THE DNO THEORY OF SHOT SELECTION

At any given time, you are in one of three conditions: Defence, Neutral or Offence. You need to clearly define which condition you are in to compete successfully.

If you attack the point at the wrong time or have an opportunity to attack but fail to take that opportunity, it doesn’t matter how well you stroke the ball your overall game will lack cohesion and meaning.

So, how do we define when we are in a Defensive, Neutral, or Offensive situation?  What exactly are the factors which put you in a defensive mode? When can you attack the point with a high degree of confidence that you will be successful? How do you know you are in a Neutral situation?

Whether you are in Defence, Neutral, or Offence depends on two criteria, and you must constantly be aware of these criteria as you play.  Those criteria are:

THE POSITION OF YOUR FEET WHEN YOU HIT THE BALL

If your feet are behind the baseline when you contact the ball, you are on Defence. If your feet are inside the baseline when you contact the ball you are on Offence.

THE HEIGHT OF YOUR CONTACT IN RELATION TO THE WHITE NET BAND

If you contact the ball above the height of the white band of the net, you are on Offence. If you contact the ball below this white band, you are in Defence.

NEUTRAL

If your feet are inside the baseline (Offence), but the height of the ball is below the white band (Defence), you are in the neutral condition such as when you are approaching the net and have to hit a low mid-court ball, or when you are playing a low volley at the net.

If your feet are behind the baseline (Defence), but the ball is above the white band of the net (Offence), you are in a Neutral condition also. An example would be when your opponent loops a high ball during the rally.

This is called the DNO Theory (Defence, Neutral, and Offence).

Many players fail to clearly define their role with each shot during the point. This leads to poor shot selection and, ultimately, unforced errors. Learn to constantly assess your condition for each shot, defence, neutral or offense, and respond correctly to each condition.

FOLLOW THESE DNOW RULES

I have taught players to use the DNO Theory for many years and have found it helpful to have them also follow these simple steps;

Your goal after "D" is "N" 

Your goal after "N" is "O" 

Your goal after "O" is to hit a winner

Imagine you are running wide to retrieve a ball during a point. You're on defence. Most players are tempted to hit their way out of trouble; to try to hit a winner.

The smarter play is to return the ball with a lob or try to get it across the net and below the height of the net-band, making it a tough, low volley. Both these options keep you in the point but also follow the DNOW rule; the next step after defence is to neutralise the ball.

Now, imagine that you are in a baseline rally with your opponent, and neither you nor your opponent have gained an advantage. You're in Neutral, and your job is to, again, follow the DNOW rule book and create an "O". Anything else, such as going for a winner, is a low percentage option. Your job in neutral is to create "inside" feet and transition to offence.

Imagine forcing your opponent into a corner and moving into the mid-court to take advantage of their weak shot. Your goal in "O" is to finish the point and hit a winner (O).

Whether you know it or not, the principles of DNO could be the reason you are doing well or not in matches. The habit of thinking in terms of the position of your feet and the height of your contact as you hit the ball during points is something that becomes very natural and easier the more you use it.