Effective Practice

What are the 4 steps to solidifying improvement in competition?

In this series of articles, we are looking at adult tennis and the paths to improve and enjoy the game the most. In the first part we looked at the surprisingly wide range of opportunities to compete and even travel internationally. (Click Here.)

Now let's turn our attention to game improvement, and the critical role of drill games. Although this article is directed to adults, the approach I am outlining also applies across all ages.

One of the real pleasures of having tennis as an adult avocation is the experience of learning and improving your skills. As young players we sometimes practice because we are told to. As adults we practice because that is what we desire. It something we choose to do with our precious time.

But most players, however well intentioned, make a major mistake in how they practice, and this prevents them from improving. They take a lesson and then jump into a match and wonder why what seemed so simple and so great with their instructor is now impossible to replicate.

Solidifying change is progressive. You can't go from a lesson to a match. Intermediate competitive situations, or drill games, are necessary to build your confidence under pressure. Without them you are wasting your time and money if you are truly committed to raising your level.

Research shows there are four steps in completing any technical or tactical change. The steps are defined by both your level of competence and your awareness of that level.

To create non-cognizant competence you need drill games.

You start by being non-cognizant incompetent. Next you become cognizant incompetent. The third stage is cognizant competent. But the goal to become non-cognizant competent.

The first three stages seem logical, and can be reached in typical lessons. But the last stage is the critical one, and the one most players never reach. Being non-cognizant competent means you are able to physically execute without having to think and process what you are doing verbally.

Most players think they know what they need to do. But they never actually change because they are always thinking about what they need to do in match play.

The correct process is to identify a phase of your game you would like to change and learn how to correctly perform that change. But then you must combine add a competitive dimension to your practice, through drill games such as the ones outlined below. This competitive element is crucial in integrating change. It is also what makes practice fun.

In this article I want to outline 4 tremendously effective practice games, one for the groundstrokes,one for the volleys, one for the serve, and then one for winning service and return games. When you are able to execute in these drill games, you are ready to execute in match play.

Playing groundstroke points to 21 is a classic practice game. But I like to add an initial twist which makesit simulate match play more closely.

How you start backcourt games is what makes them realistic and effective.

In the typical version of this game, both players start at the baseline. One person puts the ball in play, and from there you play out the point. The first to win 21 points wins the game.

But if the ball is put in play down the middle, there is a tendency to continue to hit the ball directly back and forth, exactly what you don't want to do during match play. I refer to this as the "Companion Syndrome."

To correct this I modify how the first ball is put in play. Either player can start the point, but they must start it by hitting the ball crosscourt.

This creates angles and strategy from the get-go. You can alternate the start from one side to the other. Or play 5 points on one side and then shift. Vary it to keep things fresh.

The point is to work on changes in your groundstrokes in the context of competitive backcourt points without having to deal with an actual serve or return. You'll get far more repetitions this way, as well as the opportunity to win points based on sound geometric patterns.

I actually came up with this game when I found myself at the courts with no one in sight to play with. Solo serving is great for a couple of reasons. First you don't need a partner. Secondly as you improve you can increase the difficulty step by step. But I like it because, like the other games in this article, it creates pressure to execute, but less pressure than a club or league match.

The imaginary defeat of great players through increased serving accuracy.

In this game, I usually gave my invisible opponents names, like Pancho, Rod or Jack. Today it might be Roger, Rafa, and Novak. As I improved at the game, I seldom lost and of course felt very proud about beating some of the top names in the sport.

Before your first serve, pick a target area, for instance, the backhand corner of the deuce court. If your first serve misses, then on your second serve you only have half of that area. Miss the second serve and you lose the point. Continue this pattern and play an entire game. Change the target areas to develop your mastery of the entire service box.

The more advanced you become, the smaller you can make the target areas. This type of practice is far more entertaining than just going out and blasting practice serves.

The fun will result in longer practice sessions. But also tremendous increases in serving accuracy. And the ability to place both serves consistentlhy under pressure. After all you have already done it successfully against some of the greatest players in tennis history.

I came up with this drill to intensify the type of practice needed to become a consistent volleyer. You can use the full court, or half of the court.

The half court volley game develops consistency and confidence.

If you use half of the court, you can play this game down the line or crosscourt. The baseline player puts the ball in play. The object is for the volleyer to keep the ball in play for a minimum of five times.

If the net player can hit the ball five times in a row, he wins the point. If the net player misses a volley before reaching five, the baseline player gets the point. If the volleyer hits a winner, the two players start back at zero, and no points are awarded.

Play to five, and then change positions. The amount of times the net player has to keep the ball in play can be changed to accommodate the level of the players.

To make the drill even more difficult for the net player, make it a rule that the volley must land beyond the service squares. This drill is the perfect first step for the aspiring attacking player.

It teaches the player that consistency is the key to commanding the net. When you don't make errors at net, the baseline player is forced to perform. Under pressure many opponents can't.

Volleyball Scoring is a drill game that puts an emphasis both on holding serve and being able to break. Spin to find out who serves first.

Volleyball Scoring: serving to score points and returning to gain scoring position.

The rule difference is this: in volleyball scoring you can only win a point when serving. To take over as the server you need to win two consecutive points as the returner.

Instead of just winning 4 points to hold serve, the server must now win 11. The returner on the other hand sees the critical importance of breaking serve. Without doing so, he is unable to score at all.

It's a great game and can be very dramatic. As you improve you can also play to 21 points combining the basics of the game with endurance.

Master these 4 drill games and you can raise your game a full level or more. A final point about practice partners. They don't all have to be at your level of play, hopefully there will be a mix, and you can enjoy playing these drill games against different levels and quality of balls.

In fact that's recommended! So take your time. Work on the changes you need, practice correctly, and enjoy the experience of growing your game!

Effective Practice

Rob Heckelman