Practicing Against Adults To Understand a Different Dimension

Depending on the area in which you live in, playing against adults may or may not be an acceptable method of training. If you're fortunate enough to live in SoCal or Florida - and assuming that you're somewhat dedicated to the sport - you will most likely play against kids your age rather than adults. These player would benefit a lot, in my opinion, from being exposed to different age groups, levels of play and styles. Some older players may have been good in their day but they may have lost a step or two. Play against them and see how they construct a point. Other players may be dinkers, pushers, serve and volleyers (not something that is seen too much on the junior circuit), drop-shot artists and straight-up hacks. Be it in local leagues, shootouts, men's/women's nights, normal matches or adult tournaments, seek to play against them and see how you measure up. You will often be surprised to see that some of these guys "can really play". Some may be difficult to beat particularly if they play without pace (and rely more on placement) or you play them in the wind or on slow clay courts or fast grass courts. Also, they have a completely different outlook on how to play the game and how to dissect the opponent. Their games are, often, more about breaking down the opponent's weakness(es) rather than hitting pure winners so picking apart their opponents' likes/dislikes is a huge factor. 

In addition, if you're struggling to find a hitting partner your own age, maybe someone who's older may be more inclined to take up the challenge. Older players are, generally, more passionate about the game - they're not playing because the parents make them - so they will have a more positive outlook on the whole thing and may also give you with some good advice about tennis, school and life. If the only player that you can play against is older and not very good - this happens a lot in cases where juniors live in areas that are not tennis centers (e.g., remote areas of mid-West or PNW) - use this player as a backboard. Hit everything to him no matter what he throws at you and run every ball down. Also, play games where he covers the half-court and you have to cover the whole court or even singles PLUS doubles alleys. Your primary goal here is to develop your "rolodex" of plays and players and use it for future reference later on; knowledge and experience breeds confidence.

Steal This Drill: Return Practice

Here is a neat drill for practicing two things: returning solidly away from the sidelines (thereby neutralizing the server's initial advantage) and, for the server, learning how to construct points without relying on aces and service winners. The fact that the server is also trying to improve his jam-serve is a bonus (since this is often under-utilized in junior tennis). 

The drill is as follows: set up an area in the middle of the service box that is 2.5 feet from the [service box] sidelines (see shaded service box area above). This will give the returner ample opportunity to "see" many serves and get the balls back in play. Also, set up an area on the server's side that is 3-5ft from his sidelines. The returner must return in this area in order for the point to start. After that, anything goes (i.e. players can use the whole court). But the purpose is to train the returner to hit smart, high-percentage shots on the returns and apply lots of pressure on the server. This is also good for the server (especially if he's the big serving type who relies a lot on quick points) since now he has to construct a point with his head and his heart. Play practice games up to 10, 15 or 7-11 (I.e. Where the server must get to 11 before the returner gets to 11) and rotate; rinse and repeat as necessary. With lots of opportunities to see the serve and practice returns you, as a returner, will become more proficient at putting some heat on the server. As a server, you will gain more confidence from knowing that you can construct a point without relying on aces or service winner (allowing you to actually be more relaxed on your first serves). If possible, have two or three servers against one returner and play two points against each. This way, the returner gets a "look" at more than one service motion and can adjust for each. 

Steal This Drill: "Z" Forehand Drill

Many players are familiar with the volley drill popularized by the Bryan Brothers. In this drill, one player start in opposite corners of the service/side line and work their way side-to-side hitting back and forth volleys. This is a good drill for learning to control a moving object with the volleys while the player is also on the move. The only caveat is that you're supposed to move FORWARDS at the net so performing this drill exclusively might not be the best thing for your volley game. However, in the same vein as the "Z" volley drill, one could practice (along with a partner) the "Z" Forehand Drill. This is where the players position themselves at opposite corners at the baseline and work their way side--to-side by trading forehand. In the diagram above, A feeds X; X hits to B; B hits to Y; Y hits to C; C hits to Z; Z hits back to C; C hits to Y; Y hits to B; B hits to X; X hits to A. This is the basic concept of the game. In practice, there will be multiple targets but the point is the players push each other around the court with their forehands and learn how to set up for the ball and exploit angles. To spice things up, try playing the point out after performing the drill for one minute.

Two Scales to Measure Yourself Against

A) How tough are you to beat? On a scale from 1-10, honestly answer where you stack up. Players who are tough to beat are no fun to compete against. These players never give up, make life miserable, rarely miss, are mentally tough, don't take unnecessary risks, do not beat themselves, are lovers of the game, and more often then not, they are in excellent physical condition.

Now lets flip the scale around...

B) What is your Upset Quotient? On a scale from 1-10, honestly answer your ability to upset players better than you. These types of players come in all shapes and sizes, they don't fit one particular gamestyle. Immediately what comes to mind are big hitters of the ball who are loose mental canons. This fits the stereotype of someone who would be able to upset a highly ranked player, but some of the best players in the world are counterpunchers ala Murray, Nadal, Jankovic, Simon, Chang, Hewitt, the list goes on and on.

At the end of the day, you only have control over one scale and that is HOW TOUGH ARE YOU TO BEAT? If you improve this scale, you have greatly increased your chances of becoming a better tennis player.

Proper Placement on Warmup Overheads or Injure Groin

There is an art to warming up the overhead. It takes skill, precision, dancing on the toes, and rhythm. When I am warming up with my practice partner or opponent, the overhead can be a great indicator of the level of player I am about to face. As like other strokes in the warmup, you are always trying to gather as much information from your opponent. Unlike other strokes, the overhead can quickly tell you a bigger chunk of the story and the truth about your opponent.

If you are returning someone's overhead and it is landing all over court, darting in 10 different location off of 10 different feeds, be careful. I really mean it, be careful. You can easily criss-cross your knees and involuntarily tweak a groin before the match even begins. Here are some simple signs of a poor overhead in warmup:

1) The ball is struck too hard. Veteran players do not hit overheads hard. In fact, they hit them very slow and relaxed. Trying to get a feel for the ball and swing. It's called a warmup. Plus, if you hit the ball too hard, how is your opponent going to bump the ball back? It takes two to warm-up your overhead.

2) You are warming up your volleys from seven feet behind the baseline. Think about that again, you (the lob feeder) are hitting balls out of the air to give them another overhead. Great way to break your knees in the warmup.

3) The overheader is making you run from side to side and up and back. Overheads should be hit within a reasonable 5 feet radius of the returner. All overheads should land at the service line. No exceptions!

4) The overheader needs more than 10 overheads to warm-up. If they can't feel good by 7, they are already considered a rookie.

5) The bounce off the ground should be a closer to 90 degrees than 0. You (the lob feeder) should be tapping lobs back from around your shoulder area, not your knee caps. Lobs made from knees or ankles are terrible overheads because they landed on the baseline. From a consistency point of view, this is too risky in a match.

Watch top junior boys, college players, or professionals warmup overheads. There is an art to a proper overhead. Now if you want to break some knees and injure your opponent's groin- keep swinging for the fences in 10 random locations.