10X LESSON PLANS OVER 10 WEEKS: #1 How to Finish Points


Although the top male and female players in our game are mostly baseliners, all of them have developed ways to conclude the point, to finish.

If you haven't found ways to take opportunities during the rally and finish points on your terms, you're going to be using a lot of extra physical and mental energy to win points.

Here are 4 ways to help you shorten the points and finish sooner.


  • CREATE AN INSIDE FOREHAND
An "Inside" ball is a term from Paul Wardlaw's "The Directionals" theory. It describes a ball which comes towards your body, and doesn't pass your outside shoulder.

Whenever your opponent hits "Outside" your far shoulder (cross-court) you're under pressure because the ball is always moving away from you. 

Inside balls however, give you options to dictate the rally by either hitting cross-court or inside-out to add pressure to your opponent.

Whenever your opponent gives you an inside ball take advantage of it and start to apply pressure by attacking. 

The best players wait for "Inside" balls through the
middle of the court and begin to dominate the rally



  • TRANSITION TO THE NET
Anytime you are able to dominate the rally the chances are your opponent will drop a ball short on your side. This is an opportunity to take the ball from inside the baseline and follow it to net.

On your next stroke, the approach shot. make sure your opponent has to make contact low to avoid them passing you or lobbing.

Take advantage of all your opportunities to move
forward and finish your points at the net



  • DOMINATE THE OUTSIDE BALL
We have mentioned the Outside ball. Hitting Outside balls to your opponent is your best form of offense, and is your best direction to hit when on defense.

If you dominate your opponent with the Outside ball during the match you will put your opponent under lots of pressure and they will be forced into making errors or take unnecessary risks.

Your opponent is under much more pressure when
returning "Outside" balls, and they create more 
opportunities to finish the point sooner.



  • STRATEGIC SUPERIORITY
The shot selection you use during the rally helps 
you dominate your opponent and also keeps you safe 
from being attacked


There's nothing wrong with engaging in a battle with your opponent from the baseline, although finding a way to steer the point towards an earlier conclusion is to your advantage.

If you're not comfortable doing this you can at least look for ways to draw an error from your opponent during the rally.

Achieving this will require some knowledge of strategy.

Every opponent has a preference for either fast or slow balls, high or low balls, wide or tight (into the body) balls, and for playing their points up at net, or back at the baseline.

Establish which are the preferred and least preferred options and plan your match strategy around your findings.

By understanding what type of ball your opponent likes and dislikes, you'll be able to force them into errors and also keep yourself safe during the rally.



Location: Georgia, USA

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