ADDING STRATEGY TO YOUR TENNIS PROGRAM

I've always taught strategy to players early in their development. For me, strategy is an integral part of a competitive player's toolkit along with stroke technique, fitness, and movement.  

When teaching strategy to beginners, you'll need to tailor your instructions to suit the age and level of the player(s), but the teaching of strategy should be done early and not left to later. 

I have recently been involved with college tennis in the US and have seen firsthand the lack of any prior introduction players receive on the topic of strategy.  

Most of the players I have watched competing at college level have had difficulty implementing even elementary strategy in their matches. 

The problem starts when, early in a players career, coaches believe that if a player has perfected their stroke technique, that will naturally transfer into savvy match-play. That certainly is not the case. 

The fact is that college coaches are left to deal with this neglected part of a players development. 

If a player has already reached college-level tennis but has had little experience implementing basic strategies during matches it will be challenging for them to suddenly adopt a game plan today and feel comfortable doing so. 

Just as we teach players to hit Ground strokes, develop their Serve and Returns, show them the best way to move efficiently on-court, so too must we teach them to analyse their opponents and implement an effective strategy in their matches. 

To introduce strategy effectively to any level of player , here is a suggested 3 step template for coaches:

Designing Strategy:

The best players in our game all implement strategies for
each opponent and for each match

Base tactics on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Use an effective system for analysing opponents, such as "The 8 Opposites". "The 8 Opposites" include concepts like fast vs. slow, high vs. low, wide vs. tight, and up vs. back, representing different types of balls opponents can receive. Analyse the opponent's preference for certain ball types to exploit their discomfort.

Implementing Strategy in Matches:

Understand that it may take several matches for players to feel comfortable with a strategy. Initially, players might see strategy as a distraction, but emphasize the long-term benefits. Help players develop a purpose for their shots and provide them with the tools to execute their shot selection effectively. Correct shot selection can make a player a dangerous opponent and help them overcome opponents who may be technically superior.

Analyse, Record, Critique:

Just as we work on technique and fitness daily,
strategy should be an integral part of our practice sessions

As players become comfortable with playing matches using a strategy, they gain experience with different systems. While each match and opponent will be unique, there will be broad similarities. Take accurate records of each match and opponent, based on The 8 Opposites theory. Adapt strategies during matches as needed, and maintain a notebook to record insights about opponents' games for future reference.

Integrating Strategy Into Practice Sessions:

Through the use of accurate strategies designed
specifically for each opponent you will be
able to defeat anyone

Incorporate match strategy into regular practice sessions by identifying specific tactics players need to work on, such as keeping the ball high or approaching the net more frequently.
Allocate practice time to improve these areas of the game and reinforce strategic thinking during practice sessions.

    

    
By following this template, coaches can help their players develop a deeper understanding of strategy and improve their performance on the court. Remember that strategy should be taught early on and integrated throughout a player's development, alongside other essential aspects of the game.