Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Tennis · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.5

Singles Court Positioning

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Baseline positions, court geometry and angles, mid-court and no man's land, and moving in to attack.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Baseline positionsTake a test

  1. Standing a little behind the line gives time.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  2. Hitting earlier gives the opponent less time.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  3. Position depends on the incoming ball.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  4. A short ball lets a player step in.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  5. A distant player leaves large gaps.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  6. A player who owns the baseline takes the ball early.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  7. A close position pressures a weaker opponent.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  8. Moving forward is more aggressive.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  9. Taking the ball early cuts the time the opponent gets.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  10. Marker C stands inside the court.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

Test 2Court geometry and anglesTake a test

  1. A wide player cannot cover the far side.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  2. The open court is the space the opponent has left.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  3. A steep angle leaves little room for error.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  4. A central ball limits the opponent's options.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  5. A short angle drags the opponent out.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  6. Depth restricts the angles open to the opponent.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  7. Constant movement creates openings.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  8. A sharp short ball gives the largest angle.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  9. A wide ball moves the opponent and opens space.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

  10. The shaded space is where the opponent is not.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

Test 3Mid-court and no man's landTake a test

  1. A player caught there faces tough low balls.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  2. Low balls near the feet are awkward.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  3. A player should leave the zone quickly.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  4. A defender gives themselves time.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  5. Cutting the ball off takes time away.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  6. A quick move limits the time spent there.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  7. A low ball needs a low body and a safe target.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

  8. A player moves from the back to the net through the mid-court.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  9. A player moves, hops, hits and continues.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

  10. The shaded band between the baseline and the net is no man's land.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

Test 4Transition and moving inTake a test

  1. Choosing high-percentage shots reduces errors.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  2. Early contact takes time away.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  3. Small steps keep balance.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  4. Players advance when they can and retreat when pushed.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  5. Defending from behind gives time.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  6. A good attack is followed by a ready position.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  7. A good shot gives a chance to come in.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  8. A net rush is the most forward move.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · recall

  9. A player spots, steps, hits and closes.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

  10. The path shows a player moving in.

    Source: General coaching reference (singles tactics) · applied

Sources

ITF coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General coaching reference (singles tactics)40