Keys to go from beginner to intermediate

[NadalWilson999]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.

Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step? Or maybe more topspin in general? In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

 

[PKorda]

You need athletic ability, blame your parents.

 

[NadalWilson999]

Haha thats the answer I didn't want to hear. But good point.

I've played people with a lot less atheletic ability and moving slower, and yet they won.

 

[Slicehand]

Personally, the thing that made my game take the next level was when my forehand developed, i worked with a coach and he taught me how to hit it semiwestern and now i feel it can never go long, i can put all the heat that i want in it, but if i was asked in general, the thing thats definetly going to help you is footwork, doesnt matter if your strokes are good or bad if you cant hit them consistently in your striking zone, you must learn to judge the ball and adapt to it making little steps

 

[mac-1210]

Really depends on what you want from the game. 80% of the players at my club play at an intermediate standard and probably haven't had a lesson since being in school in the 1960s. As a result, a lot of their tennis is by intuition and looks that way. They enjoy playing to a social intermediate standard and probably wont improve at all. In addition to that, most aren't very fit and this will always cap their performance level.

If you didn't learn technique as a 10-year old junior, I'm afraid the only real way to improve is to take weekly individual coaching lessons and most importantly carry out practive by playing drills regularly between lessons. It's such a slow learning curve that it takes years and years of hitting balls to progress to a relatively advanced level.

Learning a proper serve is a long and frustrating road. It will be worth it, but it will take years.

Best mentality is to enjoy the learning and occasionally think back over a long period of time to feel the improvement (ie think "I'm playing better than last year").

Oh...and don't overlook what was said above...footwork helps massively.

 

[Pass750]

You need athletic ability, blame your parents.

Great point, a players ceiling will definitely be their athletic ability.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Great point, a players ceiling will definitely be their athletic ability.

No one, not even the Big 3, reaches their ceiling: not because they didn't achieve [hard to top 20+ GSs] but because there is always something more they could have done but didn't.

Looking at the typical rec player like me, there are vast areas of untapped potential. I could do so much more than I currently do. My theoretical ceiling might be my athletic ability [or lack thereof] but my practical ceiling is a lot lower because I put in so little effort.

So rather than concentrate on the theoretical, it makes more sense to focus on the practical.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?

Recall a time when you learned a new skill: did it feel the same way? And yet over time and practice, you got a lot better at it. Learning a new language, for example: you enter a world that is completely foreign, where almost nothing makes sense. And gradually, you become more familiar and the foreign-ness recedes.

Well, tennis is a different language. If you're athletic and can cross over easily, the language is similar [someone who can read one of the Romance languages like Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, etc] can also read any of the others reasonably well because they are so similar.

If you're not athletic, the transition is much bigger, like going from Italian to Cambodian.

My most important advice is to be patient with yourself. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. Don't focus on outcomes [I have to reach level x by time y; I have to beat A, B, & C; etc.]. Instead, focus on the process [improving stroke x; better fitness; stronger mental outlook; etc]. If you do that, the results will take care of themselves.

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.

Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step? Or maybe more topspin in general? In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

If you have the time and disposable income, engage a coach. Don't choose willy nilly: interview them, explain what your goals are and what you're willing to do to achieve them, and have them explain how they can help you get there. Your personality has to mesh with their style: they could be the greatest coach in the world but if you don't get along, it won't be a productive relationship.

There are great resources on the internet; you just have to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff. Also, one person's wheat might be another person's chaff. Everyone has their favorites. I like [in no particular order]:

- Top Tennis Training
- Essential Tennis
- Feel Tennis
- My Tennis HQ
- Intuitive Tennis

Just don't fall into the trap of substituting watching videos for actual practice and matches. Otherwise, you fall victim to the "shiny watch" syndrome where you're perpetually distracted by the next new thing and never reap the benefit of any one piece of instruction.

If you do take lessons, practice what you've learned. Don't hit against the wall for 10 minutes prior to your next lesson and think that will cement what you learned a week ago; unless you are supremely talented, it won't. You should be putting in multiple hours of practice for every hour of lessons. You'll have to figure out what ratio works for you.

Most tennis matches are lost, not won. By that I mean that the error count is almost always higher than the winner count. The majority of points are lost due to an error rather than won by a winner. One underrated skill is the ability to consistently keep the ball in play. We highlight reel, attention deficit, immediate gratification people love the flashy winner but that doesn't usually win matches.

Pay attention to the 3Fs: footwork, fitness, focus <mental toughness>, and spacing <the space between your body and the ball; most tend to get cramped>. These are foundational skills and can all be worked on without a court or any equipment. They are also very non-flashy: when was the last time you watched a highlight reel of someone doing ladder drills or stair sprints?

Your questions span a really broad range of skills. I'd dial it back and again, focus more on the process. Let your coach guide you.

Notice that I said nothing about topspin RPMs, serve MPH, one-handed vs two-handed BHs, grips, strings, etc. That was deliberate.

Welcome to the forum and the game; may it be a lifelong journey.

 

[Pass750]

No one, not even the Big 3, reaches their ceiling: not because they didn't achieve [hard to top 20+ GSs] but because there is always something more they could have done but didn't.

Looking at the typical rec player like me, there are vast areas of untapped potential. I could do so much more than I currently do. My theoretical ceiling might be my athletic ability [or lack thereof] but my practical ceiling is a lot lower because I put in so little effort.

So rather than concentrate on the theoretical, it makes more sense to focus on the practical.

I think it’s a given mostly everyone has untapped potential, for those with limited athletic ability or physical traits they won’t go as far as those with.

 

[Pride]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.

Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step? Or maybe more topspin in general? In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

It took me 10 years, learning on my own, playing 1 time per week, to reach 3.0. My tip is that a lot of repetition with small objectives in mind eventually lead to improvements. Inteligent baby steps are the way. Good luck!

 

[Chas Tennis]

If you watch high speed videos of ATP & WTA players you will see the line between their 2 shoulders turn back and then turn forward for ground stroke drives. Notice the speed of the uppermost body turn for pro tennis. There is also separation - the line between the 2 hips moves in an independent way from the 2 shoulders line - this gets the powerful trunk muscles involved. Trunk uncoiling should be the main forward sub-motion. If you use your shoulder joint too much vs trunk uncoiling, it limits your tennis.

Details -
* see high speed videos,
* I've posted on many issues,
* almost all effective sub-motions can be seen in high speed videos,
* don't believe tennis advice that is not supported by high speed videos,

Warning - trunk twisting may be stressful & risky for some people.

 

[FiddlerDog]

Take lessons and play with likeminded players who are serious about improvement.

 

[nyta2]

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

education (lessons, yt, books) & alot of *correct* repetitions (minimum of 6 digits but closer to 7)

 

[zaph]

Winning at low level tennis is pretty easy, don't miss. Most tennis matches are won on unforced errors, if you can endlessly knock the ball back, doesn't matter how you do it, you will become a nightmare for every low level ball basher.

Of course the real challenge is how to beat another play who has figured out playing it safe and avoiding unforced errors is the way to go. The key to that is finding a way to deal with the short ball. The big mistake beginners make is to develop ground strokes from the baseline, while being hopeless higher up the court.

Once again it doesn't matter how you do it, volley or a groundstroke but you have to have a way to play up near the net.

 

[zaph]

Take lessons and play with likeminded players who are serious about improvement.

Has this worked for you? The problem with that advice is hire a bad coach and you will never get anywhere. You just end up with a lighter wallet.

As for players serious about improvement, what does that even mean?

Honestly the best way to improve is to find every pusher/junkballer in you local area and play them over and over till you can beat them playing with a more aggressive style.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Winning at low level tennis is pretty easy, don't miss. Most tennis matches are won on unforced errors, if you can endlessly knock the ball back, doesn't matter how you do it, you will become a nightmare for every low level ball basher.

You could say the same for intermediate level too. By the time you get to high-level [ie 5.0+ NTRP], it's rarely enough to just be able to get the ball back; players are too accurate and have too many weapons. Intermediates often don't have both.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

As for players serious about improvement, what does that even mean?

To me, it means the other players take lessons, practice purposefully, hold themselves and each other accountable, push each other to excel, care about others' progress, etc. Everyone has a different definition but I would expect a lot of overlap.

The way I heard it that resonated most with me was from a motivational speaker: "Become the type of person that would achieve the goals you've set for yourself and the goals will follow naturally."

The example he gave was an inexperienced young man in a new sales position. He won the annual sales contest by a 2:1 margin over 2nd place. Everyone was stunned. "How did you do it?" everyone asked.

"Pretty simple," he said. "Every time I did something, I asked myself 'How would the sales winner do what I'm about to do?'. And every time, I did it just a little bit better."

 

[nyta2]

The problem with that advice is hire a bad coach and you will never get anywhere. You just end up with a lighter wallet.

absolutely. find a coach via word of mouth, look at the outcome of their products (eg. their students), name recognition, etc... or you might need to "kiss alot of frogs" to find one that works for you, for your budget, your learning style, your schedule, etc...

As for players serious about improvement, what does that even mean?

at minimum i presume it means improving your ntrp to the next level or utr rating +1.0-2.0 points

Honestly the best way to improve is to find every pusher/junkballer in you local area and play them over and over till you can beat them playing with a more aggressive style.

or just counter punch them back because your fitness level & technique is superior... doesn't have to be "more aggressive"
and if your goal is just finding pushers&junkballers to play, i'm guessing statistically, you're mostly talking about the 3.5 level?

 

[FiddlerDog]

Has this worked for you? The problem with that advice is hire a bad coach and you will never get anywhere. You just end up with a lighter wallet.

As for players serious about improvement, what does that even mean?

Honestly the best way to improve is to find every pusher/junkballer in you local area and play them over and over till you can beat them playing with a more aggressive style.

Yes, it worked for me.
I took lessons and focused playing with passionate students of the game.

Only work with coaches who have college or ATP/WTA experience.
That simple filter will eliminate 99% of zero value lessons.
Majority of tennis lessons are a complete waste of time. Same with clinics.
Almost every lesson I witness has the student engraining bad habits, not correcting them.

What does it mean?
It means people who video their matches.
Take lessons.
Discuss strategy.
Understand the process.
Discuss what they did right and wrong.
Are always working on some aspect of their game.

When discussing junkballers, always qualify if you mean
3.0 junkballers or 3.5 junkballers or 4.0 junkballers or 4.5 junkballers

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

One of the keys is "Madison": play like her and you'll blow right past intermediate.

"Alicia" is another but lugging around a keyboard on the tennis court is bad for the elbow.

 

[zaph]

Yes, it worked for me.
I took lessons and focused playing with passionate students of the game.

Only work with coaches who have college or ATP/WTA experience.
That simple filter will eliminate 99% of zero value lessons.
Majority of tennis lessons are a complete waste of time. Same with clinics.
Almost every lesson I witness has the student engraining bad habits, not correcting them.

What does it mean?
It means people who video their matches.
Take lessons.
Discuss strategy.
Understand the process.
Discuss what they did right and wrong.
Are always working on some aspect of their game.

When discussing junkballers, always qualify if you mean
3.0 junkballers or 3.5 junkballers or 4.0 junkballers or 4.5 junkballers

You don't need all of that, it just makes you sound like the golfer who spent a fortune on every gadget going.

Just playing against junkers and pushers will be enough because they provide the perfect combination of few unforced errors, forcing you to take balls in awkward positions in the court and they provide no pace. It forces you to generate your own pace, move your feet and deal with short balls. Once you have mastered that you will be a half decent player.

Going beyond that you probably do need proper coaching but honestly how many people here can aspire to that?

I don't know what your level is but I suspect you would be blown into the weeds by a nationally rank player, let alone someone hanging around the bottom tiers of the pro circuit.. At the end of the day most the posters here are club hacks, nothing more.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

The fact you are asking and wanting to improve means that isn't the case, and best to keep a growth mindset and believe you will improve. That is fundamental to keeping motivation to take action.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?
Or maybe more topspin in general?

Generally having decent strokes is a good start, but being able to consistently keep the ball in with whatever strokes they are is more important. If you aren't sure about strokes doing a few lessons is always a good choice. If you are more self-actualizing a reflective you can video tape yourself and try to make corrections yourself, but most will tell you that is a longer process than a few lessons. Either way can work fine though. Also, group classes are a good way to get some feedback during drills and point play without spending a ton on a private, so look around for that too.

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.
Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step?

Your serve is the only shot you control the point 100%. That is, if you cannot get the first or second in, and double fault, you lose the point 100% of the time. So yeah, a better serve is great, but begin able to get the ball in consistently with a first or second serve is more important. Then being able to place the ball over power is right behind that.

In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

Learning to play the net is definitely were dubs gets fun, and makes or breaks a team to me. Being able to learn positioning and poach will move you up quick, or at least make you a stronger factor on court. Learning transitioning from baseline to net and learn the net play triangle for movement.

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

Two things I've learn is patience and calmness. Kinda of intangibles, but a real part of play that has helped me. Being able to play shots without tension, worry, and such has been huge. Much of that confidence comes from consistency of learning strokes, but also my consistency improved because I wasn't as worried about hitting long or screwing things up. Hard to qualify in terms of how to work on it, but deep breathing, focusing on footwork and movement over technique has been VERY helpful for me.

Overall, just do NOT try to do too much. One thing you might do is video tape a match and post up here. That will get you feedback on bigger things you can work on before you get too nuanced in strokes and such.

All the best.

 

[FiddlerDog]

You don't need all of that, it just makes you sound like the golfer who spent a fortune on every gadget going.

Actually, quite the opposite.
I sometimes use a wooden racket.

What is your rating?

 

[zaph]

Actually, quite the opposite.
I sometimes use a wooden racket.

What is your rating?

I am not America, so I don't have one.

In the league I am unbeaten but I play in a low division which is almost exclusively pushers and junkballers. So I am at a level where I am pretty certain I could beat a pusher and a low level junker but beyond that I would probably lose.

What rating that translates to, I have no idea.

 

[cks]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?

Welcome. I started playing again in 2018 and started private tennis lessons in 2019. I really did not see much improvement until I committed to weekly lessons. Below is my weekly routine.

1. Weekly private tennis lesson with pro (1 hr)
2. Weekly group tennis clinic (1.5 hours). Good place to find new hitting partners.
3. One or more hitting sessions with tennis partner. We do drills, and sometimes play points at the end.
4. Weekly social match. Typically doubles. Low stakes, but fun to play.
5. Weekly match (either USTA or ladder). Matches are a good place to get feedback on your game and report what worked or didn't work to your tennis coach.
6. Repeat and enjoy the process

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.

Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step? Or maybe more topspin in general?

Any change has the potential to improve, but you typically go down some (i.e. lose matches) while you try to "groove" your new technique. The nice thing about adding spin to a serve is the additional margin you get for making serves land in the service box.

In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

Yes. In group clinics, I picked up a ton of double strategy on where to stand, and how to move around the court based on the ball's location. You typically want to move your doubles team to the net to close out the point.

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

If your goal is for immediate improvement, then I would focus on consistency. Getting one more ball back in than your opponent.

If your goal is to improve gradually by incorporating technique changes, then I would recommend finding a good tennis coach and work with them to improve.

 

[FiddlerDog]

I am not America, so I don't have one.

Do you have a video?
I'd like to see what level you've attained without "needing all of that"

 

[FiddlerDog]

3. One or more hitting sessions with tennis partner. We do drills, and sometimes play points at the end.

This.
I forgot this.
People who are willing to drill are rare.
They go to the top of the phone list.
Right above lifer junkers who most refuse to hit with. They are at the top of my list.

 

[optic yellow]

Some decent pace on serve + steady return + dependable (read: reliable) groundstroke on each wing. Decent pace on serve does not mean acing, just having enough to it to make your opponent respect it.

 

[zaph]

Do you have a video?
I'd like to see what level you've attained without "needing all of that"

Look I get this is your standard tactic when anyone questions the wisdom of TTPS but here is the thing, unlike you I aint claiming to be a good player.

I can beat pushers, low level junkers and ball bashers. That is hardly a high level which needs video proof to confirm.

You're the one who is spending a fortune on coaches, insists on vetting his playing partners for quality and is aiming for a high level. I play tennis for fun and have no delusions about ever becoming anything more than a bang average player.

 

[FiddlerDog]

Look I get this is your standard tactic when anyone questions the wisdom of TTPS but here is the thing, unlike you I aint claiming to be a good player.

I can beat pushers, low level junkers and ball bashers. That is hardly a high level which needs video proof to confirm.

You're the one who is spending a fortune on coaches, insists on vetting his playing partners for quality and is aiming for a high level. I play tennis for fun and have no delusions about ever becoming anything more than a bang average player.

OK, so someone posts advice on how to excel at tennis.
You then reply saying you don't need all that.
Maybe you should qualify your posts with, "You don't need all that, you can suck at tennis just like me, without all that"

 

[Pass750]

OK, so someone posts advice on how to excel at tennis.
You then reply saying you don't need all that.
Maybe you should qualify your posts with, "You don't need all that, you can suck at tennis just like me, without all that"
Typical internet 3.0 clown.

You have him beat, you are a world class clown!

 

[NadalWilson999]

Thx everyone for your feedback, and I am ignoring all the friction at the end

I like:
1] try using semi-western grip. This may help me get more spin.
2] focus on getting balls in rather than winners. Especially at beginners level I guess this makes sense if most points end with unforced errors.
3] footwork and distance to ball
4] Reliable serve. Not too weak.

ChaelAZ -what is the net play triangle?

In terms of coaching I now am in a group of 8. It is fun and more social with others but I do find there is little/no help on individual technique. I guess there are too many people for the trainer to help everyone. Private lessons would be too expensive for me weekly. Maybe every other week or so, but there would need to be a good fit between us.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

ChaelAZ -what is the net play triangle?

I'll answer since I just finished my 2nd piece of fried chicken and am digesting before I go play. @ChaelAZ can correct me if he had something else in mind.

In lower-level doubles, the net people often are stationary, watching the ball go back and forth between the pair on the BL.

In higher-level doubles, the net people are always moving [watch women's pro doubles and notice how active the net woman is; women's doubles are better examples because they tend to have long CC rallies whereas men tend to S&V].

For example:

Don't watch the ball, don't watch the woman on the BL hitting the ball; watch the net women. Now compare their movement to what you see in a typical rec doubles match. Night and day. And these aren't super difficult moves to make; most could be that active [although to do it over the course of a match takes some stamina].

The triangle he refers to is the pattern the net person follows. Imagine your partner is serving on the Deuce court and you're at the net.
- When your partner serves, you move closer to the net; whether you move diagonally depends on serve placement. If he served wide, you will probably edge towards the alley; if he served T, you will edge towards the middle. But in any case, you are usually moving forwards.

- If the return gets past you, you move diagonally backwards towards the center: backwards because now you're in a defensive position because the opposing net person has the chance to poach so you're trying to defend the middle. Diagonally because you want to close off as much of the middle as possible and make him hit the more difficult angle shot.

- If your partner's GS makes it past the opposing net man, you move diagonally forwards again, because now you are in an offensive position.

Depending on how diagonal and how longitudinal your movements, you end up tracing out a triangle of sorts.

The simpler pattern would be a diagonal line. But this can change every time the ball is struck because of positioning [the ball and the people].

In terms of coaching I now am in a group of 8. It is fun and more social with others but I do find there is little/no help on individual technique. I guess there are too many people for the trainer to help everyone. Private lessons would be too expensive for me weekly. Maybe every other week or so, but there would need to be a good fit between us.

A pizza doesn't get bigger if you cut it into more slices. Each individual slice just gets smaller.

8 people in a group lesson means no one is going to get much individual attention. If you can't afford 1:1, try 4:1, 3:1, or 2:1. 4:1 might still be a good compromise depending on how in sync everyone in the group is [ie the explanation by the coach is relevant to everyone]. if everyone's working on different things, 4:1 might still be too high. You'll have to experiment.

Or take 1:1 but don't do it weekly. Use the extra time to practice. Most lesson takers don't spend nearly enough time practicing before the next lesson.

If the trainer can't accommodate that request, consider finding a coach who will. After all, the golden rule applies here ["He who has the gold makes the rules."; and it's your gold.].

 

[travlerajm]

When I was stationed last year down in a third world country, there was a public park where everyone meets up and plays pickup tennis.

Every single guy (and occasional gal) was self-taught. Ugly strokes all-around. But some of these dudes were really good, even though they hadn’t played for many years and took up tennis as an adult. These guys show up to the courts every day and simply compete. No worrying about technique. They were a lot better at winning tennis matches than the typical player from the states that spends years taking lessons to try to learn a better fh. They all play crafty and hit sneaky poke winners and know how to put away weak sitters with slice stabs.

 

[optic yellow]

put away weak sitters with slice stabs

a true art form

 

[optic yellow]

@travlerajm sneaky poke winners are too tbh

 

[zaph]

OK, so someone posts advice on how to excel at tennis.
You then reply saying you don't need all that.
Maybe you should qualify your posts with, "You don't need all that, you can suck at tennis just like me, without all that"

You're a strange angry man aren't you? Lightened up mate, it is just a tennis forum.

The OP wants to get to an intermediate level, they aren't asking how to become a pro and there is more than one way to do that.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Don't hit net skimmers. Hit with a couple feet of clearance over the net. You need to hit it that high to get good depth on your shots.

It's okay to hit over the baseline, but hitting a rally ball into the net is pretty gross. In fact moonballing is a great tactic. There's lots of different weapons in tennis. Consistency is a great weapon to have in your arsenal.

 

[LuckyR]

I'm a beginner player and feel like I will stay this way forever.

What are important keys/techniques to learn to climb the skills ladder?

For example at my level, most if not all players hit the serve like beach badminton. Some hit it like this and still the ball goes very fast.

Would learning the proper serve or spin and slice on the serve be a big improvement step? Or maybe more topspin in general? In doubles is it about learning to go to the net more often? Learning where to stand?

In your game, what are key things you learned that dramatically helped improve your game?

If by becoming an intermediate, you mean, beating intermediate players in matchplay, there are several possible ways of doing it, depending on what you bring to the game.

Most advice is to bring your stroke mechanics up to intermediate level. That definitely works and will be the best longterm strategy. However it is definitely the slowest and likely the most expensive (for lessons).

If you are athletic, you could accomplish it with learning how to anticipate shots, great footspeed with stamina and consistency (with good beginner strokes) almost immediately, for example.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Do you have a video?
I'd like to see what level you've attained without "needing all of that"

And u?
Do you have one?

 

[Fintft]

If by becoming an intermediate, you mean, beating intermediate players in matchplay, there are several possible ways of doing it, depending on what you bring to the game.

Most advice is to bring your stroke mechanics up to intermediate level. That definitely works and will be the best longterm strategy. However it is definitely the slowest and likely the most expensive (for lessons).

If you are athletic, you could accomplish it with learning how to anticipate shots, great footspeed with stamina and consistency (with good beginner strokes) almost immediately, for example.

You are coach, right? Great advice, in a summary, for a nice tennis experience/career @NadalWilson999 !

 

[a12345]

The issue isnt to do with time its about technique.

To develop to the next level you are better off trial and erroring different ways to hit the ball until you find improvement.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I'll answer since I just finished my 2nd piece of fried chicken and am digesting before I go play. @ChaelAZ can correct me if he had something else in mind.

In lower-level doubles, the net people often are stationary, watching the ball go back and forth between the pair on the BL.

In higher-level doubles, the net people are always moving [watch women's pro doubles and notice how active the net woman is; women's doubles are better examples because they tend to have long CC rallies whereas men tend to S&V].

For example:

Don't watch the ball, don't watch the woman on the BL hitting the ball; watch the net women. Now compare their movement to what you see in a typical rec doubles match. Night and day. And these aren't super difficult moves to make; most could be that active [although to do it over the course of a match takes some stamina].

The triangle he refers to is the pattern the net person follows. Imagine your partner is serving on the Deuce court and you're at the net.
- When your partner serves, you move closer to the net; whether you move diagonally depends on serve placement. If he served wide, you will probably edge towards the alley; if he served T, you will edge towards the middle. But in any case, you are usually moving forwards.

- If the return gets past you, you move diagonally backwards towards the center: backwards because now you're in a defensive position because the opposing net person has the chance to poach so you're trying to defend the middle. Diagonally because you want to close off as much of the middle as possible and make him hit the more difficult angle shot.

- If your partner's GS makes it past the opposing net man, you move diagonally forwards again, because now you are in an offensive position.

Depending on how diagonal and how longitudinal your movements, you end up tracing out a triangle of sorts.

The simpler pattern would be a diagonal line. But this can change every time the ball is struck because of positioning [the ball and the people].

Thanks @S&V-not_dead_yet . That is spot on. I learned this a while back here with a friend/coach. I could have sworn there were some current videos on it, but I just see some older ones that talk about it a little different. But essential it starts for the net player at the service line (I stay more middle where I see some more towards the center line), then a split step forward to be ready to move, then a move to center our out to volley or cover, then recover back to that service line position. This teaches a few things to beginners, including moving without the ball, continuing forward to close the net, cutting off angles to poach and protect, then recovery.

Now, as you play up at higher 4.0 and into 4.5 everything becomes more fluid based on scenarios, and hand skills are much better so not as much recovery, but I think it is very helpful for beginning players looking to improve.

 

[artdeco]

You can take as many lessons as you like, but the reality is you need to play frequently. I started playing 3 years ago and have been playing 3x weekly every week since then. I've made a dramatic improvement. Beauty of tennis for me is that if I'm in a certain situation (eg baseline forehand or short-ball backhand) and I hit it wrong, I will rapidly find myself in same scenario and can try doing it again, differently. Unlike say soccer where there's so much going on that if you mess something up you don't get a chance to try it again so rapidly.
This is the nice thing about tennis, you can work on improving stuff quite easily.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

ChaelAZ -what is the net play triangle?

Here's a great explanation from Essential Tennis:

The first part addresses lateral movement. The second part, longitudinal movement. Combine them and you get a triangle of sorts.

 

[LuckyR]

You are coach, right? Great advice, in a summary, for a nice tennis experience/career @NadalWilson999 !

Nope, just a dad.

 

[Dalton Gray]

Really depends on what you want from the game. 80% of the players at my club play at an intermediate standard and probably haven't had a lesson since being in school in the 1960s. As a result, a lot of their tennis is by intuition and looks that way. They enjoy playing to a social intermediate standard and probably wont improve at all. In addition to that, most aren't very fit and this will always cap their performance level.

If you didn't learn technique as a 10-year old junior, I'm afraid the only real way to improve is to take weekly individual coaching lessons and most importantly carry out practive by playing drills regularly between lessons. It's such a slow learning curve that it takes years and years of hitting balls to progress to a relatively advanced level.

Learning a proper serve is a long and frustrating road. It will be worth it, but it will take years.

Best mentality is to enjoy the learning and occasionally think back over a long period of time to feel the improvement (ie think "I'm playing better than last year").

Oh...and don't overlook what was said above...footwork helps massively. It's only through training that you can achieve something serious. Even though there may be difficulties in the process, but with https://essays.edubirdie.com/nursing-assignment-help it will be easier to overcome them and the result will surely please you. Good luck to you.

You're right, regular one-on-one lessons will definitely help. The main thing is not to miss it.