Determine Your Playing Style and Match Strategy

Tennis players usually have a dominant playing style. In singles there are four basic styles: aggressive baseliner, all court, counter puncher and serve and volley. One of the critical areas in player development is the ability to identify your playing style and your opponent's.

Knowing what your strengths are and what shots you like to hit will help you identify your playing style. During a match you are often trying to play shots that you are most comfortable hitting, for example with an aggressive baseliner it's hitting big topspin forehands. You are also trying to find something that makes your opponent uncomfortable. For example, when playing against a counter puncher, it may be bringing that player to the net to volley.

Here are two examples of shot patterns (shot patterns make up the tactics you use for a specific tennis strategy) an aggressive baseliner may use when playing a counter puncher:

Crosscourt Rally, Then Down the Line

This tactic starts with a crosscourt rally. During this crosscourt shot pattern you are looking for a weak or short return that will allow you to hit the next ball down the line.

Recommended playing levels: 3.5 and above
Recommended playing styles: Aggressive Baseline; All Court; Counter Puncher













Crosscourt Rally, Then Drop Shot

This tactic starts with a crosscourt rally. During this crosscourt shot pattern you are looking for a weak or short return that will allow you to hit a drop shot forcing your opponent to the net or winning the point outright.

Recommended levels: 3.5 and above
Recommended Styles: Aggressive Baseline; All Court; Counter Puncher