Teaching Strategies
A goal of practice time is to prepare athletes for match play competition. As a coach, it is easy to get caught up in stroke production and the technical aspects of the game. It is important to always remember the game itself. The serve starts play! Practicing the serve should be a part of each practice. Returning serve is the second most important stroke in a match. Practice during each training session. Tennis matches are won by the person who makes the fewest errors. Stress consistency in your drills. Practice keeping score and alternating side of courts during each practice session. Practice the positioning of athletes for doubles play.
The best drill for competition is competition. Try to simulate the conditions in which your athletes will be playing matches. Devise fun games where players can practice keeping score. For example, play a few games of "shadow tennis" without a ball. Play a few games without rackets where athletes throw and catch the ball, using the rules of tennis.
Athletes of low ability level preparing for the individual skills competition should practice the skills competition. This will also help them master the basic strokes of the game. Have assistant coaches conduct the individual skills competition with athletes. Follow the rules and keep score.
Intermediate-level athletes should play practice matches with their teammates, coaches and parents. The more they practice following the rules, switching sides of the court and keeping score, the more proficient they will become. Have a partner at courtside to help direct the athlete to appropriate positions and to help with scoring.
Advanced players should be able to play a regulation set with little outside supervision. Line calling and score keeping may still present some problems. Have a coach monitor a few courts where advanced athletes are playing practice matches.
- Be consistent! Most singles matches are won by the player who makes the fewest mistakes. Use high net clearance to eliminate net errors.
- Move your opponent around the court. This causes your opponent to miss balls because they are out of position and become tired.
- Serves and returns must be consistent. Many points are lost on missed serves and missed returns.
- Play aggressively. Put pressure on your opponent by taking advantage of weakly hit returns. Serve and volley, and rush the net after short balls.
- Special Olympics athletes do very well with routines. Teach them what to do in between points as well as what to do during the point. Between each point, the athlete should:
- Transfer the racket to the non-dominant hand.
- Take a deep breath.
- Walk to pick up stray balls. Make sure the head and shoulders are held up.
- Walk to the correct position for the next point.
- Call the score.
Athletes who play doubles should practice the same skills as singles players. It is important to master the serve and rallying from the baseline. Doubles positioning requires the athlete to play the net; therefore volleying skills are used more in doubles. Athlete personality is important in selecting doubles partners. Partners should be compatible and able to work together as a team. Remember, the partner needs to be a positive example of the expected behavior of athletes. For a game of doubles to run smoothly, all the participants must know how to keep score and how to position themselves for each point. Repetition is the key to having athletes understand their role and positioning on the court.
Basic Strategies for Doubles
- Get first serves in. This puts pressure on the opponent to make a more difficult return. The second serve can be hit slower with a higher trajectory, insuring a well placed ball in play.
- Aim down the middle of the court on put-away shots. This cuts down on errors and takes the angle away from the opponent if they return the serve.
- Move as a team. If your partner is at the net, try to join him there. Try to have both players at the net or both players back at the baseline. Try to avoid a split, with one up and one back, because this gives the opponents openings in the court.
- If the team finds themselves in a one up and one back formation, aim the ball at the person at the baseline rather than the person at the net. Always look for an opportunity to move forward to the net.
- Net player should not hug the sidelines to closely; learn to stand midway between the singles sideline and the mid-service line. You give up a little on the alley but help your partner far more by being a force in the middle. If opponent passes you down the alley, compliment him. The pros only make one of four attempts.
Players of all ability levels should practice for competition by playing practice matches. This also reinforces keeping score and positioning strategy. Try to match ability levels or have teams play against coaches who can control the point.
Practice doubles play with a doubles team playing against one singles player. This is a great idea when there are odd numbers of players during practice.
Practice doubles with a basket of balls. The coach feeds balls to the doubles team to simulate point play. Players serve and the coach feeds a designated number of balls, making the doubles team hit volleys, overheads and groundstrokes. The coach should emphasize appropriate strategy and positioning.
Beginners must master the serve to play effective doubles. After hitting the serve, the athlete may want to stay at the baseline instead of advancing to the net. At this level, most points will be won on double faults and service winners. Focus on the serve and service return when preparing for this level of competition.
Intermediate players are able to return more serves; therefore strategy becomes a bigger part of the game. Points are longer, so coaches should stress volleying as the way to finish off the rally. Athletes may rush the net after serves and service returns.
Advanced players rarely double fault and the rallies often involve three or four shots. High-ability players should practice the serve and volley as a way to put pressure on their opponents. Coaches should emphasis strategy at this level as they have developed proficiency on the basic strokes.
