Tennis Training Theme #3 – Spin and Pace

Objective

With specific purposeful training and match play application, master the ability to control and vary spin and pace for all strokes including the serve, groundstrokes, volleys and overhead. Demonstrate ability to control and vary spin and pace to execute patterns for both singles and doubles.

1. Manage the factors influencing spin and pace – swing path and speed, angle of racquet at point of contact, launch angle, initial ball velocity off the racquet, spin, drag (air resistance), climatic conditions (wind, humidity, air temperature and air pressure), quality of tennis balls and gravity. Work specifically on racquet head speed (acceleration) to generate more spin and pace. Learn how to make adjustments as playing conditions and situations change.
2. Learn how to hit with little to no spin, topspin, underspin and sidespin for the groundstrokes. Learn how to hit underspin and topspin (swinging) volleys. Learn how to hit a relatively flat, slice, topspin (kick), hybrid and reverse twist serve. Develop the ability to hit a flat overhead with little to no spin and how to hit an overhead with hybrid (slice/topspin) spin when taking the ball on the bounce and in the air from a deep position on the court.
3. Learn how to vary spin (as well as trajectory, net clearance and pace) to effectuate the angle of incidence in which the ball strikes the court and the height and projection of the bounce. Get the ball to sit up and not carry into the court with backspin. Get the ball to bounce up with forward projection above the strike zone of your opponent with topspin. Get the ball to stay low requiring an opponent to take the ball below the strike zone with a biting slice (underspin with pace). Get the ball to bounce horizontally in a left or right direction to potentially jam or stretch an opponent into difficult spacing with sidespin. Minimize spin and maximize pace to get the ball to drive through the court. Learn how and when to vary spin and pace to vary the height and projection of the bounce. Learn how to disguise spin and pace and how to make adjustments for different playing surfaces.
4. Learn how to use spin and pace to get both vertical and horizontal movement on the ball both before and after the bounce. Use both sidespin and underspin to work the ball to the outside of the court and to jam or stretch your opponent into uncomfortable spacing. Use topspin to get the ball to dip allowing balls to be hit with more pace and higher net clearance and margin
5. Develop the ability to match the spin of incoming balls. As example, return a heavy topspin ball with heavy topspin. Develop the ability to change the spin of incoming balls. Take a ball hit with underspin and respond with topspin a the reverse. Develop the ability to add or reduce the spin of incoming balls. Work to exaggerate the spin (topspin), net clearance and arc of trajectory and then incrementally reduce the spin of your shots, net clearance and arc of trajectory until you are hitting a relatively flat drive with minimal net clearance. Reverse the process beginning with little to no spin and then progressing to a stroke with excessive spin, net clearance and arc of trajectory. Work the entire spectrum from heavy slice to heavy topspin and the reverse.
6. Acquire the skill to absorb pace (take pace off the ball) and slow the pace of the rally with spin. Learn how to generate pace and how to quicken the pace of the rally. Learn how to maintain or change pace. Work on generating more racquet head velocity (acceleration) with the objective of being able to sustain a rally of controlled aggression at a much higher pace of shots. Incrementally ramp up the pace of your shots and your ability to manage a higher pace of shots with fewer and fewer errors.
7. Develop the ability to utilize pace and spin to execute both offensive and defensive playing styles and patterns. Learn how to use pace and spin to shorten the length of rallies, to conclude the point in less than four shots. Likewise, use spin in particular to lengthen rallies and extend the length of each point (making your opponent hit more balls).
8. Learn how to utilize and vary spin and pace to disrupt the timing of your opponent by slowing or increasing the pace of the rally, placing the ball outside the strike zone of your opponent, not allowing your opponent to establish a consistent rhythm and making it difficult for your opponent to judge where and how to take the bounce.
9. Develop the ability to effectively respond to balls hit with different spins and pace. Recognize best shot options based on court position and your position in relation to the ball. Develop a situational awareness of best shot options when taking the ball in, above or below your strike zone. Learn best shot options when you are in a strong position to hit the ball with ideal spacing and alternatively when your spacing is compromised and you are not in an ideal hitting position, Develop the knowledge of what shot options you have when taking the ball on the rise and when taking the ball as it is dropping? Learn under what circumstances and situations it is best to take the ball before the bounce with a volley or overhead and under what circumstances it is best to take to the ball after the bounce. For all these situations, recognize how your response changes when hitting from the backcourt, mid court or forecourt, hitting from an advantageous or disadvantageous court position and/or hitting on different playing surfaces.
10. Develop control over spin and pace with repeated success of specific shots, shot sequences and patterns. Demonstrate control in practice with execution of progressively more difficult and complex shot and shot response requirements and patterns. Play point situations with defined pattern and shot requirements to further establish ability to control all required variables. Develop skill by playing matches versus opponents with different styles, strengths and weaknesses. Test skill, control, ability to make adjustments, and resiliency under pressure by playing competitive events.