Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Tennis is a game in which your playing situation constantly changes. One very important source of change concerns ball characteristics such as speed, spin, depth, height and placement. Another source of change is the location and mobility of both you and your opponent at any given moment during a point.
In order to determine the appropriate tactics and technique for any given situation, you must be able to identify the characteristics of the ball that you are receiving at any given moment during a point.
Most play situations that you will encounter can be identified by five distinct Phases of Play, each of which corresponds to your zone location and the varying degrees of difficulty in the ball you receive.
The best indicator of your ability to handle shots of varying degrees of difficulty is your control rating. At your current level of skill, there are certain ball characteristics that you can handle comfortably, and others that you cannot. If a shot exceeds your control rating (for example, fast with spin), you will regard it as a difficult ball to handle. COnversely, if the ball is weak (for example, little spin and slow), you will regard it as an easy ball to handle. Balls you receive that are comfortable for you to handle will be at your rally speed. With this concept of the control rating and rally speed in mind, we will now define the 5 Phases of Play.
Type of ball Received/Phases of Play
Very Difficult/Defense
Difficult/Counterattack
Neutral/Rally
Easy/Challenge
Very Easy/Attack
Defense: The Defense Phase occurs when you have received a difficult ball. In this phase, for example, you might be under attack and/or find yourself out of position and off balance. Your objective is to make a shot that will allow you enough time to get back into the point. The ability to identify this phase is important for beginner players, as they tend to find themselves in difficult situations more often than intermediate and advanced players.
Counterattack: The Counter Attack Phase occurs when you have received a difficult ball. On this phase, however, you are strictly on the defensive. You may be under attack, but may not neccesarily be out of position or off balance. YOur objective is to reply with an aggressive shot. As good anticipation, footwork and timing are required to mount an effective counterattack, this tactic is most often used by advanced players.
Rally: The Rally Phase occurs when you receive a ball at or near your personal control rating, or your rally speed. In this phase, you are in a neutral exchange until a different phase is initiated either by you or your opponent. You objective is to maintain the rally, without taking risks, until a different phase occurs. Rallying with good placement that affects your opponent's mobility and footwork can also produce a change in the phase of play. This is a situation that all players at every level encounter.
Challenge: The Challenge Phase occurs when you receive an easy ball. In this phase you have the opportunity to challenge your opponent by delivering a difficult ball. Your objective is not necessarily to attempt an outright winner, but rather to pressure your opponent into a defensive situation or a situation in which your opponent will be forced into making a "best shot". This tactic can also result in a weak return by your opponent and set you up for an easy putaway. Players at all levels can challenge their opponents.
Attack: The Attack Phase occurs when you receive a very easy ball. In this phase, you do have the opportunity to hit an outright winner. Your objective is to win the point by hitting a ball that your opponent has almost no chance of returning. Because power and/or placement normally determine the ultimate effectiveness of an attack, advanced players will especially benefit from this phase.
Next up...Key 3 - The 5 Segment Swing
8)
In order to determine the appropriate tactics and technique for any given situation, you must be able to identify the characteristics of the ball that you are receiving at any given moment during a point.
Most play situations that you will encounter can be identified by five distinct Phases of Play, each of which corresponds to your zone location and the varying degrees of difficulty in the ball you receive.
The best indicator of your ability to handle shots of varying degrees of difficulty is your control rating. At your current level of skill, there are certain ball characteristics that you can handle comfortably, and others that you cannot. If a shot exceeds your control rating (for example, fast with spin), you will regard it as a difficult ball to handle. COnversely, if the ball is weak (for example, little spin and slow), you will regard it as an easy ball to handle. Balls you receive that are comfortable for you to handle will be at your rally speed. With this concept of the control rating and rally speed in mind, we will now define the 5 Phases of Play.
Type of ball Received/Phases of Play
Very Difficult/Defense
Difficult/Counterattack
Neutral/Rally
Easy/Challenge
Very Easy/Attack
Defense: The Defense Phase occurs when you have received a difficult ball. In this phase, for example, you might be under attack and/or find yourself out of position and off balance. Your objective is to make a shot that will allow you enough time to get back into the point. The ability to identify this phase is important for beginner players, as they tend to find themselves in difficult situations more often than intermediate and advanced players.
Counterattack: The Counter Attack Phase occurs when you have received a difficult ball. On this phase, however, you are strictly on the defensive. You may be under attack, but may not neccesarily be out of position or off balance. YOur objective is to reply with an aggressive shot. As good anticipation, footwork and timing are required to mount an effective counterattack, this tactic is most often used by advanced players.
Rally: The Rally Phase occurs when you receive a ball at or near your personal control rating, or your rally speed. In this phase, you are in a neutral exchange until a different phase is initiated either by you or your opponent. You objective is to maintain the rally, without taking risks, until a different phase occurs. Rallying with good placement that affects your opponent's mobility and footwork can also produce a change in the phase of play. This is a situation that all players at every level encounter.
Challenge: The Challenge Phase occurs when you receive an easy ball. In this phase you have the opportunity to challenge your opponent by delivering a difficult ball. Your objective is not necessarily to attempt an outright winner, but rather to pressure your opponent into a defensive situation or a situation in which your opponent will be forced into making a "best shot". This tactic can also result in a weak return by your opponent and set you up for an easy putaway. Players at all levels can challenge their opponents.
Attack: The Attack Phase occurs when you receive a very easy ball. In this phase, you do have the opportunity to hit an outright winner. Your objective is to win the point by hitting a ball that your opponent has almost no chance of returning. Because power and/or placement normally determine the ultimate effectiveness of an attack, advanced players will especially benefit from this phase.
Next up...Key 3 - The 5 Segment Swing
8)
