Level 3

Mar 12 2020

Think about tactics during the match warm up!

We encourage players to think about tactics during the match warm-up. However, we know that a lot of players, particularly when starting out, aren’t too keen to think about tactics or how they will overcome their opponent.

Think about tactics – answer one simple question

This is a critical skill develop and to start off you just need to think about a simple question, which is your opponent’s weakest side? is it the forehand or backhand?

Use the five minute match warm up to observe your opponent’s play and see which is their stronger side and which is their weaker side. When you are playing the match you can make sure you are getting the ball on to that side as much as possible.

More drills and tips

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Updated from a post originally published on: Jun 8, 2016

Jun 18 2018

How to Help Players Keep the Racket on the Ball (Video)

In this tip i2c Director, Richard Marklow shares the quick coaching tip that he estimates he’s used most in his coaching career! It’s about making sure that you keep the racket on the ball for as long as you can.

Richard says,

“When we’re coaching the forehand we talk about having a big back-swing and follow through for the stroke, but fundamentally the thing that all good forehands have in common is the strength of the contact zone as the racket passes the body. That’s the business end of the stoke.

As long as the racket is in a good position and comes through to make a good contact with the ball – and stays on the ball, then we’re going to get a good result down the other end. Too much on the back-swing, too much on the follow through and you’ll lose the quality around the contact zone.

It’s all about holding the racket on the line of the ball for as long as you can. Holding the ball on the racket. Even if you’ve got a bigger swing, the contact zone where you are keeping the racket on the ball, doesn’t change. Keep the racket on target for as long as you can and you’ll have good success with that technique.”

LEVEL 2: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 2 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 3: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 3 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 4: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 4 Coaches and Candidates

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See more of our Quick Coaching Tips:

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Note: Originally published Apr 13, 2016

Apr 17 2018

How to Develop Awareness of Space and Angles (video)

This short clip (filmed live in Finland) shows how we are developing simple awareness of space and the ability to send the ball away from the opponent at orange and early red level.

Our observation is that in general, children spend too much time spent hitting balls down the middle of the court, usually with the forehand. This usually starts with a feed from the middle. There is also too much emphasis on achieving rallies of a certain number for no real reason. As a result, there is no requirement for the players to move because the ball is not requiring them to move.

The solution is to make courts short and wide to reduce the need for speed and to create angles and space.

Activity: Developing Awareness of Space and Angles

Never start from the middle as the server or returner; pick 4 spots on each baseline.
The returner chooses where to stand to return, and then the server chooses where to serve from.
Neither player can start from the same spot for 2 consecutive points.

Watch the clip to see the activity in action!

Outcome

1. Even at a very young age, players will be looking for the empty space on the court.
2. Players have to move so the whole stroke process is challenged – but they learn early on to deal with that.
3. Players have to direct the ball in different directions. Early development of path, angle and speed
4. Players have to think. You can see at this age that decision making doesn’t come quickly or easily.

The added bonus is that tennis is much more fun because when it is dynamic!

Nov 14 2017

How to Correct the Ball Toss on the Serve by Taking the Player’s Weight Off the Back Foot

We apologise for the audio-feedback! This clip was filmed live in possibly the worst audio setting ever; an echoing gym hall! However, we thought this short clip on how to correct the ball toss on the serve was still worth sharing.

Early November I was working with coaches in Romania on teaching the serve. I looked specifically at the importance of having the weight transfer onto the front when the ball is released from the throwing arm. Serving with the weight on the back foot starts a whole chain of linked problems.

What’s the biggest give-away that the child’s weight is on the back-foot when they’re serving? Watch your junior-player when they’re serving; the majority of kids will be moving their front foot when they are serving. The front foot moving indicates that the child has their weight on their back foot – which will have follow on impacts on their ball toss and balance. When the child’s weight is on the back foot, the ball toss will go behind the player – upsetting the player’s serve rhythm and balance. When the ball is going behind the player, they will need hit from below the ball… and they will then change their grip to do that.

You see what’s going on here! One small issue leads to a ton of problems.

LEVEL 2: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 2 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 3: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 3 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 4: Other Drills we Recommend for Level 4 Coaches and Candidates

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See more on Teaching the Serve

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Aug 29 2017

How to Build Cross Court Control to Improve Doubles Skills

We recommend this Doubles Drill for adult improver lessons to help players build cross court control – a skill that will help them develop confidence in making the first cross-court ball.

Rich demonstrates variations to create different court situations depending on the level of players you are coaching.

LEVEL 2: More Drills for Level 2 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 3: More Drills for Level 3 Coaches and Candidates

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LEVEL 4: More Drills for Level 4 Coaches and Candidates

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See more drills

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