Singles Tactics: Court Coverage and Footwork?

Question

Hi

I want to know how to efficiently cover my court in singles with enough time to reach the ball and be able to hit a good shot.

I also want to any good footwork techniques and what are the most important strokes that applies footwork vigorously.

Things that you can include.

Techniques, Drills, Websites, Books, Videos. (ECT)

Your NTPR rating ITF ranking (ECT)

Also what has worked best for you?

To tell the truth I've got no abs so there I kind of get out of breath and fast suggestions anyone?

Thx in advance

Answer 1

Well, you need to do on and off court training and it helps to have a partner that you can do drills with.

One drill that is good is with an oddly shapped rubber ball that your partner can drop and you can try to catch after the 1st bounce.  (Stand a couple feet away from her, and she just holds our her hand and drops the bal) It will help get you into shape and improve your reaction time at once... This is what the ball looks like.. http://www.pa.org/images/store/12113a.jp...

You can also do sprints. Don't run long distance because it will only make you slower on court. Think fast twitch muscles.. Also work on your core..lots of ab's.

On court you can improve your footwork by simply not stopping moving your feet unless you are getting a water break or picking up balls. During hitting make sure you are on your toes and split step right before your opponent hits the shot. Try to get into position as soon as you know where the ball will be. Take LOTS of little steps...even last minute when you think you are in the correct position...make it better.  When you improve your court coverage I recommend trying to make contact with the ball right before it starts to drop again. So technically on the rise...but not right off the bounce.

Just try to exaggerate your footwork more than you would in a match and you will see lots of improvement.

Answer 2

Well first of all, I think all you need is some time set alone for you to work on your footwork as well as your court coverage. I believe that maybe everyday, run a mile, as fast as you can, and that should improve how fast you run while getting a short ball from your opponent. To run fast, you don't need so much arm strength, but more of your legs, thighs, and ankles, etc. However, I highly reccomend this one video by Jimmy Connors called "Tennis Fundamentals" and I guarantee you'll learn not only a lot about footwork but generally the well, fundamentals of tennis.

You know, there are some great books, and the ones I have, really have great drills to help your tennis, and definitely your footwork. But in some magazines, like ADDvantage, they include about 6 or something drills in each magazine, and they actually help, and some are designed just to improve your footwork. This one book, "Professional Tennis Drills" really have some great drills that are designed to improve your tennis game physically and mentally, also court coverage, as well as footwork. I really think the game of tennis isn't depended on how fast you run, but mainly it's how you hit the ball, and if you can run the mile under 7-8 or even 10 minutes, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Although once in awhile, you can pick up great tips from magazines like "Tennis" or "Smash"

Even you can check or search on the Internet some great footwork drills like Kamikaze, one-ball drill, line drill, ten on the baseline, touch drill, alley drill, but just work out at least three days a week, at least 30-60 minutes each day. Simple work outs could just be jumping rope, lifting dumb bells, or just running a mile or two.

Generally, just practice hard, and work out, I am pretty sure you will improve!

Goodluck

Hope this helps...