Welcome to PRC Coach. Your online coach is here to serve as a quick reference guide to strategies and tactics for every kind of player and style you may face.  If you are a singles player, you will really enjoy the tips and tactics on how to sabotage your opponent’s game plan during a match. This booklet can serve as your on-court “coach” for tennis matches when you may not be able to receive coaching.   If you are a doubles player, you will enjoy the strategies & tactics outlined to use against a variety of different doubles opponents and styles of play. I suggest that both you and your partner review PRC Coach and use it as a reference guide before and after matches.

We have three color schemes for your level:

Red for advanced

Blue for new players

Green is applicable to both

Technical 

The serve
Ema Borgic

Tactical 

Singles-How to beat the pusher

 The Runner - Pusher has great speed and endurance. They usually do not have a lot of firepower and beat most of their opponents by hustling down shots and making them miss. This player also relies on us to hurt ourselves and quite often lures us into overplaying shots because we are frustrated at our inability to put them away. They are generally very fit and are accustomed to playing long matches.

Six tactics to try: 

1. Work the point. Do not try for a winner until you have made at least 4 shots over the net.

2. Look for opportunities to get to the net and finish the point. This will keep you from getting drawn into a marathon match.

3. Try to hit behind this player more than usual. These players often commit early to the open court and can be wrong-footed more than other players.

4. Use drop shots and short balls to bring them in. These players do not like to play at the net. If they retreat when they get pulled in, then consider using a drop shot and following it to the net so you can catch them as they retreat towards the baseline.

5. Hit to the middle of the court so you do not let them use their speed to their advantage. This will also reduce the angles coming back against you.

6. Use more angles and touch on your volleys as they are very good at running down shots that are deep into the corners and then lobbing them back.

Three Things to always avoid:

1. Don’t get lured into trying to hit winners. This is a common mistake against these players because we get impatient. It’s what they are banking on us to do.

2. Don’t get discouraged if they run down what would normally be a winner. I’ve seen a lot of players throw up their hands in disgust and say, “I just can’t put this guy away”.

3. Don’t rush to finish the point by trying shots that you have not mastered. No matter how bad you may want to finish the point, make sure you are making sound decisions about what to implement.

TEAMS THAT STAY BACK & LOB

 These teams have little offense and can only win a match if the other team gives it away. The reality is that many teams do not have as good of an “offense” as these teams have a “defense”. When this is the case, it can cause what is perceived to be some of the biggest upsets in doubles.

Seven tactics to try:

1. Use angled overheads so you do not hit back to this team. These teams are experts at digging out shots and sending back an endless stream of lobs.

2. Be sure you play overheads as overheads and volleys as volleys. These teams often win points because players tend to hit overheads on everything they send back. If the ball is  flying low, you should hit a volley, not an overhead.

3. Use a drop shot or short angle return to get them off the baseline.

4. Have the server’s partner stand back a few feet. These teams often lob the return well.

5. Use more drop and touch volleys. Hitting a firm volley may feel better, but it invites a nasty lob as a response and is what these teams prefer.

6. Take some pace off your overheads and spin a few. Missed overheads are the #1 reason that teams lose to these players.

7. Identify the weaker lobber and play your shots to that player.

Three things to always avoid:

1. Avoid hitting hard overheads right at the team at the baseline. They are experts at digging these shots out and you are taking all the risk compared to them.

2. Don’t underestimate this team. I’ve seen players create pressure for themselves because they show these teams no respect (before the match). Then, they choke during the match because they are losing or the match is very close.

3. Avoid making mistakes and giving these teams a lot of free points. Remember, this team relies on your errors, and not their great shots, to win matches.

Aim for height

When you are start to play and improve your game.  Think of getting greater height over the net. Initially, it is common to aim just above the net but 80% of errors are made in the net. If you aim 3 feet above the net you will get greater depth, create less errors and improve your game much more rapidly.

Physical

Start Training

Make this your month!  Start at your local gym and start getting into better tennis shape to help your game.
Key areas to work on are:

Flixibility:

Agility:

You can do this at home in basement or outside without the racquet.

Mental

Doubles-Meet between every point

1. Always communicate between points. Professional doubles teams meet between points 96% of the time.  Club doubles team do this 10% of the time!

2. When your partner misses a ball or makes a mistakes. Go close to them and encourage them. We all make mistakes.