Tennis Singles Strategy - Tactics and Positioning - How To Play Singles

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  • Опубліковано 21 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 142

  • @EssentialTennis
    @EssentialTennis  7 років тому +15

    Grab your FREE Action Plan download here so you can start improving your singles game the very next time you step onto the court: www.essentialtennis.com/singles-action-plans

    • @yasircute5489
      @yasircute5489 6 років тому

      Man those positioning ideas you have given are awesome so glad to see them they are really helpfull thanks

    • @kamalakannans5373
      @kamalakannans5373 6 років тому

      I am able get the PDF file can you please send it to me

    • @explosivo8907
      @explosivo8907 5 років тому +2

      The Website doesn't work. It doesn't send any email. Can you please send it to me or send me the link for a direkt download. THX, awesome Video !!!

    • @Rwh-nb1zp
      @Rwh-nb1zp 4 роки тому

      The singles action plans link does not work, unfortunately.

  • @carlyfuchihara4721
    @carlyfuchihara4721 4 роки тому +11

    Hi Ian & team, I have been watching your videos for about a month now and playing for almost 2 tennis seasons (5 months a year in Canada). I just won my first 3.5 tennis final and I want to thank you for these instructional videos that I can really practically apply to my game. The movement ones have been especially beneficial for me and I really believe this is what made the difference between win and defeat. Thanks so much! ❤🎾

  • @Okwolus
    @Okwolus 7 років тому +51

    Great video. Explaning basic position here, but a lot of people just stick in the middle, so great tips :)
    That Ira grunt tho.

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому +6

      Haha....I was thinking the same thing RE the grunt... -Ian

  • @MarisaHarpermh1392
    @MarisaHarpermh1392 4 роки тому +26

    Thank you for this great content! Just won a match 6-0, 6-0 thanks to tweaking my game with your suggestions.

  • @blueberrycornbread
    @blueberrycornbread 6 років тому +27

    You should use arrows on your videos. Thanks for the information.

  • @vasDcrak
    @vasDcrak 7 років тому +238

    i can win twice as many singles matches but 2 x 0 = 0 lol

  • @reneeontop39
    @reneeontop39 Рік тому +1

    I have been pracricing for years but have very little match experience. I have always forced down the line shots on tennis and now I will try this approach

  • @michelemyers8874
    @michelemyers8874 7 років тому +5

    Great instructional video! Thanks so much for laying the strategy groundwork! This is just what I need! The Geometry of Tennis!!! Thank you!

  • @mtlsteven
    @mtlsteven 7 років тому +6

    might wanna explain why Federer and Nadal sometimes go around the ball to hit the "higher percentage" down the line too :)
    great video.

  • @Gs-nc4jx
    @Gs-nc4jx 7 років тому +2

    Thanks
    I’ve been playing for just a few months and this video was great for me!

  • @callumheatherly994
    @callumheatherly994 4 роки тому +2

    This is very helpful. Thanks

  • @pegbroadwater1464
    @pegbroadwater1464 6 років тому +1

    The video and free download were very helpful. Key is to keep it in play, position yourself properly and avoid trying to end the point too soon with a "killer shot" that ends up in the net or out. Good reminders to play smarter. Thanks!!!

  • @abanga
    @abanga 6 років тому +2

    Each and every one of your videos are right on spot including this one ! THANKS !!

  • @WOok2a
    @WOok2a 6 років тому +3

    I've played on and off since 10 and I didn't know this. Great video.

  • @charlottecheung2910
    @charlottecheung2910 3 роки тому +1

    I can't stress how much this video has helped me. I'm a decent player, but I would really want to win more. I can't tell you how much this has helped me to understand the right way to play a singles match. Many, many thanks.

  • @melissabeckham6917
    @melissabeckham6917 7 років тому +3

    Great video, thank you. Not returning robotically to the middle is an eye-opener for me (and I'm one of the dummies that tries to down-the-line without the skill). Grunting is a sign of intelligence.

  • @jadersantana4720
    @jadersantana4720 7 років тому +1

    These series of improving technique to perfection are the best series of tennis video, on all tennis channels.
    I miss the Changeover too, where are them?

  • @raulimakela3182
    @raulimakela3182 7 років тому

    Superb coaching from Essential Tennis ! Thank you Ian and the team. Rauli 70yrs, Finland

  • @UnicornsIre
    @UnicornsIre 5 років тому +3

    I love the help but if ive won 0 matches and you say it will help me 2x as much doesn’t 2x0= 0

  • @tarunj4333
    @tarunj4333 6 років тому +2

    These stratergies are amazing ,thanks a lot ET team!!

  • @fsilber330
    @fsilber330 7 років тому +15

    There is yet another reason it is difficult to change the ball's direction.
    When you hit the ball right back to to where it came from, at contact the racket head and ball are traveling along the same line (in opposite directions). When changing the direction the racket head is traveling along a different line from the ball, and contact is made where the lines cross.
    Think about throwing a baseball at a sack swinging on a rope like a pendulum. Which would be easier to hit -- if the sack is swinging to and away, or if the sack is swinging side to side? I think you get my point. It is easier to time if the two moving objects (baseball and sack, tennis ball and racket head) are traveling along the same line.
    This leads to a technique for changing the ball's direction when returning a cross court ball down-the-line, or when the opponent hits from a corner to the middle and you want to slide the ball from the middle to his other corner. I'm talking about side-spin. With side-spin, instead of pointing the racket head perpendicular to the motion of the racket head at contact, the racket head is lagging. With a side-spin (right handed) forehand the motion of the racket head is still directly towards the ball even though you are directing it to the right of its origin. This makes timing easier than swinging the racket head in a line that crosses the line of the ball's approach. (It also results in a ball that curves and bounces away from the opponent, making him run yet farther.)
    You might not want to hit this shot against a net rusher, but it can be very effective against a baseline opponent (and tennis these days tends to emphasize baseline exchanges).
    Jack Kramer was famous for his side spin forehand approach shot, which he would use whenever anyone hit him a cross-court ground stroke that fell short. I frequently saw Jimmy Connors hit this shot against a baseline opponent to change the direction of the ball.
    Why do tennis coaches so rarely mention this shot these days?

  • @GWVcr84
    @GWVcr84 2 роки тому

    Great video, ive always been standing in the middle and getting destroyed :|
    Gonna do my best to implement the baseline positioning during my next match

  • @noushinkananian5033
    @noushinkananian5033 7 років тому +1

    Many thanks for sharing your invaluable experience!

  • @sarahday70
    @sarahday70 5 років тому +1

    Thank you...playing a lot of doubles I always use the middle of the court but I am trying to up my singles game and this will be really helpful. Can't wait to practice!!

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  5 років тому

      Hope practice goes well, Sarah! Let us know how it works for you. -Ian

  • @josephb729
    @josephb729 4 роки тому

    where did you get those tennis ball pillows?

  • @dhirajatmakuri7228
    @dhirajatmakuri7228 5 років тому

    THANK YOU a lot for making these videos. They help me a ton and made me a better player thank you.

  • @aaronsantos962
    @aaronsantos962 7 років тому +1

    i came back from a holiday from 4 weeks without playing tennis, ugh. i felt like my forehand wasnt as good as it was before, i used to be able to take long swings with lots of power, now im hitting over the fence. i feel like i need shorter strokes like mischa zverev or tomic. Should i stay with the short swing and build on from it again or do my old style of long swings?

  • @Marcossyqueira
    @Marcossyqueira 7 років тому

    Nice video, I liked so much, I from Brazil and just started to play tennis, just one month ago, and I learned so much with your videos, thank you for sharing this knowlledge.

  • @ReidVV
    @ReidVV 5 років тому

    Very nice video and with PDF action plan. Wow. This drill in the video above is great to do with student and coach. This is a great drill for practicing recognizing and making the highest percentage shot. I've seen another, drill with different objectives, in which one student player plays all balls hit to them cross court and the other player plays all balls hit to them down the line. This creates both players sunning back and forth and learning how to hit both types of shots. I've also seen a drill where one (right-handed) player stays in the ad court and may hit all balls anywhere into the opposite court. The other player must play all balls hit to them back into the opponent's ad court. This is good for the ad court player to work on their (usually weaker) backhand and/or their run-around forehand.

  • @cashflowcaptain
    @cashflowcaptain 2 роки тому

    got a tournament tomorrow. will update you when finished

  • @gregkusnierz9780
    @gregkusnierz9780 7 років тому +3

    Nice job on the last few videos. Been really enjoying them.

  • @svarodzic
    @svarodzic 3 роки тому

    As always, very good points, Ian!

  • @TheLukeguy7
    @TheLukeguy7 4 роки тому

    Amazing vids top work world class coaching

  • @carlrennie1141
    @carlrennie1141 7 років тому +1

    dude, great explanation at the start

  • @muhammadmudassar6439
    @muhammadmudassar6439 4 роки тому

    Excellent work Ian , keep it up man

  • @calebvinson8800
    @calebvinson8800 4 роки тому

    completely unrelated but what shoes are those ian?

  • @rayarsenault4046
    @rayarsenault4046 7 років тому

    I am amazed on how you have fed me tips just when I need them. This is perfect. Sometimes I find myself working hard to catch up to shots and sucker in for the down-line shots too soon. Sometimes it does work if I really hit well but too often I hit wide, just like you showed. I am playing tomorrow night and am anxious to execute your recommended strategies, etc. Thanks very much Ian! Ray

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому

      Happy to hear that, Ray. Be sure to report back about how you do! -Ian

  • @JohnSmith-tk6fi
    @JohnSmith-tk6fi 5 років тому

    I haven't received the FREE Action Plan, no email..... nothing. Would love to be able to read it!

  • @dadmaxx8641
    @dadmaxx8641 7 років тому

    I believe this tactic is referred to as bisecting the angles...understanding where the new middle is after each shot. This positioning was particularly important years ago before the new string allowed lower percentage plays to be somewhat higher percentage...and with the speed of shot, I find that up the line forehands are played more against me with success than they used to. Also, I would not cover the cross court backhand as much as I would the cross court forehand because there are virtually no players that can create an equal angle off the backhand side, but the backhand down the line is a very easy shot for most advanced players.

  • @fannyhagstrom7686
    @fannyhagstrom7686 7 років тому

    Do you guys have any tips on interval training that focuses on getting faster / more sustained on the tennis court?

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому

      Hey Fanny. We have a course called "Complete Tennis Fitness". You can check that out here if you'd like: essentialtenniss.clickfunnels.com/sales-page8844747

  • @vinceduquestories
    @vinceduquestories 6 років тому

    This was really great. Thanks.

  • @Diego_Tl
    @Diego_Tl 6 років тому

    This was a great video it totally opened my eyes on the proper way to play singles! I do have a questions though. Let's say you mess up on a shot and it either goes short or it's just set up as a sitter back at the baseline. If that happens should you just retreat to the middle since it's easier to change the direction on that type of ball?

  • @jeolmmum
    @jeolmmum 7 років тому

    But assuming your opponent hits with the same speed the crosscourt or down the line shot, wouldn't you be situated wrongly at the geometric middle of the possible shots? Since down the line is a quite shorter distance you need to react faster, right?

  • @abanga
    @abanga 6 років тому

    I love your videos... thanks a lot !

  • @DetectiveConan990v3
    @DetectiveConan990v3 8 місяців тому

    man I wish I lived in California just for the ability to play tennis year round, the weather looks beautiful

  • @AugustMinecraft2023
    @AugustMinecraft2023 9 місяців тому

    thanks that really help me

  • @louiscyphre7023
    @louiscyphre7023 6 років тому

    @1:05 This is wrong , this is assuming you are equally strong on forehand and backhand , you play to your strengths not your opponents , show this vid to uncle tony (rafa`s coach ) and he will giggle . this scenario might be true if you where out of position , in this example kirby is not out of position , 2nd kirby forehand might be stronger 3rd down the line shot is a lower percentage shot for your opponent , the position in this example will vary from player to player by maybe 3 -4 yards .

  • @jkoooooo12
    @jkoooooo12 7 років тому

    Very Helpful , Hopefully I can become a better single player for my last high school season next year

  • @yatsomitai
    @yatsomitai 5 років тому

    I have my doubts about these tactics. First: The middle position to the opponent's return shown in this case is based on two POSSIBLE extremes and the cross return is actually more difficult to perform and therefore less likely, and if it happens probably not at the speed of the long shot but slowlier and easier to reach. More likely would be a cross down the line towards the corner (not the tee) where the centre of the court is the geometrically correct waiting position. Second: Hitting a cross hit means more space available, but the angle of attack goes narrow, since the court is not round. That means, if I hit a diagonal return I don't have automatically more chances to avoid hitting out, because my hit may also go wide despite of the distance.
    Please correct me.

  • @Cameron-ue7lu
    @Cameron-ue7lu 6 років тому

    Great tips, thank you. I love hitting down the line off a cross court ball because I think I'm being clever. I keep getting out of position for the easier cross court return!

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  6 років тому +1

      You got it, Cameron! Where you really get killed is when you change direction multiple times in a row. Every time you go down the line you get further and further behind unless you put your opponent off balance each time! -Ian

  • @ThePandaPump
    @ThePandaPump 6 років тому

    I did try this yesterday, hitting the percentage shot (cross court).My opponent then kept going for the winner (i.e. down the line), so I was getting beat that way for not being aggressive enough... so I agree in principle with this, but it isn't working for me at the moment! :/Also, Ian, what is the link for the download? I submitted my email, but have not received. Thanks.

  • @cmosilva
    @cmosilva 6 років тому

    Hi
    I know this a little out of time from video posting, but I was wonder if you have posted any other video or document, regarding shot selection, because I have worked out to use all these tips in training and in game (better in training that in the game), but I feel that somewhere in the middle of the every point/game, the strategy crumbles, specially because at club level playing there is lot of junk balls played that tend to put us out of focus, and unforced errors just come out one after the other in these "unmapped situations".

  • @raymondbailey1776
    @raymondbailey1776 7 років тому

    Can you do a video on flat served

  • @GiocareaTennis
    @GiocareaTennis 7 років тому

    Great tips
    !

  • @TemplarKG
    @TemplarKG 7 років тому

    I love this kind of videos

  • @51Dss
    @51Dss 7 років тому

    Great lesson

  • @johnlu585
    @johnlu585 7 років тому

    I'm a 12 year old. When should I break off from the crosscourt exchange, or should never break off and just let them hit the ball down the line and then I hit it crosscourt?

    • @DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour
      @DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour 6 років тому

      Hey, I have been playing tennis since I was around your age and now I'm 25 haha. I think that a good time to break off is usually when you get a decent shot and you can see your opponent struggled to get it back.
      For example, you hit a deeper ball than usual and in response their return is short, now you have a decent opportunity to go down the line.

  • @opdestroyer4192
    @opdestroyer4192 5 років тому

    Thanks

  • @laurenselderhorst2314
    @laurenselderhorst2314 7 років тому

    I am a lefthanded tennisplayer with a nice forehand, my backhand is really, really bad. So i try to aim for backhand down the line so i have a higher chance on getting a forehand. But shouldnt i be doing this?

    • @crcrozesp.p5919
      @crcrozesp.p5919 7 років тому +1

      DankAsFuck if your opponent realizes your weakness(backhand), then he will pounding on your backhand side no matter which shot he hit. You have to improve on backhand or hit in-side-out.

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому

      That was basically my tactic all through college as a fellow lefty with a weak backhand: slice down the line was my go-to shot. As Crcrozes points out that will only get you so far. Against players at or below your level it can be really successful. Against a player stronger than you it's going to be a big uphill battle....and they'll absolutely exploit your backhand side as much as possible. -Ian

  • @harrisonschwerman750
    @harrisonschwerman750 4 роки тому

    Good vid

  • @bigsky350
    @bigsky350 3 роки тому

    I signed up for the singles action plan but DIDN'T receive anything

  • @davidkumar9216
    @davidkumar9216 6 років тому +1

    Go to 10:25 and close your eyes

  • @GreenleafPro
    @GreenleafPro 3 роки тому +1

    I followed your advice and I’ve now been playing the same point for two months...

  • @gavinguzicki7685
    @gavinguzicki7685 4 роки тому

    My issue is the points seem to never end they just keep returning it and I keep returning it. I have lots of very long points

  • @Quach7
    @Quach7 2 роки тому

    I tried it a couple of times consciously, but I don't continue. I unconsciously go back to the middle. Several reasons.
    1. Hitting down the line forces to opponent to move which will unbalance him, and costing him time. You have to calculate the cost on you versus the cost on him.
    2. A cross court shot takes longer time to land, so you have more time.
    3. Staying in the middle saves time and energy. Going to the theoretical center costs time and energy.
    4. Going to the geometrical center gives the opponent 2 equally good choices. Standing the marked center gives the opponent 1 better choice. You are subtracting a choice.
    You have to calculate the cost compared to the save.
    The geometry of the court is not only left and right but forward and backward. And I don't know what the center of that is. It depends on the speed of the ball. Fast can kill, but slow can kill too.
    5. Against an opposite hander, you can't go cross court on you backhand against his forehand.

  • @TheLukeguy7
    @TheLukeguy7 4 роки тому

    This is a really good video. One thing I noticed watching nadal is that he doesn’t always actually recover to the ‘correct’ position, is that because the rallies at that level are so good he might not have time to and/or tactics are so advanced that he might purposefully recover to a slightly sub optimal position but one which tempts the opponent to for example hit into the slightly bigger space towards his forehand strength for example?

  • @masong3535
    @masong3535 3 роки тому

    I finally made singles for my high school and immideiatly I’m like oh no this is worse and thinking I want to go back to doubles gonna try this at my next match and I will let you guys know how it goes

  • @nate-o2397
    @nate-o2397 6 років тому +3

    For tip one, I don’t really agree with that position. A ball that is hit cross court around the T would take much longer, giving you more time to get there. Whereas if it was hit down the line, it wouldn’t travel very far and you wouldn’t have much time to get there.

    • @ngoduy3110
      @ngoduy3110 6 років тому

      Nice comments. I haven't thought about this.

  • @nightdogggg
    @nightdogggg 3 роки тому

    What about guys that can utterly T-off on that crosscourt shot and hit a winner. Time and Time again. Its hard to get it to his backhand, so the crosscourt forehand is useless against a guy like that. teach us how to handle these guys I can hit just as hard as him but he beats me sometimes narrowly.

  • @alfandosavant4639
    @alfandosavant4639 7 років тому +1

    Thank God you got Ira, so you can demo the points as a right hander 😂

  • @matteostaffa9300
    @matteostaffa9300 7 років тому +6

    Wtf this actually works lol this channel is pretty damn good😀

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому +2

      You're surprised?? ;-)

    • @matteostaffa9300
      @matteostaffa9300 7 років тому +1

      Essential Tennis - Lessons and Instruction for Passionate Players well I'm pretty new to tennis so discovering this channel is opening totally new ideas to me. You guys truly are a great channel

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  7 років тому +1

      So happy to hear that, thank you for watching and let us know how we can help!

  • @r.p.7280
    @r.p.7280 4 роки тому

    Two people who only play against each other who both watch your videos can win 2X as many matches? Amazing science! lol

  • @hydropolite
    @hydropolite 6 років тому

    She’s a lefty - that changes The dynamics

  • @ethanmanman8867
    @ethanmanman8867 6 років тому +1

    You're kidding me. I practice at these *very* courts!

  • @acronymn8382
    @acronymn8382 7 років тому

    Where dem vids lol

  • @mikemu9897
    @mikemu9897 5 років тому

    This would be so much easier if he just drew it on a board

  • @chelseavranici580
    @chelseavranici580 4 роки тому

    I have followed Essential Tennis for years and I learned a lot from them. So many year gone by and here i am Playing and enjoying my tennis and hopefully with hard work and dedication I will reach my goals. Thank you Ian and Essential Tennis. Check my video and subscribe to my channel if you like the video.

  • @targettennisinternational5860
    @targettennisinternational5860 6 років тому

    Ian neglects to tell you the obvious: Hitting cross-court often hits yourself into a running situation. Strategy for recreational players is totally different than strategy for the pros. You should also avoid hitting down the line unless you are in a position to hit aggressively and move forward toward the net. So what does that leave rec players for choices? -90% of your shots from the baseline should be deep and down the middle. You can also learn the #1 fundamental that Ian and all others are failing to tell you, here: www.target-tennis.com

    • @DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour
      @DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour 6 років тому

      Dude, it's one thing to disagree with someone's tips on a video but then to plug your own as well? That's just bad sportsmanship. Reported for spam.

  • @paddypits7733
    @paddypits7733 7 років тому

    Not one of your best videos. Was I bit complicated for me to under stand. I think your other videos are more simplified

  • @johnkerry6312
    @johnkerry6312 2 роки тому

    The top 9 would have been perfect if Luke didn’t play

  • @jonarema1696
    @jonarema1696 7 років тому

    You more a lot lell

  • @ujustgotdunkedon4523
    @ujustgotdunkedon4523 6 років тому

    Roger Fedora’s smurf account.

  • @sanielmadic1542
    @sanielmadic1542 3 роки тому

    Curby is hot.

  • @precociousdeathdealer202
    @precociousdeathdealer202 5 років тому +1

    THIS GUY IS A FRAUD. HE HAS A WIERD FOREHAND SWING AND ONLY BACKHAND SLICE DURING A REAL MATCH.

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  5 років тому +4

      What does that have to do with my coaching?

  • @pedramkermani2418
    @pedramkermani2418 3 роки тому

    Twice of 0 is still 0

  • @vammy5009
    @vammy5009 4 роки тому

    Stupid you should have chosen a right handed player for the demonstration. Good video though.

  • @insonder4515
    @insonder4515 4 роки тому +1

    🙄 why make a tutorial video with a Lefty...didn't think that through at all. No thanks.

    • @Foxjitas
      @Foxjitas 4 роки тому

      Just find a different video and shut up. I would like you to make a 4k detailed video on this subject.

  • @Tennis_MenACE
    @Tennis_MenACE 6 років тому

    Are you guys actually pro? As in like have a world ranking of some sort or something?
    Or is it more of a generic term you’ve adopted?
    Here, we call coaches... coaches.

    • @EssentialTennis
      @EssentialTennis  6 років тому

      Hey, Will! Where's "here"? In the US "tennis pro" is pretty universally used for teaching professionals, aka somebody who's career is instructing professionally. It doesn't require professional playing experience. Neither Kirby, Megan or I played professionally. Kevin did a little bit. Hope that helps. -Ian

    • @Tennis_MenACE
      @Tennis_MenACE 6 років тому

      New Zealand.

  • @mathtriangle34
    @mathtriangle34 5 років тому +1

    This really helped me a lot!

  • @torrubirubi
    @torrubirubi 3 роки тому

    Well explained, thanks!