Tennis Target Windows: An Easier Way to Aim Your Shots

When you are running after that wide shot the tennis court can seem impossibly large, but when you are aiming you own shot it starts to feel a lot smaller. Given the liveliness of the ball coming off the racquet, it is very easy to overplay your shot unless you have a very specific target to aim toward.

I always tell students to aim with the hand because that determines racquet face direction. But what exactly do you aim for? Rather than aim for a distant spot on the far side of the court which is harder to visualize, try reaching to a specific shot above the net. Imagine hitting the ball through a 3 foot long window hovering above the net. This will give your hand something closer to reach out toward and will encourage you to lift the ball up safely over the net. It will also enable you to look at the ball longer because you will not be distracted by your opponent. When you are returning serve you have four basic targeting options, thus four different windows (see illustration).

a) Crosscourt deep - when the server stays back after serving, aim through window A which is two to three feet above the net to the left of the center strap. You want the ball to land deep at the server’s feet so you can move into the net and put the volley away to the center T.

b) Crosscourt short - when the server comes in to volley aim through window B which is one to two feet above the net to the left of the center strap. You want your shot to land in the service box so the server must pop up a low volley. Hopefully you or your partner could then move forward to spike the pop up to the center T.

c) Drive down the alley - try this occasionally especially against an active poacher. Aim through window C which is one to two feet above the net and extends from the singles line to the center of the alley. it is too risky to aim for the doubles line itself. Also, tell your partner to move over quickly to the right to cover the center in case your opponent volleys the ball back.

d) Lob down the alley - this is an effective play to force your opponents to retreat back to the baseline and allow you to take control of the net. This window is much bigger than the others and is about 15-20 feet above the singles line. Tilt you hand up to about 45 degrees, use a short backswing but a slow smooth follow through. If your lob is deep, expect your opponents to lob back. be ready to put away an angled overhead.

To make a window target more effective try to visualize the ball arcing through it beforehand. Reach your hand out smoothly toward the window keeping your stroke straight in the contact zone. You should be able to concentrate better this way because you will be more focused on your stroke, contacting the ball, and the target window.

Doubles return of serve options from the deuce side