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Tennis tactical guides

29 practical guides for amateur players: how to play every type of opponent, game patterns, key moments and how to fix your weaknesses.

How to play against…

Plans against awkward styles

How to beat the pusher (the one who gets everything back)

They get everything back without risk and wait for your mistake. The key: patience, pulling them out of their comfort zone and not giving away points.

Against the moonballer (high, heavy balls)

High, deep balls that bounce at shoulder height. You have to take time away from them, not accept the awkward shot.

Against the big hitter

They hit hard and push you back. Neutralize with depth, height and the middle; let them take the risk.

Against the big server

You don’t need to break them often: once is enough. Improve your return, stay calm and take advantage of their second serves.

Against the serve-and-volleyer

Watch the ball (not the opponent), return low and soft to their feet, crosscourt, and use the lob so they can’t crowd the net.

Against the lefty

Their wide serve on the ad side pulls you off the court right on the big points. Shift your return position openly.

Against the retriever who gets to everything

Don’t make them run: they love it. Play deep to the middle, at their body, and open the angle only when you have a clear ball.

Against the slicer (slice, drop shots, changes of pace)

They give you low, slow, odd balls. Bend your knees, be patient with the low ball and attack when it rises.

Against an all-court player

If there’s no obvious weakness, win through consistency in your plan, your first-serve percentage and the big points.

Patterns and strategy

Geometry, serve +1 and transition to the net

The crosscourt rule

Crosscourt = more court, lower net and no sidelines. Switch down the line only with the right ball.

Serve + 1: the first two shots

Plan the serve and the next shot together. Most amateur points are decided in the first 4 shots.

The return: the most profitable shot to improve

Improving your return pays off faster than improving your serve. Position, compact swing and clear targets.

Coming to the net with purpose

Deep approach, down the line and to the opponent’s backhand; split-step on arrival and first volley into the open court.

From defending to neutralizing

When you’re in trouble, buy time with height and depth. The goal isn’t to win the point, it’s to get out of trouble.

Doubles: fundamentals that win matches

First serves, low crosscourt returns, the net player moves and the team moves forward together.

Key moments

Big points, starts and finishes

The points that count double

There are moments when one point changes the match: 30-15, 15-30, the first point of each game, the game after a break, and serving it out.

Starting ahead

Many opponents take 3–4 games to “wake up”. Arrive warmed up and with a plan for the first games.

If you’re losing: change something

Never change a winning plan; always change a losing one. Diagnose what’s happening and try a concrete alternative.

Fixing weaknesses

What to train and how to protect them in matches

They attack your backhand

Protect it: be conservative, run around it when the ball allows, come to the net and use the lob. And train it with a plan.

Weak second serve

If your opponent punishes it, your first serve loses value. Build a second serve with spin, height over the net and depth.

Shaky volley

Short, firm volley, racket in front of the body, and the feet do the work.

Getting to the ball late

It’s almost always a split-step and first-step problem, not top speed.

Too many unforced errors

Increase your margin: more height over the net, bigger targets and shots at 70–80% power.

Mindset

Routines, nerves and frustration

Between-point routine

The 20 seconds between points are yours: react, recover, plan and execute.

Nerves before and during the match

Nerves are energy: channel them with footwork, breathing and process goals.

When your opponent stalls or makes dubious calls

Stalling, complaints and dubious calls aim to knock you out of the match. Your answer: calm, clear rules and focus on the next point.

Before the match

Plan, warm-up and gear

Pre-match checklist

The match starts before you step on court: opponent, plan A and B, gear and warm-up.

Why warm up (and how to do it in 12 minutes)

Raise temperature, activate, mobilize and potentiate. It gets you ready for the first point and reduces injuries.

Racket and strings: they prevent injuries too

Correct grip size, moderate tension and softer strings if you have elbow or shoulder discomfort.

Opponent traits you can analyze in the app