Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale

When most players first pick up a tennis racquet, what’s the first thing they do? They start swinging Even without a coach, they imitate what they’ve seen on TV or from other players at the club — copying the appearance of a forehand, a serve, or a backhand. This appearance-first learning model has become the default approach across much of the tennis world. The majority of coaches around the world also take their lead from what they see the top players do, appearances, without understanding the fundamentals these top players have honed over years of work. And that’s a problem. The Danger of Appearance-First Learning This imitation approach might seem logical at first — after all, we learn many things by copying what we see. But in tennis, it creates a dangerous foundation. Why? Because tennis is not a closed-skill sport like golf, snooker, or diving, where the environment is predictable, stationary, and repeatable. In those sports, copying a swing or movement pattern can act...

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my coaching career came with my learning the  DNO Theory.   This practical shot selection theory helps players instantly recognise whether they’re in Defence, Neutral, or Offence during a point. Master Professional and long-time mentor, the late Peter Burwash, first introduced the theory to me, and it has been in my coaching "tool bag" ever since. Instead of guessing or reacting emotionally, players begin making smart, structured decisions based on what the DNO Theory is telling them. And the beauty of this system is that it works at every level — from juniors to professionals, in singles and in doubles. The Two Rules of DNO DNO is built on two simple rules that apply to every point you play: 1. Foot Position If your feet are behind the baseline , you’re in Defence . If your feet are on or inside the baseline , you’re in Offence . The further inside the court you go , the more offensive your opportunities b...

  The 7 Target Zones: Where Smart Players Aim In a previous article, we looked at the DNO Theory — a shot selection system that helps players make better decisions by understanding whether they are in Defence, Neutral, or Offence during a point. Now, we take that one step further. Once a player knows what role they're in , the next question becomes: Where should I place the ball? That's where the 7 Target Zones come in — a simple and powerful court-mapping system that tells players exactly where to aim , based on their situation in the rally. When DNO and the 7 Target Zones are combined, players not only make the right shot selection , but they send the ball to the right part of the court — making their tennis smarter, more effective, and more difficult to beat. What Are the 7 Target Zones? The court is divided into seven distinct zones , each serving a strategic purpose. Learn to use them, and you'll build pressure, force errors, and win more point...

  More and more matches today hinge on just a few special moments, such as a loose shot that your opponent can take advantage of or one player pulling off a miraculous winner from almost nowhere. These situations occur frequently in today's highly competitive environment. It is becoming less about a technical or physical problem and more about a player's shot selection during important moments of the point. “…today…(losing the point) is becoming  less about a technical  or physical problem…” I’ve begun to see two distinct types of groundstrokes players are being asked to play during a point. I’m beginning to call these two types of groundstrokes the “Dynamic” and the “Set & Unload” options. Characteristics of a Dynamic Groundstroke: A Dynamic Groundstroke is any ball that doesn’t allow you time to set up and will be mostly hit while on the move or when you're at a disadvantage. If you are compromised in any way, you're  playing a Dynamic Groundstrok...

The term footwork is meaningless unless a player understands what the feet must do. Once the goal of footwork is understood, players will be much better equipped to execute better court movement, be more balanced in their strokes, and recover faster to the next ball. A tennis mentoring channel for advanced coaches and players: The Competitive Tennis Players Notebook     / @biggerbettertennis  

Tennis matches can be won or lost on how well you can control your unforced error count. In this video Paul talks about how to take control of your unforced errors through self discipline so that they don't end up destroying your chances in competition.

"The Dynamic Tennis Game". Whether you're a tennis coach or player, shifting your present approach to tennis technique, movement and mindset towards a more dynamic one will pay huge dividends. Paul show's you how to transition your game towards a more natural way of playing and learning tennis in this easy to follow video.

Is the tennis one-handed backhand one of the most beautiful things in all of sport? Paul takes you through the three essentials to combat a lack of strength on the one-hander and helps you to hit each backhand cleanly and consistently. Watch more of Paul's tennis instruction video's here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL71FX9hqGs1p2FyoCVgkNyc9W5L-eGzMo

Paul breaks down 3 key techniques needed to master the Return of Serve. These three essential elements will enhance your ability to react quickly, change grips, and control the ball even on the fastest serves. The video gives you with on-court examples, and guides you through the process step-by-step.

  It turns out that power and timing come from the same source and can be utilised through a single simple to use technique - The Contact Foot

The Volley is the most misunderstood shot in tennis. Here are my steps to master and understand the volley better.

THE DROP-SHOT IN MODERN TENNIS The drop shot has evolved from a rarely used tactic a few decades ago to now being an essential weapon in a player's arsenal. By employing it, players can exploit their opponents' being  either  of f balance or standing too deep in the court.  The primary objective of the drop shot is to take advantage of your opponent's court positioning. When executed well, it forces the opponent forward and, if timed correctly, leaves them scrambling to reach the ball and again out of position for the next shot.  To execute the drop shot well, you'll need a combination of the following; THE TIMING You have to execute the drop shot at the right time during the point. If the timing is wrong, your opponent will end up at the net with an easy put-away. The best time to execute the drop shot is when your opponent is deep off the baseline or off balance running the wrong way. You'll need to train your observation skills as you play points so that you make...

As tennis coaches, we constantly strive to improve our skills. We must be part teachers and parents, often helping to motivate and inspire our students. Central to our job is the art of teaching, which requires more than just imparting knowledge— it demands active engagement, reinforcement, and ongoing development. Teaching tennis is not simply about sharing what we know . Effective teaching goes beyond merely providing information; it also involves setting up the opportunity for learning . It requires fostering an environment that encourages active participation and critical thinking. I'm convinced that most students understand only a small percentage of what you teach them. They hear you, but filters in their heads block the clear transfer of that information. If you don't believe me, give them instructions, wait for 2 minutes then ask them to repeat the instructions! You will be horrified by how often the instructions have not registered with them at all. In most cases, stu...