1. Practice ups, downs, up-bounce-ups without a partner and up-bounce-ups with a partner to develop a better understanding and feel for the length of the racquet, sweet spot and bounce off the strings and court.
2. Drop/hit balls (or have a friend drop balls for you to hit) to develop technique and control over placement. Practice hitting balls cross-court and down-the-line and to the four quadrants of the court as defined by the singles sidelines, baseline, service line and center service line.
3. Develop a low to high swing pattern for the groundstrokes. A low to high swing pattern generates topspin and allows for better margin of clearance over the net. Topspin brings the ball down and into the court.
4. Hit high (four to seven feet) over the net for better net clearance and margin for error.
5. Begin your groundstroke rallies initially close to the net and progress back to the baseline with success (10 or more shot rallies). It is easier to handle the bounce and see the ball when hitting from a closer range. Another alternative is to hit from the same side of the net.
6. Serve with an abbreviated half motion to better focus on the toss, contact point and finish.
7. Start serving from inside the service line. Progress back to the baseline with success. Move back several feet at a time until serving from the baseline with the successful consecutive completion of five or more serves.
8. Focus first on technique and consistency. In progression of learning, the order of priority should be technique, direction, depth and net clearance, footwork and court coverage, spin and then power.
9. Do everything possible to extend the length of the rally. Judge success and improvement, even when playing points, by the length of the rally. Your initial success as a player will be marked by your ability to get one more ball in play (or by your ability to make your opponent hit one more shot). A valuable exercise to improve consistency is to require a specific number of shots to be hit (i.e. five) in a cooperative exchange prior to the start of each point.
10. Play a lot of tennis, take lessons and most importantly have the most possible fun on the court every time you play.

1. Set up early with good footwork (adjustment steps) and mechanics to literally “freeze” your opponent.
2. Vary spin (type and degree). Develop skill to generate more or less spin from same set position.
3. Vary pace. Don’t be characterized as a “banger” or “pusher”.
4. Change patterns of play (short and deep, cross-court and down-the-line, stay back and close, etc.).
5. Develop all-court skills to be in a position to vary style of play (serve and volley, aggressive baseline, counterpunch, etc.) as necessary.
6. Vary height, net clearance and trajectory, remembering to incorporate the lob into your shot arsenal.
7. Vary location and direction, particularly with finishing shots (i.e. passing shots), serves and defensive replies.
8. Hit from an open stance, particularly off the forehand side.
9. Maintain an even temperament. Control emotions, particularly when under pressure.
10. Mask and/or feign fatigue. Take more or less time between points and changeovers.

1. Develop a consistent ritual (routine) prior to the start of each and every serve to establish intensity and focus. Include a smile (a big Cheshire-cat smile) in your pre-serve ritual to remind yourself why you are on court hitting serves and to drive your opponent “bonkers”.
2. Incorporate all body components in a kinetic chain to maximize torque, momentum and racquet head speed. Components include bend and drive with legs, rotation of hips and shoulders and bend and extension of elbow.
3. Maintain a relaxed (continental) grip through your service motion to create snap and acceleration of the racquet head. Support the racquet with your thumb and top two fingers and only squeeze at contact.
4. Keep your chin up with eyes focused on the point of contact to ensure full extension and reach with the serve. Hit up and out with the serve. If you are going to miss, miss long and not in the net.
5. Recognize the importance of the non-racquet arm and hand. Hold your tossing arm up (with chest up) to create “sink”, arch, bend and torque of your body. Drop the tossing arm (bringing your non-racquet elbow to your side) to lock your hips and transfer power to the hitting shoulder.
6. Recover with a complete and balanced follow through to position your body for the next shot (if there is one). Bring the racquet across your body. Flex at your knees and hips to reduce stress as the front foot lands on the court. Maintain balance and weight on the front leg with a low center of gravity.
7. Serve to one of three targets (target zones). Serve out wide to pull your opponent off the court. Serve at the body to jam your opponent and force a weak reply. Serve down the middle (middle T) with authority to stretch your opponent and give your opponent less time to respond.
8. Vary the spin of your serve. Hit with topspin (kick) to force your opponent to hit the ball up and out of the strike zone. Hit with slice to jam your opponent for serves hit at the body or to pull your opponent off the court for serves hit to the outside target (target zone). Hit a flat serve for power (which is particularly effective for serves hit to the middle target or target zone).
9. Vary the pace, spin and location of your serve to disguise intent and disrupt the rhythm of your opponent.
10. Focus on getting a high percentage of first serves in (70% – 75% for singles, 75% – 80% for doubles). If your first serve percentage is less than 55%, you need to “back off” and be less aggressive and/or work on you technique and execution. If your first serve percentage is 90% or more, you are miraculously lucky (i.e. whenever Ryan Sheehan wins a set from Don Brewster), having a phenomenally good day or more likely, you need to take more chances and “go for more” with your serve.

1. Crowd the center of the court (ensuring no balls pass you down the middle). Make your opponents try to beat you with lower percentage shots hit out wide (to the alleys).
2. Balls hit down the middle (including lobs) should be taken by forehand, strongest player or player closest to net.
3. Balls hit from a cross court direction should be taken by player opposite flight of ball.
4. Player who last hit shot is in best position to take next shot in rapid exchange.
5. Never let the ball bounce (only exception is a high arcing lob that lands short of the service line).
6. When presented with an easy volley or overhead, hit to an opening or directly at the feet of the opponent closest to the net. Do not hit at hips or shoulders, giving your opponent an opportunity to get a racquet on the ball.
7. In response to more difficult shots, hit deep and down the middle to the feet of the player furthest from the net.
8. Close in after a good shot. Never hit two volleys from the same spot.
9. When opponents are both at the baseline, volley with authority deep and down the middle to draw a weak response and open up the court. Play for openings and hit hard for angles. Do not hit short volleys or drop shots to draw opponents up.
10. Close in to hit your volleys (preferably on a diagonal line) to more effectively finish the point. Move and close in to cut off the ball, prevent the ball from dropping below the net and to afford your opponents less time to respond.

1. Hit it in.
2. Develop a low to high, extended finish stroke pattern for better control.
3. Take a number of adjustments steps prior to each shot to ensure the best possible balanced hitting position.
4. In preparation for the shot, set the hitting and non-hitting hands in line with the flight of the ball to improve rhythm and timing of your swing.
5. Hit cross-court and high over the net for better consistency.
6. Hit for depth to push your opponent behind the baseline and to give you more time to set up for your next shot.
7. Hit with underpspin to change pace and disrupt rhythm.
   8. Hit from an open stance to improve recovery.
8. When positioned inside the baseline, redirect the ball down the line or hit a cross-court angle.
9. When you have a chance to rip it, RIP IT!

1. Win Matches – Your number one and most important responsibility is to win matches (or do everything possible to put yourself in a position to win matches). Yes, there is an argument that the emphasis should be process and not results and that acknowledgment and recognition should be based on effort and not whether you win or lose. And yes, there should be no shame in losing nor should there ever be a burden or expectation to win. But the reality is your team benefits when you win and not so much when you lose. Doing everything you can to win matches (with integrity and character) requires a deeper level of commitment (difficult but attainable by any player). It requires effort, an investment of time in deliberate practice and play (both on and off the court), internal motivation and a passion for tennis. During match play, it requires intensity, focus, confidence, ability to execute under pressure and an ability to adjust your playing style or strategy. What you should expect from yourself and what the players on your team should come to expect from you is a winning attitude (a willingness to do whatever is necessary to win matches for your team).
2. Help teammates win matches – Your number two and second most important responsibility is to support your teammates in their efforts to win matches. To do everything possible to put yourself and your teammates in a position to win matches should be your main overriding focus for everything you do for and with the team.
3. Be positive. Be positive not only to benefit your game but also to benefit the conviction and attitude of the other players on your team.
4. Never give up. It’s extremely important for the psyche, morale and spirit of your team to know that every player is committed to giving 100% each and every match no matter the score or circumstance.
5. Continuously try to improve. Establish a goal to incrementally get better each and every time you go on the court and to help your teammates incrementally improve their skills as well.
6. Offer no excuses or cast blame. If every player is positive in attitude, gives 100%, is trying to get better and is truly committed to doing everything possible to win matches, then it really doesn’t matter if you or one or more other players has a bad day or loses a match. You’re all in it together good or bad.
7. Communicate – A shared vision requires a shared dialogue and open (constructive) communication.
8. Support your coach. Respect the judgment and decisions of your coach. Take advantage of his/her expertise and perspective (particularly as it relates to recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, best match-ups and partner combinations).
9. Take nothing personally. In any team situation, there will disappointments and things said and done that may hurt your feelings. Team dynamics are not always clean and easy. Assume the best intentions and stay true to your main objective to win matches and support your teammates in their efforts to win matches.
10. Have fun. Choose to have fun and to make things fun for your teammates. Of course, being actively engaged on the court working hard and trying to get better (collectively as a team) is fun.

1. Develop a consistent ritual (routine) prior to the start of each and every serve to establish intensity and focus. Include a smile (a big Cheshire-cat smile) in your pre-serve ritual to remind yourself why you are on court hitting serves and to drive your opponent “bonkers”.
2. Incorporate all body components in a kinetic chain to maximize torque, momentum and racquet head speed. Components include bend and drive with legs, rotation of hips and shoulders and bend and extension of elbow.
3. Maintain a relaxed (continental) grip through your service motion to create snap and acceleration of the racquet head. Support the racquet with your thumb and top two fingers and only squeeze at contact.
4. Keep your chin up with eyes focused on the point of contact to ensure full extension and reach with the serve. Hit up and out with the serve. If you are going to miss, miss long and not in the net.
5. Recognize the importance of the non-racquet arm and hand. Hold your tossing arm up (with chest up) to create “sink”, arch, bend and torque of your body. Drop the tossing arm (bringing your non-racquet elbow to your side) to lock your hips and transfer power to the hitting shoulder.
6. Recover with a complete and balanced follow through to position your body for the next shot (if there is one). Bring the racquet across your body. Flex at your knees and hips to reduce stress as the front foot lands on the court. Maintain balance and weight on the front leg with a low center of gravity.
7. Serve to one of three targets (target zones). Serve out wide to pull your opponent off the court. Serve at the body to jam your opponent and force a weak reply. Serve down the middle (middle T) with authority to stretch your opponent and give your opponent less time to respond.
8. Vary the spin of your serve. Hit with topspin (kick) to force your opponent to hit the ball up and out of the strike zone. Hit with slice to jam your opponent for serves hit at the body or to pull your opponent off the court for serves hit to the outside target (target zone). Hit a flat serve for power (which is particularly effective for serves hit to the middle target or target zone).
9. Vary the pace, spin and location of your serve to disguise intent and disrupt the rhythm of your opponent.
10. Focus on getting a high percentage of first serves in (70% – 75% for singles, 75% – 80% for doubles). If your first serve percentage is less than 55%, you need to “back off” and be less aggressive and/or work on you technique and execution. If your first serve percentage is 90% or more, you are miraculously lucky (i.e. whenever Ryan Sheehan wins a set from Don Brewster), having a phenomenally good day or more likely, you need to take more chances and “go for more” with your serve.

Sometimes the best plans and intentions can lead to adverse results and unintended consequences. Here are five (not 10) examples (to keep this article to one page) of how things can sometimes not turn out as planned.

1. Hitting for rhythm. Making an effort to maintain rhythm and a manageable pace during rallies can definitely help your consistency and ability to stay in the point but it also can feed the confidence of your opponent and enhance his/her ability to keep the ball in play. While it’s important to establish your own rhythm, it’s also important to look for ways to disrupt the rhythm of your opponent. This can be accomplished (still with high margin) by changing pace, spin, trajectory, depth, direction and your court position at the point of contact.
2. Attacking a weakness. Relentlessly attacking a weakness (such as a weak backhand) can breakdown your opponent but it can also backfire (particularly if not judicious in application). Similar to the above example, hitting exclusively to one side can serve to hone your opponent’s game and “shore up” his/her weakness (making it more reliable as the match progresses). Hitting exclusively to one side can also allow your opponent to overcompensate in positioning narrowing your target (leading to potential forced mistakes) and reducing the amount of court your opponent needs to cover. It’s generally a better practice to be more selective in making your opponent hit his/her weakest shot. Look to open up the court by first hitting to the off (or stronger) side to expose your opponent’s weakness for your next shot (redirection). Attack the weak side of your opponent during pivotal points or critical stages of the match. Don’t just attack with pace. Mix up the type of ball your opponent has to respond to on his/her weak side.
3. Serving with a high percentage of first serves. Unless you’re having a phenomenal day, hitting with a percentage of 80% or more first serves in play may mean you’re not taking enough chances, being too conservative and providing too many opportunities for your opponent to get into the point (and neutralize your serving advantage). An alternative approach is to periodically go for more on your first serve (particularly if you have good serving rhythm) and incorporate a controlled degree of wildness and unpredictability to your serve (similar to an effective pitcher in baseball) to keep your opponent off stride and guessing.
4. Hitting with consistency. Keeping the ball in play with high margin will win a lot of matches but all matches. Similar in theme to numbers 1 and 3 above, there are situations which require more risk and variety. There are two situations and opponents where hitting with consistency may lead to unintended adverse consequences. One is that your opponent has a better shot tolerance and can stay in the point longer and with better results. Two is that your opponent is opportunistic as well as patient with the ability to attack and finish the point. In either case, staying the course with the attempt to outlast your opponent may not work. The alternative approach is to take more risks by pulling the trigger before your opponent (understanding you will undoubtedly make more mistakes). The goal is to be calculated and play within your abilities and an acceptable risk/reward ratio.
5. Making your opponent move and hit balls on the run. Under almost every circumstance making your opponent move is a good thing but there are situations and match-ups where a different, non-traditional strategy may be required. Understanding that “angles beget angles” and playing against an opponent who is fast, a shot maker and particularly skillful at opening up the court (and making you run), the alternative approach is to be more patient, hit to the middle third of the court and high over the net with depth (to buy time) and close into the net behind shots hit deep and down-the-middle (or down-the-line).
6. Attacking the net in doubles. Closing whenever possible behind the serve, serve return, short balls, etc. may be advantageous strategically in most situations but aggressively attacking the net can also expose weaknesses in technique and footwork leading to forced errors, rushed shots and a disruption to rhythm. It’s important to play within abilities and to recognize alternative strategic options. In many cases, it is more advantageous to play a more patient, opportunistic style of play.
7. Electing to serve first to start a match. Electing to serve first to start a match is very often the default choice to winning the toss. Serving (and holding serve) first by rotation places pressure on your opponent (opponents) particularly in later stages of the set. Breaking your opponent’s serve (assuming you consolidate by holding your serve following the break) opens up a three game gap (which can be demoralizing to your opponent/opponents). Of course, the downside (and the unintended consequence) of electing to serve first is that your opponent (by choosing side) may place you immediately at a disadvantage by having you serve into the sun or against a strong wind. It’s also often difficult to establish rhythm, timing and confidence with the serve to start a match leading to an early break and immediately negating the advantage of serving first.
8. Returning serve from the same side of the court with your regular doubles partner. The common wisdom is to establish and then maintain a set side of the court to return serves with your regular partner. The decision to maintain set sides of the court generally works to your mutual advantage and provides you both with a better opportunity to not only get the serve back in play but also to attack off the serve. Sometimes however, maintaining established sides of the court for the return of serve can work to your disadvantage. A difficult match-up or a string of poor results are two reasons to make a change. It’s important to maintain some degree of flexibility and periodically return from different sides to give you both the confidence to make a change as necessary either prior to the start of play or after the first and/or second set.
9. Hitting or directing your shots to the identified weakest player in doubles. A strategy in doubles to identify and then isolate and attack the weakest player almost always is a smart and effective decision in doubles. But, there can be unintended consequences to make things go wrong (particularly when not judicious and selective in shot direction and patterns become predictable). The besieged player may become more attentive and emboldened and as a result, become a much more difficult adversary. The opposing team may adjust positioning to narrow opportunities and windows to target the weakest player (leading to forced errors). And, the strongest player may actually have more success in poaching knowing balls will less likely be redirected to his/her side of the court.
10. Communicating with your partner. Maintaining an active dialogue with your partner to offer encouragement, communicate tactics, etc. is a “good thing” and is supported by results. But, just like every other example above, there can be unintended and adverse consequences. Communication can slow down the pace and tempo of play (in situations where just the opposite is required).  Communication in some cases can lead to confusion with too much analysis or can be detrimental to the psyche of a sensitive partner who may not be as receptive to a constructive interchange.

Steve Gallagher

1. Strings break in the middle of a point. Don’t panic. If your strings break in the middle of a point, hit for higher margin (middle third of the court, high net clearance), soften the hands, avoid exaggerated swing patterns, use backspin to take pace off the ball and look to conclude the point by coming in on a short ball. Of course if you string your racquet at 30 pounds as I do (slight exaggeration), it’s hard to know when and if you do break a string.
2. Dehydration (muscle cramping). Look for economy in motion – no unnecessary action and avoid abrupt changes in direction. To alleviate cramps in the legs, extend your legs (one at a time) and raise your toes. Extend your arm and pull back on your fingers to address similar issues with your arms and hands. Drink fluid (preferably a product that has a full electrolyte profile) and if possible apply ice compressions during changeovers. If cramping is extreme, stay mobile and do not sit down during the changeover. Strategically, try to stay in the point but at the same reduce angles by playing close or inside the baseline and close into the net when possible. Mentally, focus and acknowledge the discomfort and pain rather than to wish it away and remain singularly focused to be as efficient as possible with every action (effortless action).
3. Intense sunshine when serving. Should the sun break out in glaring intensity just before the start of your service game, blink to bring fluid to your eyes and to adjust your vision to the new conditions of light. Grab your favorite visor or hat out of your racquet bag. Curl the bill (brim) of the hat to provide more cover and push the bill (brim) lower down on your forehead. Use your tossing hand to shield your eyes. Stay back on the serve to allow your eyes to readjust after looking up into the sun and to provide more time to respond to the next shot. Very often, it’s that temporary blindness right after looking into the sun that is the most difficult thing to contend with in the point sequence.
4. Lost forehand. Don’t panic if you lose your best shot or weapon. The important thing is to reestablish rhythm, timing and confidence. Hit with more spin and net clearance. Hit to the middle two-thirds of the court. Be patient and don’t go for too much (particularly when hitting from a neutral or defensive court position). Aim to hit over the middle of the court (using the net strap as a reference).
5. Serving yips. Similarly for the serve, reestablish confidence by focusing on the fundamentals. I like to focus on my tossing arm (full extension and hold), head position (chin up) and elbow (bend, loop and cartwheel extension up and out and into the court). Don’t go for the lines. Take some pace off of the first serve to get a higher percentage of first serves into play.
6. Extreme fatigue. Copy what I said with dehydration. Stay relaxed and fluid with your strokes and be efficient with your motion.
7. Playing a (perceived) cheater. Give the player initially the benefit of doubt. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused on the task at hand. Get help (someone to arbitrate) when possible and appropriate. Questions calls (but don’t get too worked up or energized with every perceived missed call). Hit within a safer margin as necessary. Never retaliate but at same time don’t forget. Look for the opportunity next time to thrash this particular opponent and not put yourself in the position where one or more perceived bad calls could impact the outcome.
8. Choking. Everyone has or will experience that gripping, debilitating fear of losing or winning. The symptoms are restricted range of motion, difficulty breathing, etc. To get yourself back on track, refocus on the process of hitting the ball and not the outcome (easier said than done). Breathe out and then pull your chest up and draw breath deep into your diaphragm (breathe in and breathe out). Slow things down by taking more time between points (within the confines of the rules). Hit with more spin and margin when taking a ball outside of your strike zone or when hitting from a neutral or defensive court position.
9. Compromised vision (such as a lost contact or broken pair of glasses). Focus on the point of contact and keeping your head still through the finish of each stroke. Maintain a centered, upright posture, particularly when moving to the ball. Square off to the hitter. Essentially do everything possible to accentuate your line of vision and ability to track the ball.
10. Dysfunctional partner. There is no such thing as a dysfunctional partner only a dysfunctional team. Collaborate to solve problems together. Prop up your partner and worry first and foremost on what you can do to help your partner be more successful.

Next article – “When good things happen to bad players”

Steve Gallagher

There are a number of viable and not so viable strategies do deal with a partner who is making what you believe are more than his/her share of questionable calls. Here are ten options (some better than others) and (some to be taken seriously and some not to be taken seriously).

1. The first response is to give your partner the benefit of the doubt particularly if your partner is emphatic with his/her calls. To extend this benefit to a few errant calls or more correctly stated what you perceive to be a few errant calls is reasonable and healthy for your relationship with your partner. If you perceive a pattern, like every close call, every call that would be difficult to challenge by your opponents (i.e. baseline calls) or worse yet, on consequential game points, then a more challenging response may be required by you.
2. The next logical step is a conference with your partner during the changeover. A short (not to exceed 90 second) discussion can go a long way to clear the air and to resolve any conflicts. Perhaps your partner is having difficulty seeing the lines but is nervous about being indecisive (particularly with the added pressure of playing with someone of your playing stature and reputation).
3. At some point, you may need to overrule a specific call (particularly if you have a better and clearer sight line). It would make sense for the well-being of the relationship with your partner to follow any overrule with an acknowledgement and apology to your partner. A phrase such as “I’m sorry and although I really thought the ball was going to be out I saw it hit the line” could help to soften your decision and “save face” for your partner.
4. If you are playing in a team or tournament match, you could ask for help or more appropriately encourage your opponents to ask for help. Help could be a tournament official or tennis professional to stand by the net post or sit in the umpire’s chair and act as arbiter in the event of subsequent questionable calls.
5. Reminiscent of the V-8 commercials, a good “thunk” on the head could jolt some sense into your partner. A “tap” on the head could provide your partner with better clarity and vision.
6. At the risk of having your tires slashed in the parking lot, you could openly confront your partner and overrule each and every questionable call not worrying about the consequences or the sensitivities of your partner.
7. Another option is to “put blinders on” and obsequiously agree with all your partner’s questionable calls. If your moral compass is “a little tweaked” and you like to have fun at other peoples expense, a fun “pile-it-on” response is to politely taunt your opponents by acknowledging but doing nothing about their concern. Phrases like “sorry fellows”, “hard luck” and “so close but just missed” can a go a long way to unravel your opponents psyche. Of course the result may still be slashed tires.
8. You could confer with your local psychologist (who coincidently happens to be courtside during your match) for advice on conflict resolution and an explanation on the role of ego in sports.
9. Since you are now “thinking outside the box”, another option is to collude with your opponents (particularly if they have brought some great “munchies” for after the match). An example of a (not so nice) collusion would be a short lob hit to the strike zone of your opponents with the understanding that they are going to go after your partner with their overhead. Another less divisive example of collusion is to “dump” your next shot into the net following a particularly egregious call by your partner.
10. Of course by now you are at risk of losing all sanity and need to regain perspective on what is important and what is not. In the big scheme of things, a few questionable calls are not going to tip the balance one way or another and probably not even impact the outcome of the match. The best thing to do in the moment of the match is to do the right thing – be fair and honest with yourself, your partner and your opponents in the most humanely considerate manner possible. After the match, you can exercise your freedom of choice and choose to play again with the same partner (if things work out) and choose not to play with the same partner (if things don’t work out). Above everything else, learn from your experience and have fun in the process.

Steve Gallagher