In every tennis match there is a force which commonly goes un-noticed. Momentum.

Sport psychologists will point out to you that each point should be independent of the previous point. However, this theory breaks down when the human brain is turned on. Momentum in a match can be built up between points, between games and between sets.

The momentum can be your friend or it can be your enemy. We will talk about both. However, let’s first talk about how to identify momentum.

Lets define momentum by winning back to back points, back-to-back games all back-to-back sets. As an example, lets say the score within the game is 30-30. The player who won the last point, has a little bit of momentum however, if they were down 30 love they would have more  momentum. With this momentum they would be more likely to win next point. Momentum is basically when one person is getting upperhand on the other person.

We all know how it feels when we are say up 40-love in a game, then loose the next 2 points. This may have been by our own sloppy play OR the other player may have hit some great shots. However, for some reason the next point is ‘our last chance’ to win the game. We had 3 points. Not we only have 1. The opposition saved 2 game points. In actual fact it would ‘feel’ better to have the score at 40-30 after 30-30 rahter than 40-0.

Now in reverse, If you were down 30 love and you win the next two points you are feeling uplifted and more confident to win the next point. Your opponent on the other hand, would be feeling negative having had such a strong lead.

Are you starting to see the difference – the same score – differnet momentum?

Some points are SO significant that they become ‘turning points’ for the match. We will talk about turning points in another article.

Now lets talk about games. When a player wins a few games in a row, this can have a very powerful effect. This type of momentum can swing an entire match and can sneak up on either player.

Momentum is a very powerful force, it can be your friend or it can be your enemy. Once you realise you have momentum either on your side or against you, you need to take action.

When a player looses a few games in a row there is actually an amplified effect.

1)    The player winning the games becomes more confident in their game, plays more relaxed and likely to continue to play better

2)    The player loosing the games becomes agitated. They start doubting themselves and their game plan. Usually they will ‘try’ a few things to see if they work. Usually they abandon their game plan and either go for plan B OR stary trying to create a new one. That is very dangerous  See our other article called ‘Don’t Think During A Match’.

What to do when Momentum is on your side.

When momentum is on your side you must nurture it. You must keep the momentum flowing. Do not over analyse the situation.Stick to your plan and do not take much notice of the opponent trying to ‘dig’ themselves out’ of the hole they are in.

It is the time to concentrate and not let your opponent back into the game set or match. Do not play any loose points. Also do not go for any spectacular winners. Never change a winning game and therefore simply play good solid tennis and maintain your game plan.

Having a nice lead is NOT a time to relax because, by definition, the momentum may swing back against you. In which case you’ll find yourself having to stop the momentum in the other direction.
When momentum is on your side you are trying to hit your opponent while they are down. You do not want them to get up off the ground. Did not open the window for them to jump through. Keep it tightly closed until the end of the match. You have the control, you have them confused and scrambling for ideas.

Tips that will help you keep momentum:
•    Do not waste time between points. Move efficiently between points, do not rush, but do not waste time. Keep the momentum going and get as many points under your belt is possible. The stronger the momentum the easier the points.
•    Move efficiently between games. do not waste time and quickly get the balls down to the servers end. On the change of ends, only take a short break and keep going. Start the next game as soon as possible.
•    In between sets, again move efficiently. Take the shortest amount of time possible, try and start the set as soon as you can.
•    Finish off every point – keep concentrating intil the ball bounces twice – do not relax on easy put away shots. Finish every game and set.

The path of least resistance is to keep the momentum flowing. You will be off the court in the shortest amount of time if you just put a little more effort into keeping the momentum flowing.

What to do when Momentum is against you.

This one is simple, you must stop it!!
There are many ways to stop momentum. They are actually the opposite of what I mentioned in the previous section. The goal is to change the environment. You must do something to break out of this spiral. Here are a few tips:
•    take a long time between points
•    straight in your strings
•    tie your shoelaces
•    change racquets
•    stretch your muscles
•    take a toilet break
•    discuss something with a referee or umpire
•    take time to gett the balls down the servers end
•    revert to plan B

Now some not so subtle actions which are sometimes used in desperate situations. These are not necessarily sportsman like – however these may be used against you. I know these have been used against me and were very effective in creating a distraction.
•    argue over a line call
•    hit a ball out of the court so it takes time to retrieving the ball
•    talk to your opponent on a change of ends.
•    find something to say to enter their mind
•    call for injury time
•    use every second of time you are allowed between, games and sets
•    start aiming for the opponent when they are at the net – this may rattle them

I do not recommend using this last list of actions for 2 reasons. Firstly they border on unsportsmanlike behavior and secondly they can Distract You More than The Opponent.

We will discuss momentum in a lot more detail in future articles. But for now just be aware of it in your matches and matches that you watch other people play.

Michael

The basic law of doubles is that doubles is won at the net. The majority of the game of doubles is about intimidating your opponents and closing out the net. The first pair to reach the net, has the greatest chance of winning the point. This is why every server, should be following their serve into the net. Very rarely does the server stay back on the baseline. The net player should also be following the serve in.

When your partner is serving, move towards the net as the serve goes past you. One or two steps is enough. Your partner will be following his serve in, and therefore you both moving toward the net together will create a feeling of strong intimidation.

In addition moving forward is already preparing you for a volley. You already have forward momentum, and therefore a more likely to execute your volley well. Some net players a standing flat-footed. They have very little time to react to the return, and therefore are hitting a defensive volley.

An active net player also gets many free points for the team. Why?,You create uncertainty in the returners is mind. The returner will feel more pressure on their shot, knowing they must to hit a great return to keep the ball out of the net players reach.

It is ok to get passed down the sideline once in a while. The return on investment is worth it.

You are forcing the returner to play the 2 hardest shots. Down the line over the highest part of the net only about 1 meter away from you OR heavy crosscourt to the shorter part of the court to keep it away from the net player moving across.

In summary, the benefits of following your partner’s serve in are
•    Intimidation
•    Better Prepared for a volley
•    Uncertainty in the returners mind
•    Free points over the entire match

Try this simple tip. After a few points or a few games you will find that your opponent’s will feel the pressure on their returns. They will start to go for bigger returns and take more risks to keep you out of the point.

Enjoy, Michael

Every stroke has 3 basic - and obvious - parts. The Backswing, the acceleration, the follow-through.
When you watch the top tennis players they look like they hit the ball effortlessly. They hit the ball so clean and crisp and have large and smooth strokes. In this article I am going to talk about the backswing in particular.

The backswing plays a major part in how would you hit the ball, and most importantly how consistently you the ball.

The transition between the backswing and the acceleration phase is extremely critical. There should be no pause between the backswing and the acceleration forward. The racquet head should not stop moving.

Usually when people start learning to play tennis the stroke is jerky. Players wait too long before taking the racquet back, then quickly take the racquet back and flick the shot. This results in ‘muscling the shot’. Because the racquet stops and starts you use your muscles the whole time to generate any power. These players do not give the racquet a chance to do the work.

Also, if you take your racquet back too early, and you pause at the back of the swing the too long, you will find that you have a very jerky swing. You will also find that you try use your body to accelerate the racquet. This usually results in ’spinning out’ of the shot. The ball will usually have an ‘inside out’ flight path.

Give the racquet a chance to do the work. What does this mean? Ok, an example.

Lets pretend we are watching someone use an axe to cut some timber. What do picture people doing? Holding the axe right at the end, lifting the axe slowly and smoothly, there would be no pause between the back swing and the acceleration, then using the momentum from the backswing and body weight to accelerate the axe.

It would not be whippy, or jerky, there would be no pause. Why? Well in this case the axe head is too heavy to whip around – so it forces you to not stop and start it.

Tennis strokes are the same. If you every want to get the ‘feeling’ you can do one of 2 things.
•    hold two racquets in your hand and try your strokes. Forehand, backhand and serve
•    use a weight on your racquet. For example a dog toy ring. Put it over the handle and push it up to the throat.

The extra weight will force longer smoother strokes. These are also good techniques to warm your muscles up before a match.

Decades ago the technique was to prepare yourself early, take your racquet back, plant yourself for the shot and then accelerate through the shot. In today’s game, the technique is more like one single action.

The older technique was ‘straight back – straight through’.Back and forth on the same swing line. Now more modern technique has a loop at the back of the swing to ensure the racquet does not need to stop.

To achieve an effortless swing, Focus on the delaying the backswing to ensure there is no pause at the back of you stroke. You want the backswin to be slow and smooth. You will find your body can stay in position for longer, your stroke will become smoother, and you’ll gain more power.

This is applicable to forehands, backhands and the serve. On the serve, the acceleration phase starts when your racquet is down the middle of your back. Your backswing and the height of your ball toss are important in having a smoother serve.

Try these few tips and let me know how it goes.

Michael

To learn when to come to the net, imagine that the court is divided into three colors, like a traffic light. The zone that the ball lands in should determine your response.

The back court is the red zone. Do not move in when the ball lands in this area. The middle part is the yellow zone. If you get a ball there, proceed only if our opponent is out of position or you can hurt them with your approach. The front third of the court is the green zone. When the ball bounces here, get in as quick as possible.

Glenn Irwin - Noosa Springs Tennis Centre

Okay, firstly, the strength to winning matches is the ability to hold your serve. Usually, a set is won by holding every service game, then breaking your opponent serve. When this is the case  wind the set 6-4.

If you serve the first game, you must to break at 5-4. If you serve the setting game you must break at 4-4.

Therefore, holding serve is the most important thing in a match. If you do loose your serve work VERY hard to break them straight back. You must put in 120% effort to break them immediately otherwise the whole match can change around in a few games.

Therefore your second serve is the anchor for the match. Potentially the second serve will be one of the major influences in the outcome of your matches.

You need to work hard to develop a solid second serve you can rely on in ANY situation.

We often ignore serving practice. However we are guaranteed to need to hit that shot and hit it well !

There are many serving drills which will improve your consistency. The biggest issue to overcome is confidence. You need to practice enough to build your confidence for a match situation. Technique is only part of the Winning formula. Therefore, in practice try and stressful situations.

Here are a few examples:

* You must get 17 out of the next 20 serves in

* Convince yourself the score is 3-3 15-40

* You must serve 15 balls in a row before you are allowed to leave the court

The better you get the higher you can push these numbers. Imagine being able to say ok the next 30 serves are going in. If not I am going to go and give that person over there $50. That would be confidence !!

Enjoy ! Michael