8 Week Strategy Progression for Elite

We are a couple of months away from the Qualifier in Little Rock. We are currently working through an 8 week strategy progression with our Elite group. Our hope is that each student will understand basic tennis strategies and tactics better and therefore will be performing at their highest level at the Qualifier.

There are 4 basic tennis strategies. You can either play primarily cross court, isolate a corner or weakness, move someone around the court or change direction of the ball, and attack or get to the net. There are numerous tennis tactics. Strategies are broad in scope and cover a number of different tactics. For example, my strategy might be to beat my opponent through a cross court rally. In other words, beating my opponent through building cross court. When we use the term building we mean — gaining a competitive advantage. So gaining a competitive advantage through a cross court rally. Building cross court is broad. My tactics might be one heavy ball cross court, one slice cross court, and one drive cross court which are much more specific.

Take football for an illustration. A strategy might be passing the ball or handing the ball off. A tactic is a specific play, route, or formation that you use to execute your strategy.

That being said, if students have a better understanding of strategy and tactics it will immediately help them be a better version of themselves. The following is how we will be breaking down the weeks leading up to Qualifier focusing on a specific theme (or strategy) for an entire week in addition to our usual warm-up, serves/returns, and game at the end.

Week 1 & 2: Building Cross Court

Week 3 & 4: Isolating a Corner and Changing Direction of the Ball

Week 5 & 6: Attacking the Net

Week 7 & 8: Games (depending on effort) & Match Play

A typical practice will look something like this…

  • Warm-up with a specific technical focus based on the theme
  • Drilling with a specific technical focus based on the theme
  • Point play with a specific tactical focus based on the theme
  • Serves & Returns with a specific technical focus
  • Game

For example…this week at one of the practices we did…

  • Warm-up: Alternate shots between forehands and backhands focusing on space
  • Corner Drill: One side is isolated in a corner and is running partner side to side
  • Control Game: Point starts in a cross court rally, only side is allowed to go down the line, and once they go down the line the point opens up to a full court point. You should only change direction of the ball when you are balanced, moving forward, and inside the baseline.
  • Serves focusing on getting our weight back to our back leg
  • Dingles

Thank you for taking the time to read this information. Communication between parents, players, and coaches is so important for success. Hope everyone signs up for Qualifier and we are looking forward to our best Qualifier ever!

 

 

 

Why Play Tennis?

tennis

Many studies have found that tennis is one of the healthiest activities to participate in because it provides overall physical, mental and emotional benefits. It engages your mind and body at the same time. One of the great things about tennis is that it’s a sport that can be played at nearly any age and at any skill level.

 

Fitness

Playing tennis elevates your heart rate throughout the game and burns extra calories to help you lose weight. The elevated heart rate from tennis and other cardiovascular exercises improves your circulatory health, lowering your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

 

In addition to the cardiovascular health benefits of tennis, the game also combines rigorous strength training in your legs, arms and upper body. And it’s not just in a static, repetitive set of muscles.

 

 

Because it’s a low-impact sport and it’s not dependent on the strength of the player, people of all ages and skill levels can pick it up easily.

 

 

Tactical Brain Development

Tennis is based on geometry and physics, and can help develop tactical thinking similar to playing a game of chess. Since a large proponent of playing tennis involves alertness and tactical thinking to develop shot patterns, the sport helps to generate new connections between nerves in the brain.

 

Coordination

Tennis tests your balance, speed, footwork and hand-eye coordination through a variety of techniques and movements. As you become on the court, you can expect these attributes improve other aspects of your life.

 

The subtle motions inherent in racquet control also improve your
fine-motor skills, those associated with penmanship, video game play and creating fine art.

 

Self-Esteem

Tennis players are known to score higher in self-esteem, vigor and optimism, while scoring lower for factors such as confusion, tension, anxiety and depression.

 

All of these health benefits make tennis one of the most beneficial sports you can play, physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether you play competitively, for your health or just for fun, tennis has great benefits for the mind and body

 

 

FAC offers adult tennis leagues for all levels. Our leagues run in 8 week sessions and we offer doubles, permanent partner doubles, mixed doubles, and singles using USTA/ NTRP levels.

 

If you do not have a rating we can evaluate your level before placing you in a league. To register for league play – please stop by the Pro Shop to determine your level. For more information email our pros at tennis@fayac.com

 

FAC also offers Adult Tennis lessons. Lessons are scheduled at your convenience. We offer many packages to choose from including Private lessons, Semi-Private, Small Group and Team Group drills. Stop by the Pro Shop to meet our Tennis Pros and schedule a complimentary skill review. Private Lessons are one of the best ways to develop the skills necessary to take your game to the next level. This one-on-one time is a great way for the pros to analyze and refine your skills.