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Team Training Tactical

Team Players - Tactical Checklist

BEST (from the PAT Categories) ‐ Club Doubles Core Tactics to neutralise, pressurise or win a point, maximise safety margin and maintain good court positioning.

If some of the Tactical Checklist leaves you with more questions, come along to a coaching session or ask one of the coaching team. Also, look out for more explanations and examples of the Checklist which are in the pipeline!

 

  1. PLAN A ‐ Make The Wall! The Wall beats 1-up-1-back - 1st chance to move in!
  2. 4 Starting Positons related to The Wall.
  3. Default is Serve & Volley / Return & Volley ‐ PLAN A!
  4. Pounce Zone (Going for a winner) / Set-up Zone (Priority Homebase) / Stepping Stone (Moving in) / Baseline (Looking for 1st chance to move in).
  5. Set-up (90%) or Pounce/Win (10% - wait for an easy opportunity).
  6. Cross-court Set-up (Server & Returner, All-4-up).
  7. Set-up or Defend away from the Net Player - hit to the player who is further away.
  8. Pick, Pick, Pick & Pounce!
  9. Low & Slow is the way to go! Set-up or Defend against the wall ‐ target the middle or cross-court for safety.
  10. Safety Margins ‐ Aim for the Singles Court / Middle of back quarter / Safe Winner Targets (middle or shoeshine at nearer player safer than wide angles).
  11. Cut down angles for Set-up (angles give angles) - Save angles for winners (Pounce Zone).
  12. Serve Targets - Default Body / T Serve 2nd / Wide 3rd.
  13. Intercept in middle and move on - interceptor's position tells partner where to go. HIDO (Hit It and Drive On)! Be ready for the rebound!
  14. Returner's partner - Sitting Duck or Crouching Tiger!
  15. No retreat from Volleyland!
    Overhead/High Volley and get back in!
  16. Lob = Approach!
  17. Ghost in to Stepping Stone after good lob in case they lob the lob!
  18. Against S&V or approaching player, Shoe-shine! (Or target the outside back quarter of service box).
  19. Get back if in trouble (PLAN B)!
  20. If opponent's target the middle against The Wall ‐ decide on strategy (both go, forehand goes, stagger).
  21. Server's Partner - watch the line if serve is wide.
  22. Eyes on immediate threat!