Player practice guide
Situation Analysis
10 min GroupIntermediate–AdvancedMatch play
Help players recognise court position, ball quality and the highest-percentage next action.
Best for: small groups learning to identify court position, ball quality and the safest next action.
Goal
Recognise a baseline, inside-court or net situation and choose the highest-percentage response.
Success today
Each player completes 3 scenarios and makes the correct situation call and recovery choice in at least 2.
Watch before court
Technique reference
Tennis Practice Set: Analyzing the Best Shots and Tactics in Slow Motion · 10:18
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch the shot choices, recovery positions and point patterns used during a practice set.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- A group of 3–6 players
- One person to feed each scenario
- Basket of tennis balls
- 6 flat cones
- Approximately 10 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
One active player moves through baseline, inside-court and net scenarios while the remaining players observe from a safe marked area and rotate after three balls.
- 01Mark baseline, inside-court and net starting positions.
- 02Create one safe observation area behind the back fence.
- 03Use one active player and one feeder while the group rotates.
Step by step
Your 10-minute practice
0–2 min
Map the situations
- Walk the baseline, inside-court and net positions.
- Name the safest target from each.
2–5 min
Use called scenarios
- Play one ball from each starting position.
- Recover to the matching next position.
5–8 min
Read mixed scenarios
- Let the feeder choose the position and ball quality.
- Call the situation before contact.
8–10 min
Complete three each
- Rotate after every player has three scenarios.
- Aim for two correct calls and recoveries.
Remember
Three player cues
- Where are you?
- What quality is the ball?
- What position comes next?
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Choosing a shot without noticing court position
- Copying the previous player’s answer
- Discussing while an active ball is in play
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use two clearly different situations and allow the player to point to the target before the feed.
Make it harder
Use subtler ball differences and play a live second ball after the decision.
Keep it safe
Only one player enters the active court; observers stay behind the marked area and balls are collected between rotations.
Continue later