How to DOMINATE the 12s, 14s, and Beyond... with One Simple Pattern
Updated: Feb 20, 2019
Below, you'll find one of the most effective patterns in all of junior tennis. It's helped our players win Belton, the Georgia Bowl, and National-level tournaments. Even many pro players use variations of it on a regular basis (we're looking at you, Rafa!).
Best of all, it's so darn simple. Have a look for yourself, and make sure to check out the explanation of this game-changer a little bit further down the page.
Enjoy!
The High, Heavy, Deep Ball
As you can see from the chart, this pattern starts with one very important shot--the high, heavy, deep ball.
If you master this shot, you'll be a nightmare for your opponents. If you let it master you, it'll become your worst nightmare.
As such, this shot has the power to either make or break your junior career. (That's not to say you can't succeed without it, but why would you want to? I might be able to open a locked door by hitting my head against it for a few hours, but you might think me and idiot for ignoring the key on the desk?)
Put in some extra hours perfecting this shot. Learn to make it heavier, more accurate, and more accessible to you. The extra time will be well worth it once you realize the offensive options it opens up for you.
Recovering and Getting to "Center"
Many players think they're supposed to return to the exact middle of the court after they hit a shot.
This is almost NEVER the right place to be. Here's why:
Your opponent--unless she's hitting from the exact middle of the court--has angles to work with that you're not covering by standing at the center hash mark. The further to the side of the court your opponent is, the further you need to shift to the opposite side and cover that crosscourt angle. And that's only scratching the surface of lateral court geometry!
(Stay tuned for a post with more "center" specifics, including where to go, when to go there, and why.)
Once you know where your "center" is, get there as soon as you possibly can. The earlier you're there to set up, the easier it will be to execute your next shot and take time away from your opponent.
How to Beat This Pattern
We know, it's just not fair. You found this plan first and claimed it as your own! It's yours--and yours alone--forever, right?
Alas, some soulless amateur will take this pattern and try to use it to beat you. Here's how to make sure they don't get away with it:
1) Get to "center" before your opponent hits
If you're in "center" early, you can get behind the ball early. This is especially important for combating high, heavy shots because the ball spends so little time in your strike zone. Your positioning has to be just right in order to execute a neutral or offensive shot.
2) Anticipate --
Keep an eye out for signs that a high, heavy, deep ball is coming (a topic for another post.) Also try to envision where your opponent's ball will land before it crosses the net.
3) Improve your footwork --
You got to "center" early. You've anticipated where and what your next shot will be. Great! But knowing what to do and doing it are two very different things. Make sure to continually hone your footwork patterns so that all your new tennis know-how actually translates into better execution on court!
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