Winning Matches: Tactics

Hitting crosscourt forehands may pay off even if your forehand is your weaker side.

Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

The player who thinks to win is able to use a wide variety of tactics to win matches against various
opponents to suit various circumstances. What I want to outline here is a whole range of possibilities for you to explore,
and then to incorporate these into your game plans for various matches.

In general, winning matches hinges on your ability to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses, to hide your own
weaknesses, and to stay away from your opponent’s strengths. Be aware of what you do better and worse than your opponent.

All players have points of weakness and your game plan should revolve around who has the advantage in various
match-ups. For example, your forehand may be your weaker side, but hitting crosscourt forehands with your opponent may pay
off, because his forehand’s weaker than yours. Or you may be an average or even a poor volleyer, but able to win at the net
if your opponent’s passing shots are his weak point.

If you’re a baseliner with a poor volley and losing to a volleyer, it may pay for you to…