# Exploiting a Weakness · Tennis Level 6: Advanced

Tennis · Level 6: Advanced · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/level-6/exploiting-a-weakness/)

Exploiting a Weakness in Tennis (Level 6: Advanced) on Insporta: 40 sourced facts behind 4 tests. Covers: the weaker wing; and more.

Turning an opponent's weakness into points: finding and pressing the weaker wing, breaking their rhythm, using the front and back of the court, and aiming at the body.

## Test 1: The weaker wing

- Testing both sides in the first games shows which one produces the errors. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))
- Pulling the opponent wide on the strong side leaves the weak side open for the next ball. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Two hands restrict how far the player can reach down to a low, skidding ball. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))
- Shading towards the backhand corner lets them run around it, which shows they do not trust it. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Tired legs and arms hurt the least reliable stroke first. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The weakness is found first, then opened up and attacked. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))
- Standing over to the backhand side leaves the forehand corner open. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))

## Test 2: Breaking the opponent's rhythm

- Rhythm players rely on a familiar timing; changing pace takes that away. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The change-up breaks a pattern the opponent has got used to. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A player who borrows pace finds a slow, spinning ball harder to hit hard. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Variety helps only while the player can still control each shot. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Attacking from deep and above the shoulder is a low-percentage shot, so the aggressor is held back. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A slower ball arrives later but carries less energy to redirect. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Players who thrive on a regular hard rally find an irregular mix hardest to time. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The faster and flatter the ball, the more energy it carries for the opponent to use. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The change-up works best after the opponent has settled into the familiar pace. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- After four balls at a similar pace, shot 5 is suddenly much slower: that is the change-up. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))

## Test 3: Up and back

- A player brought in against their will has to volley and cover lobs, which they practise least. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Once the opponent is at the net, the space is beside and behind them. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Changing direction from forward to backward takes time and balance. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The further back the opponent stands, the more court there is in front of them. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A heavy, deep ball bounces high near the baseline and forces a step back. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A quick, forward-moving player turns a short ball into an attacking chance. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Rallies train sideways movement most; forward and back movement is often less practised. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The further the opponent stands from the net, the longer the run to a drop shot. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Position and forward movement decide whether a short ball will work. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))

## Test 4: Aiming at the body

- 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))
- The longer the levers, the more space a player needs to make room for the swing. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A volley played from a jammed position tends to come back central and soft. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- Low body shots are fair tactics; aiming at the head risks injury and is poor sportsmanship. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A slow, short ball gives the opponent time to move out of the way and swing freely. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- A ball at the feet gives neither height nor space, so the reply is cramped and upward. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- The body offers margin like the middle of the court while still cramping the opponent. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))
- Making room comes first; a shorter swing then keeps the shot controlled. (Source: General coaching reference (match tactics))
- 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))

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.

Take the tests: https://insporta.app/try?utm_source=book&utm_medium=referral