise, practise, PRACTISE.

B. For intermediates in tennis

1. Follow the advice for beginners.

2. Practise weak strokes rather than strong ones, until you are sure of them. Try to hit as many backhands as forehands.

3. Admit your own weaknesses of form. Be willing to correct them patiently and persistently, even though your game goes to pieces for a while.

4. Never settle back on your heels on the court; perfect your footwork; always have your side to the ball.

5. Concentrate on correct court positions.

6. Play for practise and not for score.

7. Always expect your balls to be returned, and try for every ball.

8. Never give up.

9. Always try to place your ball, not just get it over the net.

C. For advanced players

1. After making your strokes automatic, concentrate on tactics.

2. Keep a balance of accuracy and speed, never sacrificing one for the other.
 
3. Use your head to save your heels.

4. Never throw a point or be indifferent. Play your best at all times, and be courteous and thoughtful of your opponent.

5. Practise as much as you play, and with some one who will give you the kind of shots you need.

6. Play and practise with good men players whenever possible.

7. Play in at least one serious tournament a year. This will show up your weak, points and indicate the kind of practise you need.

8. Enjoy your tennis always. Make friends and develop good sportsmanship and social qualities through the game.

Tennis Etiquette For The Player

A. How to start the match

1. The serve or choice of ends is determined by the racquet toss. One player twirls his racquet while the other calls "rough" or "smooth." If "smooth" was called, and the smooth racquet face is uppermost the caller wins choice of serve or end.
B. Be friendly to your opponent

1. Before the match starts greet your opponent in a friendly manner.

2. When passing your opponent to change ends, speak a friendly word to him.

3. At the end of the match shake hands with your opponent and thank him for the match, or congratulate him on the victory.

4. Never make excuses for your poor playing if you lose.

C. Be thoughtful of your opponent

1. If there are no ball boys be sure to keep your opponent supplied with balls when he serves.

2. Do not return his first serve if it is a fault, or interrupt the sequence of his serves in any way.

3. When you are serving be sure that your opponent is ready before starting each point.
 
4. Play your best at all times, remember careless playing is an insult to your opponent.

5. Wear an all white costume that will not distract your opponent.

6. Do not delay the game by fussing over clothing, racquet, hair, etc.

D. Treat the officials with respect

1. Never question a decision.

a. Never throw a point.

b. Do not argue with the umpire.

c. Do not show by your manner that you disapprove of a decision.

2. Thank the umpire for officiating your match after it is finished.

3. In case of inability to play a match, default graciously without argument or plea for postponement.

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