THE 7 TARGET ZONES OF THE TENNIS COURT

THE 7 TARGET ZONES OF THE TENNIS COURT

By Paul Dale | www.3amtennis.com

In a previous article, we looked at the DNO Theory. This shot selection system 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 also direct the ball to the right part of the court, making their tennis smarter, more effective, and harder 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 points.

1 & 2 – The Deep Baseline Corners


These are your rally anchors. Hitting deep into the baseline corners gives your rally authority, keeps you safe, and sets you up to control the point.

Best used for creating offence, neutralising pressure, and recovering from defence.

3 & 4 – The Side "T" Zones


Located where the service line meets the sideline, these targets are designed to pull opponents wide and create space.

Use to pull your opponent off the court and create an open court on the next shot.

5 & 6 – The Drop Shot Corners


Found next to the net, and to the sides, these zones help you disrupt rhythm, catch your opponent napping and bring opponents forward.

Best used when your opponent is deep behind the baseline or has an advantage during baseline rallies.

7 – The Centre Rectangle


Roughly two meters inside the baseline and centred, this is the zone to use when you want to "Jam" your opponent's body, such as when you return serve or approach the net
Use 'when' to attack the body (rather than 'wide: The 8 Opposites'), or to avoid giving your opponent angles.

Why This System Works

To play any point effectively, there are no other targets — these are the only 7 zones you need. That's why spending time learning to isolate one of the zones for each stroke solidifies your game and adds cohesion. Your shot selection becomes more precise, more structured, and more strategic.


Final Thoughts

The 7 Target Zones provide structure for your game and help you choose the right target at the right time. They simplify your decisions, reduce unforced errors, and make every shot you hit part of a bigger plan.

 

 

Location: Wimbledon, London, UK

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