PLAY WITH A “MARGIN FOR ERROR”.
There are three ways you can lose a point in tennis:
1. Your opponent hits a ‘clean winner’ that you can’t reach.
2. You hit the ball into the net.
3. You hit the ball over the net, but outside the court.
Statistics show that the majority of points lost are a result of hitting the ball into the net or outside the lines.
What Does This Mean?
If you can cut down on these errors, your chances of winning are greatly increased. How? Give yourself a bigger “margin for error”:
- Many players aim too low over the net. If the shot goes a little lower than intended, it hits the net. In a baseline rally, aim 1 to 2 metres over the net.
- Many players aim too close to the lines. If the ball goes a little wider or longer than intended, it’s out.
- Many players hit the ball too hard. Only hit it as hard as you can control it. Winning slowly is better than losing quickly!
What Does This Mean for Your Tennis?
More margin for error means less shots missed, and that automatically puts more pressure on your opponent.
This is the seventh article in our Tennis Unlocked series by one of Ireland’s most experienced coaches, Peter Farrell. The series will build into a library of knowledge, specifically designed for club-level players, that can help make your match play more effective.
