Exploiting a Weakness

Testing both sides in the first games shows which one produces the errors.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A stroke that gets every ball warms up and improves; mixing in balls to the strength keeps it uncomfortable.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Pulling the opponent wide on the strong side leaves the weak side open for the next ball.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Two hands restrict how far the player can reach down to a low, skidding ball.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Big points are where the weaker stroke is most likely to break down, so it gets the ball with margin.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Shading towards the backhand corner lets them run around it, which shows they do not trust it.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Tired legs and arms hurt the least reliable stroke first.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The weakness is found first, then opened up and attacked.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The more often the weak side gets the ball, the easier it is for the opponent to expect it.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

Standing over to the backhand side leaves the forehand corner open.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

Rhythm players rely on a familiar timing; changing pace takes that away.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The change-up breaks a pattern the opponent has got used to.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A player who borrows pace finds a slow, spinning ball harder to hit hard.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Variety helps only while the player can still control each shot.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Attacking from deep and above the shoulder is a low-percentage shot, so the aggressor is held back.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A slower ball arrives later but carries less energy to redirect.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Players who thrive on a regular hard rally find an irregular mix hardest to time.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The faster and flatter the ball, the more energy it carries for the opponent to use.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The change-up works best after the opponent has settled into the familiar pace.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

After four balls at a similar pace, shot 5 is suddenly much slower: that is the change-up.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

A player brought in against their will has to volley and cover lobs, which they practise least.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Once the opponent is at the net, the space is beside and behind them.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Changing direction from forward to backward takes time and balance.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The further back the opponent stands, the more court there is in front of them.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A heavy, deep ball bounces high near the baseline and forces a step back.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A quick, forward-moving player turns a short ball into an attacking chance.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Rallies train sideways movement most; forward and back movement is often less practised.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The further the opponent stands from the net, the longer the run to a drop shot.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

Position and forward movement decide whether a short ball will work.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

From well behind the baseline, a ball just over the net is the hardest one to reach in time.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

With the ball at the body the elbow is trapped, so the player can only push or block it.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The longer the levers, the more space a player needs to make room for the swing.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A volley played from a jammed position tends to come back central and soft.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

Low body shots are fair tactics; aiming at the head risks injury and is poor sportsmanship.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A slow, short ball gives the opponent time to move out of the way and swing freely.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A ball at the feet gives neither height nor space, so the reply is cramped and upward.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The body offers margin like the middle of the court while still cramping the opponent.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

The more room a stroke needs, the more a ball at the body hurts it: long swings suffer most, compact ones least.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied

Making room comes first; a shorter swing then keeps the shot controlled.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · recall

A ball at the body takes away the space a full swing needs; a ball to the side leaves it.

Source: General coaching reference (match tactics) · applied