Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
THE FIVE ZONES
Simply defined, the tennis court is merely a playing area that both defines the boundaries of play and governs the actions of those who play. The white lines that divide the court into various sections serve the purpose of determining whether a ball is on or out of play.
Yet, “beyond” these boundaries our research suggests that there are five distinct areas on a tennis court aside from the defined white-lined boundaries that correspond with actual decision making during play. It is with these areas that you should concern yourself during play.
We have labeled these locations the 5 Zones and, within the boundaries of each. You must be acutely aware of where both of you and your opponent are at any given time. These zones are indicators of the tactical and technical options that are appropriate to produce the best possible shot in any situation that exists during play.
(Zone 5 is deep behind the baseline to behind the baseline. Zone 4 is from the baseline to Zone 5 for normal baseline play. Zone 3 is from the baseline to no-mans land. Zone 3 is from no-mans land to the middle of the service box. Zone 1 is the net to the middle of the service box.)
It is also important that you realize how these zones relate to one another.
Your location on the court when you receive a ball, rather than where the ball bounces, is the factor that determines which zone you are in. The 5 Zones are the building blocks of the 5 Keys concept.
Three zones are associated with the “baseline” areas. Zones 3, 4 and 5. Traditionally, the baseline area has been thought of as a location unto itself. In contrast, the 5 keys concept designates three distinct zones near the baseline, each of which presents its own set of tactical and technical choices.
Control Rating Test
1. Select a hitting partner of equal or slightly greater ability.*
2. Divide the court in half lengthwise, and include the alleys.
3. Begin a baseline rally from Zone 4.
4. Begin to time the rally for a duration of 15 seconds starting when the first ball is hit.
5. During the 15-second rally, hit each of your shots (ideally an even mix of backhands and forehands) into the predetermined half of the court. Your hitting partner must also return each ball within this half of the court. The object is not to test your mobility, but to access your ability to consistently control the ball within a defined area.
6. It is imperative that the ball speed remains at a relatively constant pace for the full 15 seconds.
7. Do not attempt to hit the ball as hard as you can, but rather to control the ball as well as you can. If any ball during the rally goes long, wide, into the net, or if you must move out of Zone 4 at any time, the rally must be restarted and the time reset.
8. The number of times you are able to hit the ball over the net during the 15 second period is your control rating.
9. This test must be successfully completed at least seven times before an accurate control rating can be determined.
10. To determine your control rating number, divide the total of your seven best scores by seven. For example, if your scores are 9, 8, 9, 9, 9, 8 and 9, divide your total 61 by seven to get a control rating of 8.7.
* The control rating can be taken with a teaching pro, or by using a ball machine.
The following table presents the standard level of play that corresponds to the control rating number achieved:
Control Rating/Standard Level of Play
13 to 15/World Class
11 to 12/Advanced Tournament
9 to 10/Advanced
7 to 8/Intermediate
If initial rallies prove unsuccessful, slow down the pace of the exchanges until you are able to successfully complete the seven 15-second durations. If you are unable to complete seven out of your first 10 tests, keep trying until you achieve 70 percent success.
Players who are unable to keep a rally going, or who fail to get more than six shots over the net during a 15-second duration, should move into Zone 3 and try for a control rating of 8. If that proves unsuccessful, players move into Zone 2 and try for a control rating of 9, or Zone 1, for a control rating of 10.
The following table presents the standard level of play that corresponds to the control rating that must be achieved from Zones 3, 2, 1.
Control Rating/Zone/Standard Level of Play
8/3/Advanced Beginner
9/2/Intermediate Beginner
10/1/Beginner
Next up is Key 2 - The 5 Phases of Play
Simply defined, the tennis court is merely a playing area that both defines the boundaries of play and governs the actions of those who play. The white lines that divide the court into various sections serve the purpose of determining whether a ball is on or out of play.
Yet, “beyond” these boundaries our research suggests that there are five distinct areas on a tennis court aside from the defined white-lined boundaries that correspond with actual decision making during play. It is with these areas that you should concern yourself during play.
We have labeled these locations the 5 Zones and, within the boundaries of each. You must be acutely aware of where both of you and your opponent are at any given time. These zones are indicators of the tactical and technical options that are appropriate to produce the best possible shot in any situation that exists during play.
(Zone 5 is deep behind the baseline to behind the baseline. Zone 4 is from the baseline to Zone 5 for normal baseline play. Zone 3 is from the baseline to no-mans land. Zone 3 is from no-mans land to the middle of the service box. Zone 1 is the net to the middle of the service box.)
It is also important that you realize how these zones relate to one another.
Your location on the court when you receive a ball, rather than where the ball bounces, is the factor that determines which zone you are in. The 5 Zones are the building blocks of the 5 Keys concept.
Three zones are associated with the “baseline” areas. Zones 3, 4 and 5. Traditionally, the baseline area has been thought of as a location unto itself. In contrast, the 5 keys concept designates three distinct zones near the baseline, each of which presents its own set of tactical and technical choices.
Control Rating Test
1. Select a hitting partner of equal or slightly greater ability.*
2. Divide the court in half lengthwise, and include the alleys.
3. Begin a baseline rally from Zone 4.
4. Begin to time the rally for a duration of 15 seconds starting when the first ball is hit.
5. During the 15-second rally, hit each of your shots (ideally an even mix of backhands and forehands) into the predetermined half of the court. Your hitting partner must also return each ball within this half of the court. The object is not to test your mobility, but to access your ability to consistently control the ball within a defined area.
6. It is imperative that the ball speed remains at a relatively constant pace for the full 15 seconds.
7. Do not attempt to hit the ball as hard as you can, but rather to control the ball as well as you can. If any ball during the rally goes long, wide, into the net, or if you must move out of Zone 4 at any time, the rally must be restarted and the time reset.
8. The number of times you are able to hit the ball over the net during the 15 second period is your control rating.
9. This test must be successfully completed at least seven times before an accurate control rating can be determined.
10. To determine your control rating number, divide the total of your seven best scores by seven. For example, if your scores are 9, 8, 9, 9, 9, 8 and 9, divide your total 61 by seven to get a control rating of 8.7.
* The control rating can be taken with a teaching pro, or by using a ball machine.
The following table presents the standard level of play that corresponds to the control rating number achieved:
Control Rating/Standard Level of Play
13 to 15/World Class
11 to 12/Advanced Tournament
9 to 10/Advanced
7 to 8/Intermediate
If initial rallies prove unsuccessful, slow down the pace of the exchanges until you are able to successfully complete the seven 15-second durations. If you are unable to complete seven out of your first 10 tests, keep trying until you achieve 70 percent success.
Players who are unable to keep a rally going, or who fail to get more than six shots over the net during a 15-second duration, should move into Zone 3 and try for a control rating of 8. If that proves unsuccessful, players move into Zone 2 and try for a control rating of 9, or Zone 1, for a control rating of 10.
The following table presents the standard level of play that corresponds to the control rating that must be achieved from Zones 3, 2, 1.
Control Rating/Zone/Standard Level of Play
8/3/Advanced Beginner
9/2/Intermediate Beginner
10/1/Beginner
Next up is Key 2 - The 5 Phases of Play
