The outcome of any tennis game depends on the kind of tactics you use. Use tactics that are deadly, throw in a greater range of strokes and you have a winner on your hands. Here are some basic tactics that you need to remember if you want to win the game:

Keeping the Ball in Play

The fundamental aim in tennis is to get the ball over the net into your opponent’s court. There’s no point in having a perfect style if you cannot get the ball over the net consistently. Unless you can do this, you cannot hope to win enough points to win matches.

Making Your Opponent Run

You need to make it as difficult as you can for your opponent to return the ball into your court. Tactically, if you make your opponent run then he will not have time to settle down, and thus will not be able to build his timing, or confidence. Make use of the entire court and hit the ball wide on some occasions, straight at other times and keep adding variations. Hit the ball short or deep; sometimes hard and sometimes quite softly. Just keep your opponent guessing about your strokes, make him run and you’ll be able to crack the game.

Positioning Yourself

What you need to remember is that your opponent will be using the same tactics on you. To counteract this, you need to get a good position on the court. As soon as you hit the ball you must move into proper position to deal with the return. Never stop and watch the ball after hitting it, otherwise you will never be ready for the return. If you are playing singles you must be in the right position at the start of the game and during the rally.

If you are the receiver, then you must move either to the baseline position or volleying position. If you are rallying from the back of the court, go to the baseline position and try to stay back around the middle of the baseline between shots if you can.

When playing doubles take up a slightly different position at the start of the game. The server should move towards the sideline and the receiver should remain in a similar position to that in singles, so that he can cover serves to either the forehead or backhand.

Being Ready for the Ball

Once you are positioned at the right place, you need to be ready to hit the ball. This means that your racquet should be able to move in any direction. Your knees should be bent; your feet about a width apart and your body should feel ready.

It is difficult to be scientific about the correct stance for receiving the service. Some crouch lower than others, some have their feet wide apart, while others hold their racquets in different positions. Each individual has a different stance. What matters is how effectively you use these tactics to defeat your opponent.

Remember these tactics and see the difference it makes to your game. If one fine day you find your game slipping, we would encourage you to go back and revisit these basics. Most often, then not, just correcting these basics again, would get you right back on the track.