Judgement
Judgement of the oncoming ball improves by becoming more accurate and more early. ‘Early-ness’ and accuracy come with practice.
When a beginner plays with their fellow beginner players, they are learning movement judgement and timing, however, because the ball and their position are rarely in sync, they don’t get many opportunities to repeat the shot in order to learn the technique.
There are not many exercises a coach can utilize to specifically improve a students judgement.
These are the ones i can think of.
Fly ball.
Mix up the feeds by location and pace.
Live ball play
This component is rarely influenced by verbal coaching (outside of “Your hitting late, or your hitting early).. Hitting a good variety of balls accellerates this learning. Practicing with friends helps because of the variety.
Demonstrating to the student how the opponents swing path will give clear clues as to how the ball may react when it arrives.
In coaching, identify these moments to the student. This accerates the learning. ie. falling ball at the net causes the groundstroker to run forward anticipating drop shot or high ball.
Hitting the ‘fly-ball’ helps accelerate the judgement learning. The many occasions that students receive a shot heading into the fence. An attempt to hit this shot with a full topspin groundstroke swing creates a valualble learning experience. The player must judge the ball by virtue of its flight without the benefit of a bounce to help the judgement process, exposure to this helps create improved judgement. It is important to remind students to never do it when counting the score. Most coaches will dissuade players from doing this because it may show up in a points environment. The learning value for a beginner overrides this concern.
Demonstrating to the student how the opponents swing path will give clear clues as to how the ball may react when it arrives.
In coaching, identify these moments to the student. This accelerates the learning. ie. falling ball at the net causes the groundstroker to move forward anticipating drop shot or high ball.
Hitting pattern drills help prepare students for common plays that underlie anticipation.
Hitting a variety of deep and short balls helps expose the student to the extremes and therein lies the learning.
Number of balls hit.
Anticipation is the use of experience to initiate the next move.
How early
By picking up on the ball flight as it comes off your opponents racquet you demonstrate early judgement
Technique, Movement, Judgement, Timing, Competition in Tennis
Judgement Improving judgement of the oncoming ball in tennis is crucial for effective play. Early judgement and accurate timing come with practice, and there are specific exercises coaches can use to enhance these skills:
Fly Ball Exercise:
This involves hitting balls in the air without a bounce, requiring players to judge the ball based solely on its flight. While it might not be suitable for competitive play, it accelerates learning by challenging judgement without the aid of a bounce.
Mixed Feeds:
Coaches can vary the feeds by changing the location and pace. This helps players adapt to different ball trajectories and speeds, improving their ability to judge and time shots.
Live Ball Play:
Playing points against others, especially with friends of varying skill levels, exposes players to a variety of shots and playing styles. This experience contributes significantly to judgement and timing improvement.
Observing Opponent’s Swing Path:
Demonstrating to the student how an opponent’s swing path can give clues about how the ball may behave upon arrival. Understanding the opponent’s technique aids anticipation.
Competition and Anticipation: Competition is a unique element that enhances anticipation skills. Here’s how coaches can leverage it:
Hitting Pattern Drills:
Create drills that simulate common patterns in matches, helping players anticipate and respond effectively. This could include practicing against specific shot sequences.
Variety of Balls:
Expose players to a variety of shots, including deep and short balls. This helps players experience extremes and learn to anticipate different types of plays.
Number of Balls Hit:
The more balls a player hits, the more exposure they have to different playing scenarios. Repetition is key to developing a sense of anticipation.
How Early: Understanding how early to react is crucial for effective play. Coaches can help players develop early judgement by:
Observing Ball Flight:
Encourage players to pick up on the ball’s flight as it comes off the opponent’s racquet. Recognizing early cues contributes to better anticipation and quicker reactions.
Incorporating these exercises and strategies into coaching sessions helps players refine their technique, movement, judgement, timing, and competition skills, contributing to overall improvement on the tennis court. Regular practice and a focus on these elements will enhance a player’s performance and enjoyment of the game.
Anticipation:
Anticipating the opponent’s next shot before they complete their stroke becomes crucial in a faster-paced game. The mental focus that accompanies an athletic ready position facilitates anticipation.
Tips for Anticipation:
Watch the ball but be aware of the opponents racquet motion
Recognize when your opponent is in trouble and likely to play a defensive shot.
Understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Know your opponent’s weaknesses and strengths.
Guess – Anticipate the opponent’s shot, move fast, and position yourself early, especially when they have an easy put-away shot.
As the game becomes quicker, mastering grip changes, adopting an effective ready position, and improving anticipation skills will give players a strategic edge and better positioning for the next shot.