Level 3 1st4sport Certificate in Coaching Tennis Tactical Development

Tactics The tactical performance factor is made up of lots of tennis terminology: Consistency, Strengths, Positioning, Strokes, Patterns, Intentions, Decision-making etc. Tactics are how you use these to win a match: Tactical training and goal setting is how a player develops their strategy and tactics for future matches

Strategy and Tactics Level 3 Coaches need to be able to: Describe where a player is tactically in terms of what they are achieving in each game situation Gather information on player within lessons using basic measurement methods Identify goals for a player Demonstrate an ability to work on those goals in game situation, tactic, pattern, stroke intention and skill

Describing a player’s tactical skills Performer Tactics are always based around the person (performer) Tactics Talk about your player by talking about how their game links together in this way in each game situation Patterns Intentions Skills

Tactics All tactics in tennis are based around 5 core areas: Consistency Space Time Strengths Weaknesses Some of the most commonly used tactics are described with well known tennis phrases. Eg. To exploit space and take away time using a powerful 1st serve followed by attacking fh into either corner … ‘serve and forehand attack’

What patterns could be used to implement these tactics? An example of this Overall tactic To use strong net game as much as possible. Need to find ways to get forwards early in the rally Tactics (in each game situation) Serving: Serve and volley regularly Mix serve and volley with serve – fh attack – then volley Returning: Hit and sneak into weaker gstroke particularly on 2nd serve key points Both Back: In neutral situations use centre approach to take control of rally What patterns could be used to implement these tactics?

Stroke Intentions As a player prepares to hit a shot – they have an ‘intention’ as to what they are trying to achieve. A player will choose to hit a shot using one of the following intentions: Trade Build Finish Neutralise Stay Turn around

Tactical Development The player I am The gap The player I want to be 5 game situations Consistency, space, time, strengths, weaknesses 5 game situations Consistency, space, time, strengths, weaknesses Performer Performer