Tennis Training Theme #4 – Court Coverage, Footwork and Court Positioning

Objective

With specific purposeful training and match play application, master the ability to cover the full dimension of the court with efficiency, dynamic balance and agility in movement to the ball and in recovery after the shot in the process of hitting groundstrokes, volleys and overheads and in movement after hitting the serve. Demonstrate control of all footwork patterns required to facilitate court coverage. Learn how to cover the court for both singles and doubles.

1. Learn how to take the most direct line to the ball to reduce the amount of court to cover. Ensure to make accommodation to ensure proper spacing for stroke execution. Work on taking the ball early to reduce the time your opponent has to respond.
2. Work on footwork patterns to the ball and in recovery after the shot. Learn how to execute and apply a drop step (to initiate the first step to the ball), crossover steps, shuffle steps, skip step (in aligning feet), double skip step (in driving forward with an approach shot or in attacking a short ball with the forehand), carioca steps (most often used when approaching the net with a down-the-line slice backhand), adjustment steps, split step, dynamic split step (where you split and turnout to initiate the first move to the ball), one foot and two feet pivot steps (to generate ground and rotational force for the forehand groundstroke), jump step (to attack a high ball up and out of your standard strike zone), scissor kick (for the overhead), and (for lack of a better word) a corkscrew step (where you step back, load and kick up and out in response to a ball hit high, deep and slightly behind you). Learn how to transition from one footwork pattern to another and how to transition out of a footwork step pattern. Work on your ability to hit from closed stance, semi-open stance and open stance with the forehand and backhand groundstrokes.
3. Work on linear and multi-directional court coverage – up, back, left and right. On average, spend 70% of your focus on lateral movement, 20% on forward movement and 10% on backward movement (with variation based on your playing style and specific needs). Learn how to move forward to take balls with momentum inside the baseline including closing into the net following your serve (serve and volley). Work on moving forward to dig out balls hit short. Work on leading with both the left foot and right foot with the choice of which foot to lead with depending on your intention to move forward, hold your ground or retreat back after hitting the shot. Learn how to move back in response to deep balls. Work on running down lobs. Work on moving back to hit overheads. Work on lateral and diagonal movement to the ball for volleys and groundstrokes hitting with both open and closed stances. Work on coverage patterns and point situations requiring three to five changes of direction per exchange (the average number of changes of direction you would expect to encounter each point).
4. Learn how to slide when stretched on court surfaces conducive to sliding. Work on timing the slide into the shot. Learn how to lower your center of gravity. Learn how to apply equal pressure with the ball and heel of your front or lead foot in initiating the slide. Learn how to adjust pressure with the lead foot, flex the back leg and drag your toes to control the slide. Work on recovering after the slide and execution of the shot in anticipation of the next shot.
5. Work on recovering after the shot to an ideal position on the court bisecting the angle of shot options for your opponent left and right. Work also on recovering to a position that allows coverage of balls hit both short and deep. Learn how to recognize tendencies to better anticipate the location of each shot by your opponent. Learn how to establish a position on the court with each shot that plays to your strengths (provides you with the best opponent to hit your strongest shots). Learn when it is best to fall back in a more defensive posture, when to close in on top of the baseline and when to close into the net.
6. Work on acceleration to the ball (quick, explosive movement) and deceleration as you approach and prepare the feet for stroke execution (contact). Deceleration ideally includes short, abbreviated adjustments steps to position the body in preparation for the shot. It also includes a gathering of your feet (not necessarily a full stop) as for example when you are closing to hit an approach shot.
7. Work on your ability to successfully execute all shots from any position on the court. Establish and maintain an exchange from different positions on the court (ranging from up close to the net to a position well behind the baseline) and in transition up and back, left and right. Develop the ability to be agile with your footwork utilizing adjustment and other footwork patterns to get into an ideal position in relation to the ball to execute each and every shot. Establish control of the contact point in relation to the bounce hitting the ball on the rise, as the ball peaks or as the ball drops into your strike zone as required by your position on the court.
8. Work on your anticipation, ability to get a read on what to expect with each shot from your opponent. Work on recognizing cues for location, depth, spin and pace of the serve of your opponent based on the toss, grip changes, path of the swing and tendencies of the server. Learn the most likely shot option by your opponent based on the location and characteristics of your prior shot. Understand the concept of mirroring and the expectation that opponents often match the height, trajectory, spin and pace of your prior shot, particularly if they have difficulty changing pace, spin and trajectory, taking the ball on the rise and adjusting to balls outside their strike zone. Look at the grip your opponent uses in preparation to return your serve. A backhand or continental grip indicates your opponent may be looking to block or chip the return back in play. Identify your opponent’s grip, take back and stance with the groundstrokes. How your opponent prepares for each shot provides cues for ball direction, spin, pace, trajectory, etc. Recognize basic patterns of play and playing styles of your opponents. Does your opponent have a high shot threshold? Under what situations does your opponent look to pull the trigger and go for something more offensive? Recognize how quickly your opponent gets to the ball and how this impacts his/her ability to control the location and depth of his/her shot. For example, a player getting to a short ball late is more likely to pop the ball up and/or drop it short. There are more things to look for (some of which become instinctive) but the key takeaway is to be engaged and observant.
9. Work on your ability to recover between points and during changeovers to sustain your level of intensity and foot speed, balance and agility through an entire match. Use the 20 or 25 seconds afforded between points to take slow, deep controlled breaths through your nose. Focus on a long exhale. The process helps regulate your heart rate, resupplies oxygen to your lungs and serves to calm the mind in preparation for the next point.
10. Improve your court coverage with repeated success of specific shot sequences and patterns. Make an effort to get to every ball. Establish a work effort and intensity in all practice situations. Demonstrate speed and agility in practice with execution of progressively more difficult and complex shot requirements and patterns. Play point situations with defined movement patterns and shot requirements. Develop skill by playing matches versus opponents with different styles, strengths and weaknesses. Test ability to cover the court with efficiency and skill under the pressure of competition.