Mastering the fundamentals of a winning tennis game requires dedication, good coaching, and time. And when you watch the great players compete, it is amazing how many different ways there are to win. As a coach, I encourage my students to develop a style of play that matches their physical skills and temperaments. I want my students to own their shots, and I encourage them to explore different grips and stances on their journeys to discovering their games. Yet, within this framework of freedom (where I hold court), I insist that whatever my students elect to try, that the "experiment" must be grounded in the fundamentals of the game, stroke mechanics, conditioning, balance/footwork, tactics, strategy, and concentration.

Perhaps you have heard references to players being stroke tough, match tough, or tournament tough. Each represents different levels of achievement. Stroke-tough players have learned excellent mechanics and probably execute good combinations of shots in practice situations, but have difficulty properly applying the techniques when facing the pressure of match play. Match-tough players are very effective against certain styles of players or in situations that don’t test the duration of their concentration or fitness. Tournament-tough players succeed in keeping their composure against the various styles of play. These players are disciplined and so efficient in their style, they do not fatigue mentally or physically.

What makes tennis interesting is on any given day any one of these styles executed effectively can win. Finding the common link is the key.

Good players have far more in common than they have differences. Put two great competitors side by side and compare their mastery of fundamental skills — such as balance, preparation, contact point, and recovery — and it’s clear that, regardless of the "wrapper" of individual style, the basic package is the same.

It helps my students to understand that competition begins not with your opponent, but with yourself and your own ability to stay focused.

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
A common error comes by misunderstanding that the nature of moving fast and moving early are different. Moving fast indicates you are behind, trying to catch up to the ball. This is exhausting and breeds a frantic state of mind. Instead, you will hear coaches refer to "covering the ball." This is a specific technique that relates to moving early and should not be confused with chasing or retrieving the ball. Moving early indicates you are alert and acutely aware of the movement of the ball. You feel lighter and more fit, which helps your mind remain calm. I like to refer to this state of mind as "quiet mind." The ability to sustain a level of quiet mind requires us to explore the category of footwork.

Good footwork starts with your eyes. When you are in the ready position, preparing to receive the ball, you will naturally center the ball on your nose with your eyes. Without moving your head, you will notice a narrow tunnel of sharply focused vision. We will refer to this as "center-focused vision." Anything you see outside of this narrow tunnel without moving your head will be a bit out of focus. We will refer to this as "peripheral" or "soft" vision. Understanding the relationship of these two types of vision is the foundation for learning to move early.

STAYING FOCUSED
To keep your thoughts organized and in perspective, we can use a formula: 1⁄4, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 to describe the areas of the court and the relationship of each area to early, efficient movement. The first 1⁄4 is the area of the court from your opponent’s baseline to his service line. The second 1⁄4 is the opponent’s service line to the net. The final 1⁄2 is the net to your own baseline.

We can now move with respect to the formula. While the ball is moving through the first 1⁄4, be aware as it moves just a couple of degrees to either side of your nose. You will know immediately whether it will be a forehand or backhand. In one smooth movement, start your racquet back, initiate your shoulder turn, and begin to step toward the direction of the ball as it moves off of your nose.

As the ball travels through the second 1⁄4, move your feet quickly to keep your face forward so the ball remains in your center-focused vision. Do not turn your head to follow the ball. If the ball enters the area initially defined by your peripheral vision and you turn your head to see it, the ball is already by you! This will result in running fast to reach the ball. Even if you get there, you will be overextended and moving at a weak angle for your setup posture. (This specifically is the foundation of covering the ball. If the ball is allowed to enter the peripheral area, you are chasing or retrieving.) The more efficient technique is to move quickly to keep the ball in your center-focused vision. In photography, for example, if you turn and move the lens too fast, everything is out of focus. A key to good photography is moving the camera where you anticipate the action to be and let it enter the lens. So, like a good photographer, move early and quietly to keep your mind and vision sharply focused.

When the ball is traveling through the final 1⁄2, keep moving and fight to keep your face forward. You should be able to achieve a good position to set up in a solid, balanced posture to maximize your opportunity to deliver a confident and consistent return.

Now, continue to keep your face forward with the ball centered on your nose as you recover your line of position to play the next shot. Tennis challenges you to repeat this process, precisely, throughout the duration of the point (and match).

To see this formula in action, watch professional tennis stars Andre Agassi and Marcelo Rios as they play or practice. These guys are amazing in their ability to move early and cover the ball.

REMEMBER
• Footwork begins with your eyes.
• Don’t turn your head. Keep your face forward.
• Center the ball on your nose.
• Movement formula: 1/4, 1/4, 1/2.
• Move and prepare your body using the formula.
• Keep the ball centered on your nose as you recover to ready position.