The A,B,C's of Big Targets, Big Margins

In several earlier articles including "Look ball, Think target", and "Make Balls", I have discussed different aspects of targeting. This is a very important part of technique and tactics. It requires both visualization skills, and tactical awareness. In this post, let's examine the two basic versions of a simple system we encourage our HP players to use.

As we have discussed at length, having a specific target is critical. It defines the intended path of the racquet face, and it's intended resulting placement of the ball. The more specific the target, the more accurate the shot. Consider this example: If the coach tells you to hit your approach into the backhand corner, you are satisfied if your ball lands anywhere in a large area to the right of the center line, and deep of the service line. But if he/she puts a cone two feet inside the baseline and two feet inside the sideline, you are disappointed if your shot misses the cone by a few inches. The more specific the target, the more accurate the shot.

But in order to remain consistent and steady, the targets need to be big. We like the image of an 8-9 foot circle around a cone or spot in the center. That leaves 4 to 4-1/2 feet of MARGIN around a very specific target. The great truth is, in most cases in junior tennis, if you are within 4 feet of your intended target, (and you didn't foolishly choose a target too close to the line), you will be in good shape. With this thought in mind, we have encouraged our players to use one of two versions of the following system. I borrowed this from a friend who coached a D1 men's team on the west coast for many years, using this very concept. He made his varsity players train every day on the 3 target system, and conditioned them to answer the following question at any time during practice or post match analysis, "what was your intended target?"

Across the back of the court, about 4- 6 feet inside the baseline, visualize the targets as three equidistant marks. The two on the outside are 4-1/2 feet inside the sideline, and the middle target is on the center line. Imagine there is a 9 foot circle around each target. These three circles going across, measuring 27 feet edge to edge, cover the entire Singles court sideline to sideline. We call these targets, A, B, and C. Targets D,E, and F are then placed accordingly along the service line, and G, H and I are laterally positioned across the court half way between the service line and the net. That gives us 9 total targets that evenly cover the entire singles court. Because there are 3 targets across at the 3 depths in the court, we call that a 3 target system. We encourage all our new Champ level players (and especially all the Pre HP kids) to use this system. That means all shots, EVERY shot (except the serve) are intended to go to one of these 9 spots. Groundies, lobs, passes, volleys, dropshots, angle winners - EVERY shot. This serves two purposes. It very much simplifies the players task of visualizing a specific destination for every ball, and it naturally builds in effective BIG MARGINS. Since the ultimate requirement is to MAKE BALLS, this produces significant and rapid improvement in consistency and shot tolerance. And if you are nailing shots 4-5 feet inside the lines, you definitely reduce your chance of getting hooked (victimized by questionable line calls). Perhaps you may hit fewer winners and the rallies may continue a bit longer, but the reduced number of errors will pay off early and often

For the higher level players (Supers, National competitors,etc) we simply reduce the size of the circle, and add a 4th target to each horizontal row. Assuming these players have more accuracy and control (an assumption that doesn't always play out!) we end up with A,B,C, and D across the back, each within approximately 7 foot circles. E-H then fall across the service line, and I-L are up at the net. It takes some discipline to get the top players to avoid trying to "paint lines", but in general we have great buy-in to the system, and definitely improved results.

To be honest, in training we almost always refer to A and C (or D) in the crosscourt corners, and to D and F (or E and H) as the wide targets near the service line and sideline intersections. The noteable exception being O'Shanessy's popular inside right high percentage play, which would coincide with our C in a 4 target system.. After only a few hours of drills and lessons, our players become confident and comfortable with this system, and much clearer about their intentions. By visualizing specific and consistent locations on the court for every shot, they put themselves in a position lo learn something from every shot, and improve immediately. By comparing their intention to their result, they get immediate feedback about many things such as swing speed, racquet face angle, how much and what part of the ball, point of contact, etc. that makes them better the very next time they hit the same shot. They also enjoy a very rapid reduction in unforced errors. What great benefits!!

So familiarize yourself with, and start using the A,B,C's of targeting. Get specific and consistent about which Big Targets and Big Margins you are using, and enjoy the rapid improvement in consistency and shot tolerance.