Are you one of those tennis players who are happy to just return the ball anywhere into your opponent's court? There are over 1000 square feet to aim into. So how come we miss so many times? Maybe it's because we are aiming for the wrong spot from where we are!
Hi, I'm Adrian, lifelong player and coach, and here on Personal Best Tennis we help keen players compete better with the strokes they've got. To reduce unforced errors we will look at the best areas on a singles court to aim groundstrokes, based on where we are , and where our opponent is. In any situation there are several options. They range from the most risky, to the best percentage choice.
There are 5 main areas to target, and 1 to try to avoid!
There is an area deep in the centre of the court. Here your opponent has no obvious angle to work with. It is a neutral zone, forcing them to stay deep in the backcourt, and inviting them to create an opening. The danger of aiming down the middle is you might return the ball short, into the area known as the 'donut hole'. Any ball landing here presents an opportunity for your opponent to attack and put you under pressure. This is an area to avoid in normal circumstances!
There are 2 more deep target areas, left and right of the deep centre. The diagram assumes you are facing a right-handed player. Just reverse the names if playing a leftie. There are 2 near the side 'T's, the intersection of the service line and the side line. We did not put in the 2 target areas for drop shots, that is for another time. Inexperienced players tend to aim too close to the lines, and have too many 'just missed' shots. Experienced players aim aggressively for big targets and wait for a better opportunity to dominate.
What may be the best percentage target in one situation, may be much more risky if you are attempting it from another part of the court. So let's look at the best targets depending on where you are hitting from.
The deep forehand target is the best choice when you are hitting as in diagram 2.
By hitting across court to that target, you are hitting over the lowest part of the net, over the longest distance, the diagonal, and you have very little distance to cover to be in your best recovery position.
Hitting an inside in forehand to the same target is much more difficult. (above) You are hitting into a shorter distance. Over a higher part of the net. And you have a long way to move quickly to be recovered in time for the next shot!
Again, hitting to the cross court target is the best percentage choice! Longer distance, lower net, quicker recovery! Down the line is a much tougher ask! From either side!
When your opponent has hit a short angled ball which sends you wide of the sideline, that is a tough shot to handle well. The best choice is probably sending the ball back along the same line, short to the side 'T'. Again it is over the lower part of the net, it makes you opponent move and stretch, and you can reach your optimal recovery position with the fewest number of steps. Hitting to deep centre, or deep forehand doesn't make your opponent move, and leaves a big gap open on your left side. Down the line is the 1 out of 100 shot for the highlight reels! So the reply to a short angle is to return the favour! Same on the other side, shown below.
So, I hear you ask, when is a good time to hit down the line? Surely you can't keep hitting everything across court, that gets a bit predictable!
Well, when the ball lands closer to the middle, rather than into the corners, that is the time hitting the ball straight is a good option. The ball is moving away from your opponent due to the angle, so hitting close to the line is not necessary.
In the above diagram, instead of hitting a backhand straight, you could run around and hit an inside in forehand. But, be aware that your recovery position is further away than if you hit the same ball as a backhand!
If you have time, then you could be more aggressive by hitting an 'inside out' forehand!
When playing a ball from deep centre, your best options are to return the ball deep. To one of the corners, or to maintain a neutral rally, return it deep centre.
When the ball is played from short centre, the dreaded 'donut hole' area, your best choice is to aim to make your opponent move wide. Hit to either side 'T'. Hitting deep instead may not give you enough time to close on the net. Your opponent would not have so far to move and could return the ball sooner!
Having said all that, there are times when NOT hitting to the best target is a better option! 'How can that be?' I hear you say.
Well, being predictable reduces the effect of your good shots. Your opponent can move sooner, knowing where the ball is going! So, on the less important points, on those throwaway points (see 'Deciding Points') why not try the more risky option. If it doesn't work, you are still ahead, but if it does work! Wow! A big boost of confidence for you! And more evidence for your opponent that you are on your way to the win!
So, having a definite target in mind each time you are about to strike the ball will reduce unforced errors due to indecision. When you practice, why not put down some actual targets. Great feedback when you actually hit one! When watching videos of matches, notice the target choices. You will see how the best make theirs! Till next time Happy Hitting!