Private Lessons: Neutral Tennis – The Key to Offense and Defense

In tennis so much is made of playing style. Are you an attacking player or a defensive player? Why can’t a
player do both well? The greatest players achieve this balance.

Making the transition from defense to offense is the key to having a balanced style. This requires the
ability to play Neutral Tennis and it may be the single most overlooked point in competitive strategy. And it applies from
the club level all the way to the highest levels of the tour.

A neutral reply, well struck and deep down the middle allows me to stay in the point and be ready to go on offense or to respond better in a defensive situation.

Defense to Offense

The first key to developing this balance is to learn how Neutral Tennis can take you from defense to offense. Transitioning from defense to offense requires the ability to hit what are called neutral replies – a ball hit solidly, deeply, and most importantly, down the middle of the court. Neutral replies are neither offensive nor defensive in nature. A neutral reply is a well struck, well placed shot that allows you to be ready to go on offense or to respond…