Bigger Better Tennis - Paul Dale

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 p

  MOVING WELL ON-COURT IS ESSENTIAL TO PLAYING TENNIS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS Tennis today is played at a much faster pace than ever before. The demands on a player to move faster place tremendous importance on fitness, speed, and anticipation. I teach a system of movement that involves all three of those requirements and some more. There are 3 main parts I try to teach my students when working on court anticipation and movement: 1.   OBSERVATION  2. REACTION  3. RECOVERY Here are the 3 parts explained in more detail - OBSERVATION In today's fast-paced game, players must anticipate where the ball will go to some degree. Observation is the most critical aspect of anticipating well. Anticipation requires players to read their opponent's preferences and swing patterns and get a quick read on the ball's direction. It's then time to move! I ask my players to observe the moment of contact at the other end of the court. The moment the opponent makes c