WHAT ARE THE TENNIS FUNDAMENTALS?

Everyone talks about fundamentals and how important they are.  Anyone playing well is said to have “great fundamentals”, while anyone playing poorly is accused of having “poor fundamentals”. But have you ever tried to find a list of these fundamentals? If such a list existed, surely this would immensely help players and coaches.

The truth is that you will never find a definitive list of the “Tennis Fundamentals”. Although players are continually admired or criticised for their fundamentals and training programs worldwide attempt to install “fundamentals” in their players, no definitive list is available.

So, let’s start defining what exactly a fundamental is or should be. I believe a fundamental cannot be taken out; in other words, you cannot play without it. Think about that for a moment. What elements cannot be taken out of our game? Is the backswing fundamental? No, because some volleys, service returns and half volleys don’t require a backswing.

Is footwork fundamental? No, because sometimes a ball hit into your body doesn’t give you time to move your feet and wheelchair players manage just fine without using their feet. Is the follow-through fundamental? No, because half volleys, some volleys and the return of serve don’t always require a follow-through.

I could come up with many more mythical “fundamentals” that are actually cosmetics and not always necessary to execute the shot correctly. If these cosmetics were eliminated, you could play the game just fine.

Here are the 3 Fundamentals I teach every day. They cannot be taken out of tennis; without them you cannot play the game.

CONTACT

It's hard to imagine tennis without Contact. Contact controls heights and direction as you play and mastery over Contact distinguishes your level as a player. It's also important to separate Contact from Spin (my third fundamental), because Contact and Spin have different and unique jobs. Contact is used for height and/or direction.

GROUND

Your relationship with the ground when you play incorporates multiple elements such as movement, balance and timing. Without any one of these elements, you can not provide energy or control to the ball. Energy and timing come from your interaction with the ground through your "Contact Foot"; the foot you use to provide inertia from the Ground to the ball. Using Ground is Fundamental to tennis.

SPIN

Anytime you hit the ball, you create ball rotation (spin). Beginners create ball rotation almost by accident when they hit the ball. Advanced players use spin to help control speed and to create angles' while still controlling the ball in the court. Spin is present in every shot and is a Fundamental of tennis. The function of Spin is to achieve arc control and to effect the height of the bounce on your opponent's side of the net.

You cannot eliminate Contact, Ground or Spin from the game. They are fundamental to tennis. How well you manipulate these 3 fundamentals and your ability to master them defines your ability.  

I advise coaches working with all levels of player to look at any technical problems with a player's game in terms of their Fundamentals. We as coaches often get confused between what is "technique" and what is "Fundamental". Confusion like this can make your lessons over complicated and less effective.

Always stick to teaching Fundamentals. That is where the magic happens.