Changing Direction Successfully

If you are a baseliner, you will inevitably get into long, crosscourt rallies.

Baseliners with steady, if not overpowering strokes, will often dare an opponent to outlast them in a crosscourt rally, especially off the backhand side.

Quite often, the first player to switch directions loses the point on the first, down-the-line attempt, while players who make the switch first, successfully, often win the point.

This has more to do with physics than anything else. Without going into too much detail, it takes one racquet head speed to return a ball crosscourt, that is hit from crosscourt, but it takes a higher racquet head speed to change direction (go down the line) on a ball coming from crosscourt.

This is why, if a player has been in a groove with one racquet head speed for several crosscourt shots, then attempts to stay in his or her same rhythm to make a down-the-line shot, the ball goes wide.

Practice changing directions with a simple, live-ball drill which lets you experience the affect of physics on a tennis point.

Step #1 -- Rally crosscourt, attempting to keep the ball in play, past the service line, for 10, 15 or 20 tries. Spend approximately two-to-three minutes getting into a groove. This should be a cooperative, but aggressive rally.

Step #2 -- Choose one of the two of you who will make a directional change, trying to hit one ball down the line after the two of you have hit three-to-four balls crosscourt. After you change direction, play out point. Play five points this way, with each player getting the chance to change direction.

Remember that a change in racquet head speed is needed when switching from crosscourt to down-the-line, and practice changing direction after a six-to-eight stroke, crosscourt rally. Let each player to practice changing direction several times during a rally.

Step #3 -- Run the drill by beginning with a second serve, trying to simulate a point in a match.

Remember, you should be changing direction on your opponent's weaker shots, and you should be using your crosscourt shots to produce a weak or short ball which can be attacked, rather than waiting for a short ball.

The down-the-line shot does not have to be a winner, and may be the final, forcing shot which opens up the court for a winner. Think about what options your opponents will have if you successfully change direction.

Practicing a situation which occurs often in high school tennis matches, and preparing to be the aggressor in this frequent exchange may add several more points to your score each set -- often all that's needed to swing a match in your favor!