The Elements of Game Style

Nick Wheatley

In the first two articles we looked at identifying your preferred shots (Click Here) and how to do a simple test based on this to determine if you are a right side or left side player (Click Here.)

So if you have been following these articles, you now know your top shot, your set up shot, your other fav shots, your secondary shot, your preferred side, and you understand the nuances of decision making for hitting crosscourt versus down the line.

This understanding in the basis for identifying your game style. This goes beyond shots and patterns and asks the question how do you win points?

This is another critical piece of knowledge for developing the ability to make the marginal gains that can help you win close matches. To do this run through the following questions.

Am I primarily an attacking player? Are you always looking to hit powerful groundstrokes and/or get to the net to finish off points?

Or am I primarily a consistent player? This means looking to be solid from the back, hitting quality, accurate shots with high margin for error, but still being prepared to attack short balls.

Or am I a primarily a counter puncher? This means you are happy to run all day sending balls back to my opponent, but will still attack when the appropriate balls present themselves.

The next question. How do I produce my shots in terms of spin? Do I hit flat with little or no topspin, and/or lots of slice shots? Or, do I hit with topspin on most of my groundstrokes?

Or, do I hit with heavy topspin and am always looking to maximise the amount of topspin on my shots? Or, am a mixed spin player with a moderate to heavy topspin forehand, and lots of slice on the backhand?

And a third question—where do you prefer to play in the court? Am I a baseliner who mostly plays near the baseline, or who plays deeper behind the line? Am I a net player mostly looking to come forward? Or, am I all rounder looking do both things fairly equally?

From all your answers, you will be able to come up with a clear description of your game style. All the variations also pair with whether you are right side or left side player. For me, I'm a left side, consistent, topspin baseliner.

But of course there are more variations within all the game styles—the things that make your game your game. Think about how you actually win points from your preferred court position.

Is there one standout way, or are there a few ways that crop up fairly regularly? This is an important final piece of the puzzle.

Consider the following options and how applicable they are to your game.

Rushing opponents by taking the ball early. Keeping opponents off balance with attacking tennis, and getting lots of forced errors as a result.

Consistently hitting quality shots to get both forced and unforced errors. Being a great defender, and winning points mostly from your opponents unforced errors. Winning from the net because of your great transitioning skills, and net play. Winning with speciality shots like drop shots. Winning with a special weapon, like a huge serve or a huge forehand.

You may be able to think of other ways that work in your game. Now test how accurate your description is the next time you go out and play. If you can highlight the ways you win points, you can use this to boost your understanding of your game.

Once this is identified, you can tailor your training more effectively, and be more aware in matches of opportunities to use the skills that you're good at and that usually do the job for you. You will boost your confidence by having this understanding and have clarity of thought to deal with the pressure of matches.

That wraps up this section on understanding your strengths and your game style. It's worth noting at this stage that many of the questions you may have will likely be answered in upcoming articles, including how you adapt to your opponents game style and strengths. However, do feel free to raise these along with any other thoughts and comments you may have in the Forum!