SET PLAYS, POINT PLAYS AND PATTERNS

There is no doubt that all good players have one thing in common; they know exactly how they are going to win the point. Take for example Andre Agassi serving a second serve on a big point. The entire tennis world knows he is going to serve a kick serve wide and play his forehand cross-court. Pete Sampras on the other hand would continually hit his big serve at the center 'T' under pressure. Pat Rafter had the trademark 'Toast n Jam' play, which meant serving wide to the backhand of the player, usually with some 'Kick' on the serve then follow up to the net to put a deep volley into the corner of the court.

Players who take their game seriously regardless of the level they are at, will spend time to know what they do well and to understand exactly how they can gain the advantage within a point. I like to use the analogy of using a 'map' to find your direction in a foreign place.

Being new to Shanghai, I certainly would not start walking the streets trying to find my destination without having the assistance of a road map to ensure I made the correct decisions at the right times. This is very similar in the game of tennis, where every situation requires some thought. Similarly to using a road map, if you plan your points before playing them, you remove the indecision during the pressure of play, which in turn assists to relieve mental stress and tension.

The point is that, to be a good player that consistently gets results, you have to have plays that you trust to work under the pressure of a match.

The following are some very simple tactical plays that will help to design your next big win. We will cover 2 very simple set plays from both sides of the court, using the serve to initiate the plan.

Singles 1st Serve Set Plays (These plays are for Right Hander)

From the forehand side of the court. (See Diagram 1)

Serve serves wide to open the COURT. Then moves slightly to the left to play a FOREHAND and has 2 options on the next shot:

• Play a) Hit off forehand (or reverse) to the Backhand of the opponent if the incoming ball is high enough.
• Play b) Hit forehand back cross court to "DOUBLE BACK" the returnee.

- Idea is to serve to the spot, open the court and use the FH as the starting stroke.

Diagram 1

From the backhand side of the court. (See Diagram 2)

• Play a) Server serves wide to the BH of the returner to open the court, then looks for the forehand and hits this deep cross court to the open court, Serves has numerous options after this to go forward to the net, or hit the next ground stroke back to the after open court.

Diagram 2

These 2 plays are very basic, with the clear concept of using the "CAN OPENER" plays. This means the idea is to keep moving an opponent from side to side, whilst always using your own strengths against your opponent's weaknesses. The same first serves are very useful in doubles, followed by a volley deep to the center. PTO

By
Conrad Singh
SRC Head Tennis Professional

Biomechanist
TCA Elite
Bach. App. Science
Grad. Dip. Education